Panther TTS-160 User manual

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User manual

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Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................3
Product safety.................................................................................................................................3
Receiving the mounting...................................................................................................................3
Quick start.......................................................................................................................................4
Setting up the pier......................................................................................................................4
Installation of the mounting head................................................................................................5
Mounting the telescope ..............................................................................................................6
Powering up the mounting..........................................................................................................7
Set the internal clock..................................................................................................................8
Setup observation location .........................................................................................................9
Stellar Alignment / Solar Alignment –“Instant Tracking” ........................................................... 10
Goto object...............................................................................................................................12
TTS-160 Hand pad ....................................................................................................................... 14
Movement control.....................................................................................................................15
Operation screen......................................................................................................................15
Menu system navigation...........................................................................................................17
Data input.................................................................................................................................17
TTS-160 control software..............................................................................................................19
Menu tree TTS-160.................................................................................................................. 19
Main menu ............................................................................................................................... 20
Align menu............................................................................................................................... 20
Align mount menu .................................................................................................................... 21
Operation menu........................................................................................................................25
Goto Object menu....................................................................................................................26
Control via PC, IPAD, Mobile device.............................................................................................27
Connecting the PC...................................................................................................................27
Wifi adapter like SCi-Fi works equally well................................................................................28
Using the PC control ................................................................................................................28
Maintenance................................................................................................................................. 28
Cleaning...................................................................................................................................28
Appendix A ...................................................................................................................................29
Wire connections for the serial interface................................................................................... 29
Wire connections for autoguider interface.................................................................................29
Updating the firmware ..............................................................................................................29
Adjustment of Azimuth friction drive..........................................................................................30
Appendix B ...................................................................................................................................32
Mounting the Pier adapter on the Mount Head .........................................................................32

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Introduction
TTS-160 Panther is an advanced computer controlled telescope mounting with
many installed features. It is not necessary to know all features in details to start
using the mounting. We have chosen to divide this user manual into two
sections: A “quick start” section to get you started observing with the mounting
and a more detailed section describing all functions thoroughly.
The quick start section should be read completely. The other section can be
used as a look up Manuel.
NOTICE:
The use of the optional Telescope rOTAtor is described in its own user manual.
Product safety
WARNING:
Never point a telescope towards the sun without proper full aperture solar filter.
Do never look in the eyepiece when the mounting is slewing during daytime as
the telescope might pass the sun.
Always setup the mounting on a level surface so that it cannot fall over.
The mounting consists of heavy parts –be careful not to drop these.
Always keep a hand on the telescope when the dovetail adapter is not tightened
(for balancing etc.). All dovetails must have a security stop in each end securing
the dovetail can’t slide out of the dovetail saddle.
Electrical safety:
The mounting must be powered from a 12V battery with a 3 Amp fuse. Always
connect all cables to the mount and peripherals before connecting the battery.
Disconnect the battery power when the mounting is not in use.
WARNING:
Never use mains power and a 12V power supply for outdoor use.
Receiving the mounting
The mounting is unpacked from the shipping boxes and is immediately ready for
use.

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Quick start
This section describes how to get started using the mounting quickly.
It is described how to:
•Setup the mounting
•Perform the first alignment
•Perform the first GOTO's
Setting up the pier
1. Unfold legs and place on ground.
Take the pier from the transport bag and place with the red handle upwards.
Remove the pier base from the pier tube lifting in the red handle.
Unfold the legs and place the pier base on the ground. The ground must be
approximately horizontal.
2. Setup the pier tube
The pier is placed on the pier base. Position the slots above the legs.
Raise and extend the three tension rods.
Tilt the pier tube a little and insert two of the hooks in the slots in the pier
tube.
Extend the third tension rod by turning the hook until it can be inserted into
the slot. If needed extend the other tension rods.
Now tighten the tension rods by turning the black cylindrical handles. See to
that the tension rods are kept the same length (watch how much of the
thread that is visible on the hook).

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NOTICE:
Tighten until the pier feels stable but do NOT over tighten the handles.
Installation of the mounting head
NOTICE
The Pier Adapter must be installed on the Mounting head before installing the
mounting head on the pier. See Appendix B.
3. Place the mounting head on the pier
When the mounting head is placed on the top of the pier
the locking screw of the pier adapter automatically catch the threaded hole in
the top of the pier.
WARNING:Be careful not to tilt the mounting head before
the locking screw is tightened
The mounting head and the pier are locked together
by tightening the locking screw with the handle inside the pier adapter. Do
not over tighten the screw.
4. Installation of counter weights
Lock the counter weight arms pointing downwards by tightening the two hand

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screws. Note that the right hand screw is tightened in counter clockwise
direction.
Mount a counter weight on each arm. Ensure the handle on
the counterweight is loosened. Insert the locking screw head in the keyhole
at the top end of the slot in the counter weight arm. Slide the counter weight
gently to the bottom of the slot and lock it there with the handle.
Mounting the telescope
5. Mount the telescope
Loosen the two bat screws at the dovetail saddle
until the two brass pins can be pushed all the way in.
The dovetail on the telescope is inserted into the
saddle in the side opposite to the locking screws.
Tilt the dovetail into the bottom of the saddle and
lock the two locking screws.
NOTICE: Before letting go, try to lift the telescope
out of the saddle to ensure that it is locked correctly
WARNING: Do only use dovetail plates with security pins
to avoid the dovetail from sliding out of the saddle.

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6. Balancing telescope and mounting
Start by balancing the telescope lengthwise. Leave
the counter weights in the lowest position and the
telescope HORIZONTAL.
The two altitude hand screws are loosened and the
telescope is tilted up and down to feel the balance.
Release the dovetail locking screws and slide the
telescope in the dovetail saddle until the balance is
right. Lock the dovetail locking screws again.
WARNING: Ensure that the dovetail locking screws
are tightened before letting go of the telescope
Now the counter weights are balanced. Loosen the
altitude hand screws and point the telescope 60-80
degrees upwards. Now the counter weights can be
positioned where the balance is right. Place the two
counter weights in approximately the same height.
Place the telescope pointing approx. 45 degrees up
and lock the altitude hand screws. The setup is
now completed.
Powering up the mounting
7. Connection of hand pad and power cable.
Start by connecting the hand pad to the connector
marked HP. Afterwards connect the supplied power
cable to the connector marked 12V. As soon as the
power is connected the mount starts up.
The battery used must deliver 12V, 3 Amps.

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Align mount
Load last Align
Alignment info
Main menu
Align menu
Setup menu
Operation menu
Park Mount
Show/set date & time
Choose location
Edit location
WARNING: All cables for the mount must be connected
before the power is switched on/battery
8. Using the hand pad
The hand pad contains a display and 3 knobs. Each
knob can be used as both rotational encoder and
pushbutton.
The functionality of the knobs are:
Altitude knobs:
Rotating any of the two knobs adjusts movement in altitude
direction or scrolls in the menus. Pushing the left knob
toggles between the operation screen and the menu
system. Pushing the right knob stops both motors (except tracking).
Azimuth knob:
Rotating the knob adjust movement in azimuth direction.
Pushing the knob switches between two movement principles
when in the operation screen or works as ENTER when in the
menu system.
Set the internal clock
(necessary to do first time only)
The handpad starts up with the text: Track The Stars.
Press ENTER to go to the Align menu
Select line: Main menu
Select line: Setup menu
Select line: Show/set time & date

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Date: 10-06-2014
Time: 22:13:50
ENTER ESC
CANCEL
Name: Ganlose
Timezone: 2:00
Longitude:-12:31:24
Latitude:+55:42:14
Horizon: 20o
NEXT ENTER ESC
Scroll to set each digit. Press ENTER to step to next digit.
The entered time is activated when ENTER is pressed for the input seconds.
TTS-160 Panther stores the time in a Real Time Clock with battery backup. This
means that time is kept also when the mounting is switched off.
Setup observation location
(necessary to do first time only)
In the setup menu select line: Edit location.
Edit location
Use this function to setup your observation
locations. Pick the location to be edited.
The following information must be input:
•Name: Spell the location name by scrolling
the alphabet and select the letter by pressing
ENTER. When the name is completed press
NEXT (left knob) to leave the field.
•Latitude: Enter latitude in degrees,
arcminutes and arcseconds. Northern
latitudes are positive.
•Longitude: Enter longitude in degrees,
arcminutes and arcseconds. Western
longitudes are positive.
•Time zone: Enter the local time zone. The
time zone is the difference between local time
and UT. Note that it is necessary to handle
daylight saving time when entering the time
zone. The time zone is positive east of
Greenwich. Examples on time zones:
- Berlin, København, Paris: 1
(2 if daylight saving time)
- London: 0
- Moscow 3
- New York: -5
(-4 if daylight saving time)
- Los Angeles -8
- Sydney 11

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1* Not aligned
2* Not aligned
3* Not aligned
Align menu
Align mount
Load last Align
Alignment info
Main Menu
Named stars
Andromeda - Bootes
Canis Ma –Canis Mi.
Carina-Cassiopeia
Bright Stars cat.
Enter Coordinates
Planets
Back
A-And, Alphera
B-And, Mirach
G-And, Alamach
A-Aql, Altair
- Tokyo 9
•Local horizon: Enter the wanted local horizon.
This is the lowest altitude the mount will goto
automatically. Can be left unchanged at 0o
Stellar Alignment / Solar Alignment –“Instant Tracking”
9. Aligning the mounting - using just one object –“Instant Tracking”
The hand pad starts up with the text :Track The Stars.
Press ENTER to go to the Align menu
Select line: Align mount
Select line: 1* Not aligned
Select line: Bright Stars (or Planets)
Look at the sky and select a bright star
approx. 30 degrees up. Select the
constellation of the star in the menu.
(select the sun or a planet if planets was
selected)
Select the actual star:
(this screen is not shown if Planets was
selected)

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1 Aligned
2* Not aligned
3* Not aligned
Align menu
Bright Stars cat.
Enter Coordinates
Planets
Back
Align * 1
Center and press ok
01:23:45 45:10:12
OK ENTER STOP
Aligment Successful
Resulting latitude
55.703 deg.
Press any key
This opens the operation screen
Point the telescope at the selected star (or sun/planet) using the hand pad
knobs.
When the star is exactly centered in the eyepiece press the OK knob (left
knob). Best results is achieved by using a cross hair eyepiece.
Alignment star 1 is now completed. The resulting latitude is based on the
latitude of the selected location (in the setup menu).
The mount will immediately start to track the selected object. The tracking is
based on that the mount is setup vertically. For visual observations and for
imaging the sun, the moon or the planets alignment on one object is normally
enough (jump to point 11).
10. Aligning the mount on a second star –for high precision goto and for
Deep Sky Astrophotograpy
When Alignment on the first star is completed this screen is showed:
Select line: 2* Not aligned
Select line: Bright Stars
Look at the sky and select a bright star approx. 30 degrees up and 45 –90
degrees away from the first alignment star.
Repeat procedure used for alignment star 1:

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Coordinates
Messier Catalog
NGC Catalog
IC Catalog
Messier catalog
M 031
ENTER CANCEL
Alignment Successful
Calculated Latitude
55.34
Press any key
01:23:45 45:10:12
Menu Speed/Step Stop
Select the constellation and the actual star.
Center the star and press OK
The alignment is now completed and this screen is displayed.
The calculated latitude should be close to the actual latitude. This latitude is
calculated only from the alignment data and takes into account if the mount
pier is not vertical.
The mounting is now tracking alignment star 2.
(If a wrong alignment star is selected in the sky the mount will show
“Aligment failed”. In this case restart the alignment process –point 9)
Goto object
11. Goto selected object
Ensure the hand pad is in the operation
screen by pressing the menu knob (left knob)
Press the menu knob to open the operation
menu.
Select line Goto Object
This opens the goto object menu
Select line Messier catalog
The input screen for the messier catalog i
now displayed.
Choose an object number by scrolling one
digit at a time and step to next digit by .
pressing the ENTER knob.
Goto object
Set distance steps
Synchronize
Corrections

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M 31
Mg 4,5, s. 178, Andr
00:42:42 +41:16:00
OK CANCEL
Object data is displayed
Press OK to start GOTO.
The mounting centers and tracks the object.
The TTS-160 Panther Mount is constructed to be driven by the internal
motors and not pushed by hand. If it is a wish to move the mount manually by
hand it is necessary first to loosen the Azimuth friction drive. Please see
Appendix A.
You have now completed the “Quick Start” guide and should be able to find
and observe objects. More detailed description of the mounts features
follows in the next sections.

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TTS-160 Hand pad
The hand pad controls all mounting functions –motor movements, menu
navigation and data input.
The hand pad contains a display and 3 knobs. Each knob can be used as both
rotational encoder and pushbutton. When rotated the knobs moves with small
clicks.
The knobs are named
Adjustment of display brightness:
When the mount is powered up the text “Track The Stars” is displayed. At this
point the display brightness can be adjusted by turning the Altitude knobs.
Press ENTER (Azimuth knob) to continue.
Daytime use of Handpad
For daytime use the red glass in front of the display can be removed. It’s held
by four magnets and can be tilted out by inserting a small lever in the hole at the
end of the glass.

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Movement control
When the hand pad is in the operation screen the mount can be moved by
turning the knobs. The azimuth knob controls movement in azimuth and both
the altitude knobs controls movement in altitude. In this relation the left and right
altitude knobs has exactly the same function.
The mount can be set to move in two modes: Speed Mode or Distance Mode.
Pushing the azimuth knob switches between the two modes. An Icon tells the
selected mode
Speed Mode
In speed mode the speed is controlled when rotating
the knobs. The motor has 12 speed steps. Each
click from a rotational knob changes the speed one
step up or down. The motor is stopped by turning
the knob until speed step zero is reached or easier
by turning one click on the knob that controls the
other motor
.
NOTICE:
The mount continues to slew until the motor is stopped. An arrow in the top right
corner is shown when the mount is moving.
Distance Mode
In distance mode the mount moves a certain
distance for each click from a rotational knob. When
a click is received the relevant motor speeds up –
moves a distance –and slows down again. The
distance traveled is set-up in the operation menu.
Operation screen
When the mounting is operating and tracking objects the Operation Screen is
displayed. The operation screen shows information concerning object,
coordinates and mounting status:

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Detailed description of the fields:
•Object number:
Displays catalog and object number for the selected object. Otherwise
the field is empty.
•Battery status icon:
= 12V, = 11V, = 10V (to low battery voltage)
•Alignment status icon:
Empty field = No alignment
= 2/3 star alignment completed
•Tracking status icon:
Dot is running when tracking.
•Speed/distance Mode icon:
= Speed Mode chosen
= Distance Mode chosen
•Movement indication icon:
Arrow indicates that the mounting is moving in the shown direction.
Object number
Battery status
Alignment status Tracking Status
Speed/Distance mode
Movement indication
Object
description
Coordinates
Decl./alt.
Coordinates
Rigthas./azimuth
Pushbuttom
function

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•Object description:
Description of object from the selected object catalog.
•Coordinates:
Left Coordinate is RA ,AZ or “field rotation angle” depending on what is
selected.
Right Coordinate is DEC, ALT or “field rotation speed” depending on
what is selected.
•Pushbutton function:
- Press MENU to enter the menu system.
- Press ENTER to change between Speed Mode and Distance Mode.
- Press STOP to stop any movement (besides tracking).
Menu system navigation
To open the menu system (from the operation screen) press the MENU knob.
To leave the menu system press the MENU knob.
The menu system displays one menu item per line. One of the lines is
highlighted. Turn the altitude knobs to scroll and select by pressing the ENTER
knob.
Data input
Data input takes place when:
–an object catalog is used
–a GOTO to a set of coordinates is performed
–editing location information
–setting date and time
–setting up basic mount parameters
When searching for objects in the catalogs it is always the object number that is
entered. This is easily done by selecting one digit at a time. The digit is selected
by rolling the altitude knobs and selected by pressing ENTER.
Entering coordinates is done via the main parts of the coordinates and scrolling
through the possible values:
–hours (0-23)

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–minutes (0-59)
–seconds (0-59)
–degrees (-89 -+89)
Each main part is selected by pressing ENTER.
When editing locations the location name is entered scrolling one letter at a time
and confirmed by pressing ENTER. When the name is completed the NEXT
knob (left knob) is pressed. Other location data is input as described above.

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TTS-160 control software
This section describes the software in details. It is suited for looking up specific
functions.
Menu tree TTS-160
The lines written in italic bring you to another menu. The other lines select a
function performing an action. Menu points in red are special setup functions
not needed/described here.

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Align Menu
Setup Menu
Operation Menu
Park Mount
Align mount
Load last Align
Alignment info
Main Menu
Main menu
•Align menu:
Select this to align the mounting. Start always here.
•Setup menu:
Select this to setup the basic parameters.
This menu is not used on every observation session.
•Operation menu:
Select this to perform operation commands e.g. Goto.
•Park Mount (“Quickstart”)
Select this to save the mounts position before powering down. If the mount is
left unmoved the position can be reloaded and the mount can be used right
away without any alignment needed. Perfect for observatory use.
See below for load procedure.
Align menu
•Align mount:
Select this to align mount on one star/planet/sun or to add a second or third
alignment star to a previous completed 1 or 2 star alignment.
•Load last alignment (“Quickstart”):
Loads the last parked alignment. If the mount was parked before being
powered down it is possible to load the last alignment and continue with that.
This demands the mount/telescope has not been moved since it was
powered down from the last observation session.
•Alignment information:
Shows data for the actual alignment.
When aligning on 2 or 3 stars the mounting calculates the angle between the
mountings azimuth-axis and the earth polar axis. This is displayed as
Calculated Latitude. If the mounting pier is vertical the shown calculated
latitude should match the latitude of the observation spot. The calculated
latitude is used to evaluate the quality of an alignment.