AstroTrac setup and precautions:

• Remove pier from travel bag.
• Take off top of pier (the TW3100 compact wedge which must be flipped around so wedge is on the top. Remove the bag containing the legs and the TT320X-AG drive. Be very careful with drive as it is a fragile instrument.
• Install 3 legs into sockets and install the TW3100 compact wedge on top of pier. Insert leg cable hooks into the top and tension the leg cables to approximately the same tension.
• Install the TT320X-AG drive on top of the wedge using the 3 metric screws. I point the arm down for maximum ease of operation.
• Point the tripod to approximate north pole using the wedge screw as a reference.
• Observing the top wedge bubble adjust the leg leveling screws to level up the mount. Use block if necessary.
• Using the 3/8" screw attached the camera ball head tightly to the TT320X-AG drive.
• Attached the camera to the ball head using the Acra swiss quick connect plate and receiver.
• Attached the power supply cable to the the TT320X-AG head. I use a 12vdc 3amp Radio Shack power supply with car cigarette DC adapter. The system also comes with a 8 cell AA battery pack with cable which can also be used. I am told that the 8 cell AA battery pack delivers marginal voltage when used in cold weather. I am also told that low voltage has caused many users to have problems, so make sure you have a good solid 12VDC 3amp power source.
• Extend the polar scope arm out to the left and install the polar scope using the magnetic ring. If dark, polar align the scope to Polaris using the TW3100 wedge adjustment screws. Be very careful with the PS as it is very easy to break it loose from the magnetic ring causing it to crash to the ground. When done aligning with with the PA, I recommend removing the PS to a safe location in your storage box.
  

 

AstroTrac Use

• Connect all cables with the power off.
  
• For the northern hemisphere extend the drive arm out in a counter clockwise motion.
  
• If sidereal tracking is desired turn on the power and confirm that the TT320X-AG head begins to rotate for about 10 seconds and then stops. To start tracking press the play button. A green light on the top will start flashing indicating that the drive is in operation. The tracking will continue for about 2 hours and stop. The drive must be rewound at this point and tracking re-initalize. Once tracking starts, compose your photo, recheck your polar alignment, and begin imaging or observing.
• If solar tracking is desired turn on the power holding brightness button down, then continue as above.
• If lunar tracking is desired turn on power holding volume button down, then continue as above.
• Adding weight to the inside of the stand will prevent vibration, Astrotract Pier Ballast below.
• Polar Scope retainer - Some Astrotrac owners use safety loop around the PS to catch it if it breaks loose from magnet. See the Yahoo Group Photos - Wolvesimages for some ideas about the PS.
  

 

USEFUL LINKS:

AstroTrac web site

AstroTrac Yahoo Users Group

AstroTrac Pier Ballast