Houston we have a problem: STXL USB

[Paul Haese]

Just let me lay out the issue here. Doing a tpoint model with SkyX connecting up scope, camera and dome. Everything is working as it should then 13-18 points down the line the a message pops up and says a USB has malfunctioned or ceased to work blah blah.

Obviously the run continues but produces no pointing data with lots of crosses in the automated run box.

So I check all the connections and each is fine excepting the camera in skyX. I go to take an image and I get a message that an SBIG communication error has occurred.

Now I run the power for the STXL through a mount hub pro and it is powered by a 10 amp regulated power supply. There is also the rotator and Atlas focusor connected to the same hub.

The IP power switch connects everything off and on, but that was in the other observatory and it was connecting the weather station and I noted several times that the weather station would stop working, once I cycled the power off and on it would work again. Without the IP power switch in the weather station has acted flawlessly now for several weeks. Possible cause the problem.

I try connecting after the system has been off for a while and it all connects.

So could this problem be

1) IP power switch dropping out for some reason? I need to get the back up working and on line to test whether this is the problem. Or remove all connections from the IP power switch and just power it up to do a run from mains.

2) Could the STXL USB be the problem? Maybe, but the problem seems intermittent.

3) Could the actual power supply be under volting and causing the actual camera to fail to work properly? Using the camera power supply might give a definitive answer to that.

4) What other possible things could be causing this?

[PRejto (Peter)]

Paul,

I would try #3 first. If the problem goes away you are closer to your answer.

A different idea I might put forward is that there have been times that I've had issues with my camera staying connected in TSX CAO. (Different camera though, but these drivers are relatively new and have not matured perhaps). I had better luck with long T-Point runs by connecting my camera to CCDSoft and then picking "CCDSoft camera" in the CAO. (If you try this be sure to check the box on the setup page in the CAO that tells it not to report on the CCD temp. That function seems to eat up a lot of CPU and can bog thins down quite a lot!)

Also, might it be a USB issue from the way you are piping things through the MX USB hub? I've had better luck keeping my imaging camera on a separate USB cable back to the computer rather than sharing the same cable that is running the mount to TSX. I think TSX gets really busy running T-Point and slewing so having the camera with its own dedicated run might make the issue go away.

Hope you get it solved!

Peter

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Peter for the reply.

I am not going through the USB hub on the mount. Cable is running through the mount. So that is not the problem for sure.

I am thinking it is either the IP power unit or under volting.

Some things to think about though.

[stevous67 (Steve M)]

The STXL is one of the most current hungry CCDs out there. You need to run a relay power bypass to the camera; you cannot run an STXL off a power port on the mount hub pro (been there, experienced that). You need 15amps.

Surprised you got so far. Normally on cool down the power to the CCDs cooling will shut down to avoid damage from under current supply. You see it happening watching the power percentage, first it rises, then falls to zero when current is detected to be insufficient.

I'm guessing you may be experiencing this.

Steve

[Paul Haese]

Not experienced that Steve. However I have gone down the house today and put the power cord for the STXL all the way to the power and try that. I have it loomed and tied down to prevent cable pull. I will try this tonight if the sky clears a bit. Or tomorrow night and then see what happens. If it still happens I know it is not the power supply. I take your point though, the MHP only has a max output of 10amps based on what Dave says at MHP. So if it is 15amps then that might well be the problem.

[stevous67 (Steve M)]

Hmmmm, things can always be a little different for others, but without doubt you need more current for the STXL on cool down than the MHP can provide, especially in the warmer months. Once at temperature, it requires little to maintain temperature.

I've use a relay controlled by the MHP power switch to provide direct power to the camera. It has been totally reliable since.

Good luck Paul.

Steve

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by stevous67

Hmmmm, things can always be a little different for others, but without doubt you need more current for the STXL on cool down than the MHP can provide, especially in the warmer months. Once at temperature, it requires little to maintain temperature.

I've use a relay controlled by the MHP power switch to provide direct power to the camera. It has been totally reliable since.

Good luck Paul.

Steve

Last night I did a remote Tpoint run and I did not get the same problem. Although I did get an SBIG receive image error occasionally. So it seems the MHP was the cause of the malfunction. Are you using one of the switches in the software to provide more direct power? I was using the permanent power.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Im confused, why not use the SBIG supply plugged into one IP switch output, and the rotator/focuser MHP supply on another IP output?.

[Paul Haese]

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Im confused, why not use the SBIG supply plugged into one IP switch output, and the rotator/focuser MHP supply on another IP output?.

Good question Fred. I have both as you suggest now. No drop outs now. so I figure it was the MHP dropping out.