I was just about to focus my new setup, and was measuring the height of the CCD whilst attached to the scope.... touched a tape measure to the focuser - at this moment a Microsoft.NET framework error appeared, something lamenting the focuser it seemed....
I disconnected the focuser, reconnected - all seemed ok....
A little later, I'd fired up PHD, and needed to focus the guide scope. As I touched the guide scope/focuser/rings - the same error appeared again....
I couldn't recover from that - had to force shut-down the PC....
I do want some sort of image tonight... so I'm not going to go for three (yet).... has anyone seen anything like this???
Do I need to ground the scope or something???
Last edited by Lee; 21-07-2013 at 09:44 AM.
Reason: typo
Yes, I use a powered hub on the pier....
I'm not touching it at the moment - I had one of those nights initially... but am getting some nice Ha subs at the moment....
Yes, I use a powered hub on the pier....
I'm not touching it at the moment - I had one of those nights initially... but am getting some nice Ha subs at the moment....
probably one you have had for a few years? Maybe time for a new one just in case there is a power leak. i have had a couple that have gone that way, or it could just be a cable? moisture is a real cause for this as well?
If I use the mains power supply for my QHY8 I get the occasional spark as I plug things in, even if all the 240V items are plugged into the same extension lead. Feeding it from the same 12V supply as everything else the problem goes away.
Probably a ground loop - there has been some previous discussion on eliminating these. At best they can cause some whacky behaviours in connected equipment, at worst they can fry stuff and give you a nasty shock
Lucky you just got a popup window and immediate reconnection. I once touched the alu leg of the G11 tripod on the field on a very dry windy night, went ouch! ...zap, Gemini beeping and rebooting and laptop blue screened. Nothing major damaged but since then I did a lot of reading on ground loops and opto-isolators. I spent the money on two Keterex USB isolators and never looked back. I place them on any connection between a serial to USB adaptor and imaging device or laptop. I have one between the Gemini RS-232 port and the laptop and one between the AO serial to USB and the laptop.
On the OTA, the complex of focuser/filter wheel and CCD (which is connected to the USB hub too) is the issue I think....
I'm going to rewire so all of this runs from the one 12v supply... already been to Jaycar...
On the OTA, the complex of focuser/filter wheel and CCD (which is connected to the USB hub too) is the issue I think....
I'm going to rewire so all of this runs from the one 12v supply... already been to Jaycar...
Get a hitecastro Mount Hub Pro and it'll simplify your life greatly. It's got all the USB/Serial/GPS/Power in one at a fraction of the cost.
... Nothing major damaged but since then I did a lot of reading on ground loops and opto-isolators. I spent the money on two Keterex USB isolators and never looked back. ...
Marc, they describe them as USB2 full speed. Does that mean 480Mb/s or 12Mb/s full duplex? The datasheet doesn't say, and the 12Mb/s meaning is misleading but fairly common.
Marc, they describe them as USB2 full speed. Does that mean 480Mb/s or 12Mb/s full duplex? The datasheet doesn't say, and the 12Mb/s meaning is misleading but fairly common.
Not sure Andrew. TBH I haven't noticed any drop in speed before and after I used them. The Gemini only gets pulse every second or so depending on how you guide so that's never been an issue. With the AO the fastest correction rates I ever got would have been 5Hz. With or without it was the same also. To me the main thing was isolating and preventing possible damage. At the time I bought them (5yrs ago) I was using USB1.0 with a Toshiba satellite so it was dog slow as is.
Marc, they describe them as USB2 full speed. Does that mean 480Mb/s or 12Mb/s full duplex? The datasheet doesn't say, and the 12Mb/s meaning is misleading but fairly common.
I've just built a switchboard type box from a boating switch-panel and a DC-DC converter for 5V for the hub....
All works so far, no smoke let out of anything....
I've just built a switchboard type box from a boating switch-panel and a DC-DC converter for 5V for the hub....
All works so far, no smoke let out of anything....
Bizarre happenings - static?
yep that sounds like a nice cocktail mix. I am enjoying the sun in the observatory right now
