Connecting the G11 and gemini to a Computer

h0ughy (David) · #1 03-03-2010, 01:35 PM

Ok firstly - i have read the manual

and it is not discussed there (actually there are a lot of things not discussed there), I already have the GPS in the RS232 and when i bought the mount it came with a 50ft serial to rj45 connector that "fits " rather nicely in the FEATURE port of the gemini. My question is can the gemini be controlled through the "FEATURE" port?

I have not tried it yet for fear i will do something to the unit?

JohnG (John) · #2 03-03-2010, 03:49 PM

Ummm, why don't you just take the GPS out of the RS232 port and plug the cable in to where it is supposed to be

, don't see the point in having the GPS connected all the time, once the Gemini is updated it stays current for ages.

I maybe do a GPS update once a month or so or if I am at a different location.

Cheers

leon · #3 03-03-2010, 04:07 PM

Have to agree with John, Houghy, cant really see your point.

leon

h0ughy (David) · #4 03-03-2010, 05:41 PM

the point is/was when i bought this mount the cable came with it, brand new and not undone. it was bought aparently to hook the pc up with the gemini, but when i look at it the only place it could go is the feature area - the plug is not the rs232 size in the middle

[1ponders] (Paul) · #5 03-03-2010, 05:49 PM

This is what I found when looking for info on the Feature Port

The Gemini Feature Port allows hardware designers to add additional functionality to Gemini that can be controlled via the serial connection.

In order to focus using the Gemini, you must have an adapter board accessory connected to the feature port.

(f) PC Control
Gemini can be controlled by a remote computer via an RS232C serial cable. Such control is most often accomplished with planetarium software using the LX200 protocol, the ASCOM standard or with the Gemini Control Center program available online from Daniel Görlich at http://www.DocGoerlich.com/GCC. The serial command set description allows the development of custom software. In addition, Gemini's Feature and Encoder Ports can be used to control user-designed hardware.

Don't know if you've read all that and if its any help

JohnG (John) · #6 03-03-2010, 05:51 PM

In that case the cable is not the correct one, from memory it has an RJ22 plug.

Bassnut (Fred) · #7 03-03-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

Ok firstly - i have read the manual

Yeah, right Dave

.

pg 65,69?

The feature port is for a focuser.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #8 03-03-2010, 06:06 PM

You could probably use that cable in lieu of a normal digital drive hand paddle by plugging it into the hand paddle port and operating it from a virtual handcontroller from your computer. But if you get the right RJ22 to RS232 you can do that from most planetarium programs anyway, or even your autoguiding prog

h0ughy (David) · #9 03-03-2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Yeah, right Dave

.

pg 65,69?

The feature port is for a focuser.

well thats what was confusing the hell out of me Fred, i did read that, but then the cable which was supposed to be the controlling one for the mount had those connections. hey it never hurts to ask and show your ignorance

and here is me thinking that there was some functionality that software unlocked by using this port

So now i will be after another cable to connect the PC to the mount, and can you use a double adapter to keep the GPS on there (oK i am slightly possessed)

h0ughy (David) · #10 03-03-2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

You could probably use that cable in lieu of a normal digital drive hand paddle by plugging it into the hand paddle port and operating it from a virtual handcontroller from your computer. But if you get the right RJ22 to RS232 you can do that from most planetarium programs anyway, or even your autoguiding prog

maybe thats what is was for?

so must look for a correct cable now so i can order tonight or tomorrow and get friday.....

Bassnut (Fred) · #11 03-03-2010, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

So now i will be after another cable to connect the PC to the mount, and can you use a double adapter to keep the GPS on there (oK i am slightly possessed)

Gaud, um NOPE, its one or the other unforch, dont try a double adaptor Dave, smoke

h0ughy (David) · #12 03-03-2010, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassnut

Gaud, um NOPE, its one or the other unforch, dont try a double adaptor Dave, smoke

nah didnt wanna hear that Fred

LOL could have done that with a real scope like a meade

(now i know that did work

). was kidding about the real scope part

Bassnut (Fred) · #13 03-03-2010, 08:03 PM

Whaaa..... Meades are real.........man

, and, they have a GPS without chewing up the serial port

.

Really, you dont need the GPS on the G11 every night, no drama. Once you get used to Gemini, youll love it.

tlgerdes (Trevor) · #14 03-03-2010, 08:25 PM

I thought the instructions for the GPS says to plug it in, sync, then remove and restart the mount.

Barrykgerdes · #15 04-03-2010, 07:37 AM

I just had a quick read through the manual and while it is inferred that the GPS unit is only required at startup I could not find any direct reference to say it needs to be disconnected if the serial port is required for computer control. The nearest I could find was connecting a "PC or GPS unit". However it is quite satisfactory to remove the GPS cable once the Gemini is synchronised. The Gemini will retain this data while ever the battery back up is working in the Gemini.

There are two fully functional RS 232 ports on the Gemini one via the RJ22 socket and one through the DB15 connector that is normally connected to the hand controller. If you don't use the handcontroller this port is available.

When I got my (now in Trevor's possession) G11 I just set it up on the floor beside the computer and played with it while checking some specifics in the Manual.

I wasn't very impressed with the GCC program at first so I wrote my own. In doing this I got a better insight into the GCC and now Trevor uses the GCC all the time during set up.

Barry

Exfso (Peter) · #16 04-03-2010, 02:02 PM

You might want to try these groups, there is a fountain of information there.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini_Users/

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Losmandy_users/

Cheers

Peter

h0ughy (David) · #17 04-03-2010, 02:14 PM

thanks ,

seeing as though i am pretty useless i bought another connection from bintel today

Grahame (Grahame) · #18 04-03-2010, 04:41 PM

Hi guys,

quote from losmandy.com

"Plug large connect in to the Gemini feature port and the small connect in to the Gemini RS-232 port.
Make sure that the GPS unit is away from the mount.
Turn on the Gemini, wait 3 to 5 minutes.
Turn off the Gemini, wait 15 seconds and then turn on the Gemini.
All information will be downloaded into the Gemini unit.
Unplug the Garmin GPS unit. You can do this with out turning off the Gemini."

the feature port provides power to the GPS unit and the data from it is 4800bps, no parity,8,1 format received through the RS232 port.

Once the above procedure has been completed the unit is unplugged and PC control cable plugged in.

works every time

Grahame.

h0ughy (David) · #19 04-03-2010, 08:50 PM

Grahame,

i have the starGPS unit where it uses the extra power from the extra din plug and connects to the rs232 port, not the garmin one.

Grahame (Grahame) · #20 04-03-2010, 09:38 PM

hughy,

Irrespective of where power comes from, the gemini will do it's SRAM/RTC updates when turned on using a standard GPS NMEA output coming from the GPS to the rs232 port. Thats all it needs for your session as at this point I will unplug the GPS and connect the computer for the rest of the night

Grahame