HitecAstro Mount Hub Pro v4.5x User manual
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Table of Contents
Warranty
3
Connecting the device
3
Software Installation and Setup
4
Hardware Installation
9
……………Connecting a Dew Heater
10
……………Connecting Other Equipment
11
……………Connecting a Focus Motor
11
……………Connecting a DC Motor
13
Operating The PC Software
14
……………Power Tab
15
……………Dew Control Tab
19
……………Focus Tab
21
……………Settings Tab
25
……………About Tab
30
ASCOM Focus Driver
31
ASCOM Switch Driver
32
Application Programming Interface (API)
33
Troubleshooting
37
CE Conformity
39
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Congratulations on your purchase of the ‘HitecAstro’Mount Hub Pro (MHP) V4.
We hope you will find this device an invaluable addition to your observing
equipment . The MHP is an integrated device consisting of
•4 Individually selected power outlets.
•3 Controllable ‘Dew Heater’ Outputs.
•A focus controller capable of driving any unipolar stepper motor based
focuser or a DC motor from major manufactures such as Skywatcher and
Meade.
•A USB connection which enables the above to be controlled from any PC
using Windows 7 or Windows 10
A driver is available which will allow the focus controller to operate with any
ASCOM compliant software such as Maxim DL, CCD Auto Pilot, or Focus Max.
Please read this documentation carefully to ensure optimum performance of
your device.
Warranty
HitecAstro warrants that this product will be free from defects for a period of 12
months following purchase. This warranty is in addition to any statutory rights
which may exist in your jurisdiction. This warranty only applies to use as
described in this document. No other use is recommended or supported by
HitecAstro. Any user repair attempt other than described in the troubleshooting
section of this document or directed by HitecAstro will invalidate your warranty.
HitecAstro and its affiliates disclaim any responsibility for any consequential
damage or injury which may result from use of this device except as described in
this document.
Connecting the device
Plug the cigar plug into a suitable output which delivers 12-15v DC Centre
Positive. It is important that you check the polarity of your power supply before
connecting. A mechanism is installed to protect against accidentally reversing the
polarity.
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Your power supply MUST be capable of delivering the current
(measured in Amps) which is required by the MHP and ALSO any
devices which is powered from the device. Ensure that the output
voltage of your power supply does not exceed the recommended
maximum rating of your equipment. Also check the polarity requirements for
your equipment. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation to determine the
rating for individual devices.
The voltage output from MHP ports will equal the input voltage with the following
caveat. When devices place a load on your power supply the measured voltage
will drop. This is a natural consequence of “Ohms Law” and does not mean you
have a faulty MHP or power supply.
Your unit is fused at 15amps. Your equipment/focuser/heaters must not draw
more than this amount of current. It should be noted that dew heaters can draw
a very large amount of current. For example a 14” SCT dew removal tape can
draw as much as 4.1 amps on its own. If you do draw more power that this and
blow the 15amp fuse please refer to the ‘troubleshooting’ section later in this
document for the fuse replacement procedure. Under no circumstances should
you replace the fuse with one rated higher than 15amps. This is likely to cause
damage to the unit and possibly your equipment and will void your warranty.
Should you require more than 15 amps you will need multiple units.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your chosen power supply can deliver
enough current to power the device (typically <0.5amps) and your chosen
combination of dew heaters/focuser/ancillary equipment. Hitecastro will not
currently recommend any particular brand of power supply. You should consult a
specialist electrical retailer for advice on choice of PSU.
Installation and Setup
From V4.5 onwards, it is REQUIRED to install the ASCOM Platform
before running any of the MHP V4 software or drivers.
Carefully choose a location for your MHP which will minimize the opportunity for
cables to snag or wrap around your telescope/mount when slewing to all parts of
the sky. You can use the included bracket kit to assist mounting the unit. At this
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stage do not connect it to the computer or ancillary equipment. Now complete
the software setup.
Download the latest version of the software suite from the Hitecastro website.
From v4.5 onwards a single unified installer will install;
•MHP V4 Application Software
•MHP Focus ASCOM Driver
•MHP Switch ASCOM Driver
Run the setup program by double clicking on the software installer program. Click
OK to begin setup. You will be presented with the following;
Click ‘Next’
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You must read and accept the license agreement before clicking ‘Next’ to
proceed.
Click ‘Next’ to accept the default install location on your hard drive or you may
choose an alternative location.
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Click ‘Next’ to allow setup install in the default folder.
You can now choose a start menu folder. We recommend you accept the default.
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Review your choices and click ‘Next’.
Now click ‘Install’ to allow the installation to begin.
You will be prompted to restart your computer. You should restart your
computer for the MHP software to operate correctly.
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Hardware Installation.
Connect the cigar plug to an appropriate power outlet as described in the
beginning of this document.
Connect a standard USB cable (supplied) to the MHP and plug the computer end
into an available USB 2 or USB 3 port. The device should be automatically
detected and you should receive a windows message ‘Your hardware is installed
and ready to use’.
There is no specific driver required since your MHP uses a standard
driver which is part of windows.
MHP is a USB 2.0 device as is the inbuilt USB hub. However It is
compatible with USB 3.0 ports on your computer.
Now disconnect the power and plug in any dew heaters/equipment and connect
your focuser. Note: It is not necessary to use all features of the device.
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Now start the MHP PC application.
The above is a typical output screen of the PC application. Assuming the device
has been connected correctly click the ‘Connect’ button. The text on the connect
button changes to ‘Connected’ and the various controls are enabled. You should
probably test a power port now to confirm everything is working ok.
If you have any problem connecting to the MHP V4, we recommend
that you check that the unit is powered and the USB cable is
connected.
We now go on to describe the process of connecting your MHP to your hardware.
Connecting a Dew Heater Tape/Pad.
Plug your dew heater to a chosen outlet on the MHP. You may choose any
output. It is not necessary to plug in and out in any order. We recommend that
you disconnect the MHP before connecting or disconnecting heaters or other
devices.
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