Local SYNC activated or not ?
Dear all,?
I was not using the local sync function but after reading manual I believe it is quite powerfull to find faint objects.
So yesterday at end of observation I tried to activate it on M42 with the idea to find the horse head just after.
The Aux switch was up. I'm quite sure I was in guide mode, but not 100% sure.
When I pressed for approx 1 s the Local Sync on my (wireless) Handpad, the yellow led didn't turned on.
The Yellow LED sync on panel of main unit didn't turned on neither, BUT the? Left-most RED marked "AUX" LED turned on.
So it seems something happen....
?
I pressed again the Local Sync on my (wireless) Handpad, the? RED "AUX" then turned off. Both yellow led on HC and main panel still off.
Any idea what's happening ?
?
I have a version3 (updated from version 2 a few month ago)
Thanks for reply
Rpha?l
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Re: SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Hi Richard, Gary,
thanks for this additional info.
Regards,
Mike
?
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Re: SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Mike,?
At the moment and for the foreseeable future a DSC will need to be connected and have to have been aligned before you can do a PC Planetarium connection. The DSC is what has the knowledge of the Universe.?
The PC USB is used for all PC communications as spelled out in the user manual that is on the CD that ships with the system. The setup is trivial. There are at the moment I believe 2 ASCOM drivers. The original, created by Peter Eschman, is available and is the most commonly used one. The other is in alpha testing if I'm not mistaken.?
Gary?
------ Original Message ------
Date 1/9/2025 10:45:03 AM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Hi Richard and Gary,
thanks very much for your quick and positive responses on this.? I probably will just start by using my laptop not the hub mini-PC you use (sorry for the non technical terms). I use the ASCOM platform and EQMOD driver for my SkyWatcher mount (via CdC), so am reasonably familiar with this approach.? What I would like to confirm is the use of the USB cable that plugs into the PC USB socket on my ServoCat to connect my laptop to the ServoCat and run the planetarium program from the laptop. This cable was supplied I thought for just updating mount parameters through the ServoCat Sky program.? Can it be used for mount control as well?? I don't want to cause any damage. Also do I leave alone the existing connection to AN (DSC socket on the ServoCat) and have the AN running as well or not?
?
I have tried to find discussion threads with all the info I need, but still have these questions.? Are there any video tutorials on all of this?
?
I'm impressed with the amount of automation that is becoming possible. I have an Astrocrumb filter slide and have to manually push and pull to change the filter. I do need to modernize my methods, however, on step at a time, I think!
?
Kind regards,
Mike
?
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Re: SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Mike,
?
The USB port on the ServoCAT gives Stellarium access to Argo Navis--a clever type of serial data pass thru that Gary designed.
?
Stellarium will place a target style marker overlay on top of the star map showing you where the telescope is currently pointing.
?
Stellarium is a bit of a computer asset hog, but wow, I sure do enjoy using it.
?
I broke a Toshiba laptop when I was using it outside as the telescope control.? It was well below freezing outside and I brought it inside my humid house.? ?To replace the laptop, I purchased the Eagle4S (no display) which has a bunch of customized telescope specific features:? a small telescope (5 degrees fov) for a built in SQL meter, power switching, temperature-controlled dew heater power jacks, a bunch of USB ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port, a GPS, a weather station (humidity, pressure, and temperature) and some cool queries that let you harvest all that data, power monitoring (needed if you use a battery to power your rig).
?
I just attached an ACME threaded rod and stepper motor to the Astrocrumb strip to move the strip to the desired filter.? I think there is a better design to put a pin wheel style gear on the system to make it like the old style dot matrix printers and I am going to make a version 2.0 later this year.? I do enjoy changing filters from my recliner!? I also programmed my focus motor to change with each filter.
?
If you can slew, focus and change filters remotely you have a mostly remote system.? In the future, I plan to add the ability to avoid the 2 star alignment and auto power up of the rig and I could place my rig up in an unattended remote location.
?
Richard
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Re: SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Hi Richard and Gary,
thanks very much for your quick and positive responses on this.? I probably will just start by using my laptop not the hub mini-PC you use (sorry for the non technical terms). I use the ASCOM platform and EQMOD driver for my SkyWatcher mount (via CdC), so am reasonably familiar with this approach.? What I would like to confirm is the use of the USB cable that plugs into the PC USB socket on my ServoCat to connect my laptop to the ServoCat and run the planetarium program from the laptop. This cable was supplied I thought for just updating mount parameters through the ServoCat Sky program.? Can it be used for mount control as well?? I don't want to cause any damage. Also do I leave alone the existing connection to AN (DSC socket on the ServoCat) and have the AN running as well or not?
?
I have tried to find discussion threads with all the info I need, but still have these questions.? Are there any video tutorials on all of this?
?
I'm impressed with the amount of automation that is becoming possible. I have an Astrocrumb filter slide and have to manually push and pull to change the filter. I do need to modernize my methods, however, on step at a time, I think!
?
Kind regards,
Mike
?
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Re: Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
Ok, It will be the end of January before we get to use it again. I am almost certain that it is Gen3. I just wish it didn¡¯t do the second movement.? A little over a year ago one of the spur gears came lose inside the Alt drive. We were able to slide it back into place and get it going again. At that time, we tested all the setscrews both internal and the capstan. All were good. Bob ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of K9RX - Gary via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 5:20 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes.? Sorry - I think you missed the point. IF it is the latest version firmware then my point is a) that is why you are seeing a lower value and yet it moves again and b) there is indeed a last mover after that...? so if there's slippage in the drive rollers that would account for it.? Also: the fact that it is getting worse suggests strongly it is a loose drive roller.? But I would suggest you check the version. If it powers up and the red AUX light comes on before the green SLEW light (ignore the HC light for this) then it is the latest version. (if you have a Gen2 it might show the yellow SPm light before the green SLEW light) ------ Original Message ------ Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. No, it goto¡¯s essentially almost 0¡¯s. Then moves and ends up something like 0.30:0.55. ?Back when we first noticed it, the numbers were around 0.10 :0.10. I might suspect the gears are getting play in them except after nearly getting it right, the motors wind back up and it moves decidedly away. Firmware has not been updated in years. Probably should do that first. Bob ? ? The algorithm is designed, assuming you are using the latest version firmware, to always end up in the direction of sidereal tracking. So - it does a GOTO. Then it gets the offset again from the DSC and does a 2nd GOTO. If after the 2nd one the distance to the object is still more than ... I think it was 0.04¡ã, it will do a third one, if it is within that it will not do another.? But it then checks to see which direction the last move was - was it in the direction of sidereal or not. If not it will move the axis away in the direction opposite sidereal, more than the backlash value (typically 0.7¡ã or so)... and then it will do one final GOTO. THIS should put it both at 0.00 on each axis as well as tracking immediately (no backlash to unwind).? Thus you could and would see behavior like you are describing - but it should still end up < 0.05¡ã away.? ------ Original Message ------ Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. Gary, Thanks for the reply. I will check the drive rollers. It seems to split the error between the axes. I will check both. ?Hadn¡¯t really thought about it being slipping as it goes to the target stops for about a half second then motors past. It is pretty much acquiring the target in the initial goto. No overshoot or undershoot there. Just immediately after acquisition, the motors start back up and drive past. I is like it has built in offset. Bob ? ? Forgive me - I saw this and forgot to respond to it ...? So - this sounds like a drive roller is slipping due to a loose grub screw. Check to see which axis is off first - then focus on the drive roller for that axis.? ------ Original Message ------ Date 1/2/2025 10:26:17 PM Subject [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. I am asking on behalf of my clubs SC install. It is a 40" with a Nexus (not Pro). All GOTO's are via the Nexus. A couple of years ago just after a GOTO finished the SC would motor about 10 arcminutes from the target. Display on Nexus indication something like `0.10. It has progressively increased over the past year or so. Last outing it was nearly 1 degree. I can issue another GOTO and it will zero in a little better. Strange thing is it will nearly zero the target stops then proceed again to a position now that is 50+ arcminutes. Anybody got any ideas what the issue is? We are calling it overshoot. In it is acquiring the target then moving away.
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Re: Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
Bob,?
Sorry - I think you missed the point. IF it is the latest version firmware then my point is a) that is why you are seeing a lower value and yet it moves again and b) there is indeed a last mover after that...?
so if there's slippage in the drive rollers that would account for it.?
Also: the fact that it is getting worse suggests strongly it is a loose drive roller.?
But I would suggest you check the version. If it powers up and the red AUX light comes on before the green SLEW light (ignore the HC light for this) then it is the latest version. (if you have a Gen2 it might show the yellow SPm light before the green SLEW light)
g.
------ Original Message ------
Date 1/8/2025 6:24:51 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
No, it goto¡¯s essentially almost 0¡¯s. Then moves and ends up something like 0.30:0.55. ?Back when we first noticed it, the numbers were around 0.10 :0.10. I might suspect the gears are getting play in them except after nearly getting it right, the motors wind back up and it moves decidedly away. Firmware has not been updated in years. Probably should do that first. Bob ? ? The algorithm is designed, assuming you are using the latest version firmware, to always end up in the direction of sidereal tracking. So - it does a GOTO. Then it gets the offset again from the DSC and does a 2nd GOTO. If after the 2nd one the distance to the object is still more than ... I think it was 0.04¡ã, it will do a third one, if it is within that it will not do another.? But it then checks to see which direction the last move was - was it in the direction of sidereal or not. If not it will move the axis away in the direction opposite sidereal, more than the backlash value (typically 0.7¡ã or so)... and then it will do one final GOTO. THIS should put it both at 0.00 on each axis as well as tracking immediately (no backlash to unwind).? Thus you could and would see behavior like you are describing - but it should still end up < 0.05¡ã away.? ------ Original Message ------ Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. Gary, Thanks for the reply. I will check the drive rollers. It seems to split the error between the axes. I will check both. ?Hadn¡¯t really thought about it being slipping as it goes to the target stops for about a half second then motors past. It is pretty much acquiring the target in the initial goto. No overshoot or undershoot there. Just immediately after acquisition, the motors start back up and drive past. I is like it has built in offset. Bob ? ? Forgive me - I saw this and forgot to respond to it ...? So - this sounds like a drive roller is slipping due to a loose grub screw. Check to see which axis is off first - then focus on the drive roller for that axis.? ------ Original Message ------ Date 1/2/2025 10:26:17 PM Subject [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. I am asking on behalf of my clubs SC install. It is a 40" with a Nexus (not Pro). All GOTO's are via the Nexus. A couple of years ago just after a GOTO finished the SC would motor about 10 arcminutes from the target. Display on Nexus indication something like `0.10. It has progressively increased over the past year or so. Last outing it was nearly 1 degree. I can issue another GOTO and it will zero in a little better. Strange thing is it will nearly zero the target stops then proceed again to a position now that is 50+ arcminutes. Anybody got any ideas what the issue is? We are calling it overshoot. In it is acquiring the target then moving away.
|
Re: Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
No, it goto¡¯s essentially almost 0¡¯s. Then moves and ends up something like 0.30:0.55. ?Back when we first noticed it, the numbers were around 0.10 :0.10. I might suspect the gears are getting play in them except after nearly getting it right, the motors wind back up and it moves decidedly away. Firmware has not been updated in years. Probably should do that first. Bob ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of K9RX - Gary via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 4:02 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes.? The algorithm is designed, assuming you are using the latest version firmware, to always end up in the direction of sidereal tracking. So - it does a GOTO. Then it gets the offset again from the DSC and does a 2nd GOTO. If after the 2nd one the distance to the object is still more than ... I think it was 0.04¡ã, it will do a third one, if it is within that it will not do another.? But it then checks to see which direction the last move was - was it in the direction of sidereal or not. If not it will move the axis away in the direction opposite sidereal, more than the backlash value (typically 0.7¡ã or so)... and then it will do one final GOTO. THIS should put it both at 0.00 on each axis as well as tracking immediately (no backlash to unwind).? Thus you could and would see behavior like you are describing - but it should still end up < 0.05¡ã away.? ------ Original Message ------ Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. Gary, Thanks for the reply. I will check the drive rollers. It seems to split the error between the axes. I will check both. ?Hadn¡¯t really thought about it being slipping as it goes to the target stops for about a half second then motors past. It is pretty much acquiring the target in the initial goto. No overshoot or undershoot there. Just immediately after acquisition, the motors start back up and drive past. I is like it has built in offset. Bob ? ? Forgive me - I saw this and forgot to respond to it ...? So - this sounds like a drive roller is slipping due to a loose grub screw. Check to see which axis is off first - then focus on the drive roller for that axis.? ------ Original Message ------ Date 1/2/2025 10:26:17 PM Subject [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. I am asking on behalf of my clubs SC install. It is a 40" with a Nexus (not Pro). All GOTO's are via the Nexus. A couple of years ago just after a GOTO finished the SC would motor about 10 arcminutes from the target. Display on Nexus indication something like `0.10. It has progressively increased over the past year or so. Last outing it was nearly 1 degree. I can issue another GOTO and it will zero in a little better. Strange thing is it will nearly zero the target stops then proceed again to a position now that is 50+ arcminutes. Anybody got any ideas what the issue is? We are calling it overshoot. In it is acquiring the target then moving away.
|
Re: Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
The algorithm is designed, assuming you are using the latest version firmware, to always end up in the direction of sidereal tracking. So - it does a GOTO. Then it gets the offset again from the DSC and does a 2nd GOTO. If after the 2nd one the distance to the object is still more than ... I think it was 0.04¡ã, it will do a third one, if it is within that it will not do another.?
But it then checks to see which direction the last move was - was it in the direction of sidereal or not. If not it will move the axis away in the direction opposite sidereal, more than the backlash value (typically 0.7¡ã or so)... and then it will do one final GOTO. THIS should put it both at 0.00 on each axis as well as tracking immediately (no backlash to unwind).?
Thus you could and would see behavior like you are describing - but it should still end up < 0.05¡ã away.?
g.
------ Original Message ------
Date 1/8/2025 5:29:29 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
Gary, Thanks for the reply. I will check the drive rollers. It seems to split the error between the axes. I will check both. ?Hadn¡¯t really thought about it being slipping as it goes to the target stops for about a half second then motors past. It is pretty much acquiring the target in the initial goto. No overshoot or undershoot there. Just immediately after acquisition, the motors start back up and drive past. I is like it has built in offset. Bob ? ? Forgive me - I saw this and forgot to respond to it ...? So - this sounds like a drive roller is slipping due to a loose grub screw. Check to see which axis is off first - then focus on the drive roller for that axis.? ------ Original Message ------ Date 1/2/2025 10:26:17 PM Subject [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. I am asking on behalf of my clubs SC install. It is a 40" with a Nexus (not Pro). All GOTO's are via the Nexus. A couple of years ago just after a GOTO finished the SC would motor about 10 arcminutes from the target. Display on Nexus indication something like `0.10. It has progressively increased over the past year or so. Last outing it was nearly 1 degree. I can issue another GOTO and it will zero in a little better. Strange thing is it will nearly zero the target stops then proceed again to a position now that is 50+ arcminutes. Anybody got any ideas what the issue is? We are calling it overshoot. In it is acquiring the target then moving away.
|
Re: Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
Gary, Thanks for the reply. I will check the drive rollers. It seems to split the error between the axes. I will check both. ?Hadn¡¯t really thought about it being slipping as it goes to the target stops for about a half second then motors past. It is pretty much acquiring the target in the initial goto. No overshoot or undershoot there. Just immediately after acquisition, the motors start back up and drive past. I is like it has built in offset. Bob ?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of K9RX - Gary via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, January 8, 2025 2:23 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes.? Forgive me - I saw this and forgot to respond to it ...? So - this sounds like a drive roller is slipping due to a loose grub screw. Check to see which axis is off first - then focus on the drive roller for that axis.? ------ Original Message ------ Date 1/2/2025 10:26:17 PM Subject [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes. I am asking on behalf of my clubs SC install. It is a 40" with a Nexus (not Pro). All GOTO's are via the Nexus. A couple of years ago just after a GOTO finished the SC would motor about 10 arcminutes from the target. Display on Nexus indication something like `0.10. It has progressively increased over the past year or so. Last outing it was nearly 1 degree. I can issue another GOTO and it will zero in a little better. Strange thing is it will nearly zero the target stops then proceed again to a position now that is 50+ arcminutes. Anybody got any ideas what the issue is? We are calling it overshoot. In it is acquiring the target then moving away.
|
Re: Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
Hello Bob,
Forgive me - I saw this and forgot to respond to it ...?
So - this sounds like a drive roller is slipping due to a loose grub screw. Check to see which axis is off first - then focus on the drive roller for that axis.?
Gary Myers StellarCAT
------ Original Message ------
Date 1/2/2025 10:26:17 PM
Subject [ServoCAT] Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
I am asking on behalf of my clubs SC install. It is a 40" with a Nexus (not Pro). All GOTO's are via the Nexus. A couple of years ago just after a GOTO finished the SC would motor about 10 arcminutes from the target. Display on Nexus indication something like `0.10. It has progressively increased over the past year or so. Last outing it was nearly 1 degree. I can issue another GOTO and it will zero in a little better. Strange thing is it will nearly zero the target stops then proceed again to a position now that is 50+ arcminutes. Anybody got any ideas what the issue is? We are calling it overshoot. In it is acquiring the target then moving away.
Bob
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Re: SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Mike,
Indeed you can "control" the scope using Stellarium or Sky Safari (also Cartes du Ciel). Control here meaning you can see where the scope is pointed and you can do a GOTO to an object you select. Note in Sky Safari they are using the latest version of planetarium coms (from ServoCAT/AN) which includes a much higher resolution in both directions. I don't think Stellarium has implemented that (and in their defense I don't remember them ever being asked to do so). The ASCOM driver, I don't believe, has been updated to include this higher resolution mode either.?
It does not allow for plate solving. It is being done - Mickey does it I know and I believe Alex does as well. It does require that a DSC, specifically either the Argo Navis or the Nexus, is in use.?
There are behind the scenes efforts on adding to and improving these capabilities.?
Nice work! I'm doing 1 - 12 second subs, mainly and usually 2-3 seconds to limit the impact of seeing (Lucky Imaging). I unfortunately didn't get 'in to' AP until after I sold the business and moved to a 55+ community here in Richmond VA. Then realized after I started working on it and helping out Bill (the new owner, BBAstro) ... that I can't do it well because I have no backyard to leave a rig setup. I'm working on trying to resolve that as well. I'm also working on adding a guide camera with ST4 capability to try to keep a rough centering of the images due to mount error/user error during alignment.?
Gary Myers
------ Original Message ------
Date 1/8/2025 8:50:52 AM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Hi,
everything is working ok for me at present (20" f/4 classic Obsession, Paracorr field flatenner with ServoCat and ArgoNavis) and as I explained before I use SharpCap Pro's live stacking feature (2s exposures, ASI294MMPro camera gain 450, T=0C, 4x150 calibrated stacked frames per LRGB filter).? I also use the same set up to take lunar and planetary pictures with an ASI224MC camera and various TeleVue barlows (videos captured with SharpCap).
?
Here is a link to some of my images posted on the British Astronomical Association website gallery:
?
?
However, I am still interested in finding out if it is possible yet to control my scope from my laptop using a program like Stellarium or Cartes du Ciel (or Sky Safari, or other planetarium program).? It's not essential but it might be more convenient than just using the AN control pad.? Also, separately, I use for my SkyWatcher mount and triplet refractor a program called APT (astrophotography tool) that has plate solving incorporated which I find very useful.? Usually I can visually spot the target through the eyepiece of my Obsession after a GOTO and get it centered, but again if plate solving could be used to finesse the alignment and centering and confirm that I do indeed have the object that would be great.
?
So my question is with the current state of developments can either of these things be done, and if so is there any available documentation that would guide me on how to achieve this?
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Re: SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Mike,
I have the ServoCAT - Argo Navis driving my UC18. ?I loaded the ASCOM driver for ServoCAT and have been remotely observing inside my house. ?The key for my system was mounting a NUC type PC (Eagle 4S) on the telescope to run all the software
and I remotely log in with MS Remote Desktop. ?Stellarium running on the NUC slews to the target. ?I added a focus motor for remote focus (from Primalucelab). ?I built a remote control filter strip motor system to change filters. ?Some folks on this site have
figured out how to avoid a 2 star alignment for truly remote control and plate solve. ?Plate solving is on my todo list.
Richard
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Hi,
everything is working ok for me at present (20" f/4 classic Obsession, Paracorr field flatenner with ServoCat and ArgoNavis) and as I explained before I use SharpCap Pro's live stacking feature (2s exposures, ASI294MMPro camera gain 450, T=0C, 4x150 calibrated
stacked frames per LRGB filter).? I also use the same set up to take lunar and planetary pictures with an ASI224MC camera and various TeleVue barlows (videos captured with SharpCap).
?
Here is a link to some of my images posted on the British Astronomical Association website gallery:
?
?
However, I am still interested in finding out if it is possible yet to control my scope from my laptop using a program like Stellarium or Cartes du Ciel (or Sky Safari, or other planetarium program).? It's not essential but it might be more convenient
than just using the AN control pad.? Also, separately, I use for my SkyWatcher mount and triplet refractor a program called APT (astrophotography tool) that has plate solving incorporated which I find very useful.? Usually I can visually spot the target through
the eyepiece of my Obsession after a GOTO and get it centered, but again if plate solving could be used to finesse the alignment and centering and confirm that I do indeed have the object that would be great.
?
So my question is with the current state of developments can either of these things be done, and if so is there any available documentation that would guide me on how to achieve this?
|
Re: SOLVED: Re: Problem tracking with ArgoNavis and ServoCat on my 20" f/4
Hi,
everything is working ok for me at present (20" f/4 classic Obsession, Paracorr field flatenner with ServoCat and ArgoNavis) and as I explained before I use SharpCap Pro's live stacking feature (2s exposures, ASI294MMPro camera gain 450, T=0C, 4x150 calibrated stacked frames per LRGB filter).? I also use the same set up to take lunar and planetary pictures with an ASI224MC camera and various TeleVue barlows (videos captured with SharpCap).
?
Here is a link to some of my images posted on the British Astronomical Association website gallery:
?
?
However, I am still interested in finding out if it is possible yet to control my scope from my laptop using a program like Stellarium or Cartes du Ciel (or Sky Safari, or other planetarium program).? It's not essential but it might be more convenient than just using the AN control pad.? Also, separately, I use for my SkyWatcher mount and triplet refractor a program called APT (astrophotography tool) that has plate solving incorporated which I find very useful.? Usually I can visually spot the target through the eyepiece of my Obsession after a GOTO and get it centered, but again if plate solving could be used to finesse the alignment and centering and confirm that I do indeed have the object that would be great.
?
So my question is with the current state of developments can either of these things be done, and if so is there any available documentation that would guide me on how to achieve this?
|
Daniel, Yes - shouldn't be a problem. On my 12" Obsession used for astrophotography I am running the camera and the camera cooler as well as an Ryzen R5 miniPC - and of course the ServoCAT and Argo Navis.?When controlling the camera using SharpCap, running the Pegasus UPB and running Stellarium on the mini-PC the peak currents are over 5A.?
Gary?
------ Original Message ------
Date 1/8/2025 7:35:52 AM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] Powered ground board
Gary,
Thank you for the reply. Will the 12v socket supply enough current for 2-3 dew heaters on low (eyepiece, secondary and maybe telrad? Other than that I might keep the 12v female socket on the scope.
Also is the polarity the same as in a car with tip being positive? I use Anderson power poles on everything and I have an adapter that should work.
Daniel V
|
Gary,
Thank you for the reply. Will the 12v socket supply enough current for 2-3 dew heaters on low (eyepiece, secondary and maybe telrad? Other than that I might keep the 12v female socket on the scope.
Also is the polarity the same as in a car with tip being positive? I use Anderson power poles on everything and I have an adapter that should work.
Daniel V
|
Hello Daniel,?
?
There are two different types of connections at the foot of the ground board. The earliest version was a male cigarette lighter plug embedded in a hole in the foot at a right angle to the front of the foot. So not visible unless you get down a bit to see it. Yu'd just need a 12V cigarette lighter cable male to female. I'd try to get at least 18 ga, and not go longer than 10 - 12'. Nothing larger than 14 ga is needed at the current levels involved (and an 18 ga is just fine for a 12" Junior system). This you can get in a good number of places.?
?
The other one, I don't remember exactly when I changed to it but I believe it was around 2005, is an XLR connector, 3 pin. The foot has a male socket that is visible at the end of the foot. This requires whatever connection you need at the power source end (as would the first one) ---- but we always supplied a 12V cigarette plug --- and the scope end has an inline female plug. You can get this from BBAstro if you want a premade one, send a note to Bill if that is the case.?
?
regards,
?
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
|
I have a 12.5 obsession classic from 2004(serial number 1)
I am wondering what power connection it has at the time of production.
I was told its just a female 12v socket. I am unsure if that is correct.
I am not in front of the scope til Friday/Saturday so an answer before I look at it would be appreciated so I can order a cable
Daniel Vrolijk
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Servo Cat moves after goto completes.
I am asking on behalf of my clubs SC install. It is a 40" with a Nexus (not Pro). All GOTO's are via the Nexus. A couple of years ago just after a GOTO finished the SC would motor about 10 arcminutes from the target. Display on Nexus indication something like `0.10. It has progressively increased over the past year or so. Last outing it was nearly 1 degree. I can issue another GOTO and it will zero in a little better. Strange thing is it will nearly zero the target stops then proceed again to a position now that is 50+ arcminutes. Anybody got any ideas what the issue is? We are calling it overshoot. In it is acquiring the target then moving away.
Bob
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I have sent you an email.
BC
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bobrose500