HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro v4.5x User manual
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Table of Contents
Warranty
3
Connecting the device
3
Software Installation and Setup
4
Hardware Installation
9
……………Connecting a Dew Heater
10
……………Connecting Other Equipment
11
……………Connecting a Focus Motor
11
……………Connecting a DC Motor
13
Operating The PC Software
14
……………Power Tab
15
……………Dew Control Tab
19
……………Focus Tab
21
……………Settings Tab
25
……………About Tab
30
ASCOM Focus Driver
31
ASCOM Switch Driver
32
Application Programming Interface (API)
33
Troubleshooting
37
CE Conformity
39
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Congratulations on your purchase of the ‘HitecAstro’Mount Hub Pro (MHP) V4.
We hope you will find this device an invaluable addition to your observing
equipment . The MHP is an integrated device consisting of
•4 Individually selected power outlets.
•3 Controllable ‘Dew Heater’ Outputs.
•A focus controller capable of driving any unipolar stepper motor based
focuser or a DC motor from major manufactures such as Skywatcher and
Meade.
•A USB connection which enables the above to be controlled from any PC
using Windows 7 or Windows 10
A driver is available which will allow the focus controller to operate with any
ASCOM compliant software such as Maxim DL, CCD Auto Pilot, or Focus Max.
Please read this documentation carefully to ensure optimum performance of
your device.
Warranty
HitecAstro warrants that this product will be free from defects for a period of 12
months following purchase. This warranty is in addition to any statutory rights
which may exist in your jurisdiction. This warranty only applies to use as
described in this document. No other use is recommended or supported by
HitecAstro. Any user repair attempt other than described in the troubleshooting
section of this document or directed by HitecAstro will invalidate your warranty.
HitecAstro and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for any consequential
damage or injury which may result from use of this device except as described in
this document.
Connecting the device
Plug the cigar plug into a suitable output which delivers 12-15v DC Centre
Positive. It is important that you check the polarity of your power supply before
connecting. A mechanism is installed to protect against accidentally reversing the
polarity.
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Your power supply MUST be capable of delivering the current
(measured in Amps) which is required by the MHP and ALSO any
devices which is powered from the device. Ensure that the output
voltage of your power supply does not exceed the recommended
maximum rating of your equipment. Also check the polarity requirements for
your equipment. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation to determine the
rating for individual devices.
The voltage output from MHP ports will equal the input voltage with the following
caveat. When devices place a load on your power supply the measured voltage
will drop. This is a natural consequence of “Ohms Law” and does not mean you
have a faulty MHP or power supply.
Your unit is fused at 15amps. Your equipment/focuser/heaters must not draw
more than this amount of current. It should be noted that dew heaters can draw
a very large amount of current. For example a 14” SCT dew removal tape can
draw as much as 4.1 amps on its own. If you do draw more power that this and
blow the 15amp fuse please refer to the ‘troubleshooting’ section later in this
document for the fuse replacement procedure. Under no circumstances should
you replace the fuse with one rated higher than 15amps. This is likely to cause
damage to the unit and possibly your equipment and will void your warranty.
Should you require more than 15 amps you will need multiple units.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your chosen power supply can deliver
enough current to power the device (typically <0.5amps) and your chosen
combination of dew heaters/focuser/ancillary equipment. Hitecastro will not
currently recommend any particular brand of power supply. You should consult a
specialist electrical retailer for advice on choice of PSU.
Installation and Setup
From V4.5 onwards, it is REQUIRED to install the ASCOM Platform
before running any of the MHP V4 software or drivers.
Carefully choose a location for your MHP which will minimize the opportunity for
cables to snag or wrap around your telescope/mount when slewing to all parts of
the sky. You can use the included bracket kit to assist mounting the unit. At this
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stage do not connect it to the computer or ancillary equipment. Now complete
the software setup.
Download the latest version of the software suite from the Hitecastro website.
From v4.5 onwards a single unified installer will install;
•MHP V4 Application Software
•MHP Focus ASCOM Driver
•MHP Switch ASCOM Driver
Run the setup program by double clicking on the software installer program. Click
OK to begin setup. You will be presented with the following;
Click ‘Next’
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You must read and accept the license agreement before clicking ‘Next’ to
proceed.
Click ‘Next’ to accept the default install location on your hard drive or you may
choose an alternative location.
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Click ‘Next’ to allow setup install in the default folder.
You can now choose a start menu folder. We recommend you accept the default.
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Review your choices and click ‘Next’.
Now click ‘Install’ to allow the installation to begin.
You will be prompted to restart your computer. You should restart your
computer for the MHP software to operate correctly.
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Hardware Installation.
Connect the cigar plug to an appropriate power outlet as described in the
beginning of this document.
Connect a standard USB cable (supplied) to the MHP and plug the computer end
into an available USB 2 or USB 3 port. The device should be automatically
detected and you should receive a windows message ‘Your hardware is installed
and ready to use’.
There is no specific driver required since your MHP uses a standard
driver which is part of windows.
MHP is a USB 2.0 device as is the inbuilt USB hub. However It is
compatible with USB 3.0 ports on your computer.
Now disconnect the power and plug in any dew heaters/equipment and connect
your focuser. Note: It is not necessary to use all features of the device.
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Now start the MHP PC application.
The above is a typical output screen of the PC application. Assuming the device
has been connected correctly click the ‘Connect’ button. The text on the connect
button changes to ‘Connected’ and the various controls are enabled. You should
probably test a power port now to confirm everything is working ok.
If you have any problem connecting to the MHP V4, we recommend
that you check that the unit is powered and the USB cable is
connected.
We now go on to describe the process of connecting your MHP to your hardware.
Connecting a Dew Heater Tape/Pad.
Plug your dew heater to a chosen outlet on the MHP. You may choose any
output. It is not necessary to plug in and out in any order. We recommend that
you disconnect the MHP before connecting or disconnecting heaters or other
devices.
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Dew ports 1 and 2 also support the use of an Electroluminescence (EL)
panel. Bu using a suitable EL panel you can adjust the brightness of the
panel by using the MHP software. Dew port 3 does NOT support an EL
panel.
Connecting Ancillary Equipment to the Power Outputs.
Equipment should be connected via the provided cable with a 2.1mm power plug
on each end. Should you choose to provide your own cables you should note that
all powered outputs are CENTRE POSITIVE. Reversing this polarity may result in
damage to your equipment. If in doubt, contact support or your dealer.
It is your responsibility to ensure that the polarity of any connected
equipment is correct. The provided cables provide CENTER POSITIVE
output. If you are in any doubt please contact the manufacturer of
your equipment and show them this notice.
Connecting a Focuser Motor
All focus (stepper and DC) motors require a gearbox to operate
effectively. Without a gearbox a focus motor will not have enough
torque to actually move your focuser especially if there is heavy
equipment such as CCD cameras attached.
MHP supports both stepper and DC focus motors. Both are connected via the
RJ45 socket on the MHPV4. You should use the included focus motor adaptor to
connect your chosen motor. Your adaptor cable is fitted with a DB9 connector for
stepper motors and a phono socket for DC motors.
Feathertouch MSM series motors can be used with an optional
adaptor. As of the time of writing, newer feathertouch motors use bi-
polar motors and are not supported. Contact us if you need advice as
to whether a particular feathertouch motor will work.
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First let’s look at the layout of the RJ45 socket.
With this in mind the pinout of this socket is as follows.
1. DC Motor +
2. Stepper 12v *
3. Stepper 12v *
4. Stepper A+
5. Stepper A-
6. Stepper B+
7. Stepper B-
8. DC Motor –
* Both Stepper 12v rails should be connected together.
At the other end the pinouts are as follows
DB9 (Stepper motor)
Pin 1 Stepper B-
Pin 2 Stepper B+
Pin 3 Stepper A-
Pin 4 Stepper A+
Pin 5 Stepper 12V
Pin 6 –9 Not used.
If your stepper motor moves in the wrong direction you can correct
this in software. Alternatively you can reverse the order of the stepper
motor wires A+ A- B+ B- so that they are wired B- B+ A- A+
If you wish to connect to a non robo-focus standard stepper motor you must first
ensure that at the very least your focus motor is a unipolar stepper motor rated at
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12vDC you must then adhere to the connection scheme above. If you are unsure
of the connections it is UNLIKELY that you will cause any damage by taking a ‘try
and see’ approach. If your motor is connected correctly you will be able to slew
the focus motor in a very smooth fashion using either the MHP hand controller or
the software focus functionality. A jumpy motor is a symptom of incorrect wiring.
DO not connect the focus output to any other motor other than a
unipolar (5 or 6 wire) stepper motor.
Connecting a DC Motor
Phono DC Socket
If you wish to reverse the direction of the DC motor rotation you can
safely swap around DC+ and DC-. Alternatively, you can achieve the
same result via the PC software.
The voltage output on the DC motor port is very close to the input
voltage from your power supply. Ensure that the DC motor you use is
rated for this voltage. Most times this is very close to 12V. Plugging a
motor which is not rated to handle this voltage will damage your motor.
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Operating the PC Software.
Your MHP is supplied with PC software which allows you access to all of the
features of the MHP. This software should be installed as described earlier in this
document. The detailed features of the software are described below
Software Layout.
The software is laid out with tabs on the right side which present you with
functionality related to that area such as Focus or Power. You click the tab of
choice to use the functionality you are interested in.
Connect Button
When initially started all of the control buttons on the software are disabled.
Once the unit has been connected correctly, click the connect button. The text in
this control changes to ‘Connected’ and all of the controls are enabled.
After a short few seconds after connecting successfully you will see the loaded
voltage change to represent the voltage which the MHP is operating under. You
will also see the current which is being drawn by the USB hub and any devices
connected to it.
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The loaded voltage may differ from the input voltage of your power
supply. This difference will be greater when the unit is under ‘load’
powering devices. When a device is drawing power there is a
voltage drop at your power supply. This is ‘Ohms Law’ in action!!
Therefore the displayed voltage is the ‘Loaded voltage’ and takes
account of this voltage drop caused by loading the MHP.
You will also see the temperature label change to “Wait” after a few more
seconds the actual measured temperature will display the ambient temperature.
Be sure to keep the metal end of the temperature probe clear of
sources of heat which may affect the accuracy of the temperature
measurement.
Save Button
The save button is used to ensure that the settings you make are saved and
restored the next time you run the software. You should press this when you
have made your settings choices. Most settings will be lost unless you press this
button after making those settings.
Power Tab
The Power tab is dominated by 4 Power panels.
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These are used to control each individual power ports. In its simplest use just
click the on/off switch to turn on/off power to that port.
When turned on a particular panel will indicate that is on and will also display the
current in AMPS which is being drawn by the connected device.
Timer.
Each power panel has an individual timer which can be programmed to turn off a
device after a fixed period of time. To set the timer roll your middle mouse button
over the minutes to set the timer. Click the “Start Timer” button. The power port
will turn on. The LED next to the set time will turn orange to indicate that timer
mode is active.
Power will remain on until the set time elapses. When the timer elapses the
power port will be turned off and the LED will turn red.
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Current Limiter.
To help ensure that problems with connected equipment don’t end up causing
damage to either the MHP or other equipment, you can set a “software fuse”
which will cause that port to power off if it draws more current than the limit you
set. To set this up correctly first turn on the port with the device connected and
see how many AMPS the device uses. Ensure that the device is drawing the max
current it may require (for example if the device is a CCD camera, turn on the
cooler to 100%. If it is your mount slew both axes at full speed simultaneously).
Once you understand how much current your device needs add around 1amp to
that and set that as the limit. To set the limit, again roll your middle mouse wheel
over the numeric value until the limit is set. Then click the engage limit checkbox.
A green LED to the left of the limit value indicates that the current being drawn is
not within 90% of the limit set. And orange LED indicates that the current is
between 90% to 99% of the limit.
If the current drawn exceeds the limit set. The power port is turned off. It will
not turn on again until it is toggled manually.
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‘Save Port States’ Button.
This new feature allows you to decide which of the power ports are switched on
or off when the device is powered up. Note that the saved power port state is
independent of software and will be effective even if the software or PC is not
running. This effectively allows you to set a power port to be ‘always on’. Set all
4 ports on or off as you wish. Click the ‘Save Port States’ button. The next time
the unit is powered those ports will be on or off as chosen. Note that although
this does not require the software or PC to be running, the previously described
timer or current limiting fuses will not be effective unless the software is running.
The net effect of this feature allows chosen ports to be “always on”. This replaces
the need for separate “always on” ports which existed on previous versions of
MHP.
Please consider carefully the consequences of powering ports on
startup by using the “Save Port State” feature. This could have
undesired consequences when your equipment starts.
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Dew Control Tab.
This area allows control of connected dew tapes or electroluminescence panels.
From top to bottom we have Port 1, Port 2 and Port 3
Only Ports 1 and 2 support EL panels. Using port3 for an EL panel will
result in flickering panel or the panel not operating
Port 1 has a set of text boxes which allow you to setup presets for an EL panel to
operate with particular filters. You can set up to 7 presets each of which can have
filter name and a power value (between 1 and 100) to represent the power level
applied to the EL panel. You could also use this section to set presets for
particular dewing conditions when used with a dew tape. E.g. “Light Dew”,
“Heavy Dew” etc. Remember to press Save when you have set the values so that
they are remembered next time you start the software.
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Each dew port has a slider which you can drag to set the power level. Once the
correct power level is set to the desired value, click the On/Off button. You will
see the amount of current drawn by the dew tape/EL panel as follows
The Startup Default button will cause the currently set values be stored to the
device and when next started the device will activate these ports at those power
levels. This is handy so that your dew tapes will be powered when starting the
device without having to run the software or even connect the device to a PC.
Please consider the consequences of powering dew tapes on startup by
using the startup default feature. This could have undesired
consequences especially in warm weather.
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