Paramount MX User Guide
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P a g e
Figure 18: Photograph of the Instrument Panel.
Instrument Panel Components
The Instrument Panel provides two USB 2.0 ports, a guider port, a focuser for pulse focuser control and
ports that can be used to supply power to your devices.
Powering Devices (External Power Output)
The Instrument Panel’s
External Power
connector is the
output
port for a power source that is plugged
into the External Power (input) port on the Electronics Box (page 49).
These ports are designed to satisfy the power requirements for a variety of astronomical devices,
including dew heaters, video cameras, and other instruments. The “stock” through the mount cabling
for this connector uses a 16-gauge wire to carry relatively heavy electrical loads and the 4-pin Kycon
KPPX-4p series connectors (Mouser part number 806-KPPX-4P) are rated to carry a maximum of 20 Volts
at 7.5 Amps.
The External Power connectors on the Instrument Panel and on the Electronics Box
do not
supply power
nor do they have anything to do with the Paramount MX power supply.
These connectors act as a conduit to route an external power source that is connected to
External Power connector located Electronics Box to the External Power connector in the
Instrument Panel.
Software Bisque offers three different cable sets that can be used to route power through the mount for
many model cameras, as well as a generic “pig tail” cable set if you want to supply power to different
device. See “Appendix C: External Power Cable Sets” on page 128 for these cable specifications.
If you plan on making your power own cables, the KPPX series snap and lock power connectors have
many advantages, including:
•
Self-locking
•
Small footprint
•
Inexpensive
•
Readily available
•
Rated for relatively heavy power loads
•
Available in board mount or straight-through configurations
