Mount Issues - iOptron CEM26

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Morning All;
Ever have one of those nights when you think…. “What the…?”
Last night I thought to get some data on the Jewel Box (NGC4755). Setup was good, seeing good, and I was trying to get some images before the moon washed everything out. Selected the target, told the mount to slew…and it pointed almost in the opposite direction to where it should have! As near as I could judge, it was pointing up exactly 180 degrees from where it should.
Hmmm…
I started with the basics. GPS coordinates were spot on, and those displayed in the handset matched those in the software. Time, date, etc. all good, and I’ve got the latest versions of the software. I closed everything down, turned everything off, got everything up and running again – with the same result.
I think it was Albert Einstein who said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. So I closed everything down, cleared the caches, shut the laptop off and waited about 15 minutes before getting up and running again. You guessed it, same result.
The mount is a little iOptron CEM26, running though the iOptron Commander software. Mount was level, balanced, etc., and I’ve never had this issue before. Laptop was the same one I’ve always used, and with all the usual updates. I couldn’t find any software conflicts.
For what it’s worth, other equipment was a WO Flourostar 91 (with thanks to Leo G for helping me to solve the backfocus issue) with ASI 183MC, WO Uniguide scope with ASI 120MM. All gear that I’ve run before with no conflict or issues.
Any hints, tips, or suggestions?

EDIT: Forgot to add that I'd checked the GPS co-ords on a separate device to make sure the mount knew where it was.

[Leo.G (Leo)]

I've had that with my mount when I forget to update the year in the time and date setting but you checked that.

Could it possibly be a faulty cable, corroded contacts?

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Cheers mate, but cables were one of the things I checked to make sure everything was sitting in tight.
Also made sure that the daylight saving / southern hemisphere settings were correct. Which is why it's got me scratching my head...
I'll have a look at the contacts, but I don't think there's any issues there. Thanks!

[Leo.G (Leo)]

My issue with a Skywatcher mount was I double checked the date but forgot to change the 2 digits for the year. That one had me scratching my head till my son checked. Stuff just isn't where it was today last year.
A good pair of reading glasses would have rectified my problem but you've mentioned you've checked the date.


Sorry Warren, I can NOT find any information relating to your issue online and I've spent hours searching the internet (no life, not a waste of time to help someone).
Could it be more a cable not seated correctly issue?
I know that sounds weird but I have done it myself, wondered why stuff isn't working only to find a cable not correctly plugged in (or fully).
I'll keep searching, you never know what may turn up.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Hi Folks;


Just FYI...


After a bit of back and forth and running some tests for the iOptron 'techs (who were quick to respond) the issue turned out to be a Firmware crash. Rare but not unheard of. I followed some instructions and links sent by iOptron to update the Firmware, and all is now good.

[Leo.G (Leo)]

I'm glad you got it all sorted mate!