Work List

[Tom Droege <tdroege@veriomail.com>]

Arne and all,

Here is the work list I have developed from the first results from ARNE:

1) Declination Clamp, Declination Drive current.

Write code for the Stamp so that the Declination drive current can be kept 
on until the Dec. is clamped.  This may keep the Dec. from moving away from 
it's set point.

2) Focus Tilt

Investigate what can be done so that the focus works more smoothly.  I have 
a set of linear ball bearings to try as a replacement for the plastic 
sleeve bearings.  Work on the CCD tilt.

3) Proms for Overscan.

Redo the PROM code to get good overscan pixels.  Arne, I need to know 
(again) which pixels you want to look at. I am afraid your old 
correspondence is in a dead computer.  The present scheme is too cute, I 
think.  Part of this project is to make a drawing for the clock sequence.

4) Side Plates.

Get 1/4" side plates made for ARNE as a test.

5) RA Limit Switch

Keep the RA limit switch at the present location and provide code to home 
there.  This allows set up for a long exposure sequence of one field.  Put 
a second limit switch in the center of the RA range so that the telescope 
can be homed to the meridian.

6) Work on the Lens Shades

Frankly, this will be a project that is left to the individual camera 
operators.

7) Camera Bellows

This is another item that I will leave to the operators.  Perhaps someone 
can work on the shades, and someone can work on the bellows for all of us.

8) Put short exposures in the Stamp

Write stamp code to allow exposures in the 1 - 10 second range.  Not so 
easy.  I will probably write it so that it always opens both together and 
closes both together after the specified time.  It is complicated to do 
otherwise.

9) ASCII Stamp Commands

Rewrite the stamp code so that interactions are straight ASCII.  I now 
strip off only the last 4 bits to use as Hex.  This will add two more 
characters to the string, but it will be easier to code.   Hmmm!  Possibly 
I don't have enough variable space left in the stamp to do this.

10) Get CCD 442As Lumogen  Coated.

11)  Order Parts for SARL, ARNE2, TOM2, and TOM3

12)  Paint Limit Tabs

If the lighting is bright, the limit switches may hang.  Black paint might 
do the trick.

13) Fix the RA Drive so that it does not stall with weather of wind.

Looks like I have a fix that works for this.  Much more power.

14) Make up a maintenance list.

When to oil, tighten screws, and pray.

15) Increase V clock time constant.

This is done on a few cameras.  It does no harm, and possibly reduces noise.

16) Investigate an increase in V clock length

This might do some good on the saturation and low end.  We will just have 
to test it.
***
OK, this is what I have so far.  Of course keep the production line going.

Anything else to add?

Tom Droege