#1  
Old 12-07-2015, 09:35 PM
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rogerg (Roger)
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Blank (100ADU) imagesf from SBIG ST8

Hi all,

Suddenly this evening I'm receiving blank images back from the main imaging chip of my ST8-XME. The guide chip is returning normal images. The temperature control and shutter function normally.

The images returned by the main chip are blank with uniform 100ADU value after dark subtraction (0 ADU before dark subtraction).

I've:
- Tried an alternative SBIG power supply (just happen to have one!)
- Tried removing the extension power cord, going straight from supply to camera
- Checked the USB cable is properly powered and working.
- Tried different USB ports

My thinking is that this is a camera or power issue, not a USB issue.

Any ideas?



Thanks,
Roger.
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  #2  
Old 12-07-2015, 10:01 PM
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Paul Haese
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Hi Roger, I had this problem with my STXL before it got replaced. It had to be sent back to SBIG.
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  #3  
Old 12-07-2015, 10:02 PM
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Atmos (Colin)
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Depending on what software you're using the 100ADU is going to be the pedistal so not actually a detection by the camera. As the dark is also going to have that pedistal, you're subtracting them and leaving yourself with 0.

Do you have any other software you can try, see whether it is a read issue? Otherwise it'll be a download problem I imagine. Or the ADU converters could be glitching so it's just downloading a blank signal.

A few thoughts but no answers I am afraid.
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Old 12-07-2015, 10:35 PM
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rogerg (Roger)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Haese View Post
Hi Roger, I had this problem with my STXL before it got replaced. It had to be sent back to SBIG.
I fear as much. Thanks Paul.
I've posted on the SBIG support forum and see what I get form there also.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Atmos View Post
Depending on what software you're using the 100ADU is going to be the pedistal so not actually a detection by the camera. As the dark is also going to have that pedistal, you're subtracting them and leaving yourself with 0.

Do you have any other software you can try, see whether it is a read issue? Otherwise it'll be a download problem I imagine. Or the ADU converters could be glitching so it's just downloading a blank signal.

A few thoughts but no answers I am afraid.
I've tried in CCDSoft & TheSkyX (camera adaptor) with no difference.

Hmm.
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  #5  
Old 12-07-2015, 10:50 PM
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rogerg (Roger)
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Just in case, I have now tried a short USB cable direct to the PC.

Not looking good for the camera.
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  #6  
Old 27-08-2015, 02:35 PM
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rogerg (Roger)
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My ST8-XME arrived back from SBIG on Tuesday. The problem was with the circuit board that the power and USB plug in to. I'm 99% sure that some kind of power spike went through the USB cable when I was unplugging & replugging it to diagnose a software crash on my PC.

Never again will I unplug or plugin an expensive CCD camera on that PC without the PC, power supply to USB cable and camera turned off.

Repair cost was $455US which doesn't sound bad until you convert it to $AU and add shipping

Great service from Bill @ SBIG throughout the process.
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  #7  
Old 27-08-2015, 02:52 PM
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billdan (Bill)
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Not trying to make you feel bad here Roger.

I recently sent my 3 year old QHY12 back to China for repair, no USB connection.
The response was the PC circuit board tracks had aging (rust??) and a new main board had to be installed.

Total cost $54 USD for the board and $45 USD freight.

Sometimes buying Chinese pays off.

Regards
Bill
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  #8  
Old 27-08-2015, 02:54 PM
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rogerg (Roger)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billdan View Post
Not trying to make you feel bad here Roger.

I recently sent my 3 year old QHY12 back to China for repair, no USB connection.
The response was the PC circuit board tracks had aging (rust??) and a new main board had to be installed.

Total cost $54 USD for the board and $45 USD freight.

Sometimes buying Chinese pays off.

Regards
Bill
No problem Bill. I have a QHY but still there are reasons to buy an alternative brand such as an SBIG, and pay the price for it
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  #9  
Old 27-08-2015, 03:15 PM
DJT (David)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerg View Post
...
Great service from Bill @ SBIG throughout the process.
+1
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  #10  
Old 27-08-2015, 03:29 PM
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Octane (Humayun)
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Bill also helped me with my STL-11000M. He had a look at the sensor and I was advised that it would be a US$4,600 to replace the sensor (plus, 90 day lead time). We were hoping it was just the glass chamber that was cracked, which would have been a US$300 fix.

I said no to the sensor replacement, but, while the camera was there, it had its desiccant and o-ring replaced, had the guide-chip moved so it was in-line with the main chip (it was off by a little bit which made high SNR guide stars a difficulty to find) and a handle was replaced, too. US$500+ and $US200+ for insured postage. Not much change from $1K.

Still, the service was impeccable.

H
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  #11  
Old 27-08-2015, 08:32 PM
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$4600. You often see STL11's on Astromart. Without filters they are typically around $4000 and one was $3500.

Greg.
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