Re: [APML] GM-8; will a relay box be needed?

["Frank Barrett" <frankb@celestialwonders.com>]

> Losmandy's site has this description of the Optocoupler: "Electrical
> isolation for autoguiders w/SBIG cameras". What else can you tell us
> about this thing? How does it differ from the relay box?
>
> Thanks,
> Alan

Alan,

I use the Losmondy optocoupler on my G11 with an SBIG ST-5C...got a ST7Ei
on the way :)  I'm no EE, so I only know what I've been told.  Most advice
I've read leans toward the optocoupler in that it electrically isolates
your camera from your mount, preventing such things as ground loops if you
are using different power supplies (laymen's translation: no
puff-the-magic-dragon).  Another advantage is that the connection is
electrical, not mechanical as in the relay box...which means the
autoguiding correction takes place sooner.  Not sure that anyone has ever
shown empirical evidence of this delay and it's effect, but it is
intuitive.  Some also complain about the annoying clicking of the relays,
FWIW.

If you haven't found this already, here's a link from Losmandy's website
entitled "Tips for use with SBIG Cameras and Autoguiders" It is on the
Gemini web page, go figure.

http://www.atscope.com.au/techhelp.html

-- 
Frank Barrett
http://celestialwonders.com


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