UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OBSERVATORIES / LICK OBSERVATORY


ShARCS Mounting

Installing ShARCS after it has been removed for service or an instrument change (e.g. APALO), requires you go through the following steps.
  1. Remove right AO cross brace, if not already removed for APALO removal.
  2. Make sure power is off to (turn off in this order if necessary): This ensures nothing will move or short during installation.
  3. Turn off ion pump and disconnect from ShARCS.
  4. Install Ion pump on ShaneAO (4 bolts).
  5. Connect 3 cables to ion pump:
  6. Make sure nuts and smaller conical washers are removed. Be sure to keep the right washers and nuts with the right studs, and to keep the washers in the right order. Note: cup half of washer is closest to optical bench for all sets of washers.
  7. Manuever the ShARCS hoist into position and align mounting plate with SAO optical bench mount points
  8. Make sure ShARCS clears any obsticals, particularly the lower right dewar assembly bolt head on the bottom of the dewar clears the lower right alignment/support bracket)
  9. Once ShARCS is in position, on the studs, install the conical washerss and nuts.
  10. Make sure all washers properly seated and align.
  11. Tighten nuts to 15 ft.lbs. with a torque wrench.
  12. Disconnect hoist from ShARCS.
  13. Lower and remove hoist.
  14. Connect dewar cables:
  15. Turn on ion pump, including the high voltage.
  16. Turn on, in order:
  17. Rotate ShARCS window cover to open.
  18. Once sure that ShaneAO is up and aligned (see Startup Procedures), take images with ShARCS to evaluate alignment. If alignment close enough that adjusting the final fold mirror is sufficient, proceed to next steps. If not, will need to shut down ShARCS, put motors in safe state, and use hoist to adjust ShARCS position.
  19. Remove front hoist bracket from ShARCs.
  20. Install Science Filter Wheel and connect its 3 cables:
  21. Make sure science filter wheel works.
  22. Install AO frame cross brace. (16 bolts).

Elinor Gates
Last modified: Fri Oct 10 15:43:00 PDT 2025