PC control of HEQ5Pro problems

[dunc66]

Hi

I have posted a question on the EQMOD site but am not getting anywhere trying to fix my problem so thought I would try local knowledge.

I have an HEQ5Pro with V.2.05 controller. I have set it up correctly (rough alignment to SCP, PC time, GPS coordinates (Ipswich, QLD)). With the hand controller I appear to be able to consistently move correctly to stars in the Synscan database in indoor trials.

I also have a PC controlling the mount using EQDIR/EQMOD/CdC or Starry Night. I have the correct time in the software and the correct coordinates of the observatory in EQMOD ASCOM. However when I drive the scope with the software it doesn't even get close, eg it points below the horizon for stars clearly above the horizon and when pointing at the position of the sun it points to the ground. 2 weekends lost to trying to work it out.

I have noticed that the LST in EQMOD is 8-9 hours ahead of that determined by the US Naval website for my location. If this is used by the software then I guess this could be the reason for the way-off gotos. I think it is calculated from the local time and the longitude but don't know how it can be wrong.

Both CdC and Starry Night behave the same. I have reinstalled EQMOD without any effect.

I am fairly new to this and am getting very frustrated at not being able to get it working in doors let alone outside.

Any ideas? :shrug:

Thanks

[mswhin63]

I don't have the problems you are experiencing so I suspect there is a configuration issue somewhere.

Make sure CDC GPS and Time setting are correct. on a couple of occasion CdC has gone of and have had to reset to currect time but otherwise no real problem. This issue usually gives the same results as you are experiencing.

How have you connected EQASCOM to the mount or controller?

[dunc66]

Hi

I'm not using a GPS connected to the scope. My post just confirms that I am using the actual coordinates for my site via hand held gps.

The PC is connected directly to the EQ5, via serial EQDIR, not through the hand controller.

Up late last night - still no joy. Will continue today using Sun as obvious target.

Can somebody explain how LST in EQMOD can be different to that for my location as determined by several other sources of information? It must be something to do with my laptop time but it looks ok to me.

Is there anyone in Brisbane/Ipswich region do same a me who is willing to compare laptop settings?

Cheers
Duncan

[Merlin66]

What coordinates are you entering for longtitude?
Sound like either the sign (-145 vs 145) may be wrong?

[dunc66]

EQMOD does not a use - for longitude. It is input as E 152.

My coordinates
S 27 34 20.26
E 152 51 1.1

[Merlin66]

What results do you get - performance wise - when you connect the computer cable directly to the handcontroller (no EQMOD) and use CdC to control the mount?
I use a Keyspan usb>serial direct to the handcontroller for most of my work - CdC for GOTO etc
There's no technical reason I can think of why EQMOD should give different results from CdC.....

[dunc66]

With Starry Night controlling the scope via the RS232 connection to the handset and using the Celestron controller in the software the scope finds the sun.

Moving back to EQMOD/EQDIR/serial it has no idea - pointing west of sun by ~45 degrees and nearly pointing to the horizon and it is nearly noon.

Not sure where this evidence takes me - but it demonstrates that the observatory software and mount time and location are ok as these are independently of EQMOD.

What can be wrong with the EQMOD ASCOM EQDIR interface?

Thank for the assistance by-the-way. :)

PS does your mount still make a small electronic whining noise when it is parked? When the mount is swithced on in park position it is quiet

[Poita]

Is your time-location setup correctly in Windows itself?

[dunc66]

Yes, through the control panel. GMT+10.

Thanks but this was the first thing checked.

[mswhin63]

If possible to do some screen shots of the settings then post them as images. I think I personally to start would like to see the CdC observatory settings and EQASCOM toolbox setting to start.

[dunc66]

Lets hope this works, if not I'll save as image.

[dunc66]

Pasting into window didn't work. Here are attached images of settings to review.

Also, is it possible that I have clicked "sync" somewhere and that this adjustment is persisting even though the software knows where HOME is?

Another bit to puzzle on. The LST in CdC is correct but EQMOD is 5h37m ahead. This has got be a problem??

Thanks

[dunc66]

Going to delete all the EQMOD .ini files and redo setup.

[mswhin63]

Setting look good to me, so as dunc66 said delete .ini file and start again.

I have exactly the same setup and experience no problems.

[mswhin63]

One other thing, are you using RS232/TTL or are you using standard RS232?

[dunc66]

R232/ttl using eqdir module.

[Merlin66]

To answer your earlier question...
When my mount is parked there's no residual noise.

[dunc66]

Thanks
I've put the trouble away for the night. Hopefully someone will have a solution tomorrow, else deleting the .ini files may do the trick.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi
I have an HEQ5 pro with synscan. The mount is sitting on the floor beside me. Version 3.27. This version does not need EQDIR as you can select direct mode from the utilities menu.

However I set up ASCOM and EQMOD as per the the instructions. I did a pseudo align on the mount as instructed and switch to direct mode.

I turned EQMOD on (eqasccom_run.exe) and ran EQTOUR.EXE. The mount connected automatically to the program and the site indicated correcltly as did the LST. I did a number of Gotos to objects in the tour menu without any problem.

Barry

[dunc66]

Yeah, I don't know much about this but I'm pretty sure that if the LST is wrong there is no hope. Getting some help now from the EDMOD forum. Will post solution once found.

[RobF]

It would be interesting to see what your LST is if you connect through Starry Night and ASCOM? You don't have to connect the scope BTW. There is an EQMOD simulator you could probably play with to check the LST values seem reasonable for current site/time.

[dunc66]

Hi Rob

the EQMOD.telescope control panel shows the same wrong LST when using Starry Night, ie the same issue as with CdC.

However since deleting the EQMOD.ini the difference is down from ~5.5 hrs to only ~0.5 hrs LST. Weird.

When I configure either Cdc or SN to use EQMOD.simulator there is NO discrepancy between the LST reported by EQMOD, the map software or the US Naval website.

Duncan

[dunc66]

Problem solved.

The EQMOD setup dialogue shows a two digit place holder for minutes of longitude. However it can hold at least 3; anymore than 2 are hidden. My longitude was 51, 511 was actually entered and stored in the .ini file :screwy: Easily fixed and now everything is good. :D

Thanks for the comments. Back to bed now.:hi:

Duncan

[Poita]

So glad you got it sorted, it had me stumped.

[RobF]

Yep, good news!

[mswhin63]

:thumbsup:

[dunc66]

Thanks to you guys for your help. Sounds like the EQMOD developers will add some checking to the software to prevent this happening to anyone else.

Cheers

Duncan