ZWO ZWO-AM5 User manual

ZWO-AM5
User Manual

Table of Contents
Preface
Tips
Included Items
1. Product Introduction
2. Performance Parameters
3. How to Use
4. Structural Dimensions
5. After Sales
6. Warranty
3.1 Introduction to the Equatorial Mount
3.2 Mounting the Equatorial Mount
3.2 AM5 Mount Installation
3.2.1 Body installation
3.2.2 Handle Controller Connection
3.2.3 Installation of height -increasing section (optional)
3.2. 4 Counterweight (optional) Installation
3.2. 5 ASIAIR (optional) installation --------OLD DESIGN
3.3 Use of Equatorial Mount
3.3.1 How to adjust the pitch angle from the first gear to the second gear?
3.3.2 How to adjust the azimuth?
3.3.3 How to switch the equatorial mode to alt-azimuth mode?
3.4 How to Connect the Computer to Control the Equatorial Mount?
3.5 How to Use ASIAIR to Control the Equatorial Mount?

Preface
Thank you for purchasing the ZWO AM5 Strain Wave Gear Mount. (Hereinafter referred to as AM5)
After years of research, ZWO has developed the new AM5 with its customized strain wave gears
to meet the desire of the modern astrophotographer for a mount with low periodic error,
accurate tracking and high torque in a small and portable unit.
The AM5 is built using the latest Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM)
techniques, with a modern industrial design interface combined with the aircraft grade
aluminum which keeps a good balance between portability and reliability. The internal
structure of the mount body is optimized with the harmonic drive speed reducer and synchro-
nous belt, bringing accurate control with an amazing reduction ratio of 300:1. To ensure the
quality, ZWO also measures each mount and equip it with the exclusive PE curve before it
proudly leaves our factory. With your purchase, you can rest assured knowing that you will
receive a top-of-the-line product, service and support.
ZWO AM5 software is compatible with ASIAIR, ASCOM, INDI and other platforms.
The purpose of this manual is to support the user in the operation of the AM5 mount. Please
read this manual carefully before using your AM5 and follow the instructions carefully.
Any equipment damage or personal injury caused by improper operation are the responsibility
of the user.
The AM5 design, associated software and operating features are the intellectual property of
ZWO and may not be reproduced without permission.
Tips
Before Using the AM5 Mount, Please Read the Following Tips Carefully and Follow
the Instructions In This Manual During Use.
1. When using the AM5, DO NOT directly observe or image the sun with naked eyes through
telescopes or finder glasses, without using specially designed solar filters. This will cause
permanent and irreversible damage to the observer's eyes, and potentially damage property
and equipment or create a fire hazard.
2. Carefully select a suitable tripod according to the size and weight of your telescope and
determine if a counterweight is required. The use of heavy loads without a counterweight
installed may cause the tripod and telescope to tip over. Always test the center of gravity of the
telescope in all directions prior to use to avoid the mount from falling and causing equipment
damage or personal injury.
3. After use, set the mount to the home position, and power down the mount. Failure to follow
this step may cause the home position to be inaccurate at the next start up and the use of the
GOTO function at this point may cause equipment damage or personal injury. If the mount is
not at home position at start up, return the mount to its home position immediately after
power up and before use of any GOTO command. Normal operation can commence when the
mount is at the home position.

Included Items
1. Case
2. AM5 mount body
3. 2m USB2.0 cable
4. Performance Sheet
5. Quick Guide Brochure
6. Hand Controller
7. 2m Hand Controller Cable
8. M6 Allen key
9. M4 Allen key
4. Do not allow children to touch or use the mount unsupervised to avoid accidental rollovers
or personal injury. Small parts are included with this mount which may also cause suffocation
or other injuries to children.
5. Do not use or store the mount in a humid and salty environment. Corrosion may occur
causing damage or impairment of the mount accuracy .
6. Do not use corrosive cleaning products on the mount as these may damage the surface
finish. Exposure to the sun for long periods of time may cause discoloration or fading of the
finish to occur.
7. Do not attempt to disassemble the mount. Damage may occur which reduces its accuracy or
damage it beyond repair. Disassembly may also cause personal injury to the user.
8. The AM5 mount is a precision instrument. Please handle it with care to avoid damage to the
mount and impair its accuracy.
9. The operational temperature of the AM5 mount is -15℃ to 40℃, please do not use the mount
outside this temperature range. Doing so may cause the equipment to operate abnormally, or
may cause equipment damage.

1. Product Introduction
Released by ZWO for its 10th anniversary, the AM5 features high performance
strain wave gears creating a precision and intelligent light weight mount built
to meet the demands of modern astronomers.
1. High Precision: The AM5 Strain Wave Gear Mount is equipped with a special harmonic
reducer achieve high-precision control. The Periodic Error (PE) is stable within ±20 arcseconds
and offers a high torque output allowing the use of large loads without the need for a counter-
weight. Each mount includes a chart of its own individual PE error curve.
2. High Load: the AM5 body weighs 5.5kg. It can carry a payload of up to 13kg without
counterweight. This is increased to 20 kg if an optional counterweight is used.
3. Customized Control System: The mount is features a highly customized control software
with over the air (OTA) upgrade capability.
4. Dual Mode: The AM5 mount is capable of both equatorial and alt-azimuth modes making it
suitable for both visual and imaging. use
5. No Restrictions On Areas of Use: The AM5 is designed with an elevation angle of 0-90
degrees and can be used anywhere from the equator to the polar regions.
6. Physical Hand Controller + APP Control: The AM5 can be controlled via the included hand
controller or, for a modern feel, via mobile phone or tablet using our AM5 app. The app offers an
onscreen joystick combined with the convenient tools such as Best Objects of the Evening, a
built in star map with real-time display and GOTO functions. There is no need to connect to a
computer, the mount and hand controller connect via WiFi.
1. Wide Range of Tripod Options: Users may choose from the matching TC40 carbon fiber
tripod or use an existing tripod. The mount is compatible with tripods from various manufac-
turers.
2. Fully Sealed Gearbox Design: prevents the strain wave gear from corrosion and maintains a
consistent performance.
3. In Built Home Position Finder: Users may find home by use of the single key GOTO home
feature which uses a mechanical sensor.
4. Power-off Braking: In the event of power failure, brakes are instantly applied to prevent the
telescope and equipment from falling and resulting in damage or injury.
5. Seamless Connectivity: The AM5 offers a wide variety of connection possibilities. Users may
command the AM5 via the ASIAIR for the ultimate in modern mount control using a cable or
WiFi connection. For ASCOM/INDI users, the AM5 connects to your astronomy software via our
free ASCOM/INDI drivers, allowing the seamless use of other astronomy software.
Key Features:
Other advantages:

2.Performance Parameters
German Equatorial Mount
Equatorial or Alt-Azimuth
Strain Wave Gear + synchronous belt
(300:1 reduction ratio)
<±20''
432s
Type 42 stepper motor + Type 17 100 reduction
ratio harmonic gear with inbuilt brake
Type 35 stepper motor + Type 17 100 reduction
ratio harmonic gear
13kg (without counterweight)
20kg (with counterweight)
5.5kg
0°-90°
±10°
Losmandy & Vixen dual dovetail saddle
M12 *1.75 coarse teeth
0.17''
6°/S
0.5x, 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 20x, 60x, 720x, 1440x
DC 5.5-2.1 (12V ≥3A)
DC 5.5-2.1 (12V ≤3A)
Standby: 12V@ 0.4A Tracking: 12V@0.6A GOTO: 12V@1.7A
ST4
USB / WiFi
Mechanical zero position
-15℃ to 40℃
Equatorial Mode Style
Available Modes
Transfer Method
PE Cycle Error
PE Cycle Time
RA Drive
DEC Drive
Load Capacity
Body Weight
Latitude Adjustment Range
Azimuth Adjustment Range
Saddle Style
Counterweight Thread
Motor Resolution
Maximum Speed
Rotation Speed
Power Input Interface
Power Output Interface
Power Consumption
Guide Interface
Communication Interfaces
Home Sensor Style
Operating Temperature
Power-off Brake RA Axis Only

3. How to use
3.1 Introduction to the Equatorial Mode
①. Finder Slot Mounting Holes: can be used to install the finder foot,ASIAIR
②. Power Switch: Turn the mount power on or off.
③. Counterweight Screw Hole: Unscrew the cover to connect the optional 12mm threaded
counterweight bar and counterweight.
④. Pitch Angle Gear Adjustment Screw: A screw is located on either side of the main body.
Loosen these with a hexagonal wrench, and the pitch can be adjusted between 0-90 degrees.
⑤.Azimuth Lock: Loosen it if you want to adjust Azimuth scale, or tighten it if you want to
fasten the Azimuth scale.
⑥. Dovetail Slots: Suitable for both Losmandy and Vixen style dovetails.
⑦. Pitch Angle Scale: range 0~90°
⑧. Pitch Angle Tensioner: Loosen the knob to adjust the pitch angle, and tighten it after
completion.
⑨. Bubble Levels: Displays whether the mount body is level.
⑩. Pitch Angle Fine-Tuning Knob: Rotate the equatorial mount clockwise to pitch up, and
counterclockwise to pitch down.
⑪.Azimuth Fine-Tuning Knobs: Rotate the knobs on both sides to adjust the azimuth base.
①
②⑥
⑦
⑧
⑩⑨
⑪
③
④
⑤

⑫
⑭
⑬
⑫. Dovetail Clamp Knobs: Adjust the dovetail slot width using the two knobs.Lock the knobs
tightly to prevent slippage.
⑬. 12V Power Output Port: Supplied from the main body power socket, this outlet can supply
power to devices such as ASIAIR.
⑭. Finder Foot: Can be used to install laser stylus, finder or guidescope and other equipment.
⑮
⑯
⑰
⑱
⑲
⑮. Mode Indicator: A red light is displayed for Equatorial mount mode, a green light is
displayed for Alt-Azimuth mode (if the mount has no synchronization, the indicator light flashes
alternately red and green, and the corresponding color indicator light will be displayed
according to the mode after synchronization).

⑯. USB Socket: (USB2) Connects the AM5 to devices that support USB interface such as
computer control vias ASIAIR, ASCOM/INDI or PC to support mount upgrades to firmware.
⑰. ST4 Guide Interface: Hardware guiding can be provided through the inbuilt ST4 guide port.
⑱. Physical HC Interface: connects the mount hand controller.
⑲.Power Input Port: DC 12V input, 5.5-2.1mm. It is recommended that the power supply
capacity of the adapter be at least 3 A or more.When the voltage is lower than 10V, the buzzer
inside the mount will beep to alert the user to a low voltage situation.
Power Output Port: It can supply power to other 12V devices. Maximum current is 3 Amps.
①. Light Indicator: It indicates HIGH or LOW sidereal tracking rate the mount currently is in.
When the light is on, it means the mount is in high tracking rate.
②. Directional Control Joystick: The joystick can be used to slew the two axis. Pressing down on
the joystick knob switches between high and low slew speeds. There are 1, 2, 4, 8 x sidereal rate at
low speed, 20 to 1440 x sidereal rate at high speed. Slew speeds are infinitely variable through
joystick, light touches create slow speeds and pushing the joystick right over, slews at max rate.
③. Tracking Button: Click to enable or disable tracking.
④.Cancel Button: Click to cancel the current function, such as cancel GOTO, and long press (3
seconds) to GOTO Home position.
2. An introduction to the features of AM5 hand controller
①
②
③
④

WiFi: If you forget the WiFi password of the hand controller, you can long-press the tracking
and cancel buttons for 5 seconds while keeping the hand controller powered. When the
high-speed indicator flashes, the password will be reset to the default one: 12345678.
Cancel: One press to cancel GOTO or other functions.
Long press the cancel button for 3 seconds to go to zero position.
Equatorial/Azimuth Mode Switching: When the power for mount is off,
long press the cancel button to activate the mount again along with the
switch function. To enter Azimuth mode, do not loosen your finger from the
cancel button until the light indicator turns green. (How to identify the
current mode of the mount: It’s in Equatorial mode if the light indicator
displays red after boot; in Azimuth mode if the light indicator displays
green.)
Scan to watch
operating video

2. Secure the Installation Disk. Use a hexagonal wrench to attach 3 x M6 screws to fix the
mounting plate on the main body of the AM5.
3.2.1 Body Installation
*Tripod model: ZWO carbon fiber TC40
1. Extend the Tripod.
3. AM5 Mount Installation
① ②
③ ④

① ②
③ ④
3. Install the Body On the Tripod. Place the main body of the mount on the tripod, install the
threaded tension bolt (as shown in Figure 1 below), and turn the knob clockwise to lock it.
4. Install the Triangular Spreader Plate and Turn the Knob Clockwise to Lock It.
Use the coiled cable to connect the hand controller to the AM5 mount body.
3.2.2 Handle Controller Connection
Scan to watch
operating video

②
1. Attach the pier extension to the tripod;
3.2.3 Connection to ZWO AM5
3.Installation completed
①
2. Attach the AM5 mount to the pier
③

Remove or buy a finder mirror slot and put it on the side of the dovetail slot, A SIAIR can be
installed on the side of the dovetail slot or on the main mirror
3.2.5 ASIAIR (Optional) Installation --------OLD DESIGN
Choosing Whether to Install a Counter Weight
Counter weight Installation Steps
If the combined weight of the telescope is less than 13kg there is no requirement to have a
counterweight installed. If the combined weight of the telescope reaches 13kg or more, a
counterweight should be used.
The total weight of the telescope should not exceed 20kg.
In order to ensure the stability of the equipment, it is recommended to use a counterweight
when the total weight of the telescope reaches 10kg.
1、Find the mounting screw hole for the counterweight at the bottom of the AM5 mount body.
The screw hole will have a silver color plug in.
2、Turn the plug counterclockwise until fully unscrewed.
3、Install the counterweight bar and tighten clockwise, then install the weight.
3.2.4 Optional Counterweight Installation
1 2 3 4

3.3 Use of Equatorial Mode
3.3.1 How to Adjust the Pitch Angle Range
The pitch angle adjustment of the equatorial mount AM5 is divided into two ranges, the first
gear pitch angle range allows operation from 0~60°; the second pitch angle range covers
45°~90°.
When the mount is in the first range, the pitch adjustment angle is limited to 60°. To reach more
than 60° you will need to use a hex wrench to loosen the lock screws on both sides of the main
body, and then turn the equatorial mount to the alternative pitch range (45° position). After
completion, tighten the screws on both sides, and continue to adjust the Pitch Angle Fine-Tun-
ing Knob to 90°.
#Note:
There is an ASIAIR finder shoe attached on the AM5's side panel. If you plan to attach it on anywhere else, such as on the
side of the Losmandy & Vixen style dovetail saddle plate, then make sure not to COMPLETELY screw in the rest two hex
screws. Keep the length of the inner part between 3~5mm. If you completely screw them in, considering the compact
structure of AM5, the cables inside the mount might get pressed and damaged which may lead the mount not to work.
Latitude scale 0° Latitude scale 90°
Correct Installation Method: Wrong Installation Method:

2. Use a hex wrench to fully loosen the lock screws on both sides.
3 4
To Change the Pitch Angle From 0° to 90° for Alt-azimuth Use, the Steps are as Follows:
1. Loosen the pitch angle tensioner on both sides and turn the pitch angle fine-tuning knob
clockwise so the hex screw pitch angle gear adjustment screw is completely visible from the
hole.
1 2
Scan to watch
operating video

3、Move the AM5 body to slide the pitch angle gear adjustment screw so the hex screw slides to
the bottom end of the slide rail in the hole, the scale screw will indicate 45°, and the hex screw is
exposed at the same time. Tighten the hex screw on both sides.
5 6

3.3.3 How to Switch Between Equatorial and Alt-azimuth Modes
The indicator light is red for equatorial mount mode, and the indicator light is green for
alt-azimuth mode.
Using the Hand Controller to Change Modes
Tip: Before Switching Modes, Turn Off the Mount Power Button
Step 1: Adjust the pitch angle to 90 degrees (refer to 3.3.1 for the steps);
Step 2: Connect the hand controller, press and hold the Cancel Button while turning on the AM5
mount power. The indicator light turns red (or from green to red), release the Cancel Button to
enter the chosen mount mode
3.3.2 How to Adjust the Azimuth Angle
Loosen the azimuth locking levers, turn the azimuth angle fine-tuning knobs, and adjust to the
required azimuth angle. Once completed, lock the azimuth locking levers.
4、Continue to rotate the pitch angle fine-tuning knob clockwise to adjust the pitch angle to
the 90° position, and then tighten the [pitch angle tensioner].
7 8

Field of view setting interfaceBest GOTO target interface of the night
Equator setting interfaceAPPsetting interface
2
3
4
6
2. Changing the Mode Via the Mobile Device:
Download the AM5 APP on your mobile phone in advance.
Adjust the elevation angle of the equatorial mount to 90 degrees (refer to 3.3.1 for the steps)
turn on the mount power, open the AM5 app on the mobile device and connect to the controller
hotspot. The WIFI name format is: AMH_*****, and the default password is: 12345678.
How to switch to Equatorial mode from Azimuth mode: Make sure the hand controller is
connected to the mount, then long press the cancel button to boot the mount. Don’t loosen
your finger until the light indicator turns red. The mount is in Equatorial mode now.
Note: After the mount is switched to another mode, if the light indicator
remains the color of the current mode for 5 seconds then flashes red and
green in turn, it means you need to connect the mount to ASIAIR, or AM5 APP,
or any other astrophotography software in your laptop to sync the local time
and coordinate information. After synchronization, the light indicator will get
back to normal status.
15
Scan to watch
operating video

① Magnifying Glass: Best tonight, choose the target, with the function of GOTO.
② Box FOV: Click to set the field of view.
③ Equatorial: View the information of the mount, as well as the functions of [Tracking], [EQ or
AZALTMode] (the default is equatorial mount mode when this mode is turned off), and GOTO
home [Zero].
④ Hexagon: App setting, allowing you to configure the meridian, celestial equator,
coordinates, languages, etc.
⑤ Compass: Compass positioning.
⑥ On Screen Joystick: Controls the two axis（equipped with five kinds of speed）.
Note: In Azimuth mode when you install the telescope on mount, keep the objective pointing at
your left side, like the figure shown below. Also keep the tension knob of the dovetail saddle plate
upwards when the Azimuth mount is parked at zero position. If the telescope is installed in the
wrong direction, the GOTO and tracking results will also get wrong.
3.4 Computer Connection to the AM5 Mount
2. Open the official website http://zwoasi.com/software, select [Technical Support] > [Soft-
ware].
Preparation: Connect the mount to the power supply, and use the ZWO USB2.0 data cable to
connect the USB port on the mount to the USB interface on the computer.
Correct Installation Method:
Wrong Installation Method: