¿ªÔÆÌåÓý


PIC Servo firmware v3.1 vs v3.0?

Francisco
 

In playing with this all ive come across an interesting question.
?
what is the latest servo fw?
?
Ive seen screenshots of someone's HC showing Servo FW 3.10, and there appear to be several versions of v3.0 (which is really strange)?
?
This image is from the following thread (/g/Gemini-II/topic/dec_heavy_duty_tr_alarm/113051719?page=2)
?
?
so what is the latest file,?

In the files here, there is
G2 PIC Servo code v30.zip ?
which on the HC shows v3.0
Its checksum in the MPLAB is E1E5
?
THen there is the file in the?
Losmandy_Gemini2_Level6_DIYUpdate\Card 2 Utilities and Docs\Level 6 Servo Firmware
this file is called Gemini_New.X.production.hex
on the HC shows v3.0
its checksum in the MPLAB is E577
?
neither of these shows a v3.1 and i cant seem to find the v3.1fw.?
?
?
?


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 05:56 PM, <larrychristianson@...> wrote:
Here a couple of pix of mine
That looks correct and had to be as Losmandy uses US Standard thread here. ?If other tools were used this might gall the bolt edges. ?Assuming a G11 RA, the back Altitude Screw plate secures with two bolts using the same Allen Key. ?Check the tool. ?That bolt should take no more than snugging to provide the needed clamping force for Gemini-2 (more than the short end but much less than hand torque of the long end of an Allen Wrench).?

Assuming light galling, I'd try initially using a ball-end 3/16 key aligned and lightly tapped into place past the rough edges. ?This size had to have been selected because the mount receiver might be left out in the weather with the aluminum threads. ?Be sure to replace the bolt in kind.


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 02:56 PM, <larrychristianson@...> wrote:
I tried again with my set and every loose hex wrench I could find.? No luck, crazy.? I can't imagine that they're over-tightened.? Here a couple of pix of mine -?
?
These fasteners look like the usual suspects.? The issue is most likely that your Allen wrenches are poor quality and/or out of spec.? Experience has shown me that stainless steel socket headed cap screw fasteners can be a tight fit.? I've seen this on dovetails from Losmandy, ADM and Farpoint.
?
If your Allen wrenches are a tight fit with conventional flat ground tips try a little wiggly? motion to get them to seat, rotate one flat.? Sometimes inexpensive Allen wrenches are not symetrical, buy another set but a name brand precision set from Wera, Wiha etc. not Harbor Freight brand.? Yes they cost more but they are worth it for their higher precision and hardened tips which help them retain the correct dimensions even when used often.??
?
--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

David
 

Use E-Putty to glue the Allen Key into the rounded head.


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

If you have tried using a better quality Allen wrench and still not able to get the screw out it probably means the allen slot has become rounded over. You could try the following.? Wrap some aluminum foil around the end of your Allen wrench and see if you can get at tight enough fit to take out the screw. 1st try heating from the inside where the screw attaches to the pier extension. Then try loosing the screw. Some last ditch efforts? you can try to glue a throw away Allen wrench to the screw head and see if that will hold it tight enough to work. You should also heat up the inside with this effort also. Very last effort you may have to drill out the screw head and hope to not damage any thing else.? Good? luck and let us know how you make out.

Sandy?




Get


From:[email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of David via groups.io <djdunnett@...>
Sent:?Friday, May 23, 2025 8:01:56 AM
To:[email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject:?Re: [Gemini-II_io] Wrench for electronics bracket

I have a set of imperial Wera Allen Keys, the 3/16" fits perfectly.


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

David
 

I have a set of imperial Wera Allen Keys, the 3/16" fits perfectly.


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

An old trick for removing a rounded-out allen head socket is to slip a piece of rubber like a rubber band or piece of tire inner tube over the allen key when inserting it. The rubber fills the gap and provides friction to allow the allen wrench to turn the screw.


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

If you can't find the right size Allen wrench, here is a last resort option without cutting, grinding etc.? Buy a cheap set of Allen wrenches. Find a wrench that is close and JB Weld that wrench to the bolt head.? Once cured, you should be able to remove the bolt and get some fresh ones.?
?
Chris N


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

Measure across flats with vernier callipers that have metric/imperial ¡­.hopefully imperial fractions option for measurements. ?

cheers
?
--
Brendan


Moderated Re: Beware of eBay sold Gemini 2 Boards

 

Thank You Scott and Tanya.
?
Well, I'd never! I'd just call up, then come down to Burbank.
I cannot see taking the chance on any off-brand PCB's for my mount.
No Thanks.
?
Besides, I wouldn't get to visit with you folks.
?
--
Sonny Edmonds
GM811G HD


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

They make 4.5mm allen wrenches.?


On Thu, May 22, 2025, 3:01?PM Jonathan via <jkaiser3000=[email protected]> wrote:
Oops, I misunderstood which screws you were referring to. I thought you meant the ones holding the gemini case to the ear brackets. You can still try the torx and flat head screw driver options, but the dremel tool is definitely out of the race :)


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

Oops, I misunderstood which screws you were referring to. I thought you meant the ones holding the gemini case to the ear brackets. You can still try the torx and flat head screw driver options, but the dremel tool is definitely out of the race :)


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

I tried again with my set and every loose hex wrench I could find.? No luck, crazy.? I can't imagine that they're over-tightened.? Here a couple of pix of mine -?


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

My mount came with the wing-headed type of screws (sorry, can¡¯t remember the name off the top of my head, not even on my native language lol). However, I¡¯ve had similar issues with other screws/bolts and found that, more often than not, using a torx wrench works well enough. Maybe try a couple and see if that helps. Another option would be an appropriately sized flat head screw driver across opposite vertices of the hexagonal key.
?
Lastly, and I mean as an absolute last resort, if the socket is worn down and won¡¯t take any other options, you could use a dremel type of tool with a cut-off wheel to score a slot on the socket head and use a screw driver. Just be careful not to mar that beautiful mount/gemini case :)
?
Good luck


Moderated Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay

 

?
Hopefully mine will show up today.?
?
--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?


Moderated Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay

Francisco
 

got it in the mail today, flashed the bootloader, moved over my? battery and microsd, seems to work fine. will test tonight. doesnt really matter anymore as this one is not available (sold out) i did not flash the servo controllers, (but i do have the PIC hardware). installed in the casing, and it will slew the RA and DEC just fine. ill keep my original board as a backup.
?
there is another seller selling a similar board (DO NOT BUY IT) but suffers from the same lack of provenance as these boards. and costs 3x as much


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

Thanks for the response.?
I re-tried 3/16"; it is close but just doesn't seat into the socket.? I have a set of Harbor Freight SAE and metric wrenches.
3/16 wrench - a bit too big
5/32 - too small
5mm - too big
4 mm - too small.
I'll take a photo when I can, but to my eyes it appears identical to your photo.? The wrench just won't lock down in it and just spins, with a slight friction, in the rounded shoulder of the machine screw.
IDK, maybe I'll track down another 3/16 wrench (there's probably one around here somewhere).


Re: Wrench for electronics bracket

 

On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 05:59 AM, <larrychristianson@...> wrote:
what size is it?
Mine requires a 3/16 Allen wrench for the Gemini-2 brackets.? Perhaps a photo would help clarify how it appears.?
?
?
?
?


Wrench for electronics bracket

 

Hello,
Hope I'm not being too stupid here, but I cannot find a hex wrench to fit the screws which attach the electronics bracket (what holds the Gemini) to the HD tripod.
I got my mount about 18 months ago along with a 12" column extension. I moved the bracket and attached it to the extension.? Now I'd like to move it back to the tripod top.
But I can find no hex wrench that fits the screws.? I thought I kept every tool and screw that came with the mount, and found nothing.? I just don't remember anything special doing this.
None of my US or metric wrenches fit; the socket seems rounded (not stripped) somehow.
Was there a special wrench?
If not, what size is it?
Thanks for any help.


Re: Losmandy G11 Gemini 2 control Box

 

Power was 18-12vDC. ?while 12V DC is useful ¡­.18V DC isn¡¯t for most Astro uses.?

Also while it has its own buck power converter etc, I¡¯d rather not power anything on the same line power that my Gemini occupies. ?IE running a peltier cooler¡­.can inject bookoo switching noise into the power.?

Lastly size¡­.to fit the form factor. ?The layout is much more user friendly and to reduce size ?PCB changes have to be made. ? I¡¯ve closely examined the 3 G2 models Tallboy ver 1 and ver 2 and mini ¡­.I¡¯m amazed at track routing and how much better the circuitry and parts re-design got from then to now. ? Now is so much more simpler but better protected. ?

Anyway who am I to say I¡¯m only guessing I¡¯m not the designer. ?Though I do have a few ideas¡­¡­.hahaha my head is swelling!?

cheers
--
Brendan