Powering up the JKT: normal procedure in detail

The telescope can only be powered up from the control console (CC) in the control room.

1.

Turn on the key labelled TELESCOPE POWER. It is on the upper right of the CC. A green light indicates ON.

2.

Switch on the oil pump which lubricates the telescope drive by depressing the button marked OIL PUMP RUN on the upper left of the CC. The oil may take up to a minute to reach pressure depending on when it was last used. When ready the green switch will light and will usually be accompanied by an ear-piercing shrill from the alarm section (lower right of CC). Stop this by depressing the CANCEL button (left most red button of the ALARMS - lower right of CC).

3.

Press the green RESET button which is alongside the big red EMERGENCY STOP button (upper right on CC). The green light should go out.

4.

Check no further alarms are showing on the array of red alarms (lower right on CC). If there are any, seek the advice of the duty technician.

The telescope is now capable of being moved so make sure all obstacles are removed from the rising floor and that all instrument cables, hand sets, etc. are firmly stowed. Note that a handset MUST ALWAYS be plugged into the OBSERVER socket at the telescope. If not you will experience a slow telescope runaway with a constant in the drive error display.

5.

The telescope may now be moved using the control buttons labelled HA+, HA-, DEC+, DEC- on the left centre of the CC. The rotary potentiometers next to the push buttons allow the speed of slew to be varied but only when under engineering control.