Keyboard Shortcuts
ctrl + shift + ? :
Show all keyboard shortcuts
ctrl + g :
Navigate to a group
ctrl + shift + f :
Find
ctrl + / :
Quick actions
esc to dismiss
Likes
Search
AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session
|
I am using a SC V3 and an AN with the latest firmware.? My last 2 or 3 outings have been cut short because when I am moving my scope manually with the SC handpad, the scope suddenly stops moving, the AN beeps and loses its previous 2 star alignment, and then goes into MODE FIX ALT REF.? It happened several times tonight and I paid more attention to what was happening.? Hopefully someone can help me figure this out.
After turning on the SC and AN, I set up MODE FIX ALT REF.? I then successfully performed a two star alignment by hitting Enter on the AN when the selected stars were in the middle of the FOV.? The red light on the SC changed from blinking to steady on.? Because the dome where the scope is located is somewhat cluttered, I want to control the direction the scope uses when finding the first catalog object.? So I am using the movement buttons on the SC handpad when the scope stops as described above. So I repeat the two star alignment, am again successful and when I move the scope with the handpad the same thing happens.? I see something flash on the AN screen but I am too far away to see what it says. So I align for a third time.? This time to align on the second star I use the GOTO button on the SC handpad.? I get the beeps, and the flashing red light on the SC goes steady on.? I realize that I did not hear the beeps the first two successful alignments.? To me this is strange because I thought hitting Enter on the AN or the GOTO button on the SC handpad were exact equivalents? This time I am able to manually move the scope to the first object I want to observe.? After observation, I choose the second object I want to observe in the catalog and start moving the scope with the SC handpad.? Again I get the reset described in the first paragraph above.? This time however I am able to see that when the scope stops moving the AN screen says "Argo Navis Initializing" before going into MODE FIX ALT REF. I am powering both the AN and the SC off the powered ground board on my dob (a Starstructure). The current is supplied by a Pyramid AC to DC converter. Obviously this is very frustrating and I would appreciate any guidance anyone might have. Paul |
|
Hi Paul,
First of all don't forget you can always reach out to us directly by emailing sales@... I then see those emails immediately. It will almost certainly be a power related issue on your scope, such as an intermittent open circuit. A typical scenario is where a powered ground board has an intermittent open circuit. Some users also place a set of AA batteries in their unit (remember to remove them when storing the unit for an extended period in case one leaks). The idea is that the AA batteries will takeover seamlessly if the external DC power fails. However, this in itself can often mask an underlying problem. What can happen is that the external power goes open circuit from time to time and the AA batteries take over without the user even being aware of it. Over time, the AA batteries become depleted and the next time there is an open circuit, the unit may just have enough power to start, but once it applies power to the encoders, the additional current draw drops the voltage below that at which the unit can operate and the unit does a power on reset. If you dial up MODE STATUS, STATUS POWER you can observe what power source it is using at any one time. If you do have a set of backup AA batteries in the unit, as a diagnostic, remove them. In any case to do the test, move the scope around in azimuth and up and down in altitude (the shifting of the COG when moving in altitude might also induce an open in a power ground board). if it transpires it is the power ground board, to rectify it disassemble it and clean it. Or a squirt of good electrical contact cleaner, such as CRC. On a collection of scopes near here in Sydney at a location not far from the ocean where the air is salty, we see powered ground build up light oxidation over time and they require annual maintenance. Humid locations might require a similar maintenance schedule. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. Seasons Greetings! -- Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
sales@...
https://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au |
开云体育Check the powered ground board hardware. ?I suspect you have a loose plate screw making an intermittent connection on the bottom plate. ?I had a similar problem and added thread locker to prevent my screws from backing out.
Richard
Richard Miller
33.51N 83.59W
UC18 & DS287m
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Paul Abel <pabel0418@...>
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2022 11:13:41 PM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: [ServoCAT] AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session ?
I am using a SC V3 and an AN with the latest firmware.? My last 2 or 3 outings have been cut short because when I am moving my scope manually with the SC handpad, the scope suddenly stops moving, the AN beeps and loses its previous 2 star alignment, and
then goes into MODE FIX ALT REF.? It happened several times tonight and I paid more attention to what was happening.? Hopefully someone can help me figure this out.
After turning on the SC and AN, I set up MODE FIX ALT REF.? I then successfully performed a two star alignment by hitting Enter on the AN when the selected stars were in the middle of the FOV.? The red light on the SC changed from blinking to steady on.? Because the dome where the scope is located is somewhat cluttered, I want to control the direction the scope uses when finding the first catalog object.? So I am using the movement buttons on the SC handpad when the scope stops as described above. So I repeat the two star alignment, am again successful and when I move the scope with the handpad the same thing happens.? I see something flash on the AN screen but I am too far away to see what it says. So I align for a third time.? This time to align on the second star I use the GOTO button on the SC handpad.? I get the beeps, and the flashing red light on the SC goes steady on.? I realize that I did not hear the beeps the first two successful alignments.? To me this is strange because I thought hitting Enter on the AN or the GOTO button on the SC handpad were exact equivalents? This time I am able to manually move the scope to the first object I want to observe.? After observation, I choose the second object I want to observe in the catalog and start moving the scope with the SC handpad.? Again I get the reset described in the first paragraph above.? This time however I am able to see that when the scope stops moving the AN screen says "Argo Navis Initializing" before going into MODE FIX ALT REF. I am powering both the AN and the SC off the powered ground board on my dob (a Starstructure). The current is supplied by a Pyramid AC to DC converter. Obviously this is very frustrating and I would appreciate any guidance anyone might have. Paul |
|
Paul, Indeed as mentioned the issue is in the powered option to the ground board. This is invariably caused by a not quite right installation ... I will send you a list of things to check starting with the most common issues. Write to me direct if you have additional questions. And as noted by Gary K we recommend if only because 'stuff happens' like the battery powering the scope can be disconnected etc - we recommend to leave batteries in the AN. This way if something happens you don't lose the alignment. We do recommend you replace batteries in the Argo no less often than every 6 months - whether used or not (if not used then you can use them for other things) ... or every 3 months at the solstice/equinox.? Gary Myers StellarCAT ------ Original Message ------
From "Richard" <rmille64@...>
Date 12/16/2022 5:48:00 AM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session
|
|
Everyone, many thanks for the quick replies.? I did not have batteries in the AN before this (which is why I discovered the issue!) but I do now.? We hosted a star party last night and the issue did not pop up, so the batteries probably did their thing.
I did receive Gary M's comprehensive list of things to check and will start troubleshooting.? I will post again when problem located and solved or if I have further questions. Clear skies and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! Paul |
|
Hey Paul,? ?I had a similar problem with “Zamar” ; fully SDM Pimped 20” Ob classic . For better or worse I chose the largest lithium ?AA batteries for the AG. Stopped the problem dead ?? Fixed? On Sun, Dec 18, 2022 at 6:45 AM Paul Abel <pabel0418@...> wrote: Everyone, many thanks for the quick replies.? I did not have batteries in the AN before this (which is why I discovered the issue!) but I do now.? We hosted a star party last night and the issue did not pop up, so the batteries probably did their thing. --
Cheers Wes Smith? |
|
This problem has now been successfully resolved.? It was the rings on the PGB.? When Mike Zammit built my scope in 2020, he was sourcing the rings from a third party (not StellarCat).? He discovered quality control issues with those rings and now is using rings of his own design.? I was very fortunate to contact Mike when he had some open time in his schedule and he was kind enough to drive half a day to come up and fix my scope by replacing the rings on my scope.? Mike really goes the extra mile to support his customers.
Placing batteries in the AN worked as a fix while I was waiting for the rings to be replaced. Thanks everyone for your assistance.? Very much appreciated! Paul |
|
I actually designed a box that has build in super capacitors totaling I believe if I recall 2F. It is enough to ride through a momentary drop out. Of course one should put the effort in to find what the actual cause is and solve it. Usually, if it is my system, something loosened up over time. The box also had (high current) shottky diode isolation so one could have an internal battery as well that would instantly be 'in circuit'.? Gary Myers StellarCAT ------ Original Message ------
From "Richard" <rmille64@...>
Date 1/19/2023 8:58:04 PM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session I have considered that adding a bank of capacitors in the rocker box would provide fault tolerance to the rotating contacts. |
|
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 20, 2023, at 8:35 AM, K9RX - Gary <amateurK9RX@...> wrote:
|
开云体育Ever since I used thread locker (blue type) from locktite I have had no issue with my rotating contacts coming loose. ?Thanks for such a fun product (powered ground board , ServoCAT, and the interface with Argo Navis)! ?I am about to publish a newsletter
“Dobsonian Remote Observer) to explain “How To” remotely slew, focus and change filters. ?The CAT Paw rounds out my remote observation experience when I need to do an occasional spiral search.
Richard
Richard Miller
33.51N 83.59W
UC18 & DS287m
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Mike <mklosterman1@...>
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2023 9:05:28 AM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [ServoCAT] AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session ?
Gary,
Can you pass along the schematic or other design info?
Thanks
Mike
On Jan 20, 2023, at 8:35 AM, K9RX - Gary <amateurK9RX@...> wrote:
|
|
Hi Gary
Could you sent me too a list of things to check. I experience the same problem of loosing power when rotating the scope; I already suspected it to be an issue with the powered ground board. The scope is not often used and is many years old (Obsession Classic 18"; ordered July 2004 including the powered ground board option). For the time being I will install batteries in the AN but eventually I want to sell the scope (I am over 70 years old and have a bad back) and then this problem should have been solved. Regards John |
|
will do - going out direct? Gary Myers RXDesign ------ Original Message ------
From "John Dohmen" <dohmen.john@...>
Date 6/29/2023 9:54:29 AM
Subject Re: [ServoCAT] AN Reinitializing in Middle of Session Hi Gary |
Mike
Al Lamperti
to navigate to use esc to dismiss