[xa-coupe (Jeff)]

I've been doing this for a few years now and for the most I've managed to get acceptable guiding, through using software like APT and NINA interfacing with PHD2, and it got even better when I got an ASIAIR. I was able to get 10 minute exposures but generally ran 180-300 seconds for my data collection and got well under one arc second, sometimes down to .2 for most of the night.

Recently (last few months) it's been squirrely and out of nowhere I get a major spike which obviously ruins that particular image. I've checked cables for snags and made sure my balancing is correct and all alignment knobs are tight (from experience!) yet it is still doing it. I forced a recalibration just in case.

Using: ASIAIR
William Optics 32mm Uniguide scope
ZWO120MM mini 3s exposures, default gain
Saxon NEQ6.
Power is supplied from a 12v power adapter.

One 'interesting thing is I aligned the rig last night, did some imaging and had it turn itself off. When I fired it up tonight I had to re-polar align it even though there had been no changes.

I'm hardly an expert but I'm also not a beginner and I've run out of ideas. Googling hasn't netted any usable results.

I'd rather not go back to a computer because a) I paid for the Asiair and it has worked well before, and b) the computer I previously used has lunched itself.

I'm at a bit of a loss and am after suggestions for things to look at.

thanks