CCD Imager's Tool Review Nabs Prize
The Optec Pyxis Rotator gets graded, rated, and rotated by Bob Benamati...
Comments:
Hello Bob,<br><br><br> Can you give me some details where you got the motor for the swap, model number, vendor, etc... <br><br>Thanks<br><br>Kirk Vanden
Sure, Kirk. <br><br>The motors are from Nippon Pulse Motor (have a Virgina office). I don't have their site handy, but you can Google Nippon Pulse and come up with it. Just call Julie Kalchik and request one of the below:<br><br><br>Winding# Resistance Volts<br>15 32 ohms 7.6 V<br><br>16 40 8.5<br><br><br>When you order some motors, please specify the winding (15, 16 or 20) and magnet material (1 = ferrite magnet, or 4 = neodymium magnet). If you choose 40 ohms and neodymium magnet, its P/N will be PFF35T-48164.<br><br>I've tested both, and both are great. The only thing you'll need is a pinion gear, which I purchased from a hobby shop (64 pitch, 8 tooth gear for 2mm shafts). I can get you the specific part # and supplier when I return from my business travels on Monday if you like.<br><br>Take care,<br>Bob<br> <br>
This unit can be used successfully as a field de-rotator. A friend sent me an image taken with and SBIG CCD camera (and AO-7) using this unit on an Obsession 25-inch Dob equipped with a StellarCat alt-az goto drive. With a one hour exposure he got pin-point stars thanks to the combined action of the de-rotation action and the AO-7 and StellarCat. The Cat was taking guiding inputs from the SBIG camera. This was a first attempt at using this system and the owner did not reaize that a single one hour exposure was way too long, but at least it showed that this unit allows for guided CCD with an alt-az Dob. The one reported problem: the scope did not retain collimation because of all of the extra weight of camera/filter wheel/AO-7/de-rotator. This could be fixed by increasing the strength of the Obsession’s truss tube.
Agreed--I saw a recent image posted (maybe his?) on one of the other users' groups, and I was quite impressed. I wouldn't hesitate to use for alt-az imaging!<br><br>Take care,<br><br><br>BB
Just wanted to give a heads up to all those interested--you should contact Optec directly, as they will now be offering the motor swap/upgrade solution for a nominal fee, which by the way is much less than the cost of just the motor itself!<br><br>As a loyal Optec customer for many years now, I can tell you that this isn't a surprise--it's their way! Great customer service!<br><br>Take care,<br>Bob
