The making of 30 in telescope - 37, azimuth motor drive

[Chanlunlun]

Dear ATMs,

We are installing the electric slow motion drives onto the telescope. Unfortunately the persisting bad weather prohibits the running test of the drive, although the azimuth drive assembly has been finished for sometimes. Since the telescope is huge in size, we must assembly the whole thing outdoors. There is just no room large enough to swing the whole telescope through.,

Rainfall finally stops today and this gave us a chance to test run the azimuth motor. The whole telescope is driven slowly around the azimuth axis through a tiny friction wheel which is rotated slowly by a small d.c.motor with gearbox. The speed of the motor could be varied through a pulse width modulation circuit, bought at Ap Liu Street. The azimuth drive speed could be varied from 0.1 degree per sec (24 X) to 0.7 degree per sec (168 X) upon adjustment of the rheostat.

The test shows that the azimuth drive is functioning good, although a little more friction on the driving wheel would make the drive more perfect. We will install the altitude axis slow motion drive motor soon.

Best regards
Chan Yuk Lun
1-3-2006