MCB1 Presentation

20" Altitude/Azimuth Newtonian

an adaptation of Mel Bartels' computer drive system

Winner of the
"Mechanical and Electronic Excellence" award
Okie-Tex Star Party ATM contest October 9, 1999

"...the best clutch system I've seen in the world".
Mel Bartels at 1999 Okie-Tex Star Party presentation on "Computerized Telescopes" referring to the design and installation on this scope

Software and documentation provided by Mel Bartels. Motor controller prepared by Pat Sweeney. Rocker box, ground board, gearmotors, clutch system, altitude/azimuth bearing system,
electronics, electrical system and all the little stuff, designed and built by the Author.
The optical tube assembly is by Starmaster and the primary mirror is from Pegasus.


20" MCB1 Scope with Bartels drive system.		Mel Bartels and Ron Muir ( L to R) at '99 Okie-Tex Star Party. Black Mesa area/Kenton, Oklahoma


Altitude Gearmotor - center Clutch motor - left of center Voltage regulator heat sink - low left center		Azimuth gearmotor - Center left Clutch motor - upper right Limit switch enclosure - center Encoder and mount - bottom center


Encoder and mount Deep cycle 45 amp hour battery 3 amp/24 volt DC/DC converter		Azimuth Gearmotor and clutch motor - upper left Stepper motor controller - upper right Clutch limit switches and Azimuth encoder - center Battery-lower left / Terminal box w/control panel, fuses & encoder interface-lower center


Computer work station 486/50 laptop on sliding shelf Doors open into work tables		- - - Cheeeeese - - - Grandson - Matthew - 2yrs -9 mos.		Profile of transport wheels and computer work station


Upper cage - Telerad Focuser -Control pad Clutch control switch		Azimuth bearing plate - 3/16" 6160 aluminum. Teflon center support. Aluminum ring cut with water jet		Ground board with 3/16" 6160 Aluminum azimuth drive surface. Sealed ground board cavity


Variable height leg system with dual bearings and adjustable brakes		Laminated plywood Altitude side bearings with 3/16" 6160 Aluminum bearing/drive surface


Altitude Gearmotor - W.M. Berg sprockets and zero backlash chain belts		Altitude Gearmotor Teflon mounting pads Drive roller		Altitude Gearmotor assembly Vexta Stepper Motors 1.8deg/step1 amp - 5.7 Volt


Azimuth gearmotor - sprocket assembly Bottom plate inside view 52:1 gear reduction		Sprocket assembly - Same configuration on both Altitude and Azimuth gearboxes		Azimuth Gearmotor w/clutch drive attachment (middle right) Vexta stepper motor