Hubble Optics iSkyHub-B User manual

iSkyHub-B Instruction
REV 2.1
Hubble Optics
12-01-2016
1. Assembly nd Inst ll tion................................................................................................2
1.1 iSkyHub-B.................................................................................................................2
1.2 AZM Encoder Inst ll tion.........................................................................................5
1.3 Extern l ALT Encoder Inst ll tion............................................................................8
1.4 Mounting the iSkyHub-B when the intern l inclinometer is used..........................15
2. Configur tion of iSkyHub-B.........................................................................................18
2.1 Bluetooth Configur tion on Android.......................................................................22
2.2 Bluetooth Configur tion on Windows.....................................................................22
2.3 Inst ll tion of USB seri l Driver on Windows........................................................25
2.4 Inst ll tion of USB seri l Driver on M c Book nd Linux systems.......................28
3. Inst ll tion of EK ASCOM driver.................................................................................28
4. Stell rium.......................................................................................................................28
4.1 Inst ll tion of Stell rium.........................................................................................28
4.2 Configur tion of Stell riumScopeWD....................................................................33
5. C rtes du Ciel................................................................................................................37
6. SkyS f ri for Android....................................................................................................43
7. Used with the Equ tori l Pl tform................................................................................49
8. Specific tion..................................................................................................................49
9. Limited W rr nty...........................................................................................................52
Appendix A: FAQ nd Troubleshooting...........................................................................53
It supports USB to MS Windows XP/Vist /7/8 nd M cOS (M c Book).
It supports Bluetooth connection to MS Windows nd Android devices.
Th nks to D vid Ek’s wonderful DSC ASCOM driver, you c n now enjoy numerous
wonderful Windows b sed pl net rium softw re such s TheSky 5/6, St rry Night Pro,
Sky M p Pro, Meg St r, E rth-Centered Universe, nd C rtes du Ciel, Stell rium, nd
etc., with iSkyHub-B.
However, we c n only provide very limited technic l support for ll these very powerful
but sophistic ted third p rty softw re. So this function is provided “AS IS”.
1

iSkyHub-B has an state of art built-in high resolution digital inclinometer to replace
the e ternal ALT encoder. You can easily mount the iSkyHub-B on either side of the
Dobsonian scope, it will automatically sense the scope movement around the ALT
a is.
1. Assembly and Installation
1.1 iSkyHub-B
The iSkyHub-B Receiver is shipped s Kit. You need to inst ll the CPU bo rd into the
c se. Note that you should only open the iSkyHub-B by loosing the 4 screws on the
bottom of the iSkyHub-B when needed. Never loose the 4 screws on the top of the
iSkyHub-B when ever possible.
Top of the iSkyHub-B: Do not loose the screws on this side
2

Loose these screws on the bottom of the iSkyHub-B to open the c se when needed
3

A: RJ45 Encoder Jack
B: USB port
C: 7-12VDC connector, center positive
4

A: Bluetooth Status LED
B: Data Communication Status LED
C: Information LED
D: Power Status LED
1.2 AZM Encoder Installation
Install the 1” diameter brass Azm encoder housing onto the center holes of the three stainless
steel Azimuth spoke arms as shown below using a M6 x10 hex screw. o not tighten them
completely yet.
5

Install the three stainless steel Azimuth spoke arms to the inner Azm bearing ring with three M6
screws. The encoder housing should be precisely placed at the Azm bearing center by making
sure the scale readings on all three AZ spoke arms are exactly the same at the edge of the Azm
inner bearing. Tighten the M6 screw and the center screw to lock the encoder housing to the Azm
spoke arms. If there are no additional holes on your Azm bearing, you can install the AZ spoke
arms in the same three holes used by the footers, and use the same wing nuts to lock the
spoke arms.
Install the Azm encoder arm assembly by carefully inserting the encoder shaft into the center hole
of the brass encoder housing. Adjust the depth so the threaded shank of the encoder does not
touch the housing. Tighten the Nylon setscrew on the side of the brass housing onto the
shaft.
6

The AZM encoder pivoting arm is restricted by the plastic wrapped M6 screws
The pl stic wr pped M6 pivoting screw
7

1.3 External AL Encoder Installation
This step is not needed if the internal inclinometer is used.
Install the 1” diameter brass AZ encoder housing into the one of center holes of the ALT encoder
holder bracket as shown below using a M6 x10 hex screw.
A: for UL14
B: for UL16
C: for UL18
D: for UL20
These re recommended positions only; however you m y use different position for your
scope to m ke sure th t the encoder is indeed centered t the ALT xis
8

9

10

Bolt the ALT encoder holder to the mirror bo with the M6 knob screws
Install the Azm encoder&arm assembly by carefully inserting the encoder shaft into the center
hole of the brass encoder housing. Adjust the depth so the threaded shank of the encoder does
not touch the housing. Tighten the Nylon setscrew on side of the brass housing onto the
shaft.
11

12

Adjust the ALT encoder bracket position to make sure the encoder is centered at
the ALT bearing a is. Here is how to verify that the ALT encoder is perfectly
centered:
Once the encoder is perfectly centered to the ALT axis, then set the mirror box to zenith, 45
degree, and then 90 degree orientations; you should then see the pivoting screw hole at the
bottom remain at the same location relative to the ALT encoder bracket.
Mirror Bo at Zenith
13

Mirror Bo at 45 degree
Mirror Bo close to 90 degree
14

1.4 Mounting the iSkyHub-B when the internal inclinometer is
used.
If you use n extern l encoder, then you c n mount the iSkyHub-B ny w y you w nt.
However, you will need to follow this section if the intern l inclinometer is used.
You should first use a bubble level to make sure that the ground board is leveled.
You must mount the iSkyHub-B nywhere on either left or right side of your scope's
mirror box, pointing up-forw rd roughly 45 degree (no need to be ex ctly) rel tive to the
mirror box.
15

Right Mounting Orient tion
WRONG Mounting Orient tion
16

Right Mounting Orient tion
WRONG Mounting Orient tion
17

Note, the iSkyHub-B should be mounted on either left or right side of the scope,
with roughly 45 degree angled from the mirror bo , always being vertical to the
ground.
Note th t you should m ke every effort to m ke sure th t the ground bo rd is leveled nd
the iSkyHub-B is mounted to the system in such w y th t the bottom (and top) surface
of the iSkyHub-B unit is lw ys vertic l to the ground.
During the startup, iSkyHub-B will automatically detects if it is vertically to the
ground, and reports the result by the number of slow blinks of the info LED;
ignoring the initial flush of quick blinks, after that, each slow blink indicate 0.1
degree deviation from the vertical position. For e ample, if the iSkyHub-B slowly
blinks 10 times during the startup (after some initial quick blinks), then it indicates
the iSkyHub-B is about 1 degree deviation from the vertical position relative to the
ground.
Note that the iSkyHub-B will flash about 900 times if iSkyHub-B is started while
laid flat on the ground.
A few slow blinks will not imp ct the pointing ccur cy th t much.
2. onfiguration of iSkyHub-B
iSkyHub-B Jumper Setting for Bluetooth Interface using the built-in inclinometer.
18

If your l ptop or Android device h s built-in Bluetooth c p bility (or with n extern l
USB Bluetooth Dongle Ad pter for Windows L ptop); then you c n connect your device
to iSkyHub-B over Bluetooth; which is the def ult setting when shipped. A 7-12VDC
power supply is required for iSkyHub-B to oper te in Bluetooth mode.
The iSkyHub-B nd SkyHub-B Bluetooh interf ce is pre-configured with the following
p r meters:
For the iSkyHub-B:
Device N me: iSkyHub-B
P ssKey: 1234
B ud R te: 9600
Note for the original SkyHub:
Device N me: SkyHub
P ssKey: 1234
B ud R te: 9600
The above setting cannot be changed!
19

Jumper setting to use the intern l ALT inclinometer (def ult)
20