Gemini - the mission, the mount and my problems

h0ughy (David) · #1 20-02-2007, 10:03 PM

Well, I really bit into this one. After using a Meade hand paddle for 7 years, and then a eq6 synscan this controller is not easy.

I need to confirm (the manual is hopeless for me as descriptions virtually mean nothing to me I rather diagrams) the connection of the leads for the motors to the Gemini system. I performed the operation today for the v4 upgrade, that was OK. But the lead connections are a bother to me just in case I have stuffed things up.

So 1 - can someone show me an image of the correct cable connection to the motor drives.
2 - does anyone have a menu table of the hand controller and how to use the hand paddle?

3 a Gemini for dummies manual..............

JohnG (John) · #2 20-02-2007, 10:19 PM

OK hOughy

Question, do you have the round DIN plugs or the RJ45 plugs.

With the round DIN plugs, there are marked RA and DEC on the controller, just lead them to the respective motors, one cable is shorter than the other so it is obvious which one goes where.

With the Hand controller, just use the manual and have a practice indoors, it does take some getting used to.

There used to be a Gemini Quick Start Guide on the Gemini site, failing that, if you are a member of the Gemini Forum, they have plenty of documents in their Archives.

I have sent you a PM as well.

Cheers

JohnG

leon · #3 20-02-2007, 10:20 PM

Gee Houghy, i hope the new one for me which is on the way comes with a manual, now you have scared me.

Cheers leon

JohnG (John) · #4 20-02-2007, 10:23 PM

Leon

They dont come with a Manual, you have to download it. My suggestion is to download it and start having a read now, it is a steep learning curve.

http://www.docgoerlich.com/

Cheers

JohnG

h0ughy (David) · #5 20-02-2007, 10:33 PM

steep is an understatement. John, I have round plugs, and the handcontroller button pad is connected via a serial type connection.

JohnG (John) · #6 20-02-2007, 10:44 PM

Thanks David, I wanted to make sure it was a late version of the Gemini, the early ones had the RJ45 plugs.

The Hand Controller cable should have a large LPT like serial attachment and is attached to the side of the control unit. Please dont bend it too much, that is usually the source of most of the problems.

Did the previous owner indicate how long the Cr 2032 battery has been in the unit.

How are you going to power the Gemini, it draws close to 3 amps when it is slewing.

Yes, your fun has just begun.

Cheers

JohnG

leon · #7 20-02-2007, 11:27 PM

Oh dear, this is going to be fun, thanks John.

Cheers Leon

Lee · #8 21-02-2007, 08:27 AM

The manual does have it all, and you do need to read big sections of it..... I have a good quick start quide that came with mine that you can use if you like - makes things easier.
Then learn to drift align with it.
It does get easier - on my first two nights I couldn't even get it aligned within 3 hours!

JohnG (John) · #9 21-02-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon

Oh dear, this is going to be fun, thanks John.

Cheers Leon

Thats what we are here for Leon, we will try ang quide you through the pitfalls, once you get the hang of it it is quite easy and intuitive.

Cheers

JohnG

rogerg (Roger) · #10 21-02-2007, 10:20 AM

Hmm.. yeah, it's not the most user friendly system, especially when first getting used to it. Why they don't use more than one line of LCD screen is beyond me, it's not hard to have 4 these days.

Having got used to mine now, I love it. Easy to use and only takes a couple of buttons to operate. But it takes a bit of learning. I just had to read sections of the manual as I needed to find out more.

Big tip is to give it lots of juice. Not 12v, go for 15 or 16v. Anything up to 18v I think is the limit.

And replacing the CR2032 internal battery before it getting flat causes you problems isn't a bad suggestion.

Back to the menu system... just remember you can hold down the menu key to access the quick shortcut stuff. Keep holding it down and it cycles through most common items. Also be aware the menu system is context sensitive. That is, at start up it'll take you to align etc, then once aligned different alignment options will be available, etc. That takes a little getting used to as menu options appear and disappear, and change sequence, but it does save button pushes in the long run.

Roger.

allan gould · #11 21-02-2007, 10:32 AM

Love my gemini, but you must read and re-read the manual. If you have the PAS then you will be close to polar aligned if you use it as its one of the best on the market. Change the 3 volt battery and always have a spare one. Get as much juice to it as possible as you will have motor stalls with just adequate power.
Try the two polar alignment routines in it as they will relly nail your alignment and finally read and re-read the step by step procedure for aligning on stars. It always trips up new users and frustrates the #&^$^$ out of you until you get it right. The PE and model building are brilliant in V4.
Have fun? and remember its an inanimate object but it does have a soul.
I almost forgot......the handset sucks - they should redesign it.
Allan

Striker (Tony) · #12 21-02-2007, 12:38 PM

Yes the Gemini is harder to use then the skyscan but it only looks that way...once you get the process right I found it just as easy as the skyscan..specialy when you have it set up permanantly.

h0ughy (David) · #13 21-02-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker

Yes the Gemini is harder to use then the skyscan but it only looks that way...once you get the process right I found it just as easy as the skyscan..specialy when you have it set up permanantly.

yeah working on that permanent bit??

rsbfoto · #14 22-02-2007, 09:17 AM

[quote=rogerg;195696] ...

And replacing the CR2032 internal battery before it getting flat causes you problems isn't a bad suggestion.

...quote]

Hi,

The new Gemini GoTo do come with a Battery which is a CR2354 and they are sometimes really hard to find.

I would recommend to start searching for those batteries.

I was able to get some at a watch repair shop and each battery cost me about US $ 11.00 here in Mexico.

If you do not find them then you can still use a CR2032 but then you will have to add a washer

into the battery compartment, because the CR2354 is thicker by about 2.2mm

. The smaller diameter of the CR2032 is no problem.

CR2032 = 20mm in diameter and 3.2mm thick

CR2354 = 23mm in diameter and 5.4mm thick

They changed the battery size about 2 years ago because of the many complaints about the capacity of the CR2032.

rogerg (Roger) · #15 22-02-2007, 10:02 AM

I had the CR2354 in mine, replaced it with a CR2032 no problem (and no washer). The clip is so strong in mine there's really no need for the washer. It's very hard to get the battery out because of the clip being so tightly sprung.

Roger.

h0ughy (David) · #16 22-02-2007, 11:15 AM

2032 in the one I have

JohnG (John) · #17 22-02-2007, 12:32 PM

Thought it might have been a 2032.

Have you had a go with the menu system yet?

Cheers

JohnG

h0ughy (David) · #18 22-02-2007, 12:55 PM

Mr Mayo (photoncollector) gave me a crash course last night on the menu system - wow there is some depth there, and I probably wouldn't have sucessfully worked out the slewing thattakes some getting used to.

Geoff45 (Geoff) · #19 22-02-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsbfoto

The new Gemini GoTo do come with a Battery which is a CR2354 and they are sometimes really hard to find.

I would recommend to start searching for those batteries.

There seem to be a few online places you can get them if you google CR2354, eg
http://www.rs-components.com.au/1/index385.html

Jaycar sells the 2032

Geoff

h0ughy (David) · #20 22-02-2007, 01:39 PM

Geoff, rsbfoto is in mexico?