EQDIR not working

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

Gday Malcolm

Not if it was really a USB2EQ6 cable as he noted.
( Hence why i asked re nomenclature used to describe what it really was )
The proper USB2EQ6 cable for an EQ6Pro "looks" just like a std USB2serial adapter, ( both physically, and as a USB2Ser converter in device mangler ) but the DB9 is wired differently, ie as well as converting to TTL data, it also has the Tx Rx and ground wires remapped to suit the DB9 port on the mount.
If the EQDIR module is expecting data on the std PC mappings for a DB9 COM port, it wont get data if plugged into a USB2EQ6 cable.
Be interesting to see what maps to what in that case.

Andrew

Yeah I saw the original post, although it look different than I first thought mainly because I saw reference to a generic driver. Anyway USB-EQ6 cable should already be mapped for the right pin-outs. I am sort of going to give up seeing that he has it working. Need to clear the mind of confusion!

[RobF (Rob)]

The older Shoestring EQDIR units HAD to have a USB/Serial convertor between the PC and the EQDIR, so it all max sense.

Glad to hear you're in business Max.
You'll have to get into EQMOD next - absolutely fantastic piece of software.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Rob

The older Shoestring EQDIR units HAD to have a USB/Serial convertor

Still do if i read it correctly.
Assuming the OP has it working now, thats great,
but if he does have a real USB2EQ6 cable,
he doesnt need the new USB2Ser adapter + EQDIR module
ie i was musing as to why(if) he had both???
Also, if he is not going to use the neater USB2EQ6 cable, he needs to mark it clearly so it doesnt get used as a std USB2Ser adapter in the future.
A true USB2EQ6 cable can only ever be used on an EQ6 head
( unless you cut off/repurpose the DB9 ).

Andrew

[NorthernLight (Max)]

Hi Andrew,

I actually introduced an error by stating that I was using an USB2EQ6 Interface Cable whilst in fact I was using a standard USB-Serial cable plus the EQDIR module. I copy pasted that info from the Shoestring website because it looked like what I have

Just in case that somebody stumbles over this post whilst searching about Stellarium telescope control:

Stellarium actually does not need the EQDIR module (in fact, it wont work with it!) rather, it connects via USB Port-USB to Serial Adpater-Serial to Handcontrol (SynScan) PC port and the hand controller being plugged into the mount. I googled a long time for some clear instruction and only learned about this solution in a related post.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Max

I actually introduced an error by stating that I was using an USB2EQ6 Interface Cable whilst in fact I was using a standard USB-Serial cable plus the EQDIR module. I copy pasted that info from the Shoestring website because it looked like what I have

No probs then.
It just makes me nervous when i see posts that specifically name cables that dont appear correct.
Seen too many posts where people plug stuff in not realising that the wiring or voltages used are not correct, but it "looks the same"
Meades rs232 vs Aux ports is a classic for this problem.
Lots of magic smoke has been produced over the years

Andrew

[RobF (Rob)]

Agreed - any misunderstandings leading to smoke are BAD

You should still get hold of EQMOD Max, especially if you haven't had a chance to see it in action before?

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

Just converted a dontronics ttl232 cable (5v) by application of a db9 end .
Worked fine.
Theres only 4 connections tx, rx and 2 ground conns.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Rob

You should still get hold of EQMOD Max, especially if you haven't had a chance to see it in action before?

Whats EQMOD "Max" ?????
I have played with EQMOD, but it is too limited for what i want to do at present, so i do my own low level commands, bypassing the closed DLL that EQMOD is based on.
Much more fun to use the newer commands available manually

Andrew

[RobF (Rob)]

Alas, its not a super EQMOD. Just poor grammar in a sentence that was directed at the OP.

Would be interested to hear what you're up to Andrew?
I have played with writing VB.NET scripts for issuing ASCOM commands for positions and polar alignment before, but PHD2 now has such a great PA tool have stopped using my own code.

[AndrewJ]

Gday Rob

Would be interested to hear what you're up to Andrew?

I wanted to be able to manually control my mount so i could do small slews too and fro across a target and read the encoder/microstep counts, so i could see what the lash is like etc.
The EQMod + EQASCOM wrappers hide all the commands and always resume tracking on gotos etc.
It all got too hard, so i have been learning how the low level commands work and then use them directly to control my mount.
Ie no EQMod or EQASCOM.
It has no "celestial" goto ability etc , its just for doing diagnostic work when tweaking the mount.

Andrew

[RobF (Rob)]

Wow. Hats off. Be interested to hear if it helps with diagnostics.

[NorthernLight (Max)]

Update:

I got Ascom going, got EQMOD going, got Stellarium to interface with EQMOD via Stellarium Scope, PHD 2 connected to Backyard EOS and the latter with Astrotortilla and it all works on the dry dock (dinner table), not even the USB hub gave me grief=very happy camper here I hope the night will be steady and clear so I can test it under the stars!

[RobF (Rob)]

Good news Max. You should be able to do some serious navigating now