PlaneWave CDK300 Telescope System f/8 - PlaneWave CDK12.5 Astrograph and PlaneWave L-350 Mount

Based on the technology of our PW-1000 (1-meter) Observatory telescope, PlaneWave combines its revolutionary optical systems with its brand new innovative L-Series direct drive mount that sets a new standard for small observatory telescopes.

PlaneWave CDK300 Telescope System f/8 consits of the CDK12.5 and the L-350 Direct Drive Mount with integrated high resolution encoders and high speed slewing.

The abbreviation CDK stands for the optical system of the PlaneWave astrographs - a Dall Kirkham Cassegrain with a optical correction unit. The result is a CDK 12.5" which is free from off-axis coma and off-axis astigmatism, yielding a perfectly flat field all the way out to the edge of a 52 mm image circle.

PlaneWave CDK300 Telescope System f/8 with Fused Silica Optics

incl. a CDK12.5 Astrograph and L-350 Mount

• CDK12.5 Astrograph, 2.5 inch with Fused Silica Optics
• 3" Dovetail, focal length 2.541 mm (f/8)
• Delta T Ready, 3,5" Hedrick Focuser and EFA Kit separately available
• Requires a crating #1323512. The crating will be charged extra
• L-350 can hold payload of over 45 kg (100 lbs), for CDK14
• Zero Backlash, Zero Periodic Error
• Incredible slew speedup to 50 degrees per second
• With integrated high resolution encoders
• Through the mount cabling
• Requires a crating #1323503. The crating will be charged extra

Fused Silica

Fused silica is a synthetic amorphous silica glass of the highest purity and one of the most transparent glasses made. The optical and thermal properties of fused silica are superior to other types of glass due to its purity. Its transmission and homogeneity exceed those of crystalline quartz without the problems of temperature instability inherent in the crystalline form. Fused Silica has a coefficient of thermal expansion six times lower than Borosilicate (Pyrex) glass, which means that as fused silica cools down, it preserves its shape to a high degree of accuracy. This translates into consistent optical performance and unchanging focus over temperature changes. With its high melting temperature ()~ 1.600 degree Celsius), a very low coefficient of thermal expansion and resistance to thermal shock, fused silica is the material of choice for professional observatories as well as various scientific applications.

L-Series

The L-Series combines versatility, simplicity and affordability by combining all the technology of our Observatory class telescopes into a compact stand-alone mount.

The mount is equipped with direct drives motors as well as high-resolution encorders. The software is ASCOM compatible and the direct drive motors can move the telescope at incredible speeds for tracking satellites.

In its Alt/Az configuration it is considerably more compact than its equatorial counterpart, allowing a larger telescope to fit in a smaller enclosure. The mass it takes to make a rigid alt/az mount is substantially less, leading to cost savings. Unlike German Equatorial mounts, there are no meridian flips to deal with, and no large protruding counterweights to create a dangerous hazard in a public observatory. Alt/Az is more intuitive to use and no polar alignment is needed.

L-Series Features

• Direct-drive motors on each axis for smooth, fast, and virtually silent movement of the telescope
• Slew speeds up to 50 degrees per second
• High resolution encoders on each axis for precise positioning
• Zero backlash, Zero periodic error
• Latitude Range: 0 to 90 degrees, Northern and Southern hemispheres
• Enclosed electronics
• Through the mount cabling: Access panels in the fork arm and azimuth axis allow for camera equipment cabling through the inside of the mount.
• Dual mounting bracket: PlaneWave style mounting bracket to hold CDK17/20 onto inside of fork arm with additional option of mounting a scope on the outside of the fork arm. Optional dovetail clamp required.
• Azimuth dovetail balance system: For precise center of gravity balance whether in Alt-Az or Equatorial configuration

Control System features

• User Interface: PlaneWave Interface 4 (PWI4) Control Software with integrated PointXP mount modeling software
• Slew Rate: 20 degrees per second (standard); 50 degrees per second (maximum), both axes
• Home position sensors are included allowing the mount can find its home position on power up.

Scope of Delivery

CDK 12.5

• Motorized 2.75" Offer's 1.3" of focuser travel and takes up 3" of backfocus. Requires the #1329012 EFA kit sold separately (Verlinken)
• Built in Heating elements for dew prevention - The heating pads on the primary and secondary mirror require the 600195 Delta-T controller for Planewave Instruments with preinstalled wiring for Heater. Sold separately.
• OTA Cover - To protect the primary mirror and inside of the optical tube
• Flash drive - Contains software and instructions for collimation and spacing the primary to the secondary mirror
• Wrench Set (5812A35) - Standard hex wrenches (European orders only)
• Soft cover for secondary mirror
• 12v AC Adapter

L-350 Mounts

• Hardware
  • Six 3/8-16 x ¼" socket head cap screws to bolt the mount to the pier, or wedge.
  • Six 3/8-16 x ¼" washers
  • One extended length shoulder bolt for RA axis to EQ wedge alignment
• EZ- Saddle - The 600182 accepts Losmandy D style dovetail rails such as the CDK12.5 and CDK14. The saddle come standard with the L-350 mount and can also be attached to the outside arm of any L-Series mount for dual mounted OTA configurations
• One 16' USB cable - to connect the mount to the observatory control computer
• One 120VAC power cable - To provide to the mount
• Standard Allen Key set - For tightening bolts used on the mount
• Flash drive - Contains PWI4 software for mount control and instructions for installation

Shipping: dimensions and weight

CDK 12.5

• Width: 22 inch (559 mm)
• Height: 29 inch (737 mm)
• Length: 48 inch (1,219 mm)
• Weight: 163 lbs (73.9 kg)

L-350

• Width: 63,5 cm
• Height: 121,92 cm
• Length: 76,2 cm
• Weight: 124 kg

The information is only a rough estimate! The actual shipping dimensions and weight may differ.

Specifications

Optics

• Optical Design: Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK)
• Aperture (mm): 12,5" (318 mm)
• Focal Length: 2.541 mm (100.04 inch)
• Focal Ratio: f/8
• Image Field: 52 mm
• Back Focus Distance: 10.45 inch (265 mm) from Mounting Surface, 7,2 inch (183 mm) from Racked in Focuser
• Central Obstruction: 42% of the Primary Mirror
• Substrate: Fused Silica
• Optical length: 31 inch (787 mm)
• Optical Tube Weight: 46 lbs (21 kg)

Mount

• Mount: Alt-Az or Equatorial configuration
• Payload Capacity (kg): 100 lbs (45 kg)
• Mount Weight: 110 lbs (50 kg)
• Latitude Range: 0 to 90 degrees, Northern and Southern hemisphere
• Slew Speeds: 20 degrees per second (standard); 50 degrees per second (maximum), both axes
• Tracking accuracy: < .3 arcsecond error over 5 minute period
• Pointing Precision: 2 arcsecond
• All-sky pointing accuracy: <10 arcsecond RMS with PointXP Model (L-500)
• System Natural Frequency: 10 Hz or greater
• Control system electronics: PlaneWave Interface dual axis telescope control
• Software: PlaneWave Interface (PWI4). Incorporates PointXP mount modeling software by Dave Rowe All ASCOM compatible
• Homing Sensors: Home position sensors are included allowing the mount can find its home position on power up

Electronics

• Motor Torque: Approximately 20 ft-lbs continuous; 50 ft-lbs peak
• Motor: Azimuth and Altitude: Direct Drive 3 Phase Axial-Flux Torque Motors
• Motor Control: Industrial grade brushless motor control system and built in electronics
• Encoder: 152mm disk built into the azimuth and altitude axes with stainless steel encoder on the circumference with reader yields 18,880.000 counts per revolution of the telescope. This translates to about 0.069 arcsecond resolution
• Power Requirements: Accepts 120 VAC. Supplied with 12VDC 15A Regulated Power Adapter
• Control system electronics: PlaneWave Interface dual axis telescope control

General

• Manufacturer: PlaneWave
• Manufacturer SKU: 125130Q
• SKU: 1323230Q