Avalon Instruments M-Uno User manual

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USER MANUAL
Version 2.0.1 July 2020
All the pictures and contents included here are propriety of AVALON INSTRUMENTS.
They cannot be reproduced, published, copied or transmitted in any way, including the internet, without the
written permission of AVALON INSTRUMENTS.

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS AND WARNINGS
•Read carefully the manual before nstall ng and us ng the mount.
•Use the power cable suppl ed w th the mount or a 12V- 3A stab l zed power supply
as suggested n the manual.
•Connect the power cable correctly and securely to the power socket.
•Do not bend, pull or press the cable as th s may damage t.
•For any ass stance or repa r, please contact only the manufacturer.
•Be sure to remove the power supply at the end of ts use or before any clean ng or
ma ntenance.
•Th s mount must be used exclus vely by adults, do not allow use to ch ldren or to
people w th reduced mental capac ty.
•Avo d to operate the mount except as str ctly nd cated n the manual.
•Mod fy ng or alter ng n any way the character st cs of the mount w ll vo d the
manufacturer’s l m ted warranty.
•Never mod fy the tens on of the belts (by ded cated screw), these s set n the factory
and any unauthor zed change w ll vo d the manufacturer’s l m ted warranty .
•After us ng t, avo d to store the mount n areas exposed to sunl ght or n wet places.
IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF LUBRICANT, SPRY, LIQUID OR
OIL ON THE BELT DRIVE SYSTEM!!!
Any use of lubr cants w ll vo d the manufacturer’s l m ted warranty.
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Table of Contents
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS AND WARNINGS...............................2
Techn cal Spec f cat ons..................................................................................6
Forewords.........................................................................................................7
1. Pack ng Content...........................................................................................8
2 Mount Descr pt on........................................................................................9
3. M-Uno In t al Setup...................................................................................12
3.1 Lat tude Range Sett ng..............................................................................................12
3.2 Install ng the M-Uno on the Tr pod.........................................................................15
3.3 Telescope nstallat on.................................................................................................17
4. Telescope Balanc ng...................................................................................19
4.1 Dec Balanc ng.............................................................................................................19
4.2 RA Balanc ng.............................................................................................................20
5. M-uno mount stat on ng............................................................................22
5.1 Lat tude F ne Adjustment.........................................................................................22
5.2 Az muth Regulat on...................................................................................................23
5.3 M-Uno Polar Al gnment............................................................................................24
5.3.1 Polar Al gnment w th a Skywatcher polar-scope................................................24
5.3.2 Polar Al gnment w th a Losmandy polar scope...................................................26
5.3.3 External programs for Polar s F nd ng................................................................27
5.3.4 More modern and prec se approaches to Polar Al gnment................................30
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Techn cal Spec f cat ons
Type of mount Single Arm Equatorial Fast-Reverse
Head weight 4,9 kg (32.8 lb)
Maximum load 20 kg (44 lb) for photographic use, 25 kg for visual.
Motion System Four-step reducer via pulley toothed-belt system on ball
bearings, with zero play on both axis. (Belt Drive System)
Construction
Materials
Machined from solid blocks of anodized aluminum with high
precision CNC machines
Transmission System Pulleys made with special polymer + fiber glass and high
quality toothed belts
RA Axis Heavy duty steel, diam. 35mm; all roller bearing axis
movement
DEC Axis Heavy duty steel, diam. 35mm; all roller bearing axis
movement
Polar Scope Skywatcher (Losmandy optional)
Control System Avalon StarGO GoTo control system
Dovetail Plate Losmandy, 3" (75mm) dovetail, single knob with 2 tightening
points
Warranty 2 years from the purchase date, 5 years for the transmission
system (Belt Drive System )
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Forewords
This manual describes the Avalon M-Uno mount, the procedures for its mounting and tuning on
the tripod and for the installation of a telescope. Additional Information on the M-Uno mount
and on the StarGO control system, containing also the procedures for the use with third-party
software and in particular with the ASCOM driver, are reported in the StarGO manual which is
part of the mount supply.
A careful reading of this manual will enable the use of your mount safely and with the
maximum satisfaction.
The mount design and its configuration could be subject to modifications, without prior
notification, based upon designer’s improvements and the requests, if applicable, by the mount
users.
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1. Pack ng Content
Open the box to take all the content out. Extract all the components from the small cardboard
box and from the mount bag side pocket putting them on a clean, flat surface.
Component L st
Car lighter power cable
Counterweight with support shaft
25/240 VAC / 2 VDC power supply with
related cable
StarGO control Keypad.
Keypad connection cable
Metric Hexagonal key set
Mount Transport Handle
Mount head with tripod plate and dovetail
platform, including the StarGO control
system
USB pen drive containing all needed
software and manuals
Polar finder and LED illuminator kit Mount
Transport case
Attachment screws
Documentation, warranty certificate
Contents of the upper part of the box Contents of the bottom part of the box
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2 Mount Descr pt on
The M-uno Fast Reverse mount is a portable single arm fork mount devoted to deep-sky
imaging in the capacity range up to 20 kg (44 lb).
The following drawing show the M-Uno mount dimensional characteristics. Dimensions are in
mm.
The M-uno design was developed on the basis of the linear fast reverse, making use of the same
technical concepts:
•Fast Reverse technology
•Computer aided design (CAD)
•High quality manufacturing with digital control 5 axes CNC machines (CNC + CAM)
•Absolute quality materials: Anodized aluminium from milled mono-bloc, stainless steel
components and screws, brass components, techno-polymers
The M-Uno motion transmission technology is based on pulley-tooth belt without play, while its
peculiar geometry makes easy the imaging at the meridian crossing regardless the typical
problem affecting the classic German Equatorial Mounts, for both the risk of touching the tripod
and the need of waiting for the object cross the meridian.
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Moreover, considering that at the meridian the sky is less subject to light pollution and to
atmospheric turbulence, the M-uno is the ideal tool to shoot deepsky objects in their best
conditions, close to the meridian, especially when the time is short and the sky is not so dark and
clear.
The M-uno is mainly designed for astroimaging with high focal length catadioptric tubes (such
as SC-Maksutov, RC, SC cameras, Cassegrain, DK, etc) up to 0″ aperture and 20 kg (44 lb)
weight, according to the tube length. It is possible to use the M-uno with Newton optics (for
example 8" f4) and even with short refractors (400-500 mm), with a piggyback or parallel
guidescope.
To allow the use of refractors with length exceeding approximately 500 mm, an optional
accessory has been realized allowing to distance the telescope from the mounting flange in order
to allow the passage over the RA axis. It is also available a special kit that, in addition to
distance the telescope from the mount, allows the housing of a small guide-scope obtaining also
a better telescope balancing. With this configuration it could be necessary to perform the
telescope inversion at the meridian passage in the case of the telescope striking the tripod.
However the larger overhang of the single arm system will allow a greater pointing angle
compared to the classic German Equatorial Mounts.
Another M-uno basic advantage is that it doesn't need neither counterweights, nor the bar. Its
declination axis can be quickly balanced like in an equatorial mount, while, for the RA axis, it is
possible to fix the arm on three possible positions and to make the fine balance using a very
small counterweight. The M-uno mount, as well as the LINEAR, is equipped with the super
tested, simple to use and inexpensive Synscan control system. The M-uno total weight is only
4.9 kg ( lb) and it is provided of a confortable handle for easy transportation. With these
features, in terms of lightness and transportability, the M-uno ranks at the top of the mounts with
capacity up to 20 kg (44 lb).
The use of pulleys and toothed belts has allowed to obtain several advantages: a really steady
motion without play (no backlash) and sudden peaks, factors of paramount relevance for long
guided exposures and during high magnification visual observations. These features are of
particular relevance especially for the declination axis motor that can now quickly reverse the
motion without breaks to recover the plays: from here the mount name FAST REVERSE. The
toothed belts used in the M-uno have the structure made of special material with steel strands to
avoid any deformation, elongation and stress, much better than those used in the automotive
engine distribution system (which are generally made of rubber with nylon strands).
Considering that the service time for the automotive toothed belts is around 00.000 km (60.000
miles), assuming a medium regime of 2.000 rpm and thermal stress from 0 to 90°C (30 to 95 F)
in a few minutes, we can think that the life cycle of the M-uno toothed belts will be extremely
long ! It is important to underline that in the gear-worm systems the motion transmission has
only one tangent point of contact, any errors on each of the two components will, sooner or
later, result into a tracking errors. On the contrary, in the pulley-toothed belt system, no direct
contact occurs between the pulley and the motion is transmitted by the belt engaging from 50%
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to 90% of the girth surface. Consequently any error, eventually present, is averaged among the
cogs, moreover soft, greatly reducing the tracking error.
No wearing effects since no relevant frictions occur. In fact, all the pulleys and the axes rotate
on roller bearings, 3 for the RA axis and 3 for the DEC axis that allow to reduce the total
friction almost to zero.
Another significant advantage of very low frictions is that the risks of motor slipping during
GOTO operation is virtually null. On the contrary, it is well known the difficulty to regulate the
coupling between gear and worm in the conventional mounts. If the coupling is tight the motors
can stuck with consequent loss of the position, if the coupling is too loose the plays increase. On
the other hands, the absence of significant play in the M-uno makes the initial calibration of
guiding CCD quick and easy.
Since there are no gears, there is no need of periodical lubrication of the internal components
and therefore the maintenance is extremely reduced and limited to the external cleaning.
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3. M-Uno In t al Setup
The M.Uno can work at latitudes range from about 5° to about 70°. For compactness purposes,
the supplied is mount preset at about 40° and therefore the first operation to perform is the
regulation of the latitude to the value related to the site in which the mount will be used. The
same operations will be carried out in the case the mount is transferred in a site with a different
value of latitude. This operation will be described in the section 3. below.
It is strongly recommended that the M-uno mount is used with the Avalon Instruments T-pod
tripod which has been designed to guarantee maximum performance. If a different kind of
tripod is used, it must have dimensions and characteristics compatible with the mount weight
and with the astronomical load to be installed. Section 3.2 describes the mount installation on T-
Pod tripod.
The installation of suitable optical tube will be described in section 3.3.
3.1 Lat tude Range Sett ng
This section describes in detail the procedures to set the correct range of latitudes of the site
where the mount will be used. The latitude range setting must be performed before installing the
mount on the tripod.
As said, the M-uno can be used in a wide range of latitudes from about 5° to 70°. This range is
divided into three different ranges of latitude.
•Position between 5° and 40°,
•Position 2 between 32° and 55°
•Position 3 between 45° and 70°.
These values correspond to the three latitude setting holes on the underside of the mount.
Observe that the values of the three latitude ranges partially overlap. The choice of latitude
setting should be made considering the greatest numerical distance between the latitude of the
observation site and the closest range choice. For example, if the site latitude is 53°, it would be
best to choose the third range. This is because there is an angular distance of 8° between latitude
53 and the third range value of 45°. Using second range setting would be less desirable because
there are only 2° between the site latitude of 53° and the largest value of the second range of
55°.
The steps needed for establishing the correct latitude operating range are as follows:
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Remove the screws ( ) and (2) under the
base
Remove the screws numbered , 2, 3 and 4
from the side plate.
Remove the plate to expose the brass plug.
Remove the two screws from the brass
latitude adjustment plug.
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Place the brass latitude adjustment plug over
the set of holes ( , 2 or 3) corresponding to
the needed latitude range as described on the
previous page. Re-attach the brass plug in
the preferred latitude range position using
the screws removed earlier. The mount is
shipped from the factory with the brass post
in position 2.
Re-attach the side plate using the four screws
, 2, 3 and 4, previously removed.
Next, replace the two screws previously
removed from under the mount
3.2 Install ng the M-Uno on the Tr pod
Whatever type of tripod is used it must be mounted with the right orientation. This need that the
brass contrast block which is installed over the tripod mounting plate, is oriented to the North
with sufficient approximation. A mechanical or digital compass can be used to perform this task.
The M-Uno comes with a plate for attaching the mount on the tripod. It is shipped with the
correct holes for most of the tripods available on the market. The following figure shows how to
mount it on a T-Pod:
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Place the plate on the top of the tripod and rotate it until the brass is aligned with one of the legs,
chosen arbitrarily. This leg will be designated the “North Leg” because it must be pointed to the
North to achieve a polar alignment. Attach the plate with the 3 screws provided for that
purpose.
The following are the steps necessary to install the M-Uno mount on a T-Pod tripod:
Unscrew the azimuth adjustment knobs a
few turns by rotating the azimuth adjustment
knobs in opposite directions.
Put the mount on the base plate so that the
brass adjustment plug projecting up from the
plate will fit in the proper space between the
two azimuth adjustment screws.
Turn the azimuth regulation knobs until the
screws touch the brass contrast plug
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Tighten the three fixing screws equipped
with plastic knobs in the three elongated
lateral holes to keep the mount firmly in
position.
Note: During the azimuth regulation for
polar alignment, these three screws must be
slightly loosened just enough to allow the
mount to rotate on the base.
When alignment is achieved, tighten the
screws again.
3.3 Telescope nstallat on
After securely attaching the mount to the tripod, the next step is to install the telescope.
However, due the M-uno’s unique architecture, it is possible that the polar alignment scope
could be obstructed by the optical tube. Some telescopes, such as long refractors, may require
the use of the optional extension cylinder which could also block the polar alignment scope. An
easy solution to this problem is achieved with an optional accessory to enable mounting the
polar scope on the side of the mount, thus allowing the polar alignment scope to be free and
unobstructed. This solution also allows the use of the hole for passing through electrical and
control cables, such as those used in astrophotography.
The next step in using a telescope on the mount is accurate polar alignment, which is covered in
greater detail in a later section of this manual. This section is focused solely on telescope
installation.
The M-uno comes equipped with a Losmandy type 75 mm female dovetail saddle which is used
to attach the optical tube assembly on the mount.
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Remove the mount transport handle (if
installed) and place the mount arm in the
position shown on the left picture, unlock the
declination knob and rotate the axis until the
female dovetail saddle is horizontal. Firmly
lock both the axis knobs. Firmly keep the OTA
and insert its male dovetail plate into the
female saddle, making sure that the side closer
to the ground goes in first, as shown in the
picture.
While holding the telescope with one hand, use
your other hand to rotate the knob on the
dovetail saddle clamp, as shown in the right
picture, until it is firmly locked.
Before leaving the telescope, be sure it has
been securely attached by making certain that
the male dovetail bar is in close contact with
the female saddle and there is no space
between them.
Test the saddle’s locking knobs as well as the
RA and DEC clutch levers to make sure they
are tight
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4. Telescope Balanc ng
To guarantee a precise mount tracking it is necessary to correctly balance the telescope in both
the rotation axes. To perform this operation is needed to move manually and freely the telescope
in RA and DEC. As anticipated, the LineAR is provided of latches in both axes. To freely move
the telescope, the latches need to be released by rotating the related levers in the counter
clockwise direction.
Note: Before performing the balancing of the telescope be sure to have the full control of it
before releasing the latches. An over unbalanced mount can move very quickly causing
damages to the optical tube or to the mount itself.
4.1 Dec Balanc ng
To obtain the best tracking performance from the mount, the telescope must be balanced in both
axes. Even if the telescope does not track in Declination, it must be balanced on this axis to
avoid sudden movements when the declination knob is unlocked. Good balance also helps to
prevent vibrations and overly-quick responses while guiding and reduces strain on the motors.
With the M-uno mount it is better to start balancing the DEC axis rather than the RA axis. The
M-uno is unique in that it allows the RA axis to be almost automatically balanced with any
telescope.
Before beginning the balancing operation, it is worthwhile to test the saddle locking knobs to
make sure they are tight. Telescopes do not like to being dropped!
Perform the following operations:
•Unlock the RA axis knob and move the arm of the mount to an equilibrium position, as
seen in the image, and re-tighten the RA axis knob.
•Loosen the DEC knob and move the telescope parallel to the ground as seen in left
picture, but do not let go of the telescope.
•Move the tube SLOWLY and CAREFULLY – to see in which direction, if any, it rotates
around the DEC axis. If the front end moves down, the telescope must be moved
backwards in the mount. If the front end moves up, the telescope must be moved
forwards. To do either of these, maintain a good grasp of the OTA and slowly loosen the
dovetail knob on the mounting saddle.
•Move the tube back or forth in the saddle, depending on whether it moved up or down,
until it stays in a horizontal position by itself when you remove your hand.
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Note: Always lock the clamp before check ng the balance w th the new tube pos t on! If
the tube rema ns stable n a hor zontal pos t on when the DEC knob unlocked, the DEC
ax s w ll be balanced. T ghten the doveta l clamp to f rmly lock the telescope tube n ts
new pos t on. Do NOT leave the telescope wh le the doveta l clamp s loose. In the unl kely
event that your telescope should fall off the mount onto the ground, t could ru n your
ent re day.
4.2 RA Balanc ng
Balancing the M-uno mount in the Right Ascens on axis is different from the other German
Equatorial Mounts, but it is quite easy to do. The balance is performed in two phases, one raw
and the other more precise.
Raw Balanc ng
The initial raw balancing must be performed without the
telescope on the mount.
Put the arm of the mount parallel to the ground as seen on
the left picture. Unscrew and set aside the “E” screws
holding the lateral flanges on both sides of the mount.
Loosen but do not remove the D screws on the upper side
just enough to allow the arm to move freely.
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The picture on the right reveals the brass fitting
and the holes that allow the position of the arm
to be changed, which then changes the RA
balance of the system. In this picture, the
lateral flange is removed for clarity, but it is
not necessary to remove the flange in order to
achieve the balancing. The numbers in this
illustration indicate where the lateral arm
screws are to be inserted to achieve the
approximate balance of the system. Position
identifies the greatest extent of the axis and it
is used for larger diameter, heavier optics, while position 3 is suitable for smaller and lighter)
OTAs. Position B allows the distance to be increased even further, but this is advisable only for
large diameter OTAs such as use of the: Celestron C , in which case it is necessary to
completely remove the lateral shafts
The table on the left shows the change
in vertical distance in millimeters
between the dovetail and the polar axis
as a function of the positional holes
chosen. Position A2 = 25.5 mm is set
by default at the factory, and is suitable
for many catadioptric OTAs.
Warn ng: do not use d fferent
screws other than those suppl ed or
ser ous damage to the gear system
may occur!!
Prec se balanc ng
Once the mount arm has been set in the correct position for approximate balancing, tighten all
screws and, if necessary, perform the fine balancing. This is performed by mounting the small
counterweight, its shaft and the female dovetail as shown in the previous picture above. Insert
the counterweight in the shaft and slide it in the equilibrium position. When that is
accomplished, firmly tighten the counterweight locking knob and the shaft end knob. Of course
all the precise balancing operations should be performed with the telescope installed.
NOTE: Most German Equator al mounts are based on worm gear technology. They need
to be sl ghtly unbalanced n the easterly d rect on to avo d any unwanted pendulum-l ke
behav or when cross ng the mer d an. The M-uno’s toothed-belt transm ss on technology
el m nates the need for th s small amount of east-b as unbalance. Th s s a major
mprovement because once the M-uno s balanced, the counterwe ghts do not need to be
moved at all. The des gn prov des a level of stab l ty that s most apprec ated dur ng long
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exposures and remote observ ng sess ons.
5. M-uno mount stat on ng
Before using the M-uno mount it is necessary to position its polar axis parallel to the earth’s axis
of rotation.
In this chapter the operations to trim the latitude and the azimuth and to perform the mount
alignment to the celestial pole using the standard polar scope (or the optional alternative) will be
described.
5.1 Lat tude F ne Adjustment
During this operation the mount arm
must be kept in its equilibrium
position with the counterweight
down as shown on the right. After
leveling the mount base using built-
in the bubble level, the next step in
this process consists of
approximately setting the polar axis
at an angle equivalent to the
latitude of the observation site. or
example Rome is about 42° North,
Milan and Venice 45° North and
Palermo 38° North. Refer to the
latitude scale on the side of the
mount.
The latitude adjustment must be performed
using both hands to turn the two latitude
adjustment knobs in conjunction with each
other. While one hand is tightening the front
knob, the other hand should be loosening
the rear knob and vice-versa. To increase
the latitude (i.e. raise the polar axis), the
rear knob must be turned in the clockwise
direction while the front one is turned in the
counterclockwise Direction. To lower the
axis, the opposite actions are performed.
NOTE: It is generally better to perform the
fine latitude operations against the force of
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gravity, that is, by raising the mount.
5.2 Az muth Regulat on
The azimuth regulation is performed in a similar
manner, using both hands to turn the other two
adjustment knobs in opposite directions
simultaneously. When a knob is rotated in one
direction the other is rotated in the opposite direction.
Turn them so that the screws attached to the knobs
press against the brass adjustment post and move the
mount to the right or left by a small amount. The
azimuth adjustment knobs are those positioned on
both sides of the mount as seen in the picture on the
right.
Remember that setting up the mount in both Latitude and
Azimuth should be performed only during the important
phase of precise polar alignment, before starting an
observation or photographic session. Once the polar
alignment has been reached, THE MOUNT SHOULD NOT
BE MOVED FOR ANY REASON USING ALTITUDE OR
AZIMUTH KNOBS OR THE ALIGNMENT WILL BE
LOST. After the alignment has been established, moving the
mount in Right Ascension and Declination and pointing the
telescope to celestial objects should be performed only by
using the keypad or the software commands.
Alt-Az Polar Alignment
The following table shows the knobs rotation arc-minutes amount for a fine Polar Alignment
adjustment with one full knob turn.
Mount Linear M-uno M-zero
Mount Axis ALT AZ ALT AZ ALT AZ
Arc minutes per knob turn 9 ,2 79,2 78,74 79,2 6 ,8 0,4
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