SBIG STi shutter sticking

[gregbradley]

Any suggestions on how to handle an SBIG STi shutter that is starting to stick fairly often?

Greg.

[PRejto]

My ST-i shutter was erratic. After I added a powered hub the problem has never been seen again. Perhaps you have changed a cable or computer or cable length?? The powered hub might be the answer.

Peter

[dcalleja]

I have seen the same issue. It occurred when I had used a really short cable (not the one that came with it) when I was trying to get my mount hub pro quite close to the ota.

I went back to th sbig supplied one and the issue went away and I've not seen it since.

[gregbradley]

Yes perhaps that is it. I'll look at that. Thanks.



Thanks for that. I must have changed which cable I was using.

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

Similar problem seen too Greg. I directly connect it now into one of the main USB ports and it works fine. Now and again I get half of the shutter stuck but I can still get stars. My thinking is this is the power supplied to the camera. So take a look at the port and connection on the USB first.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Paul. I think I simply used a different cable and it must be not giving it the same power.

Greg.

[Peter Ward]

There is a known problem with Windoze 8 and its cursed power saving modes...that randomly reduce the power the STi requires to less than usable levels.

A good quality powered hub should fix the problem.

Also, a little dab of sewing machine oil on the shutter spindle won't hurt either. ;)

[gregbradley]

Thanks Peter.

I am using Windows XP on that setup.

I think its more needing a bit of oil as nothing really has changed in terms of cable etc. I'll try the oil first (the top of the STi screws off does it? Its pretty tight).

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

I am not using Windoze 8 either. Currently using windoze 7 and have disabled USB sleep mode. I found that even using the supplied cable I sometimes get the shutter only half opening, so maybe some sewing machine oil is needed. Though it has been doing this nearly ever since I got the unit. If I used a smaller cable through a powered hub such as the MHP it would not open the shutter at all or be only a very small slit. With it being half opened I can get a guide star generally. It is an intermittent problem though and most of the time the shutter opens right up.

[gregbradley]

What's USB sleep mode Paul? I sometimes find my computer won't wake up in the mornings (despite giving it coffee) which is annoying as I have to turn it off at the power which is not good for it.

I have all the power shutdowns turned off. I wonder if this is the hidden thing. I use XP in the observatory.

I switched the STi to another USB port on the SX Trius camera and it stopped sticking so it was a power issue. Same cable. So even between spots on a hub it can make a difference. It must be quite sensitive to the voltage.

Greg.

[Logieberra]

Greg, no. Undo the 2 x screws at the usb/ST4 end. The internals slip down and out of the tube after that. I oiled mine this AM with Tri-Flow, as I don't sew. I also gave it a good dust blow while I was at it :)

[gregbradley]

Thanks Logan.

Where do you get Triflow from?

Greg.

[Hans Tucker]

If I recall my cycling days Tri-flow is a Teflon based lubricant widely used by cyclist on their bicycles. Sooo...try your local bike store but get the drip bottle not the aerosol version.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Hans.

Greg.

[Paul Haese]

Go into device manager, open up each USB port and go into power management. Uncheck "allow computer to turn off this device to save power". I found this one by accident as my USB's would drop out early in the morning and stall the automation sequence. You need to disable this with each and every USB port.

[gregbradley]

Thanks Paul. I wonder if that is my hidden computer glitch where in the morning it won't wake up most times.

Greg.

[Logieberra]

That's the one. Many applications :) Got mine from an RC model store.