NINA and random dropouts

[xa-coupe]

After getting tired of a problem with APT I moved to NINA. I'm finding NINA quite good and although quite different to APT I'm comfortable with using it for everything.


To ensure I don't get too comfortable, NINA will drop the connection to the mount at random intervals. I did some research and changed the settings for USB power saving but it hasn't made a difference.



It's the usual EQMOD setup (I have changed cables in case) directly from the mount (NEQ6) to the Laptop, with the latest versions of everything. I've checked the Windows log and also tried my luck on the developers Discord channel but it seems that there was little appetite to help out if it wasn't easy. Given it's free software Í can't complain.


Has anyone had any experience with this?



If I go back to APT I still have to fix another issue ... so I would like to have at least one bit of software working as advertised.

[AdamJL]

Hi Jeff

I haven't had that issue. NINA has been rock solid this end, and all errors have been user induced or down to other bits of software failing (for me).

What specific error messages are you getting? You said you checked the Windows log, but what about NINA's log?

Have you tried different USB ports, and have you also made sure the baud rate is set correctly for that port?

[Wilsil]

Can't help you with this as mine hasn't dropped connection

[xa-coupe]

Thanks Adam. I've attached the screen shot. I have looked at the NINA logs, and increased the logging level but all I can really tell, (using my very very basic understanding of coding) is the program wants to access something that's not there and as a result drops the connection.


On the developer's discord channel I posted the logs but nothing became of it.


What is frustrating is there isn't a sequence leading up to it that I can figure out... it'll go ages without it ( an hour) then suddenly do it 2 times in a row , then 5 mins another .. then longer.


I've tried different ports, EQMOD cables.. pretty well everything a pea brain like me can think of.


I like NINA but I need my sleep :D

[AdamJL]

Okay that's a pretty generic message they give you!

A few things. You mentioned you have tried a few ports. Have you definitely changed the baud rate for the relevant port?

And nothing else is running as well? i.e. you haven't got APT sitting running in the background wanting to connect to the mount?

The intermittent nature to me could also sing out to be a power supply issue. What are you using to power? Even when not slewing, if it's not 12V, things disconnect. I learned this the hard way when I was supplying 11.8V and 11.9V to my mount (and camera) and things were disconnecting.

btw, you can always post those logs again if you didn't get help on Discord. If you get the wrong helper, sometimes it goes nowhere. But when you get a good one, they're very good.

[AnakChan]

What's the length of the cable?

[xa-coupe]

Thanks Adam.


I'm running a 12 AC power supply to a pegasus pocket micro ...which has given me an idea as I have a way to watch the voltage in real time.


I've got nothing I don't need running, just NINA, PHD2 EQMOD and the pegasus software.


I might leave the pegasus software up too and watch the voltage when it disconnects.




edit - 2 disconnects and the voltage and amp draw didn't flinch ... dammit.

[xa-coupe]

standard 1.5 or 2m .. whatever the purpose built cables come in. I never had the issue in APT so there's something lurking in the way NINA works with the power that's or EQMOD that's causing the different behavior on my PC.

[Startrek]

Jeff,
Sorry to hear your connection/ disconnection problems and can’t really help as my capture software APT runs autonomous. The only integration I use with APT is the dither function to PHD2.
For Goto and tracking I use EQMOD and Stellarium ( stand-alone ) which has been flawless for years. I’m happy with its accuracy ( not as sophisticated as plate solving but I’m usually framed up in a minute or two )
I’m sure you will get to the bottom of it.
Just check the baud rate for using NINA to the mount
For EQMOD I have to change baud rate to 115200 when using a USB2 cable to the mount and when using an EQ Direct ( Shoestring ) cable to the mount I change the baud rate in EQMOD to 9600

Good luck with it
Martin

[Sitt]

Check the Error Report in NINA, it should tell you what the issue was

[AdamJL]

Yes the Pegasus is also how I found out about my glitching problem. So that's ruled out for you.

And sorry to bang on about this, but have you set the correct baud rate?
Go into Device Manager, find the port you have connected the mount to (if you disconnect everything, plug the mount in only, and see which port is in use), then right click that port, go to Properties, and on the Port Settings tab, ensure the bits per second is 115200.
Martin mentions he switches, but maybe try using 115200 for now.

Lastly... well check for anti-virus applications :) Turn them off and see if there's a conflict.

Short of that, maybe a complete reinstall of the application. Are you on the Nightlies by the way, or Release, or Beta? I'm using Version 1.10 HF4 BETA001 and it's solid.

[Startrek]

Another item to check is Power Management in USB drivers

How to Check Power Management in USB drivers

Right click Computer
Left click Manage
Double click Device Manager
Double click Universal Serial Bus controllers
Double click 1st USB Root Hub ( USB3 )
Go into Power Management and uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
Open any other additional USB Root Hubs and do the same
Press OK and close all Windows

Cheers
Martin

[xa-coupe]

Thanks for all the input. I did note that the baud rate was low, 9600, so I changed it and the EQMOD settings to 115200 as I've nothing to lose.


Interestingly, I have it all setup in the garage with everything connected doing calibration frames, but with the mount parked, and it hasn't dropped once. I'll clear some space around it and set it loose and see what happens then.

[AdamJL]

That's interesting. Could very well point to the baud rate then, which would be more impactful when tracking.

Good luck, hope that solves it for you!

[xa-coupe]

Will not connect unless it's 9600.

[I.C.D]

Hi Jeff I have EQ6 pro mount and using N.I.N.A ,the first thing is the mount will take 14 to 15 volts and you will find the mount will work better, second what N.I.N.A are you using 64 or 86x 64 is better and connect your mount to same port every time.

[Startrek]

Jeff,
As I mentioned in my post , if your using EQMOD then baud rates are set depending on your type of connection to the mount
USB2 cable from laptop to mount ( baud rate 115200 )
EQ Direct cable ( Shoestring) from laptop to mount ( baud rate 9600)
I have both models of the Skywatcher EQ6-R mount and one uses an EQ direct shoestring cable ( baud rate 9600 ) and the other is a later model which uses a USB2 cable ( baud rate 115200 )
I’ve tried reversing baud rates on both mounts and EQMOD won’t connect ( so the baud rates above are correct )

I don’t know what mount you have but the later Skywatcher mounts with an optional USB2B port connection use a prolific driver to make connection to your laptop and associated software
Make sure your laptop has the latest Skywatcher mount prolific driver ( In Device Manager under USB to Serial Com port , open the Prolific driver properties and there s a button to update driver , as long as your connected to the internet)

Hope the above helps ??

Martin