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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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Steve,
Sorry for the late approval. Good to hear from you - I hope you are doing well.?
So ... if I read this correctly you're saying if you select SLEW on the hand pad (Gen2? If so slide switch all the way up) and push the yellow motion button you can get the scope to move and it doesn't stop - is that correct? And if so is this in both axes?
Also: try this - find and get to an object (manually) such that the GUIDE values are near zero - one that is at around 200 deg in AZ and 20 - 50 deg in altitude. You can do this by going to MODE ENCODER, then moving the scope to say 200 AZ and 30 EL. Go to MODE TOUR, keep hitting enter until it finds the nearest object. Now move away from that object only in AZ by about 30 - 40 deg to the east so that you are now an equal distance roughly to it on the otherwise of the meridian... do the GOTO. What happens??
You can test for an EL problem as well by repeating this only the MODE ENCODER point would instead be around 90 - LAT in both AZ and EL. So if LAT is 32 deg then move to 58 deg AZ and 58 deg EL. This will be the point in the sky where the AZ isn't changing much (zero at that point)... and you can repeat going above or below this point and doing a GOTO to an object just around this point.?
Let me know - write to me directly - we'll get this figured out.
Gary Myers
StellarCAT
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HI Mike, Thanks for that thought about the wires. But our wires are not getting tangled together. So that is not the issue here. ? But thanks again for offering that. Steve Goldberg ?
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From: Michael Dreis <mwdreis1@...> Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 8:04 AM To: [email protected]Cc: sgoldberg124@... Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] GoTo stops suddenly ? 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. ? 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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How well did it work last time used?
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Buster, She doesn’t do GoTo usually. We did try several years ago, and it failed the same way it does now. Since it was not an important part of her observing, we didn’t follow up on the cause. The rest of the functions work just fine: tracking and manually doing the PushTo with the hand paddle and motors per the Argo Navis “up/down/left/right” directions. ? Its just the full GoTo mode with both motors running at the same time. FYI: I am also having a email conversation with Gary Myers. ? Steve Goldberg ?
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Ok, I’ll un-invite myself this time. BW?
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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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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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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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Simply try a “good” 12v strong enough battery first.?
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Michael Hotka
Al Lamperti