Help to decipher this error message

[traveller]

Help!
Pulling my hair out figuring out how to set up my EFW. Here is my set up
Hardware: ZWO ASI 1600 mono with a ZWO 7x36mm filter wheel.
Software: ASCOM platform 6.3 (latest), ASI ASCOM camera driver v1.0.2.25 (latest), ZWO EFW ASCOM driver v1.0.0.12 (latest)
Connection: USB3 laptop to Camera, USB2 Camera to EFW.

Problem: Connect camera to program. EFW starts
If I use Sharpcap 2.9 the program says it cannot connect to the EFW, but I can find it and connect it under setup. However it cannot be calibrated. I have tried to set it manually to position 1, but it still runs and returns to random positions and refuse to calibrate (see attached screen shots).

I then tried using Sequence Generator (Pro trial version expired, so using the lite version). The EFW just runs randomly and stops and then runs again.

I tried using the ZWO EFW calibration tool, as per this thread https://zwoug.org/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=7201&hilit=filter+wheel
But no luck, the EFW is a possessed zombie.

Anyone else had this issue? I will see if this is any operator issue before I get in touch with Bintel. :shrug::help::thanx:

Cheers
Bo

[traveller]

I should add that I have tried to power the EFW directly from the laptop.
Powers up fine, tried to calibrate/initailise using the EFW Tool, manually setting to position 1, hit the initailise key, it run and then returns to 75% of position 2 (going towards position 3).
If I manually set to position 1 again, it will return back to the 75% of position 2, if I reposition to a different number (say 4), the it will return to a +75% offset position on the next filter (75% of position 5).
I hope I am making sense.
Anyway, it seems to be a EFW driver issue not recognising it's a 7 position wheel ...
More investigations to be had!
Bo

[Marke]

I have same combo what filters are you using I say this as clearance is very tight so make sure nothing is touching and getting stuck inside. Make sure you have latest Ascom maybe uninstall and reinstall. I had a couple small similar issues but reinstalling drivers fixed it.

[traveller]

Thanks Mark.
I am using ZWO filters with their EFW. I know what you mean by the clearance I had to put the split ring under the wheel itself (as opposed to on top of wheel when viewed from the back cover) to give it more clearance.
I will back off the tension on the central retaining nut to see if it gets any better.
Bo

[Marke]

I am betting that is your issue there . I swapped my ZWO filters for Astrodon which are thicker but I just have enough clearance still in standard config with the 8 pos wheel

[kens]

Have you got power to the camera?

[traveller]

I backed the tension in the central retaining nut, not much better, still off target and still won't calibrate in Sharp Cap :bashcomp:
I may have to give Bintel a call on Monday.



Yes, camera is powered through the USB and its own 12v DC power supply.

[Marke]

Have you put it back to original way it came and tried it could be effecting the position sensor

[barx1963]

Hey Bo. One thing that occurs to me is that as this is powered entirely by the USB port, have you turned off USB power management in Windows? I used to all sorts of issues with my Atik camera and FW until I did that.

Malcolm

[traveller]

I managed to get a small washer and put that between the wheel and the camera side of the filter wheel body. Helped a bit, smooth turning etc, but still cannot calibrate! And Sharpcap won't automatically recognise and I need to find the wheel under setup (which I think is part of the problem!).



Ok, will give that a go and report back!

[traveller]

The mystery deepens.
It seem the computer doesn't see the EFW or the built in USB hub of the ASI 1600 camera.
I uninstalled the ASCOM drivers for the camera and EFW and then re-installed them (Ran as Administrator).
But it still doesn't recognise them, either when the EFW is plugged directly into the laptop USB port, or when EFW is plugged into the camera USB hub.
Has anyone else experienced this before?
Thanks
Bo
:help::help::help:

[Atmos]

It looks like a driver issue, just as a guess.

[Marke]

Have you tried a different cable just a thought .

[billdan]

I agree with Colin, there is no driver associated with the device.

If you right click on the unknown device as you've shown in device manager. It should pop up a menu and then you can select "update driver". This will launch a hardware wizard to find the driver and you can follow the prompts.

[traveller]

Ok, next on the do try list is a different cable, failing that rolling back the driver to an earlier version.
Will report back!
Bo

[traveller]

Another update.
I posted the same thread on CN and Sam from ZWO suggested I update my USB 3.0 controller hub.
So I did and managed to solve one issue, but not the other.
See CN thread here
https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/584796-zwo-efw-ascom-driver-issue/?p=8001415

Bo

[traveller]

A quick update.
Sam from ZWO has kindly offered me a couple of solutions (trying a new USB3 root hub controller and trying the ZWO EFW Tool).
Unfortunately, none of them make much difference.
I can move the filter wheel, but somehow the programs (Sharp Cap, Images Plus, Sequence Generator) just cannot connect to the EFW.
When I tried to setup the EFW under the ASCOM dialogue window, I get an exception error. I have attached the error message in the attached text doc.
Maybe someone can help me decipher it? :help:
Thanks
Bo

[luka]

The top of the log tells you that it is trying to add a negative number of rows to the datagridview (table). What is supposed to be in the table?


Did you get the wheel to appear in the Device Manager yet? Are you sure that the unknown device is the filter wheel? Does it go away when you unplug it?

[traveller]

I think the table refers to the table of listing of the filters (LRGB etc). So it looks like it's not setting to 0 or a positive number, so that could explain why the EFW cannot be connected or calibrated.

The unknown device remains after I plug in the EFW. In fact the EFW moves the filters when powered through the USB and it continues to move once I disabled the unknown device, so I am safely ruling out the unknown device as the EFW.

So I am beginning think it might be a firmware issue :shrug: or even try to get a different EFW or different laptop to get to the bottom of it.
Bo

[redbeard]

When installing the drivers, did the OS pop up a message that the driver was unsigned or not secure. If so, you'll need a signed driver.

A long shot but seen this before.

[luka]

Bo, I had another look at the documentation (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/s426bkhx%28v=vs.110%29.aspx). Zero is actually not a valid number of rows to add to the datagridview. Most likely it cannot find or identify the EFW properly and tries to add zero rows to the datagridview. Most likely the software is not handling this error properly. You could try the driver without the EFW connected and see if you get the same error. Not sure if this brings you any further though.

[traveller]

Problem solved!
Thanks to Colin (Atmos).
I added a washer between the filter wheel and the filter body as the retaining screws for the filters were too long and protruding out and scratching the filter wheel body. But by adding extra distance between the filter wheel and the filter body, the homing and the position sensor cannot accurately position the filter wheel.
Solution: Colin gave me a pack of extra washers to keep the filter retaining screw in the filter wheel. This allowed me to remove the washer between the filter wheel and the filter body, and now the sensors can work on the wheel.
So I can now connect the EFW to Sharp Cap, Sequence Generator and Maxim DL.
I will now write to ZWO to ask them to add extra washers in their EFW packs. :)
Bo

[Marke]

Mate didnt I say that to you ages ago as well hmm ;) Sounds like you got the wrong screws to start with mine just go in and thats all.