Astro-Smart Meade RCDA User manual

User’s Manual Computerized Dew
Annihilator (Models Meade RCDA,
CDA-R)
Copyright Oct 15 2018

Astro-Smart ----------------------------> [e-mail]
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User’s Manual
for the
Astro-Smart
Computerized Dew Annihilator
(Models Meade CDA-R)
Contents
A. Overview ............................................................................................................2
B. Features ............................................................................................................. 6
C. Contents of Box..................................................................................................8
D. Input / Output Power Specifications ...............................................................8
E. Meade RCDA or CDA-R Front Panel And Connector Diagram...................... 10
F. Basic Functionality .......................................................................................... 13
G. BootUp: Default............................................................................................... 13
H. Meade CDA-R PC Dew Control User Interface Introduction ........................ 14
I. Meade CDA-R Summary WebGUI Entry Commands (System Control) .......22
J. Meade CDA-R External Temperature Sensor Hints:...................................... 25
K. Accessories....................................................................................................... 27
L. Warranty, Policies, Copyright Notice:.............................................................29

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Computerized Dew Annihilator
(Model Meade, RCDA, CDA-R)
A. Overview
The Meade RCDA or CDA-R can be setup with your telescope As-is placed in automatic mode for
trouble-free operation or can be controlled and monitored remotely via automatic or manual modes
via a computer with the supplied com port interface. Typical connection diagram are shown below.

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Astro-Smart is the innovator of this elegant automatic solution to your dew problem . The
Meade Computerized Dew Annihilator ( Meade RCDA or CDA-R) is one to the most advanced
dew controllers made available to the amateur or professional Astronomer and at a price comparable
by no other system on the market. The Meade Computerized Dew Annihilator ( Meade RCDA or
CDA-R) is designed to be used to fit into the Meade fork arm telescope which has more features than
any other dew control system being offered at a fraction of the cost. The Meade RCDA or CDA-R
will solve your dew problems automatically while informing you every step of the way. Its like
having a hired dew specialist posted at your telescope 24/7.
The (Model –Meade RCDA or CDA-R) integrates dew control into the fork arm of the very
telescope you are using. Most users of the LX200 GPS/R/ACF; RCX400; and LX600 don't use, let
alone rely on, the battery compartment to run their telescope. Astro-Smart's unique approach offers
the clean and efficient use of this space to minimize loading and wire clustering and to provide a
complete replacement solution to the existing battery compartment and cover currently offered for
Meade 7"-14" LX200GPS/R/ACF, 8"-14" RCX400 ACF, and 10"-14" LX600 telescopes. In

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addition, the scope can be brought back to its original condition without alteration in the event you
need to send your scope back to the manufacturer or want to sell in the future. The Meade RCDA or
CDA-R will solve your dew problems automatically while informing you every step of the way. Its
like having a hired dew specialist at your disposal.
The Meade CDA-R module incorporates a four port heater capability controlling multiple channels
using multiple channel temperature sensors. For instance, one sensor(DTS-12) may be used for the
main imaging telescopes corrector plate for dew control while the second(DTS-34)is used for another
mounted imaging scope, guider or finder scope or your eyepieces. Each monitored sensor channel
location is then paired with its associated output heat strap channel for dew control. For instance,
DTS12 sensor would be placed on the optical corrector and the heat strap would go around the optical
interface tube for instance CH1 or CH2 or both. The Meade RCDA is a simplified version of the
Meade CDA-R module which incorporates a four port heater capability controlling multiple channels
with manual user switch heat selections (25%, 50% or 80%) for independent control of CH12 or
CH34 PWM heat strap outputs using the provided two independent switch selectors.
In Figure 1 below you can see the normal LX200 GPS/R/ACF, RCX400 ACF, and LX600 battery
compartment, the installed 4 port controller (Model Meade-Meade CDA-R), and the circuit
board with its 4 heat channels and coupled temperature sensor channels(CH1/CH2<--->DTS-
12)(CH3/CH4<--->DTS-34). The center ATHS channel is for ambient temperature and humidity
monitoring normally placed against the optical tube of your main imaging telescope. LEDs next to
CH1/CH2 and CH3/CH4 show the dew control PWM rate when operating.

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Installation is simple. Just replace the battery compartment on your telescope with our Meade CDA-R
unit while you keep your original battery compartment lid as shown above.
Figure 1: Computerized Dew
Annihilator (Meade CDA-R).

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B. Features
Since, the inception of this unique product at Astro-Smart, the Meade CDA-R was many years in the
making, over long periods in astronomy using existing products on the market to control dew,
identifying their weaknesses and limitations making the product you see before you. Features such as
Patent Pending Heat Distribution which minimizes heat currents on optics during imaging, Humidity
Measurement, Dew point and Differential Temperature Alarms with automated decision making on
Dew Control, Updateable Firmware, Computer Control and Intelligent Software Computer GUI
interface to name a few. The Meade RCDA has the same features as the Meade CDA-R without the
computer control features. The Astro-Smart Computerized Dew Annihilator (Model Meade
RCDA or CDA-R) are Observatory Class Dew Removal Systems designed to be user friendly,
serviceable, elegant and reliable.
The Astro-Smart Computerized Dew Annihilator ( Model –Meade RCDA or CDA-R ) has
these innovative and Unique features:
1. Worry Free Warranty Program For Life With Product Sale.
2. Full Computerized Automatic Or Manual Operated Dew Control Solution. RCDA(Manual
Only 20%, 40%, 80% using 2 switch selectors for CH12 and CH34).
3. 4 Output Port Heat Control Automated or User Control Capable of 120 Watts(12V, 10Amps).
4. Computer Control Interface for Entry of Full System Parameters and Control Functions.(CDA-
R Only).
5. Patented Asto-Smart Wave Cancellation Method And Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for
Efficient Heat Output Tailored for Extreme Dew Removal, Reduced Wave Interference with CCD
Imaging and Conservation of Power Drawl.
6. LED Flash Indicators For Heat PWM Output Ports.
7. Audible Alarms For Dew Point Approaching and Differential Delta Monitoring. .(CDA-R
Only).

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8. 2 Differential Temperature and 1 Ambient Temperature/Humidity Measurement and Control.
.(CDA-R Only).
9. Automated Dew Point and Temperature Variance set point for Dew Control. .(CDA-R Only).
10. Dual Fahrenheit or Celsius Temperature Display Feature. .(CDA-R Only).
11. Updatable Firmware and Standalone Software OS GUI Interface (CDA-R Only).
12. Long Distance Remote Control Interface To Observatory including Windows Software
Interface Via Remote Computer. The Meade CDA-Remote interface supports Serial RS-232,
USB, Ethernet and RF Wireless(New!) backhauls. .(CDA-R Only).
13. Automated System Data Logger Storage, Retrieval and Plot Comparison Capability. .(CDA-
R Only).
14. High quality design employs multi-layer PCB form factor and only the best quality
components with conformal coatings for outdoor use.
15 Void of RFI(Radio Frequency Interference) protected to enhance Astro-Imaging .
16. Price point set below development cost for such a system while providing more features.
The Astro-Smart Computerized Dew Annihilator Meade (Meade RCDA or CDA-R) was designed with
the same Astro-Smart USER-Friendly design philosophy as all our other products:
- Usable
- Serviceable
- Elegant
- Reliable
- Build with burn in time testing before ship.
... USER-Friendly

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C. Contents of Box
1. Meade CDA-R or Meade RCDA Controller Module.
2. CD with Control SW, manual and video tutorials(CDA-R only).
3. One Ambient Temperature Sensor(CDA-R only).
4. One USB to serial interface Cable(CDA-R only).
5. 12 Volt DC fused cigarette adapter harness.
D. Input / Output Power Specifications
The Meade Meade RCDA or CDA-R requires the following:
At a minimum of 12 Volts DC at 3.3 amps a 2.5mm DC power connector on your AC/DC supply.
Based on the 4 channel configuration, the Meade CDA-R is rated at 5 Amps per duplexed channel
or 10 Amps total. Ie. Ch1-2 5 Amp max + Ch3-4 5 Amp max for a total of 10 Amps at 12 VDC which
gives a variety of heat strap configurations possible. A power supply rated at 12 VDC and 10 Amps
rms is the ideal configuration which astro-smart recommends and provides as a purchase option.
Note: This current drawn through the Meade CDA-R is dependent on the resistance of each dew
strap being used with the Meade CDA-R . The total current for all the dew straps must not
exceed the power supply current rating.

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Center positive voltage, sleeve ground, sees Figure 2.
Figure 2 DC power plug
Uses dew straps manufactured by other astronomical vendors.
Note: Astro-Smart recommends you buy our certified tested power supplies for this product.
Users can buy and connect their own power supplies to this product, but they do so at their own
risk.
The total resistance of all the dew straps used with the iDDHM
must follow this equation for SAFE operation:
Current Rating of Power Supply 1 1 1 1
= + + +
Voltage output of Power Supply Rstrap 1 Rstrap 2 Rstrap 3 Rstrap
4
Astro-Smart assumes no responsibility
if this warning is not heeded.
Positive (+)
12VDC
Grounded Sleeve

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E. Meade RCDA or CDA-R Front Panel And Connector Diagram
Computerized Dew Annihilator (Model-Meade CDA-R) Configuration . See Figure 3
below.
Serial /USB
Interface
CUT OFF

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Figure 3 Meade CDA-R Overview Model (2016).
Computerized Dew Annihilator (Model-Meade RCDA) Configuration . See Figure 4 below.
DTS-12
DTS-34
Heat Ch 1-2
Heat Sink Assembly
On/Off
SW
Power
+12VDC In
ATHS
Temp/Humidity
Sensor
Heat Ch 3-4
CH1-2
PWM LED
Indicator
CH3-4
PWM LED
Indicator
Power
LED
Indicator

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Figure 4 Meade CDA-R Overview Model (2016).

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F. Basic Functionality
The user can watch as the Meade Meade CDA-R adjusts heat and controls dew on your telescope
based on humidity, dew point, local ambient and temperature differential from optical interfaces
with the surrounding environmental conditions. The automatic bootup default control summary
features are explained below with user override options for manual control during standard
operation described below in next section. The Meade RCDA adjusts heat manually by user switch
selection.
G. BootUp: Default
Meade CDA-R
1. Fix all connections to your Meade CDA-R as depicted in Figure 3. This includes heater
straps CH1/CH2 and at least one external temperature sensor plugged in DTS12 and
power supply interface as specified in Figure 1, Figure 2.(Expected Def Operation.)
2. Turn On power switch from center(OFF) to Up position(ON).. Boot up sequence. All
functions are a go when the “Beep” is heard.
3. Default Operation at boot up uses temperature and humidity sensors to adjust PWM heat
to dew straps automatically. User can then use the software interface to use manual or
other variants of computer control.
Note:”Meade CDA-R-PRO Requires AHTS and DTS’s Plugged IN.”
Note:” ** “ denote “not used”until DTS34 option is plugged in and the user activates the
channels to the system as described below.”
Note:” The Meade CDA-R requires a complete circuit meaning the heat straps being
plugged in to provide current drawl and heat applied to the optics.”
Meade RCDA
1. Fix all connections to your Meade CDA-R as depicted in Figure 4. This includes heater
straps CH1/CH2 and power supply interface as specified in Figure 1.
2. Turn On power switch from center(OFF) to Up position(ON).. Boot up sequence. All
functions are a go when the “Beep” is heard.

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3. Default Operation at boot up uses manual switch selection on unit to adjust PWM heat to
dew straps automatically.
Online video demo’s of operation can be found on our website at :
http://www.astro-smart.com/index.php?p=1_24
H. Meade CDA-R PC Dew Control User Interface Introduction
Your Meade CDA-R can be monitored or controlled from your computer. Just connect the serial to
usb cable and in the device manager of your operating system, you must know what port is used
when connected. The settings will be automatic and the host PC install program provided will list all
available serial ports to connect. You just pick the correct one. A video tutorial is listed in the support
page of our website to go thru the basic operations of this feature. Some basic features are listed
below.

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The simplicity of operation can be seen in the following figure below.
The HW/SW requirements for the Meade CDA-R to work with PC communication are
the following:
1. Connect serial to USB cable provided by Astro-Smart.
2. Install the Meade CDA-R SW on your computer(Win XP, Win 7 or Win 8).
3. Install the USB drivers if required with supplied CD.
3. Turn on the Meade CDA-R, then run the device manager on your PC OS to determine which
port the Meade CDA-R is attached to. Then run the Meade CDA-R SW. For compatibility select XP
compatibility and Admin control for Win 7 and 8 after installed before running.
4. While in Meade CDA-R PC interface, select the serial port Meade CDA-R is attached to.
5. You now have two options for mode of operation. Monitor or Remote Control.

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Note: When using your Meade CDA-R, operation using the computer keypad software interface
should perform as if you had a standalone Meade CDA-R with display and keypad.
Instructions shown below are the same regardless if you enter keystrokes on the physical
keypad on a Meade CDA-R or using the simulated keypad SW interface..
If Meade CDA-R Monitoring operation is preferred using standard Meade CDA-R SW.
i. Select Read/Control button and watch the data arrive in the Output status window.
ii. In about 5-8 secs, the data will be parsed and reported in I/O status window and also on
the graphic output. Anytime, you wish to update from the device, simply press this button
again using the standard Meade CDA-R SW interface. Using the super Meade CDA-R SW
enables
real time monitor and or control as explained later.
iii. In this mode you query the Meade CDA-R without the use of the SW keypad in the
WebGUI.
If Control of the Meade CDA-R operation is preferred using standard Meade CDA-R
SW.
i. In this mode you can also control the Meade CDA-R in addition to query its operation.
ii. Select key strokes on the SW keypad while the SW is collecting data in the Output status
window.
->. For example, if it is desired to set the power on the Meade CDA-R 40% on CH12 the
sequence would be:
1. Hit Read/Control button.
2. Followed by a 7 and 2 on the keypad interface.
->. For example, if it is desired to set the power on the Meade CDA-R 40% on CH12 the
sequence
iii. To Return to Automatic Mode,
Select the Control Meade CDA-R button followed by keypad entry’s of “*” .
iv. Anytime, you wish to update from the device, simply press the Read/Control button again,
enter data within 5-8 secs and repeat the process to control or monitor the Meade CDA-R.
Automatic Data File Logging Feature->Saving, Retrieval and Plotting.
This feature is very powerful when wanting to collect and compare prior data results from your
Meade CDA-R as a data logger.

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To activate this feature do the following:
i. After performing and collecting multiple samples from your Meade CDA-R
using the Read/Control Meade CDA-R button, the system automatically
stores the files on your hard drive in C:\CDA-Pro_Data directory.
ii. Hit the Load Data File button and the software takes you to the directory to
select a file of interest. The files are time stamped and will be recognized by
the program when loaded. These files are plotted and data is shown with the
prior history time stamp to compare and or retrieve data taken from prior
night sessions.
iii. The figures below show this behavior.
Automatic Data Logger and File Retrieval Plotting Capability:
Enhancements to the software will be made based on user input on a continual basis and can
be uploaded from our site for your convenience.
Note: For a full summary of keypad commands, please see section L. Section I,J,K provide
tutorials. Other features of the GUI and examples can be seen by demonstration on our website
to browse support pages, video tutorials of this product and others.
http://www.astro-smart.com/index.php?p=1_49_Video-Overviews
This link above is for the video tutorials.

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Super Meade CDA-R PRO Software Suite Capability:
The super professional version upgrade of the software increases the capability of your CDAP pro to
even a higher level. This includes a data acquisition and processing suite for Multi-Channel Real Time
Data Acquisition, Variable Acquisition Rate, Variable Power Distribution Algorithm Selection, Flash
Data Parameter Storage, File Storage and Plot Retrieval for Extended Regression Data Analysis
including .csv, .txt, .png file formats for easy interface to Office Products(Excel, etc) and a Simulator
Trainer Mode. Snapshot shown below.
This product upgrade software is available for free for customer referrals or for a nominal fee on our
purchase page.
Super Meade CDA-R PRO Real Time Data Acquisition and Regression Analysis Suite

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Hitting the help button in blue brings up the power distribution curve for user selective aggressiveness
for heat on optical channels. Remove mouse from button and the acquisition charting appears. For use
of this new interface see the video tutorials on the support page on the website. The power curve
aggressiveness selection is shown below. The user can select which power index he wants for heat
aggressiveness. This is needed when large optics are used with smaller surface area of heat straps.
Sometimes its needed to get a head start on heating the optics on these configurations. An index of 3 is
the most aggressive where 60% power is applied to optics when the sensors are at equilibrium.