Re: Argo Navis ascom driver that allows use of ASTAP or NINA with Sharpcap
Following ,? ?I have the servocat Argo combo ?driving my SDM pimped Obsessed 20¡± F5 ?# 305.? ?I achieve 4-5 sec subs with 50% roughly keepable subs and would like to improve on that .? Using it visually ?it works perfectly with holding a DSO in a wide field ep for a few hours .? ?Kind regards Wes?
On Mon, Sep 11, 2023 at 8:20 AM Mickey Huffman via <finman42= [email protected]> wrote: I am new to the group. It was suggested that I ask the group this question. I have a 22" star structure Dob that is set up for imaging using the Nexus DSC system with the Servocat. It was suggested that I could get better tracking if the Nexus had an ascom driver that would allow me to connect to ASTAP or NINA with Sharpcap with the servocat gen 3. The Nexus system has no ASCOM drivers that I am aware. It has been suggested to me that some in this group have the ARGO Navis system and that the ARGO Nav does have an ascom driver that might give me the opportunity to achieve the desired outcome.?
Can and would anyone have knowledge of this and would be willing to share the information.
Thank you
Mickey Huffman
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Argo Navis ascom driver that allows use of ASTAP or NINA with Sharpcap
I am new to the group. It was suggested that I ask the group this question. I have a 22" star structure Dob that is set up for imaging using the Nexus DSC system with the Servocat. It was suggested that I could get better tracking if the Nexus had an ascom driver that would allow me to connect to ASTAP or NINA with Sharpcap with the servocat gen 3. The Nexus system has no ASCOM drivers that I am aware. It has been suggested to me that some in this group have the ARGO Navis system and that the ARGO Nav does have an ascom driver that might give me the opportunity to achieve the desired outcome.?
Can and would anyone have knowledge of this and would be willing to share the information.
Thank you
Mickey Huffman
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Gary: the list you sent me to troubleshoot my issue was great. I did not have to remove the pivot plate. I lifted it up and it sprang down. Now the power does not cut out as it used to. Must have been a cocked spring that got unjammed when I lifted the plate.
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Gen3 Wired Hand Controllers - my last sale...
Fellow stargazers and ServoCAT owners... its probably fully known now that the business was sold to BRC Astro back in May. Bill is busy getting all the items on order and getting up to speed - the beauty of this, at least for me, is that my baby will lives on ... thanks Bill!?
I had ordered parts for a few more wired Hand Controllers for the Gen3 (version that uses the hand controller with a handset/phone type connection cable) and this will be my very last income from the business. Part of my "retirement" fund :)?
So - I have a few of these left - if you think you might want to have a spare now is the time to order it - they are in stock, fully assembled and tested and boxes ready to go. The unit is $199 plus it comes with an extra long coiled HC cable (or flat if you prefer, custom made to your desired length). PM S&H in the US adds $14 - 16. I'd appreciate anyone interested to speak up ...?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Just an FYI. Steve's scope is vintage '07. I don't know if it has the redundancy spring I added to the design of the PGB system. Nor has it ever been 'cleaned' (over time it's good to take the ground board off and clean the pivot post, the inside of the bushing as well as the contacts and the contact plate). So my suspicion is indeed that there is an issue with resistance buildup over time. In diagnosing the problem Steve told me he was not using a battery (first thing to check if so as batteries DO lose their ability to store energy, even if they show a "full charge") ... but he was using a 12V PS. I mentioned that I always sold a 15V supply (either 4.5A or 6A). The reason for this is to increase the overall efficiency of the system and to give some headroom. By efficiency it needs to be noted that the ServoCAT uses SMPS's ... these will convert the incoming voltage to the 30V the motors run at (standard system). Also, there is a SMPS on the main logic supply. In all three cases if you increase the voltage you decrease the current needed (power stays the same). This then translates to less IIR losses in the wires and PGB system making it even more efficient. I had Steve try the system using the JOG speed (slightly less power required) - this worked with both axes in use. With that he decided to get a 15V supply to see if that allows him to go forward. I have not as yet (just remembered this) sent him the list of things to check re maintenance on the PGB. It is suggested that that be done as well in either case. (and in doing so we can determine if he does have the '+' circuit redundancy spring installed and installed properly).?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT?
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Another point. The power source may not be the issue . Voltage drop is another cause. This can happen from a high res joint or the size cable doesnt match the current ?that is being drawn. .? Cheers?
Hi Wes, It does appear to be a power issue. When slewing with both motors at the same time, in slow speed, it is successful. Using full speed does stall. We run on 110v grid power, not a battery, Gary suggested to upgrade our power brick from 12v to 15v. I purchased a 15v 6a brick. However the connector plug is larger than the connector on the powered foot. I am working on that now. That is where I am on this issue. ? Steve ? ? ? Hi Steve, Mike will get you fixed .? I would like to make comment though .? If push to works fine but go to doesn't an analysis ?may suggest a power issue??? ?Have you checked volts at the scope before and as you initiate a goto ??? I used to run a dodge lead acid battery and halfway though the night the scope would stop mid slew similar to what you are describing.? ? Hi,
We have a 15" Obsession with both ServoCat and Argo Navis.
We have a problem when we use GoTo on the hand paddle. After about 3 seconds the motors hard stop and there is a beep. Pressing GoTo again, does the same thing.
In the Argo Navis, we have done a 2 star alignment, set the current date and time, and the current location is set, not to our site, but another location at approximately the same latitude.And we know the object is above the horizon.
Instead of using GoTo, we can use the hand paddle for "push to" an object where AN said we should go.
So, any ideas on why we cannot use GoTo for objects?
Thanks
Steve Goldberg
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Buster, I didn¡¯t think about the ¡°jumper cables¡± route. (Maybe because I am a software guy, not hardware). I still need to make a cable with the right connector to go in to the powered ground board foot. Steve ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of wilson_buster Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 1:38 PM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] GoTo stops suddenly ? Too much unnecessary work removing the batt. A combination of jumper cables, gator clips, cig lighter plugs and wire will easily work to test and be a 12V backup power plan. Obsessions are made to be less complicated.?
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Too much unnecessary work removing the batt. A combination of jumper cables, gator clips, cig lighter plugs and wire will easily work to test and be a 12V backup power plan. Obsessions are made to be less complicated.?
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Buster, I¡¯m not sure how I can hook up the battery to the receptacle in the powered foot. I¡¯d need to build a cable to do that. And then figure out how to get the battery out from under the passenger seat to get it to the scope. ? I have the brick that Gary Myers suggested but the connector on the brick doesn¡¯t fit the powered foot. I¡¯m waiting for my electrician (son) to help with that. ? Steve ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of wilson_buster Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 10:01 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] GoTo stops suddenly ? Understand,but you don¡¯t quite, your brick can be marked anything but it may not now be putting out the Umph it did before. Simple test is to use a known good battery like your car has to double test.?
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Mike, I got the power brick from a local electronics store, not the internet. ? 
? Steve ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Michael Hotka via groups.io Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 9:36 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected]Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] GoTo stops suddenly ? I Googled "Power Brick" and get all kinds of hits on this that are not a 15v 6a device. This is one of the things I dislike about the Internet. People can buy a priority placement of their products that are similar on the Internet search results. This makes it extremely difficult to find what you are looking for. Would you be able to send a URL of the power brick you purchased? Mike
Deputy Solutions Manager
Amateur Astronomer
Dark Sky Ranger - Defender of Darkness
My Homepage: On Monday, September 4, 2023 at 04:30:23 AM MDT, Steve Goldberg <sgoldberg124@...> wrote: Hi Wes, It does appear to be a power issue. When slewing with both motors at the same time, in slow speed, it is successful. Using full speed does stall. We run on 110v grid power, not a battery, Gary suggested to upgrade our power brick from 12v to 15v. I purchased a 15v 6a brick. However the connector plug is larger than the connector on the powered foot. I am working on that now. That is where I am on this issue. ? Steve ? ? ? Hi Steve, Mike will get you fixed .? I would like to make comment though .? If push to works fine but go to doesn't an analysis ?may suggest a power issue??? ?Have you checked volts at the scope before and as you initiate a goto ??? I used to run a dodge lead acid battery and halfway though the night the scope would stop mid slew similar to what you are describing.? ? Hi,
We have a 15" Obsession with both ServoCat and Argo Navis.
We have a problem when we use GoTo on the hand paddle. After about 3 seconds the motors hard stop and there is a beep. Pressing GoTo again, does the same thing.
In the Argo Navis, we have done a 2 star alignment, set the current date and time, and the current location is set, not to our site, but another location at approximately the same latitude.And we know the object is above the horizon.
Instead of using GoTo, we can use the hand paddle for "push to" an object where AN said we should go.
So, any ideas on why we cannot use GoTo for objects?
Thanks
Steve Goldberg
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Locked
Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Understand,but you don¡¯t quite, your brick can be marked anything but it may not now be putting out the Umph it did before. Simple test is to use a known good battery like your car has to double test.?
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Good morning...
I Googled "Power Brick" and get all kinds of hits on this that are not a 15v 6a device. This is one of the things I dislike about the Internet. People can buy a priority placement of their products that are similar on the Internet search results. This makes it extremely difficult to find what you are looking for.
Would you be able to send a URL of the power brick you purchased?
Thank you.
Mike
Deputy Solutions Manager
Amateur Astronomer
Dark Sky Ranger - Defender of Darkness
My Homepage: http://www.mikehotka.com/
On Monday, September 4, 2023 at 04:30:23 AM MDT, Steve Goldberg <sgoldberg124@...> wrote:
Hi Wes, It does appear to be a power issue. When slewing with both motors at the same time, in slow speed, it is successful. Using full speed does stall. We run on 110v grid power, not a battery, Gary suggested to upgrade our power brick from 12v to 15v. I purchased a 15v 6a brick. However the connector plug is larger than the connector on the powered foot. I am working on that now. That is where I am on this issue. ? Steve ? ?
From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Wes Smith Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 3:26 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] GoTo stops suddenly ? Hi Steve, Mike will get you fixed .? I would like to make comment though .? If push to works fine but go to doesn't an analysis ?may suggest a power issue??? ?Have you checked volts at the scope before and as you initiate a goto ??? I used to run a dodge lead acid battery and halfway though the night the scope would stop mid slew similar to what you are describing.? ? Hi,
We have a 15" Obsession with both ServoCat and Argo Navis.
We have a problem when we use GoTo on the hand paddle. After about 3 seconds the motors hard stop and there is a beep. Pressing GoTo again, does the same thing.
In the Argo Navis, we have done a 2 star alignment, set the current date and time, and the current location is set, not to our site, but another location at approximately the same latitude.And we know the object is above the horizon.
Instead of using GoTo, we can use the hand paddle for "push to" an object where AN said we should go.
So, any ideas on why we cannot use GoTo for objects?
Thanks
Steve Goldberg
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Buster, We are on grid power with a power brick of 12V 6A. We are working on changing the brick to 15V 6A per Gary Myers, No battery involved. ? Steve Goldberg ?
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Simply try a ¡°good¡± 12v strong enough battery first.?
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Re: Anyone going to the Georgia Peach State Star Gaze Oct 8-15?
I imagine a lot of solar enthusiasts will have their gear at the event ready for the upcoming annular eclipse ??
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Locked
Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Hi Wes, It does appear to be a power issue. When slewing with both motors at the same time, in slow speed, it is successful. Using full speed does stall. We run on 110v grid power, not a battery, Gary suggested to upgrade our power brick from 12v to 15v. I purchased a 15v 6a brick. However the connector plug is larger than the connector on the powered foot. I am working on that now. That is where I am on this issue. ? Steve ? ?
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From: [email protected] < [email protected]> On Behalf Of Wes Smith Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 3:26 AM To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] GoTo stops suddenly ? Hi Steve, Mike will get you fixed .? I would like to make comment though .? If push to works fine but go to doesn't an analysis ?may suggest a power issue??? ?Have you checked volts at the scope before and as you initiate a goto ??? I used to run a dodge lead acid battery and halfway though the night the scope would stop mid slew similar to what you are describing.? ? Hi,
We have a 15" Obsession with both ServoCat and Argo Navis.
We have a problem when we use GoTo on the hand paddle. After about 3 seconds the motors hard stop and there is a beep. Pressing GoTo again, does the same thing.
In the Argo Navis, we have done a 2 star alignment, set the current date and time, and the current location is set, not to our site, but another location at approximately the same latitude.And we know the object is above the horizon.
Instead of using GoTo, we can use the hand paddle for "push to" an object where AN said we should go.
So, any ideas on why we cannot use GoTo for objects?
Thanks
Steve Goldberg
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Locked
Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Hi Steve, Mike will get you fixed .? I would like to make comment though .? If push to works fine but go to doesn't an analysis ?may suggest a power issue??? ?Have you checked volts at the scope before and as you initiate a goto ??? I used to run a dodge lead acid battery and halfway though the night the scope would stop mid slew similar to what you are describing.?
Cheers Wes.?
Hi,
We have a 15" Obsession with both ServoCat and Argo Navis.
We have a problem when we use GoTo on the hand paddle. After about 3 seconds the motors hard stop and there is a beep. Pressing GoTo again, does the same thing.
In the Argo Navis, we have done a 2 star alignment, set the current date and time, and the current location is set, not to our site, but another location at approximately the same latitude.And we know the object is above the horizon.
Instead of using GoTo, we can use the hand paddle for "push to" an object where AN said we should go.
So, any ideas on why we cannot use GoTo for objects?
Thanks
Steve Goldberg
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Anyone going to the Georgia Peach State Star Gaze Oct 8-15?
Just checking if anyone else is planning on attending the PSSG this year.
If you¡¯re interested in visiting the astronomy village, the Atlanta Astronomy Club hosts a Peach State Star Gaze each year at Deerlick, and this year it¡¯s being held from?Oct. 8-15, 2023.
Richard
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Steve,?
My neighbor has the same setup as you.? One time we had a similar problem.? At that time, we found that our wires serving the power with the wires serving the ServoCat handheld and Argo Navis, these got entangled and locked (after a two-star alignment and a few azimuth movements) in the horizontal motor movement of the telescope.? As a result, the azimuth movement was stuck; the rocker was strapped and could not move any further.? It was solved by untangling the power cord an the other wires.
I¡¯m not saying this is your problem, but it might be something to check.
Mike Dreis
Hi,
We have a 15" Obsession with both ServoCat and Argo Navis.
We have a problem when we use GoTo on the hand paddle. After about 3 seconds the motors hard stop and there is a beep. Pressing GoTo again, does the same thing.
In the Argo Navis, we have done a 2 star alignment, set the current date and time, and the current location is set, not to our site, but another location at approximately the same latitude.And we know the object is above the horizon.
Instead of using GoTo, we can use the hand paddle for "push to" an object where AN said we should go.
So, any ideas on why we cannot use GoTo for objects?
Thanks
Steve Goldberg
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Re: GoTo stops suddenly
Ok, I¡¯ll un-invite myself this time. BW?
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Al Lamperti
Michael Hotka