Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Mike,
Any update on measuring your ALT backlash?
Richard
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Hi Gene,
that's a great method, thanks.? I will try and give it a go(to)!
Cheers,
Mike
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Gene
That's a good one.
Jim
Get
Mike, I have a UC 22, and I use Sky Safari Pro 7 and SkyFi wireless telescope controller from SimulationCurriculum.com.? Using various clamps, I clamp my iPhone to the secondary ring, and aim it parallel to the trusses and bring up Sky Safari on my phone and I can 'see the sky' in my garage during the day!? I can do a two star alignment and then use the goto functions to drive the scope.?? Gene
On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 7:43?AM Mike Greenhill-Hooper via <sally.greenhill= [email protected]> wrote: Hi Richard,
thank you for your suggestions.? I will perform the encoder test you suggested.? I had assumed that backlash could only be compensated for via the configuration program. I am wondering where the setscrews you refer to are on the Alt drive motor - are they external?
I am relieved to think that the Alt wiring and encoders are probably working fine.
I guess it is not possible to perform a goto in daylight without having previously aligned the scope, just to see if any changes have worked to solve the problem?
Kind regards,
Mike
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Mike, I have a UC 22, and I use Sky Safari Pro 7 and SkyFi wireless telescope controller from SimulationCurriculum.com.? Using various clamps, I clamp my iPhone to the secondary ring, and aim it parallel to the trusses and bring up Sky Safari on my phone and I can 'see the sky' in my garage during the day!? I can do a two star alignment and then use the goto functions to drive the scope.?? Gene On Mon, Mar 25, 2024 at 7:43?AM Mike Greenhill-Hooper via <sally.greenhill= [email protected]> wrote:
Hi Richard,
thank you for your suggestions.? I will perform the encoder test you suggested.? I had assumed that backlash could only be compensated for via the configuration program. I am wondering where the setscrews you refer to are on the Alt drive motor - are they external?
I am relieved to think that the Alt wiring and encoders are probably working fine.
I guess it is not possible to perform a goto in daylight without having previously aligned the scope, just to see if any changes have worked to solve the problem?
Kind regards,
Mike
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Hi,
thank you, another helpful suggestion.
Regards,
Mike
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
When I first got my 22"UC, I had a similar issue. My converter was also a 12v 3 amp. I borrowed a friend's 6am converter and it worked leading me to replace the 12v 3amp with a 6 amp. I believe the SC draws more when first slewing.
Al
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Hi Richard,
thank you for your suggestions.? I will perform the encoder test you suggested.? I had assumed that backlash could only be compensated for via the configuration program. I am wondering where the setscrews you refer to are on the Alt drive motor - are they external?
I am relieved to think that the Alt wiring and encoders are probably working fine.
I guess it is not possible to perform a goto in daylight without having previously aligned the scope, just to see if any changes have worked to solve the problem?
Kind regards,
Mike
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Hi Bill,
ok that sounds like a possible cause.? At present the parameters entered via the ServoCAT configuration program and .dat file I last used are Altitude Axis limit = 60, Altitude backlash = 2. I will try increasing the Axis limit and keep an eye on the green slew light.
Kind regards,
Mike
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Hi Frederic,
thank you for your suggestions.
Kind regards,
Mike
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Mike,
I have the exact same issue using my UC18 and I am using Stellarium remotely.? The goto gives up close to the target and will reach the target on additional gotos.? The issue I have been fighting is ALT backlash.? ?I have lots of backlash (about 1.5 degrees) in ALT. The good news is that your ALT encoder and wiring is fine because you do finally reach the target.??
1.? Please go to the AN encoder test and see if you can measure your Alt backlash by changing directions up then down exclusively using the handpad.? Your Alt motor will spin without moving the scope until the ALT backlash is overcome.
2.? Do a spiral search and notice the accuracy of the "spiral" shape.? With Alt backlash you will see highly distorted spirals.
I have 4 setscrews in the Alt drive system.? Most of my backlash is in 2 of the 4 setscrews and I will eventually reduce that further.
My "dream" redesign of the Alt drive is a direct drive ALT system with no set screws.?
I am thinking of a split spool that clamps the motor shaft and fits under the VMB.
Richard
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Hi Mike:
Please read Section 7.2 Software Current Limit for ALT over-travel prevention - "Axis Limit"?of the ServoCAT Manual.
You may need to increase the altitude "Axis Limit" a bit.
BC
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Hi Mike, I never had the exact same problem but I would check all the altitude chain both mechanically and electrically, the connectors in and out several times, the way the altitude encoder is fixed, centered. Maybe the difference between day and night is linked to the temperature drop at night. I recommend to have a look at the tutorial of Scott Tannehill to confirm that your altitude encoder is well centered too. Another thing to check is the tension on the altitude cable. Good luck Fr¨¦d¨¦ric?
|
Re: Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Mike, ? I¡¯ve not seen that issue myself.?? Unless someone else has a suggestion you should contact the new owner of Servocat ? Jim Utah ? ? ? ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Mike Greenhill-Hooper via groups.io Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2024 7:56 AM To: [email protected]Subject: [ObsessionUsers] Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command ? Hi, I have owned a Classic 20" f/4 Obsession with Argo Navis and ServoCat since 2020 an have not encountered any problems until recently.? Now after 2 star alignment, selecting an object, and pressing GOTO on the hand controller the scope slews first in the azimuth direction normally, but when it tries to slew in altitude it gets part of the way there then stops short of the object.? If I press GOTO it resumes movement in altitude but again stops short.? If I repeat the GOTO command several times it eventually reaches the object and I hear the beep beep sound.? In daylight I can perform jogs in the altitude direction without any problem, the altitude cable is not slipping when engaged and the motor running and the mirror box is well positioned and not obviously encountering excessive friction. The scope is reasonably well balanced.? I did clean the teflon strips on which the mirror box rotates with soapy water a while ago, but the problem is more recent then that. I use mains power via an AC-DC converter (12v, 3A) and have never had a problem with this.? When jogging the drawn current reaches about 1A.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem might be, please?
Regards, Mike Greenhill-Hooper
|
Altitude slewing intermittent with GOTO command
Hi, I have owned a Classic 20" f/4 Obsession with Argo Navis and ServoCat since 2020 an have not encountered any problems until recently.? Now after 2 star alignment, selecting an object, and pressing GOTO on the hand controller the scope slews first in the azimuth direction normally, but when it tries to slew in altitude it gets part of the way there then stops short of the object.? If I press GOTO it resumes movement in altitude but again stops short.? If I repeat the GOTO command several times it eventually reaches the object and I hear the beep beep sound.? In daylight I can perform jogs in the altitude direction without any problem, the altitude cable is not slipping when engaged and the motor running and the mirror box is well positioned and not obviously encountering excessive friction. The scope is reasonably well balanced.? I did clean the teflon strips on which the mirror box rotates with soapy water a while ago, but the problem is more recent then that. I use mains power via an AC-DC converter (12v, 3A) and have never had a problem with this.? When jogging the drawn current reaches about 1A.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the problem might be, please?
Regards, Mike Greenhill-Hooper
|
NGC2903 was an OOTW at DeepSkyForum back in 2017. Here's the post.?
http://www.deepskyforum.com/showthread.php?1000-Object-of-the-Week-March-19-2017-NGC-2903
-Dragan
www.quantumvigilance.com www.deepskyforum.com
Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse any typos.?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
-------- Original message -------- From: Richard <rmille64@...> Date: 3/16/24 3:29 PM (GMT-06:00) Subject: [ObsessionUsers] NGC 2903 galaxy
NGC 2903 is one of my favorite galaxies because of all the details. I used Pixinsight (purchased software) with 3 of the RC Astro plugins to post process this image.? 10 stacks of 20 second exposure (200 seconds) is all it took with my UC18 and DS10cTEC to capture this image. The Mallincam DS10cTEC fits in the eyepiece holder and the free software aligns each sub and derotates then stacks into your final image. ServoCAT tracks the deep sky object for me.  Richard
|
NGC 2903 is one of my favorite galaxies because of all the details. I used Pixinsight (purchased software) with 3 of the RC Astro plugins to post process this image.? 10 stacks of 20 second exposure (200 seconds) is all it took with my UC18 and DS10cTEC to capture this image. The Mallincam DS10cTEC fits in the eyepiece holder and the free software aligns each sub and derotates then stacks into your final image. ServoCAT tracks the deep sky object for me.  Richard
|
The Bubble Nebula with Pixinsight post processing (latest updates to PI)
All, Our Obsession telescopes when combined with the LeNhance filter, the tracking system of ServoCAT, and a Mallincam Video Cameras make astrophotography more than just possible. And our large mirrors only require a brief time for dim objects.? I often see astrophotographers taking hours and hours of capture time.? This image required a whopping 200 seconds.? The Mallincam video camera does an alignment of each frame during stacking so the "fault tolerance" of the camera enables DOBs to participate in astrophotography AND EAA (electronically assisted astronomy). Here is the Bubble Nebula from December post processed with Pixinsight (they recently updated and enhanced the software) taken with my UC18 and a Mallincam DS10cTEC.? I also remotely control my telescope system with Stellarium wirelessly from inside my house.  Richard
|
Re: NGC 3628 from 200 seconds UC18 + DS10cTEC--Galaxy season is my favorite season.
Steve,
Yes. Average and stacking significantly lowers noise.? I have not used dithering, but I believe you can use them together.
I have no need for a guide camera due to the great Mallincam Sky software.
The Mallincam SkyRaider family of cameras come with free software (Mallincam Sky) that offers 2 types of stacking and 2 types of implementations.
Deep Sky Stacking and?Planetary Stacking
Average or Additive?
If you have enough stars and enough contrast you can use the Deep Sky stacking which actually de-rotates the image.
If you use "Average" then your signal to noise ratio is significantly improved with each frame that is added to your stack by lowering the noise floor.
If you have a very dim object then you can use additive and it will "pull" the image out of the noise.? Raising the signal rather than lowering the noise.
The really cool thing is the fault tolerance in the Mallincam Sky software.? It aligns each frame before adding it to the stack.?
This software is what really makes it possible for me to use my UC18 for astrophotography in my opinion.
I typically only spend 200 seconds on faint galaxies and most dim nebula.? I live under the Atlanta airport flight path and under the thousands of SpaceX satellites.?
If I look to the south toward the airport (for example to see Orion) then I have to image between all the flying objects (jets and satellites) above me.? My big UC18 allows me this freedom as I just need more than 200 seconds (10 stacks at 20 second exposure each).
Hope this helps.
Richard
|
Re: NGC 3628 from 200 seconds UC18 + DS10cTEC--Galaxy season is my favorite season.
Richard Does the 'live stacking' affect?the noise level like 'dithering' does? ?HDR Live Stacking gives you more leeway by allowing less or no guiding and less sub-frame exposures times. Dithering does the same but uses random positional movements using the same exposure?times. Do they accomplish the same thing or, if used together, would it make for even better final photos? Steve
On Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 11:09?PM Richard < rmille64@...> wrote: Steve,
Thanks!
I installed a focus motor with temperature compensation, so I just focus once per night and that is all that is needed.? The focus motor also has 10 soft buttons and I do change focus as I change filters.? I characterized each filter with the focus motor steps and I can hop to any preset focus to match my various filters (no filter, LeNhance, L, R, G, B etc)
However, I do make camera adjustments during the stacking for a technique called "Live HDR".
Richard
|
Re: NGC 3628 from 200 seconds UC18 + DS10cTEC--Galaxy season is my favorite season.
Steve,
Thanks!
I installed a focus motor with temperature compensation, so I just focus once per night and that is all that is needed.? The focus motor also has 10 soft buttons and I do change focus as I change filters.? I characterized each filter with the focus motor steps and I can hop to any preset focus to match my various filters (no filter, LeNhance, L, R, G, B etc)
However, I do make camera adjustments during the stacking for a technique called "Live HDR".
Richard
|
Gene Fioretti
Al Lamperti
Fr¨¦d¨¦ric Ruciak
Dragan Nikin