PlaneWave L-350 Direct Drive Mount

PlaneWave L-350 Direct Drive Mount

L-Series Direct Drive Mounts

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

• L-350 is designed for the CDK14 and CDK 12,5 can hold payload of over 100 lbs.
• L-500 is designed for the CDK17 and CDK20 and can hold payload of over 200 lbs.
• L-600 is ideal for the CDK24 and can hold up to 300 lbs.

The mount is equipped with direct drives motors as well as high-resolution encoders. 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.

• new Alt-Az L-Serie Direct Drive Mounts by PlaneWave for CDK14
• L-350 can hold payload of over 45 kg (100 lbs), for CDK14
• Zero Backlash, Zero Periodic Error
• with integrated high resolution encoders
• incredible slew speed up to 50 degrees per second
• through the mount cabling
• Requires a crating #1323506. The crating will be charged extra

Why should you use PlaneWave L-series?

Whether your goal is astrophotography, research, or satellite tracking, PlaneWave's L-series mounts come standard with direct drive motors for superior tracking precision and fast slewing. High resolution encoders incorporated on each axis provide rock solid tracking. In-house developed motor tuning software will automatically optimize the direct drive motor performance and mount modeling within our PWI4 software will enable accurate pointing.

Why should you use a direct drive mount?

With a PlaneWave mount you will experience backlash-free and periodic error-free tracking thanks to the direct drive motor technology. Direct drive mounts do not incorporate gears, so offer years of maintenance-free demanding use. Direct drives are highly responsive, silent in operation, and can easily track fast moving targets such as low earth orbit satellites (slewing up to 50 degrees/sec).

Direct drive motor performance in the PlaneWave L-series use scaled down technology we implemented in our 1-meter observatory system. The proof is in the tracking performance below!

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

Mount

• Mount: Alt-Az or Equatorial configuration
• Payload Capacity (kg): 100 lbs (45 kg)
• Weight (kg): 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 arcseconds
• 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: Azimuth and Altitude: Direct Drive 3 Phase Axial-Flux Torque Motors
• Motor Torque: Approximately 20 ft-lbs continuous; 50 ft-lbs peak
• 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