SPC900-LX adaptor troubles

[Shano592]

I recently had Peter (Exfso) complete the LX mod on an SPC900NC for me.

It all came back in good order, but when I plug the (Jaycar) DB25 adaptor into the usb port, all it says in the Device Manager of win8.1, is that no printer is attached. The camera side of things works just fine, for short exposures.

If I unplug the adaptor, the line in the Device Manager disappears, and it says that it is working ok otherwise. It is branded Digitech.

Does anyone have any insights as to how I can get this to run?

I am using a Dell Inspiron 7720SE with Windows 8.1 64-bit. Trying to test-capture with wxAstrocapture.

Thanks!

[Merlin66]

Could be as simple as the USB>Serial adaptor isn't bi-directional?
Been there...done that!
That's why I only use Keyspan adaptors.
Do you have a different adaptor to try??

[Shano592]

Hi Ken, no not at the moment.

It says bidirectional on the pack, but I'm wondering if it just won't work under Win8 / 64-bit conditions.

Do I need something beyond USB1.1 ?

[Merlin66]

The ol' USB 1/2 should still work...updated drivers for win8?
You could google and see if others have having similar connection problems.

[Shano592]

Most of the problems I am seeing online are for printers not working. A real needle in the haystack to find someone with SPC900 issues.

Windows is looking for a printer, and I see where to allocate a COM or LPT port for it, to take it over manually.

I can't find Windows 8 drivers anywhere, and Microsoft's generic usbprint.inf takes default.

[pw]

Set it as a com port, one that doesn't conflict with any other com port present on the computer. Com1/3 conflict, Com2/4 conflict, so only have 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 present at any one time.

[Shano592]

Peter, the problem is, there is nowhere to set a port number! :shrug:

I scouted around a little more, and the device shows up as UNKNOWN DEVICE, and a little further digging names it as IEEE-1284 USB Adapter. Not quite right, as it has the DB25 pinouts - not the IEEE-1284 interface - but I know that it is ultimately what it terminates at under normal conditions.

Still looking for a x64 win7/8/8.1 driver for this thing. If anybody has one that will suit a generic device, please let me know. :astron:

Thanks.

[redbeard]

Hi Shane,
I have had this issue as well. It appears that these USB LPT adapters only seem to work with a LPT printer and not with other LPT type devices. I have tried 3 different types and all operate the same as in they don't. The issues I had were on Win XP and WIN 7 and not related to 32 or 64 bit drivers.
Not sure if you have had it working with other OS's via USB or if there is a USB device that actually works as a proper LPT port or if there is a driver that can do so.

What I had to do was convert the webcam’s mod cable to USB/RS232 as those adapters work well. Now this is all from memory at this stage, but i think the concept of the LX mod is simply acting as a switch and uses pins/logic/on-off to do so rather than passing data.

I think I did a small bit of circuitry and used a opto-coupler/transistor combination to do a similar thing as what the printer cable was doing. I can use the same cable to do long exposures on my Canon 350D which does not support this over USB simply acting as a switch.

Again this is all from memory and I will have to refresh all this when I get a chance from home. But I’m sure it can be done and I think a friend of mine has also done this as well. I hope my memory is correct as it would be embarrassing otherwise. Lol.

So I guess in the mean time, check with the person who modded your webcam and see if he has tested this with USB to printer/LPT adapters. If so then it might just be a driver issue. Otherwise, with a bit of time, I will dig up what I did and get back to you.

I hope all this makes sense, if not ask me to interpret.

BTW, LX200’s rule!

Cheers,

Damien.

[Exfso]

I did the mod for this camera. I have done dozens for Matthew Lovell of Telescopes and Astronomy. Not had any issues with them working with a parallel port to the best of my knowledge. Unfortunately most computers do not have these today, but a parallel/usb cable apparently works well. It may just be a Windows 8 thing. Best contact Matthew, he can probably point you in the right direction. I know it certainly works on my laptop, but that is an XP machine, this is what I used to test it, mainly because it has a parallel port on it. This enables me to test the mod to confirm that all the electronics are doing what they should.

[Shano592]

I was thinking, when I got home (of course), that I will try the warehouse laptop tomorrow, as it is an XP machine too. No parallel ports, though.

Don't worry Peter... I have full faith that it will prevail. I am certain that the issue is a Windows one. I just wish I knew how to get past it, because I would prefer to use my current (Win8.1) laptop.

[Astroman]

I had issues with the parallel port thing too, so I made a Parallel to serial port adapter and run the LX modded camera via Serial instead of Parallel. Works just as good...

If I ever find the circuit again, I will pass it on.

Found the page...

http://www.pk3.org/Astro/index.htm?k3ccdtools_serial_port_ad apter.htm

[BlackWidow]

You have hit the nail on the head... Convert the parallel to serial then use serial or convert to usb with an adaptor. This is how my systems worked when I sold my LX 900C camera systems that I did for some time. I also sold a serial to USB adaptor kit.

What cable do you have from your 900NC ? is it a parallel plug? As I may have an adaptor cable that might sort out your problem.. I will have a look tonight.


Regards
Martin

[Shano592]

Hmmm,something to search for!

I think there are 6 or so serial USB convertors in my shed somewhere, as well as the db9-25 adaptor.

I'll have to do a bit of digging.

Thanks guys!

[Shano592]

OK, found all of the necessary adaptors in the shed. However, the circuit diagram on the K3CCD page doesn't appear to marry up to the photo of the open adaptor.

Also, is there a way to bypass the switch on the adaptor, as Peter's mod fitted one on the camera.

[redbeard]

By the way, the adapter I mentioned I used actually came from Martin, (blackwidow). and works well.

[Shano592]

Thanks Damien ... I have been speaking and emailing with Martin off the forum, and he has detailed his enhancement to me.

Once I have put everything together, I will update the thread with the (hopefully) good news.

[Shano592]

With great thanks to Martin (BlackWidow), I have managed to get the LX mod fully functional under Windows 8.1.

The problem was indeed the parallel / serial adaptor issue. Serial is definitely required in this case.

I won't post internal pics of the mod, partly because I feel that it is Martin's to show, and partly because I am terrible with a soldering iron! A very messy worksite.

I have a attached a pic of the final cable chain, that attaches onto the camera mod adaptor. Yes, that is hot-melt glue! Cloth tape will cover that later.

Once again, many thanks for everyone's input. This crowd-sourcing of information really works nicely.

[BlackWidow]

Your welcome Shane. Glad you got it up and running. Don't worry about your soldering.. Your the only one that knows as long as you keep the plastic covers on ........ Well we all know LOL.

This site is full of knowledge and helpful people, and it was Damion (redbeard) that got me into this hobby with a simple look a Saturn... That simple act cost me Thousands of dollars... Some Mate! :help:


Regards
Mardy

[Shano592]

For those playing the home edition of this thread, I have attached a FITS file of a 120 second exposure, just a raw image.

You can clearly see the amp glow.

I had to zipit, as FITS isn't a valid file type to upload. Never mind the image quality... I was playing with the settings.