Avalon M-zero obs User manual




INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Version 1.0.7 April 2021
All the pictures and contents here included are property of AVALON INSTRUMENTS. The contents cannot be
reproduced published copied or transmitted in any way including the internet without the written permission of
AVALON INSTRUMENTS.

SAFETY STANDARDS AND WARNINGS
Read the manual carefully before installing and using the mount.
To make the document easier to read in the field we recommend to copy all
documentation files from the supplied USB drive to a smartphone or even better
to a computer or tablet.
Use the power cable supplied with the mount or else a 15V- 3A stabilized power
supply as suggested in the manual.
Make sure that the power cable is connected correctly and securely to the power
socket.
Do not bend pull or press the cable as this may damage it.
For any assistance or repairs please contact only the manufacturer.
Be sure to remove the power supply at the end of an observing or imaging session
or before performing cleaning or maintenance. When removing from a power
outlet pull on the plug not the cable.
This mount is intended for use exclusively by adults. Do not allow it to be used by
children under 12 or by people with impaired mental faculties.
Operate the mount only as indicated in the manual.
Modifying or altering the characteristics of the mount in any way will void the
manufacturer’s limited warranty.
Never modify the tension of the belts (governed by a dedicated screw). These are set
in the factory and any unauthorized change will void the manufacturer’s limited
warranty.
After using the mount avoid storing it in areas exposed to sunlight or in wet places.
IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF LUBRICANT SPRY LIQUID OR
OIL ON THE BELT DRIVE SYSTEM !!!
Any use of lubricants will void the manufacturer’s limited warranty.
© All Rights reserved 2

Summary
SAFETY STANDARDS AND WARNINGS.............................................................................................2
Technical Specifications..............................................................................................................................4
Foreword......................................................................................................................................................
1. Packing Content.......................................................................................................................................6
2 Mount Description....................................................................................................................................7
3. Initial M-zero obs Setting........................................................................................................................9
3.1 Altitude Range Setting.......................................................................................................................9
3.2 Pier Mounting..................................................................................................................................11
3.3 Installing the M-Zero obs on the Pier..............................................................................................16
3.4 - StarGo box installing.....................................................................................................................17
3. Motor Cable Connections................................................................................................................20
3.6 Optical Tube Mounting....................................................................................................................21
3.7 Choosing the Telescope...................................................................................................................22
4 Telescope Balancing Operations............................................................................................................26
4.1 Declination Axis Balancing.............................................................................................................26
4.2 Right Ascension Axis Balancing:....................................................................................................27
. M-zero obs Alignment...........................................................................................................................30
.2 Azimuth adjustment.........................................................................................................................31
.3 - Alt-Az Polar Alignment................................................................................................................32
.4 M-zero Polar Alignment..................................................................................................................32
.4.1 Polar Kit Installation.................................................................................................................32
.4.2 Polar alignment with the provided Polarscope.............................................................................33
...........................................................................................................................................................34
.4.3 External Programs for Finding Polar Position..............................................................................3
.4.4 More modern and precise approaches to Polar Alignment...........................................................36
© All Rights reserved 3

Technical Specifications
Type Equatorial Single-Arm mount with Fast-Reverse technology
Weight 17,6 kg (38,8 lbs.)
Load Capacity One Telescope setup 8 kg (17.6 lbs.) – Double telescope setup
12,9 kg (28,6 lbs.)
Transmission Four-step reducer via pulley-toothed belt system on ball
bearings, with no play in the axis
Construction
material
Anodized aluminum, machined from single blocks with high
precision CNC machines
Motion system Pulleys made with special glass fiber polymer and high
precision toothed belts
Polar finder Celestron standard, others optional
Goto system StarGO GOTO System
Counterweight bar W= 16 mm (0.63 inch) / L = 8 mm (3.34 inches)
Counterweight 0. kg (1.1 lbs.)
Mounting Saddle Vixen style
Warranty 2 years from the purchase date, extended to years for the
transmission system
© All Rights reserved 4

Foreword
This manual describes the mounting, operation and correct setup of the M-zero obs, including
the proper installation of a suitable optical tube.
Please read this manual carefully to guarantee that you can use the M-zero obs mount in
complete safety and with the maximum satisfaction.
The instructions related to the StarGO control system and related software are described in
separate Instruction Manuals:
Avalon Instruments - StarGO Control System
The instructions for using the M-zero obs with third party software are contained in the
following Instruction Manual:
Avalon Instruments – Avalon StarGO: Third Party Software Use
Both the above manuals are included in the flash drive supplied with the mount.
The images published in the manual refer to the early versions of the mount and therefore small
differences could exist between these illustrations and your own mount. Furthermore, the
design and the configuration of the mount can be subject to modifications without prior notice,
based on design decisions leading to continuous improvements and on the suggestions of mount
owners.
© All Rights reserved 5

1. Packing Content
Open the box and take out all the contents. Remove all the components from the small
cardboard box and from the mount bag side pocket, and place them on a clean, flat surface.
Component List
Aluminum Pier
StarGO control box
Motor’s connecting cable
Mount Head
Mount Head and accessory transport bag
Counterweight rod
StarGO Keypad
0. kg Counterweight
Polar scope with support
Power cable
Warranty & Testing Certificates
Declaration of Conformity
Allen wrench
USB flash drive with manuals and software
Ra/Dec motor cables
In order two ship the product as safe as possible, with the most compact package, the mount, the pier
and all the accessories come all packaged in one only box with two different foam layer, as shown in
the pictures below.
© All Rights reserved 6

2 Mount Description
Strong, light and smart, with a total weight of . kg (12 lb), this very special version, being one
of the few equatorial mount suitable for very low latitude areas till 0° in the market, it is the
perfect instrument for the travelling astronomy, suitable for deep-sky imaging in the capacity
range up to 10 kg (22 lb).
The M-zero OBS design was developed on the basis of the M-zero standard version, making
use of the same technical concepts:
•Fast Reverse technology
•Computer aided design (CAD)
•High quality manufacturing with digital control 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-zero obs 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.
Moreover, considering that at the meridian the sky is less subject to light pollution and to
atmospheric turbulence, the M-zero LHQ is the ideal tool to shoot deep-sky 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-zero obs is mainly designed for astro-imaging with medium-short length tubes (such as
SC-Maksutov, RC up to 6-8″ aperture and 10 kg (22 lb) weight, according to the tube length). It
is possible to use the M-zero obs even with refractors (400- 00 mm), with a piggyback or
parallel guidescope that can act also as an active counterweight.
The larger overhang of the single arm system will allow a greater pointing angle compared to
the classic German Equatorial Mounts.
Another M-zero obs basic advantage is that it doesn't need heavy counterweights, nor the long
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 six possible positions and to make the fine balance using a
very small counterweight.
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-zero obs have the structure made of special material with steel
strands to avoid any deformation, elongation and stress, much better than those used in the
© All Rights reserved 7

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 100.000 km
(60.000 miles), assuming a medium regime of 2.000 rpm and thermal stress from 0 to 90°C (30
to 19 F) in a few minutes, we can think that the life cycle of the M-zero obs 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 0% 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, 13 for the RA axis and 13 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-zero 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.
© All Rights reserved 8

3. Initial M-zero obs Setting
The M-zero obs can works within a latitude range from about 1 ° till 70°. Therefore the first
operation to be performed is to set the latitude range and scale for the location where the mount
will be used. The same operations must be performed when the mount is moved to a site with
latitude outside the range originally set.
Latitude range degrees for M-zero obs standard version:
•Position 1 between 1 ° and 40°
•Position 2 between 32° and °
•Position 3 between 4 ° and 70°
Latitude range degrees for M-zero obs with Motorized Polar Alignment kit
•Position 1 between 1 ° and 48°
•Position 2 between 26° and 63°
•Position 3 between 41° and 70°
These values correspond to the three latitude setting holes on the underside of the mount.
3.1 Altitude Range Setting
As previously stated, the M-zero Obs can be used in a range of latitudes starting from 0° to 70°.
The total amplitude of the operating range is about 70°, subdivided into 3 sub-intervals as
follows:
NOTE: the following operation describe the latitude range adjustment of the M-zero obs
standard version. The M-zero obs with the Motorized Polar Alignment Kit latitude range
settings adjustment, it is performed from the factory at the range noticed by the user before the
purchase.
Remove the screws (1) and (2) under the
base
© All Rights reserved 9

Remove the screws numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4
from the side plate.
Remove the plate to expose the brass plug.
Unscrews the two screws and remove the
brass latitude adjustment plug.
Place the brass latitude adjustment plug over
the set of holes (1, 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.
© All Rights reserved 10

Re-attach the side plate using the four screws
1, 2, 3 and 4, previously removed.
Next, replace the two screws previously
removed from under the mount
NOTE: The Alt/az configuration is not available in the M-zero obs mount.
3.2 Pier Mounting
To allow a safe shipping, the pier comes completely disassembled, protected with a special
packaging foam.
In order to assemble the pier, take out all the pier parts from the box and place them on safe and
flat surface. In order to avoid scratching it is suggested to place everything on a rigid foam
surface.
The pier is composed by 2 flange, three legs and three feet as shown in the picture below.
© All Rights reserved 11

As a first operation it is suggested to screw the feet on the pier leg, as shown in the pictures
below.
© All Rights reserved 12

The pier leg can be assembled in two different configuration, with a distance of 100° or 120°
between each leg. In both the configuration the leg pointing the north must be assembled by
using the two holes circled in yellow in the pictures below.
Configuration A: leg distance 120° Configuration B: leg distance 100°
(suggested for latitude higher than 60°)
NOT : The configuration B it is suggested for
latitude higher than 60°, with the two rear legs
closer, the basement stability get more reliable.
Note that the two flange composing the pier are equal, but they have two different side. The
flange that must be place on the bottom side of the pier should have the A side toward down
while the flange on the upper side should have the B side toward down. As shown in the picture
below.
© All Rights reserved 13

After the choice between the Configuration A and Configuration B has been made and the
correct flange side has been set, it is possible to go forward with the pier assembling as shown
in the following steps:
By using the provided 6x16 screws, attach one by
one the leg on the pier base flange, taking care to
attach the leg on the correct flange side, as shown
in the picture on the right.
© All Rights reserved 14
Flange
A side
Flange
B side
Flange
B side

After having assembled all the three legs on the
pier base flange, the pier will look as the picture
on the right, if placed upside down.
At this point, when all the three legs are assembled
on the pier base flange, it is possible to place the
pier in the correct side.
In this condition it is possible to mount the pier top flange on the upper side of the three legs, and, by
screwing the provided screws, close the pier.
The pier completely assembled will look as one shown in the picture below.
© All Rights reserved 15

© All Rights reserved 16

3.3 Installing the M-Zero obs on the Pier
After the pier has been completely and safely assembled, by simply following the procedure
shown below, it is possible to install the mount on it.
The following procedure is the same for both the M-zero obs standard version and for the M-
zero obs with the Optional Motorized Polar Alignment kit.
The mount fixed flange must be assembled by
using the three 8x35 knobs shown in the picture
on the right.
In order to correctly place the mount on the pier
the three 8x3 knobs must be screwed in the
corresponding holes circled in yellow in the
following pictures, from the bottom side of the
pier top flange, as shown in the pictures below.
© All Rights reserved 17
Pointing
to North
leg

M-zero obs M-zero obs with Optional Polar Alignment Kit
© All Rights reserved 18

3.4 - StarGo box installing
With the M-zero obs the StarGo box can be assembled in two different positions on depending on the
setup used by the user. When a single telescope setup is equipped it can be more comfortable to place
the StarGo box on the bottom side of the DEC arm. When a double telescope setup is equipped, in order
to allow a more safe rotation of the second telescope and avoid collision, the StarGo board can also be
assembled directly on the pier.
StarGo box installing on a Double Telescope setup
In case a double telescope setup is required, the
male dovetail adapter plate must be disassembled
from the bottom side of the DEC arm and should
be placed directly on the pier.
To perform this operation it is first required to mount the L bracket provided with the mount on the
bottom pier flange. By using the stainless screws provided, fix the L bracket on the pier bottom flange.
By using the stainless steel screws provided, fix the male dovetail adapter plate on the L bracket.
© All Rights reserved 19

At this point it is possible to adapt the StarGo box
directly on the pier.
© All Rights reserved 20