Lunt PC-USB Pressure Tuner Controller
Computer Controlled Pressure Tuning For Remote Solar Imaging
This PC-USB pressure tuner from Lunt replaces the manual pressure tuning knob with a microprocessor controlled unit you can drive from a computer over USB. A one eighth inch airline runs from the controller to the telescope and can be made any length you need, so the box can sit indoors while the telescope stays out under the sky.
Front panel control is deliberately simple: one button raises pressure, one lowers it, and a digital readout plus indicator lights show where you are. The unit holds the pressure setpoint to 0.3 PSI and auto compensates for internal pressure drift caused by temperature swings, so your chosen wavelength position stays put through a long session.
It runs more than twelve hours on internal batteries and accepts 12 to 15 VDC external power that runs the unit and charges at the same time. Any existing Lunt pressure tuned product can be retrofitted without returning it to the factory. Closed loop feedback of etalon pressure also lets you correlate pressure changes with doppler shifted events.
Key Features
- USB Control - operate the pressure tuner from a computer, which makes remote and automated solar imaging practical.
- Point Three PSI - the setpoint is held to 0.3 PSI for very precise control of the etalon tuning position.
- Twelve Hour Battery - internal batteries run the unit continuously for more than twelve hours away from mains power.
- Retrofit Ready - fits any existing Lunt pressure tuned product without sending the telescope back to the factory.
- Temperature Compensation - the controller auto corrects for internal pressure changes driven by significant temperature swings.
- Closed Loop Feedback - etalon pressure is reported back, so pressure changes can be correlated with doppler shifted events.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Type | Microprocessor controlled pressure tuner for Lunt pressure tuned etalons |
| Model / SKU | PCUSB; listed on the Lunt storefront as PC-USB |
| Control interface | USB from a computer, plus two button up and down control on the unit |
| Pressure accuracy | 0.3 PSI |
| Feedback | digital display, indicator lights, and closed loop etalon pressure feedback |
| Air line | one eighth inch airline, installable at any length |
| Battery run time | more than 12 hours continuous on internal battery |
| External power | 12 to 15 VDC input, powers the unit and charges the internal battery at the same time |
| Mains adapter | 120 or 240 VAC to 12 V adapter |
| Retrofit | fits any existing Lunt PT product via an adapter to the pressure tuner knob |
| Start up behavior | runs a system vent and ambient pressure set routine on power up |
| Setpoint | factory or user programmable center wavelength setpoint, held constant at any altitude |
| Not included | USB cables for remote use |
| Software | Not published |
| Solar safety | tunes a Lunt solar telescope that already carries its own certified solar filtration |
| Warranty | 5 years from date of purchase, original purchaser, manufacturing and workmanship defects |
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