Dual Servo Telescope Controller:

The Servo Controller is our main product. It is just 4.5" by 2.6" by 1.15" small.

Click on the image for a larger view



It's hard to believe that something this small can control your telescope, but don't let it's small size fool you!

It has NO Servo control chips inside. Sidereal Technology has spent the time and effort to create their own Dual Servo Control micro chip by writing their own Servo Control algorithms. Normally this would take a more powerful processor, but since the algorithms are written entirely in assembly language, we were able to use a more economical micro-processor.
  • Tracks your telescope with nothing attached, alt/az or equatorial
  • 12-28 volt supply for use with many D.C. Servo Motors
  • Connects to total of 4 high speed encoders (Two for motors and Two for telescope)
  • Immediate response from handpad inputs or autoguider inputs. No delay like other systems.
  • Upgradable Flash memory
  • Small size and low cost

Servo Motors:

These are a brand new D.C. servo motors with plenty of poop. They've been installed on scopes as large as 41 inches!

Rated at 19 volts, but works just fine at 12 volts. They have a built in 10:1 gear reducer, and a 3/16" output shaft. They have a 500 count encoder on the end of the motor. You multiply the 500 by 4 to get the full resolution in encoder ticks, so 500 X 4 X 10 is 20,000 encoder ticks for each revolution of the output shaft.

We've installed a circuit board for modular connection to the servo controller, and the motor power wiring, so it's just plug and play, no wiring for you!

Wired Handpad:

If you're trying to save money, and think you can live without the radio handpad,  we recommend our wired handpad. It has "glow in the dark" push button switches. The "glow in the dark is not too bright, and lasts all night long!



There are no electronics inside, so this is the most economical way to slew your telescope.

Wireless Handpad:

For wonderful wireless convenience, we recommend the wireless handpad. This unit has many features, unavailable elsewhere!
  • a built in astronomers adjustable LED flashlight
  • glow in the dark keypad,
  • automatically turns off for saving battery life
  • Has a keyboard Lock feature, so only the arrow keys work. This is great for handing the transmitter to the general public, so they can pan the moon for instance. They won't be able to do any harm!
  • Addressable! Many scopes on the same telescope field can use the handpad at once. No interferrance between scopes, and you won't be controlling the wrong scope!
  • Instant Action! With the SiTech system, wired or wireless, there is imperceivable delay between the pressing of a button and movement of the scope! Great for centering objects without any overshoot!
  • Built in Autoguider port.



Gear Reducer/Clutch Assembly:

We've designed a slick, precision gear reducer with built in clutch. There is a precision 28 tooth stainless steel gear for the motor, and a precision 320 tooth stainless steel gear for the clutch, for a gear ratio of about 11.43. There is an adjustable pressure plate with ball bearing rollers, and a felt clutch. The pressure plate tension is adjusted by the brass adjustment knob. A 1/2 inch shaft is supported by flanged ball bearings, and the back end of the shaft has a 1/4" hole with set screw, for inserting a telescope encoder for geared up encoder precision.



Here's an example of the clutches installed on a 16" Night Sky Scopes.

Click on image for larger view:


We can take orders now, but we are on backorder of some of the parts, so they will be in stock about July or August of 2006.

Gear Reducer with Motor Mounting and gears:

This reducer is great if you don't want clutches. It can save you over $500 of extra mechanics and telescope encoders.
Cost savings:
  • No need for telescope encoders. Save $200
  • No need for gear clutch assembly. Difference is about $100 times 2 is $200.
  • No need for ball bearings on telescope axis (7 bearings, 3 for azimuth and 4 for altitude), save about $200
  • Total savings, about $600!
Yes, you can still use the Argo Navis, even if you don't have telescope encoders! The position information will come from the motors themselves, and you must use a timing belt or gear for your final drive, so it doesn't slip. For computerless tracking, you would configure the controller for the SlewNTrack(tm) mode.




Click here Visit Don Peckhams website for more pictures of this example.

We can take orders now, but we are on backorder of some of the parts, so they will be in stock about July or August of 2006.
Altitude Ball Bearing assemblies:

These bearings are just 5/8 inch O.D. You can recess the bearing into the altitude board of your DOB, so it only lifts the bearing 1/4 of an inch.



Here's another photo of an installation:



Azimuth Ball Bearing assemblies:

These are similar to the Altitude bearings, but are larger bearings, for the additional weight. You'll need 3 of them if you want a clutched system.

Mounting plate for Gear reducer/Clutch assembly:

Mounting plate for Gear reducer assembly: