Byers Mount Project

Update 07/31/05

The "T" handle jacks have been fabricated and installed.  The jacks lift the entire assembly off the wheels to steady the mount while in use and serve as a means to fine tune the "latitude angle" for polar alignment.  The jacks are made with a 5/8" threaded shaft and 3/4" tubular steel for the handles.  The tubular steel was drilled and tapped through the side then threaded on to one end of each shaft and locked into place with a "jam" nut. 

The "T" handles are mated to the mount through 2 pieces of angle iron with 5/8" threaded holes.  The angle iron is secured to the North and South ends of the base and form a cradle for the mount when supported by the jacks.

The RA and DEC drive components have been cleaned and are ready to be installed and adjusted, after a bit of lubrication.  This is the next task for the project.

Still to do (as of 7/31/05):  Install connectors on front panel; Build hand controller; Install and wire ALCOR circuit; Obtain missing mount screws; Reassemble RA and DEC drives; Fabricate standard dovetail adapter; Fabricate Starfinder 16 adapter; Test and evaluate mount and electronics.

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Last Updated Tuesday, April 17, 2007