G11 Gemini - Issues with ASCOM and Alignmaster

Logieberra (Logan) · #1 01-06-2011, 10:38 AM

Guys

I'm having a shocking time trying to get my G11 G2, GeminiTelescopeControl and Alignmaster to play nice.

They worked fine until I reinstalled windows a few days ago

I get all sorts of strange errors that I've never seen before. Please help, it's driving me nuts!

My procedure is as follows:

- power on G2, starting at CWD position, and connected to mount via USB.

- open Alignmaster, update with accurate GPS coordinates, right time zone (+10) and then I select GeminiTelescopeControl and go into advance setttings.

- I change the timezone and GPS coordinates within Gemini / ASCOM, for some reason the details / site are never saved, I make sure it's set on the right time zone and elevation etc (I don't know what difference 'set time' and 'set other details on connect' does).

- I then go back into Alignmaster, select a suitable pair eg Acrux and Hadar, and press Goto for Acrus. Then an error comes up - something about 'invalid declination, something something'.

- Then I try another set of stars, only this time the unit slews but stops mid point b/c of safety limits (you know the sudden stop / sound), but it's no where close to my programmed limits!

It's sort of like Gemini is confused as to where the mount is pointing, or where CWG is or isn't, or as though I'm in the wrong timezone or something!

Please help if you have any experience with these errors...

TrevorW · #2 01-06-2011, 10:50 AM

Make sure everything set on the mount by the HC first

I've run Alignmaster through ethernet, USB and have now reverted back to a RS232-rj12 connected via Rs232to USB converter and all working fine at moment

multiweb (Marc) · #3 01-06-2011, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logieberra

for some reason the details / site are never saved, I make sure it's set on the right time zone and elevation etc ...

Right there you have your first problem. I don't know about the G2 but the G1 has a lithium 3V battery like a CMOS battery in a PC box. Make sure it is working if there's one in the unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logieberra

the unit slews but stops mid point b/c of safety limits (you know the sudden stop / sound), but it's no where close to my programmed limits! ...

The mount thinks it's running into safety limits. This means the initial parameters at CWD are not saved/set correctly. Location, time etc... That again points to the first issue above.

That should get you started.

allan gould · #4 01-06-2011, 11:54 PM

Hate that 3 volt battery as it always dies unexpectedly throwing up some of the weirdest errors.

leinad (Dan) · #5 02-06-2011, 02:01 AM

Yep best setup start routine, make sure you set your mount site parameters properly via software uploaded or via the HC before running Alignmaster as Trevor mentioned.

I have the G1 but I think that Alignmaster doesnt read the Gemini site parameters and uses it's own that you can manually enter or read from GPS. It just issues slew commands via the driver. I use Gemini Telescope .net.

Can you use Gemini.net software with the G2?

Weird if its the battery since your re-install.. though sometimes s--- happens.

Logieberra (Logan) · #6 02-06-2011, 12:22 PM

Allan... you may have diagnosed this one.

I used my voltmeter on the internal 3V battery, it read: 2.85v

I called local battery places and asked about the resting voltage of these. They said it's stuffed. Strange... as I took delivery of the mount in March / April of this year!

And thx for the other details guys, will try out all your suggestions!

Logie!

tlgerdes (Trevor) · #7 02-06-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logieberra

Allan... you may have diagnosed this one.

I used my voltmeter on the internal 3V battery, it read: 2.85v

I called local battery places and asked about the resting voltage of these. They said it's stuffed. Strange... as I took delivery of the mount in March / April of this year!

And thx for the other details guys, will try out all your suggestions!

Logie!

Why does Allan get the recognition?

It should be Marc you are thanking

The Marc boy, he is a genius.

mithrandir (Andrew) · #8 02-06-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logieberra

Allan... you may have diagnosed this one.

I used my voltmeter on the internal 3V battery, it read: 2.85v

Anything less than 3V means it's time to change the battery.

Logieberra (Logan) · #9 02-06-2011, 06:17 PM

hahaha, sorry guys, Mark - you're the champion, sorry Allan - silver medal for you...

been crazy at work since I posted this issue... speed reading a post is dangerous

new battery - here I come!

Cheers guys.

Logie

Logieberra (Logan) · #10 03-06-2011, 11:09 AM

Guys, perfect, bloody perfect

Installed new 3V battery, cost me $7.00

No probs, site details stored in Gemini, and Alignmaster is my friend again...

But another issue has arisen - guider commands are not making it to Gemini:

- I am trying to setup my guider (60mm refractor with Star Shot Autoguider / AKA QHY5), Maxim DL5. I have bumped the timing settings way up to the max, 60 I think, but I still see no star movement, and minimal star movement in the statistics - with 'star moved less than 5 pixels' error each time.

- Likewise with PHD guiding, same setup, I bumped up the timing from 750, to 1200 to 5000 and nothing, not enough movement on the axises (it tries to calibrate West for 60+ movements and then the error comes up).

Q's:

- how can I check if commands are making it to the mount via the telephone cable to guider port? Could be a bad cable... I have spares lying around, but they are the white Telstra ones, same deal?

- do I have to have ASCOM / Geminitelecopecontrol up and running for the commands to work? I may have shut down Alignmaster now that I think of it, and Gemini control panel may have closed... or should the system work by simply plugging the phone cable into the guider port of the G2 unit?

I'm using the latest drivers for all software, the guider camera is taking pics and linking with PHD and Maxim capture screen for focusing etc, the issue is with camera to mount. And I have used these systems successfully in the past... which is the strange thing...

Probably an easy fix, but it's got me stumped.

Logie

Logieberra (Logan) · #11 03-06-2011, 12:33 PM

I did a bit of research, and came across these possible fixes. Pls let me know if there are some that I have missed:

- check that siderial tracking rate is on!
- corroded / faulty ST4 cable, or not fully plugged in!
- check if PHD and camera talking to the mount, via 'on-camera' ST4 (go into tools, manual guide and move scope!)
- tracking speed... not sure where to change this... or what it should be...

I'm confident that these will solve it... I spent 2hrs painful hours trying to guide last night!

TrevorW · #12 06-06-2011, 09:13 PM

Set it to Guide on the HC

Logieberra (Logan) · #13 06-06-2011, 11:33 PM

Trev, I got PHD up and running, but now Alignmaster won't work!

So do I slew to an object, but make sure it's back on guide setting on the HC when I'm done?

Believe me guys, I'm not too dumb... take a look in the Gemini G2 yahoo forum... this is not fun

TrevorW · #14 07-06-2011, 08:50 AM

Yeah thats what I do, they talk about all these other rates such as king, photo etc but KISS is my motto so I do what is intuitive ie: if it's set to guide it should in theory be sideral tracking rate which is what you'd want for guiding anyhow as PHD corrects guiding errors, seems logical to me

Logieberra (Logan) · #15 07-06-2011, 09:31 AM

Gave it a try, no luck.

Using: sidereal, photo, and guide on the HC!

Are you aligning first via the HC, only setting I input into HC is Cold Start CWD. Everything else via ASCOM...

P.S. running latest software, downloaded on weekend... may need to revert back somehow...

TrevorW · #16 07-06-2011, 03:19 PM

I aligned 1 star with the HC then used alignmaster

then used Stelerium scope to do my goto

then HC to centre

PHD on camera as you would if using an EQ6

all capture was done with Maxim

use a RS232 to Rj12 connector with USB converter so basically same as setting up an eq6

haven't yet tried the latest beta firmware

the mount stays in guide mode

Logieberra (Logan) · #17 08-06-2011, 01:09 PM

Looks like there is a new version of GeminiTelescopeControl... from the Gemine-2 website... version x.x.x.x.19 or something. Will give that a try.

I have no answers from the Gemini 2 Yahoo forum either...

At this stage - I'm going to try your RS232 to USB method. The wiring diagrams were confusing at first, but I think I've got it now.

Trevor - what jumpers did you move / take out to get it working?

Cheers.

TrevorW · #18 08-06-2011, 01:30 PM

Did it straight from the drawings on the Gemini Yahoo site

as in mode 1 and 2 for the db9 connector

it'll either work or won't if not then try the reverse on the crimp end

the new Gemini Beta software I've tested with the RS232/USB connector and ethernet both seem to be working OK yet to field test though