User`s guide

On the bottom of the PFE-1 flip mirror/eyepiece assembly is an input jack for the 12 VDC

required to provide power to the reticle LED. The external DC power supply adapter should

be plugged in before operation. To adjust the reticle brightness on the PFE-1, use a small

screwdriver to turn the pot next to the power input jack. The PFE-1A has an adjustment

knob to facilitate changing the reticle brightness.

For the PFE-1, a two-position filter slider is mounted between the flip mirror and the CCD.

Any pair of filters selected by the user before delivery can be mounted in the slider. Since

the slider is easily pulled out of the unit, sliders with other combinations of filters can be

inserted.

The automated PFE-1A uses a 6-position filter slider made of a special self-lubricating

material. A rack mounted on the slider meshes with a bevel gear connected to the stepper

motor which is mounted beneath the main flip-mirror block. The 6-position filter sliders can

be pulled out and replaced, but this procedure requires removing one of the filter slider

covers. By replacing these larger capacity sliders, other photometric filter systems can be

accommodated.

For most variable star work, a single slider with B and V filters is recommended to begin

with. All Optec filters are ½" (12.7mm) in diameter and 7mm thick. See Section 6.0 for a

description of the standard UBVRI filter system, Section 7.0 for a description of the MA,

MB and MI Wing filter set, and Section 8.0 for a description of the Strömgren uvby four-

color system.

For observations which do not require a photometric filter, the Clear filter should used to

insure that the proper optical distance is maintained. Without the Clear filter, the eyepiece

would no longer be parfocal with the CCD and stellar images will be out of focus on the

CCD sensor.

For tri-color imaging (RGB), the Johnson B, V, and R filters can be used. Since each filter

blocks the infrared, no separate IR blocking filter is needed.

To adapt the Model PFE-1 to the various CCD camera heads available, Optec has designed a

number of special mounting kits. These kits provide all the necessary hardware including

mounting screws and allen keys for adapting the PFE-1 to a particular camera head. Refer

to Appendix A for full instructions regarding the mounting kits. The reticle alignment

procedure is detailed in Section 3.3 below.

Owners of the Lynxx PC, MC, or Lynxx 2 CCD camera systems should order mounting kit

stock number 17612. The standard combination 2"/1¼" telescope coupler provided by

SpectraSource Instruments is replaced with a stainless steel camera mounting adapter. This

special camera mount is secured to the camera head with three small screws. Specify

mounting kit number 17613 for use with a standard C-mount camera. This kit includes a

dovetail plate and the (approx.) 1” diameter male C-thread for easy attachment of a typical

C-mount video camera.