DD-3
DD-3 Dual Axis Drive Controller
Instruction Manual
The controller is compatible with MT-1WT motors for GP2 and GPD2 equatorial mounts.
h t t p : / / w w w . v i x e n . c o . j p /
5-17-3 Higashitokorozawa,Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-0021, Japan
Phone +81-4-2944-4141
(
International
)
F a x +81-4-2944-9722
(
International
)
http://www.vixen.co.jp
OFF
SPEED MODE SELECTOR
R.A.Motor Decl.Motor DC Power
A.G.
DUAL AXIS DRIVE CORRECTOR
MADE IN JAPAN
Decl.
R.A.
R.A.
Decl.
32x
2x
1.5x
TROUBLESHOOTING
Trouble
The DD-3 does not
work or the motors
stop moving.
Celestial objects cannot
be brought into the field
of view.
or
Celestial objects cannot
be tracked accurately.
CAUTION: With the speed mode selector, you can set the search speed at 1.5x, 2x or 32x sidereal rate freely.
However, it is advisable not to hold the search speed of 32x for a long time. As the current consumption is rather
large at the 32x, batteries will be exhausted in a short time.
When using a car battery, etc., make sure that an output does not exceed
the voltage limit. of 12V, in a stabilized direct current.
The company will not be responsible for any damage caused by the owner’s or a third person’s incorrect use or
incorrect storage.
The specifications are subject to change without notice.
Cause
Is the power switch on?
Is the power cord or connector disconnected?
Are the batteries too old?
Are the batteries’ polarities (±) correct?
Is the voltage level(electricity) normal?
The motors look as if they are not moving
since they move slowly.
Are the R.A. motor cord and Decl. motor
cord reversed?
Is the polar axis correctly aligned?
Is the telescope balanced well?
Are the gear wheels engaged each other
properly on the motors?
Set the “N-S Switch” to “N” or “S.”
Check the connections of the cords.
Replace the batteries with new ones.
Check the polarities of the batteries.
The voltage(electricity)can drop to a too
low value in a cold night. Try not to let
the batteries cool.
The motor speed for tracking the celestial
objects is very slow. You may continue to
use it.
Check the connections of the cords.
Celestial objects cannot be tracked accurately
unless the polar axis is properly aligned.
Align the polar axis accurately.
Referring to the instruction manual provided
with the equatorial mount, balance the
telescope properly.
Set the gear wheels to engage each other
properly.
Solution
USE
Power Source
DC12V EIAJ RC5320A Class4
center plus
The DD-3 Dual Axis Controller works on the power of 8V to 12V D.C.
In addition to the provided battery case containing the D-size batteries, the optional accessories, “AC Adapter
12V 3A” and “Cigarette-Lighter Plug Cord – SX” can be used for the power source.
AC Adapter 12V 3A
This is a Vixen’s optional accessory, which enables you to use the AC power
(100V to 240V) for the DD-3 Dual Axis Controller. Other brand AC adapters
available in the market may be used for it, but it is necessary for you to check
the type of the plug. The polarity and size must be as illustrated.
Cigarette-Lighter Plug Cord
Cigarette-Lighter Plug Cord – SX is a Vixen’s optional accessory, and makes it possible to use a Vixen
potable power supply with cigarette-lighter sockets for the DD-3 Dual Axis Controller. Other brand
items of the same kind may be used for it, but it is also necessary for you to check the type of the plug.
The polarity and size must be as illustrated.
The autoguider connecting port on the DD-3 is compatible with ST series
of autoguiders manufactured by SBIG, USA. To use your autoguider unit with
the DD-3 Dual-Axis Drive Controller, an AGS cord
(or AGS cord type S) may be necessary.
Product name
Vixen AGA-1 Auto Guide Adapter
(Discontinued)
Use the AGS cord type S for the Vixen AGA-1. The AGS cord type S is sold
separately.
Use the AGS cord type S that is supplied as standard with the AGA-1 Limited.
Use a connecting cord that is supplied for the SBIG autoguiders or order the
AGS cord from your local Vixen dealer. For details refer to instruction manuals
for the autoguiders.
Vixen AGA-1 Limited Auto Guide Adapter
(Discontinued)
SBIG ST series of autoguiders
Connecting cables required
Use with an Autoguider
Autoguider Connecting Port
OFF
SPEED MODE SELECTOR
R.A.Motor Decl.Motor DC Power
A.G.
DUAL AXIS DRIVE CORRECTOR
MADE IN JAPAN
Decl.
R.A.
R.A.
Decl.
32x
2x
1.5x
Polar axis
Decl. clamps
R.A. clamps
USE
Align the polar axis of the equatorial mount. As for how to align the polar axis, refer to the instruction
manual provided with the equatorial mount. (If the polar axis is not aligned correctly, the equatorial
mount cannot follow the celestial objects accurately with the DD-3 Dual Axis Controller.)
Loosen the R.A. and Decl. clamps and bring
a celestial object into the field of view of the
finderscope. Once the celestial object is seen
in the field of view of the finderscope, tighten
both of the clamps.
While looking through the finderscope, bring
the celestial object into the center of the field
of view with the R.A control buttons and Decl.
control buttons. When doing this, the speed mode,
32x, is recommendable.
Supposing the finderscope is correctly installed
on the telescope, the same celestial object will
be seen in the field of view of the telescope.
While looking through the telescope, bring the
celestial object into the center of the field of view
with the R.A. control buttons and Decl. control buttons. The speed mode, 2x, is recommendable.
If the polar axis of the equatorial mount is correctly aligned, the celestial object will be tracked
automatically without deviating from the field of view.
Noto: If the motors come not to work properly, replace the batteries with new ones.
How to bring a celestial object into the field of view of the telescope
How to know north, south, east and west in the field of view
As the field of view of the telescope is generally upside-down and mirror-reversed, it is not easy to
know the right direction. In case of using a diagonal prism additionally on the telescope, the field of
view will be seen differently. If you want to check north, south, east and west in the field of view, set
the N-S Switch to OFF in order to stop the motors tracking the celestial objects. Whereat, the celestial
objects begin to move gradually in the field of view. Since the celestial objects move to the west from
the east, the direction to which they are moving is the west.
Celestial Motion in the Northern Sky
East North
South West
Celestial Motion in the Southern Sky
West
South
North
East
USE
How to use the DD-3 Dual Axis Controller
N-S Switch
When it is used in the northern hemisphere,
slide the switch from “OFF” to “N”. When it
is used in the southern hemisphere, slide the
switch to “S”. If it is set to “N” or “S”, the
power indicator will light. In the event that
the power indicator does not light, there is a
possibility that connections are incompletion
or the batteries have been exhausted.
Speed Mode Selector
On the Speed Mode Selector, select your
desired speed of the motors to operate when
the “R.A. Control Button” or “Decl. Control
Button” is pressed. The selected speed is
relative to both the R.A. and Decl. motors.
It is recommended that you check the connections of the cords and functions of the switches before dark.
Noto: When any control button is not pressed,
the sidereal-rate driving is continued.
(The sidereal-rate driving means the
speed synchronized with the apparent
motion of celestial objects called diurnal
motion.)
32x
2 x
1.5x
The telescope can be slewed around at 32 times speed of the diurnal motion of celestial objects.
It is useful for pointing the telescope at a celestial object quickly.
The telescope can be slewed around at 2 times speed of the diurnal motion of celestial objects.
This speed is most suitable for fine adjustments of the telescope direction.
This speed is helpful for astronomical photography, etc., requiring very fine adjustments.
Northern Hemisphere
Power OFF
Southern Hemisphere
N-S
Switch
R.A. Control Button
Decl. Control
Button
Power
Indicator
Speed
M o d e
CONNECTING
There are two motor cords on the DD-3 Dual
Axis Controller. One is the R.A. motor cord
and the other is the Decl. motor cord.
Connect the R.A. motor cord to the R.A. motor
which is attached to the R.A. body.
Then, connect the Decl. motor cord to the Decl.
motor which is attached to the Decl. body.
Noto 1:
Noto 2:
When using the R.A. motor singly, connect the R.A. motor cord to the R.A. motor .
Even if the R.A. motor cord and Decl. motor cord are connected reversely, this could
not cause damage, However, it would work the motors in wrang directions.
Noto 1:
Noto 2:
Set eight pieces of the new D-size battery in the
battery case correctly with polarities (+ -) checked.
(Alkaline batteries are recommended to be used.)
Connecting to the Motors
Installing Batteries
Make sure that the N-S Changeover Switch
on the DD-3 Dual Axis Controller is set to OFF.
Insert the plug of the power cord from the battery
case into the power cord socket on the DD-3
Dual Axis Controller.
Connecting the Battery Case
Warning!
When removing the cords from the motors, be sure to hold the plug part to pull.
Do not pull the cords themselves as doing so could break them.
Alkaline D-size Battery Battery Case Set four pieces on
the other side.
Set the N-S
Changeover
Switch to OFF.
Power
Cord
Socket
Power
Cord
Plug
R.A. Motor
R.A.
Motor
Cord
Decl. Motor
Decl. Motor Cord
R.A. Motor
R.A.
Motor
Cord
Decl. Motor
Decl. Motor Cord
For long hours of operation, make sure
to bring spare batteries with you.
In case of operation in a cold weather,
the bat te ries may no t pr od uc e the
el ec tr ic ty po we r s uf f ic ie nt t o t he
motor s due to l ow tem pe ra ture.
In such a case, try to lag the battery
case with a cloth or warm it with a pocket
warmer in order to prevent decrease in
power.
OFF
SPEED MODE SELECTOR
R.A.Motor Decl.Motor DC Power
A.G.
DUAL AXIS DRIVE CORRECTOR
MADE IN JAPAN
Decl.
R.A.
R.A.
Decl.
32x
2x
1.5x
Parts Descriptions
BEFORE USE
DD-3
Dual Axis
Controller
Battery
Case
Motor Type
Operation Accuracy
Power Source
Current Drain
Size
We
ight
Operational Te
mperature
Microprocessor controlled 4-Phase Pulse Motor
±0.002% (against sidereal rate)
DC8~12V (required for operation)
430mA
(for sidereal-rate driving) / 950mA (maximum)
Height 19cm x Width 6.5cm x T
hickness 2.6cm
270g
0 C to 50 C
Battery
Size
We
ight
Continuous Driving Ti
me
Eight (8) D-size batteries
Height 14 X Width 8 X Thickness 8cm
160g (without batteries)
Approx. 20 hours with alkaline D-size batteries (at ambient temperature.)
Specifications DD-3 Dual Axis Controller
Power-On Indicator
R.A. (Right Ascension)
Control Buttons
Speed Mode Selector
R.A. Motor Cord
Decl. (Declination) Control Buttons
N.B.: Not used for operation in the single-axis (R.A. axis)
N-S Switch
N: for use in the northern hemisphere
S: for use in the southern hemisphere
Battery Case
R.A. Motor
Decl. Motor
Power Cord Plug
Decl. Motor Cord
Not used if your mount
has not Decl, motor.
Auto guider Port
6-pole 6-wired
modular jack
Power Cord
DC12V EIAJ RC5320A Class4
1. In the GP2/GPD2 equatorial mounts equipped with a MT-1WT motor on the R.A. axis, the DD-3 Dual Axis
Drive Controller enables fine and smooth adjustments in the R.A. direction to keep following the celestial
motion caused by the Earth’s rotation (diurnal motion). *1
2. If the MT-1WT is installed on the Decl. Axis of the above equatorial mounts, fine and smooth adjustments
in the Decl. direction can be done as well.
DD-3 Dual Axis Controller
Battery Case
(Batteries are sold separately.)
Instruction Manual (this booklet)
Instruction Manual
(this booklet)
DD-3 Dual Axis Drive Controller
The DD-3 Dual Axis Drive Controller contains the
following items.
Battery Case
PREFACE
Thank you for you purchase the Vixen DD-3 Dual-Axis Drive Controller.Use this controller with the MT-1WT motors
for GP2 and GPD2 equatorial mounts. Carefully read the instructions before use.
Caution
Do not whirl this product with the cord grasped. It will possibly hit someone and cause injury.
When setting batteries in a battery box, check their polarities. Do not use old batteries and new batteries mixed together.
Doing so may cause blowout of the batteries, fire or trouble of the product.
Do not use this product in a wet environment. Do not touch it with a wet hand. There is a possibility of getting an electric shock.
When the product is wetted with dew, do not turn on the power. it may have a breakdown.
Maintenance and Storage
Contents
Functions
Do not leave the product in a sun-heated car or near a heater.
Do not use any organic solvent like thinner for cleaning the product.
Keep the product away from the rain, dew, mud, or sand.
When storing the product for a long period, make sure to remove the batteries.
*1. Tracking of the diurnal motion of celestial objects
The stars in the night sky appear to move across the sky as time goes on. This motion is caused by the
Earth’s rotation, and is called “diurnal motion of celestial objects”. Seeing the stars with the naked eye, we
realize that they move very slowly. However, when we look at stars through a telescope of high power, they
deviate from the field of view quickly. To settle this problem, DD-3 Dual Axis Drive Controller and MT-1WT
motors are used on the GP2/GPD2 equatorial mounts. If you operate the motor drive system, motion of the
telescope will be synchronized with the diurnal motion of stars and the stars looked at through the
telescope will not deviate from the field of view. This is called “automatic tracking of celestial objects”.
[Warning]
The polar axis of the equatorial mount must be aligned accurately. For the procedure of aligning the polar-
axis, refer to the instruction manual provided with the equatorial mount.
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DD-3
DD-3 Dual Axis Drive Controller
Instruction Manual
The controller is compatible with MT-1WT motors for GP2 and GPD2 equatorial mounts.
h t t p : / / w w w . v i x e n . c o . j p /
5-17-3 Higashitokorozawa,Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-0021, Japan
Phone +81-4-2944-4141
(
International
)
F a x +81-4-2944-9722
(
International
)
http://www.vixen.co.jp
OFF
SPEED MODE SELECTOR
R.A.Motor Decl.Motor DC Power
A.G.
DUAL AXIS DRIVE CORRECTOR
MADE IN JAPAN
Decl.
R.A.
R.A.
Decl.
32x
2x
1.5x
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
-
7
-
8
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
-
14
-
15
-
16
