BBAstroDesigns, Inc
Formed October 2000 by Mel Bartels and Barbara Bajec, BBAstroDesigns
Inc aims to serve the amateur telescope making community, specializing
in products for do-it-yourself computer operated telescopes.
After
many years and about 1000 installations, we have retired the stepper
system. Documentation including circuit board layout and software can
be found at Stepper System.
We
sell the Sidereal Technology servo controller. It's a wonderful unit
designed for the exacting digital imager as well as the casual visual
observer.
Price List
| SiTech
controller I, spare fuse,
RS232 serial cable, power cable, software |
 |
$400
|
| SiTech
controller II, USB and RS232 cables, power cable, software |
 | $895 |
|
Wireless handpad
with
base unit, autoguider port, built-in LED flashlight
|
 | $350 |
|
Wired SiTech
handpad with
glow in the dark keys, cable
|
 | $95 |
| Pittman motor,
new 8000 series 19v (approx 4x1.25inch size [10x3cm]) geared 10:1 with
encoders resolving 20,000 ticks per gearhead output shaft revolution,
cables and mounting hardware included |
 | $155 |
| USDigital encoder
(deluxe) 10,000 quadrature decoded counts, ball bearings, including low noise cabling. For optional
external encoders. |
 | $130 |
| Gear
reducer/clutch assembly (motor not included) |
 | $400 |
| Shipping and
handling USA. For
foreign orders, please contact us for shipping
charges before ordering (we can ship via United States Postal Service
or Federal
Express) |
 | $20 |
Address your
order to:
BBAstroDesigns, Inc.
74777
Bear Way
Cottage Grove, OR, 97424 USA
Use Paypal.com to
send a credit
card payment to mbartels@bbastrodesigns.com, or make checks
payable to BBAstroDesigns Inc.
Please include
your full mailing address, phone number and email so that I can contact
you if I have questions about your order. Typically, orders
are completed one week after receipt.
How-To
So, you've decided to check out motorizing your telescope.
Perhaps you saw
another tracking telescope and wish the same ability for your scope,
perhaps
you want the goto
ability in your light polluted
skies with few signposts, or perhaps you want to try your hand at CCD
imaging.
As you surf through the wepages,
you may feel
overwhelmed by the material and the many options. What to do?
- Get the servo controller hand paddle, and cabling (you can purchase
from me)
- Get two servo motors and two small gear reducers of about 50:1
- Hook up the components and get the motors to track and slew while
holding
them in your hand
- Switch teflon pads to
small bearings:
- Replace formica
bearing surfaces with sheet metal
- Make one of the bearing points in each axis a small drive shaft that
is
attached to the small gear reducer
- Get optional encoders
- Configure for your particular combination of parts
Inexpensive
bearing ideas
 |
altitude
axis with 60:1 gear reducer feeding a 30:1 roller drive
 |
Safety
Guide and Warning
You must exercise proper safety precautions, including the wearing of
proper clothing and avoiding use in adverse conditions. Shock hazard!
Bodily injury hazard! Any device using electricity is a
shock and bodily injury hazard. You must hook up the device properly
and follow all safety precautions, particularly when using electricity
outdoors. If improperly hooked up or improperly operated, electronic
components can shock, overheat, melt, and explode. In particular:
1. Never operate when
the equipment or cabling is wet or moist, even if there is only a
possibility that some of the equipment is wet or moist
2. All grounding
points must be connected to the battery (-) terminal before turning on
any equipment; the grounds must never be disconnected while the unit is
powered on
3. Power leads must
not be reversed: instant component failure is a certainty; components
will overheat and can explode with violent force
4. Do not exceed 12
volts DC power input as higher DC voltages are deadly when shockedLimited Warranty
BBAstroDesigns, Inc. (Seller) warrants, to the original purchaser only,
that goods sold will be free of material defects in design, materials
and workmanship for a period of 90 days following the date of shipment
by Seller to Buyer. Seller will repair or replace, or refund the
purchase price as to, goods that do not conform to the foregoing
warranty, provided the cause of the nonconformity does not arise from
or relate to modification, misuse, or abuse by the customer, and
provided a warranty claim, stating in writing and with reasonable
particularity the claimed nonconformity, and the goods, are delivered
to Seller within the 90 day period. Repair or replacement of the
product or refund of the purchase price, at Seller's sole option, shall
be the Buyer's exclusive remedies. Seller shall not be responsible for
any indirect, special or consequential damages arising from use of the
products. This warranty is given in lieu of any other warranties,
express or implied, including of performance, merchantability, fitness
for particular purpose, or arising from course of dealing or usage of
trade. Goods subject to this warranty must be shipped postage pre-paid
by Buyer to the Seller. Some states do not allow the exclusion or
limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above
limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state
to state.
This software is provided ``as is'' and any express or
implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are
disclaimed. In no event shall BBAstroDesigns be liable for any direct,
indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages
(including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or
services; loss of use, date, or profits, or business interruption)
however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract,
strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising
in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of the
possibility of such damage.Software
End User License Agreement (EULA)
IMPORTANT – READ CAREFULLY:
This BBAstroDesigns End User License Agreement (EULA) is a legal
agreement between you (either an individual or an entity) and
BBAstroDesigns. The Software includes computer software that enables
control of a telescope, associated data files, and documentation. The
Software also includes updates and supplements to the original Software
provided to you by BBAstroDesigns. By installing, copying, downloading,
accessing, or otherwise using the Software, you agree to be bound by
the terms of this EULA. If you do not agree to the terms, do not
install, copy or otherwise use the Software. If you have purchased the
Software, return the Software with proof of purchase to your place of
purchase for a refund.
SOFTWARE LICENSE
The Software is confidential and protected by copyright laws and
international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual
property laws and treaties. The Software is licensed, not sold.
1 Grant of License This EULA grants you the following rights:
You are allowed to use only one copy of the Software to control only
one telescope at a time. At no time can more than one copy of the
Software be running simultaneously. A backup copy of the software is
permitted
2 Other Rights and Limitations
Compliance. You must ensure that all users of the Software comply with
the terms of this EULA.
Limitations on Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, and Disassembly. You
may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software, or
attempt to discover the source code of the Software.
Rental. You may not rent, lease, sell, sublicense, or lend the Software.
Transfer. You may not transfer or assign your rights or obligations
under this EULA to any person or entity.
BBAstroDesigns may provide you with technical support related to the
Software. Any supplemental software code provided to you shall be
considered part of the Software and subject to the terms and conditions
of this EULA.
Privacy. BBAstroDesigns may use personal information for product
support and development. BBAstroDesigns will not disclose personal
information to any other person or entity.
Reservation of Rights. BBAstroDesigns reserves all rights not expressly
granted under this EULA.
3 TERMINATION If you violate any term of this EULA, BBAstroDesigns may
terminate this EULA without waiving any other rights. IF your EULA is
terminated, you must destroy or ensure the destruction of all copies of
the Software, and provide certification of destruction.
SAFEGUARDS/AUDIT RIGHTS You agree to implement safeguards to prevent
any unauthorized copying, distribution, or use of the Software. You
agree to provide BBAstroDesigns with written certification of the usage
of the Software on request.
UPGRADES You may only use an upgrade to the Software if you have
acquired a license for the Software. Software acquired as an upgrade
replaces all prior versions. You may use the resulting upgrade only in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this EULA.
COPYRIGHT BBAstroDesigns retains ownership of the Software and all
copies thereof. Except as expressly provided in this EULA, you may not
make copies of the Software.
EXPORT You agree that you will not export or re-export the Software,
any part thereof, or any process or service that is the direct product
of the Software to any country, person, or entity subject to US export
restrictions.
GOVERNING LAW AND ATTORNEY'S FEES This EULA is governed by the laws of
the State of Oregon, USA, and specifically excludes the United Nations
Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. If you
acquired this Software in a country outside of the United States, that
country's laws may apply. In any action or suit to enforce any right or
remedy under this EULA or to interpret any provision of this UELA, the
prevailing party will be entitled to recover its costs, including
reasonable attorney's fees.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT This EULA constitutes the entire agreement between you
and BBAstroDesigns with respect to the Software and replaces all other
agreements or presentations, whether written or oral.