AGO Thermal Control System
Thermal effects have a significant impact on the performance of an optical system. Differences between the temperature of the optical, mechanical, and ambient air lead to differential expansion, air currents, and dew all of which can degrade the quality of the image produced by the telescope.
To combat these effects AGO includes cooling fans as standard on all of its iDK telescopes. These fans have a manual speed control dial on the backplate of the telescope and can easily be used to speed the cooldown of telescope prior to and during an imaging session. The user of the telescope can simply ramp up the fans prior to imaging and then turn them down to a lower setting during an image run to help the the primary mirror cool as the temperature drops over the night. Air movement through the OTA not only helps the optics track the ambient temperature more closely it also helps prevent the formation of dew.
Advanced Thermal Control System
For AGO customers who desire more control of the cooling fan system and would like the option of adding heaters in strategic locations where dew has a tendency to form (such as the secondary mirror) AGO is proud to offer the AGO Thermal Control System based on the Kendrick Premier Digital Controller.
The Kendrick Premier Controller is the most advanced controller of its type available and allows users to control a thermal control system comprised of fans and optional anti-dew heaters using a hand controller or a PC-based software application.
The Premier Controller has six outputs four of which can be controlled by user-configurable settings. Cooling fans can be automatically turned on when the difference between the primary mirror and ambient air exceeds a user define value. Secondary heaters can be triggered automatically when dew threatens to ruin your observing session.
The Premier Controller also has two "always on" 12V outputs that can be used to provide power to focusers, telescope drives, or other accessories.
The key features of the Kendrick Premier Digital Controller are listed below:
- Control of cooling fans and heaters via temperature, humidity and dewpoint variances.
- Temperature and humidity sensing.
- Two dedicated 12 volt outputs that can be used, for example,
to power
fans on a dobsonian telescope, digital setting circles, extra heaters or an
Astro Systems temperature sensing secondary mirror heater (now available
from Kendrick). - Remote programming and monitoring software is available that
will
allow control of the Premier Controller from your PC. - Low voltage cut-off to protect your expensive batteries from
the damaging
effects of excessive current depletion. - Individual duty cycle control over 4 outputs.
- Programmable to have either output 1 or output 2 mirror the
settings of
of each other. Outputs 1 and 2 can be programmed to operate at temperature
or dewpoint variances. - If you have a device that requires heating to a certain
temperature for
optimum performance, outputs 1 or 2 can be programmed to operate at
a set temperature. - Outputs 1 through 5 can enabled or disabled.
- Temperature may be set to operate in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- Values can be entered using the up/down arrow keys or the keypad.
- LED brightness controls.
- Downloadable software updates.
AGO Telescope Integration
All AGO telescope include three cooling fans as standard. Power is supplied to these fans via a 12V power connector located on the backplate of the optical tube assembly. Simply plug in a power cable from the Premier Digital Controller and the fans can now be controlled by user-defined criteria. Optional anti-dew heaters are connected to the Premier Digital Controller in the same manner.
| AGO Thermal Control System | ||
| Package | Whats Included | Price |
| AGO Thermal Control System | Kendrick Premier Controller (no software), 1 ambient temperature/humidity sensor, 1 4ft optic temperature sensor | $452.00 |
| AGO PC Thermal Control System | Kendrick Premier Controller with control software, 1 ambient temperature/humidity sensor, 1 4ft optic temperature sensor | $560.00 |
| add secondary heater to either package (Newtonian and iDK compatible) | + $85.00 | |