Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Thanks for the suggestion Paul.? I tried it out today but no luck.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
On Mon, Feb 20, 2023 at 10:43 AM, Frank Wielgus wrote:
So, given the above:
- mount does not flip even though it should
- manipulating limits does not help?
- happens via usb or ethernet
- happens even when not running an imaging application
- happen after testing a variety of cables and laptops
Does this imply anything regarding my gemini unit ?
Can¡¯t say if that¡¯s a hardware or software/settings issue, although it¡¯s hard to imagine that hardware is causing this if everything is working except for flips. Did you try resetting Gemini firmware to all default settings? ?Might be worth a try.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
So, given the above:
- mount does not flip even though it should
- manipulating limits does not help?
- happens via usb or ethernet
- happens even when not running an imaging application
- happen after testing a variety of cables and laptops
Does this imply anything regarding my gemini unit ?
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
On Sun, Feb 19, 2023 at 08:09 PM, Frank Wielgus wrote:
A few posts below this one, I attached an ascom log for one of my troubleshooting runs.? I looked and the Mf# is in there.? Whether done at right time or not is beyond me.
That's correct. There is a meridian flip command in the log, :Mf# issued, it appears to happen at HA of 0.026183, or past the meridian. The mount reports being on West side of the pier. The software asks to go to East side. The command is sent... Gemini reports success, yet, no motion occurs and hour angle continues to increase past the meridian. 18:13:32.598 Serial received:? ? ? ? ? TID:8 [0]: :GH, +0.026183
18:13:33.314 IT:SideOfPier.Get? ? ? ? ?TID:6 [Enter] pierWest, 42.64
18:13:33.314 IT:CanSetPierSide.Get? ? ?TID:6 [Enter] True
18:13:33.314 IT:SideOfPier.Set? ? ? ? ?TID:6 [Enter] pierEast
18:13:33.315 Transmitting commands? ? ?TID:8 [2]: :Mf#
18:13:33.315 Serial Transmit? ? ? ? ? ?TID:8 [0]: :Mf#
18:13:33.317 Serial received:? ? ? ? ? TID:8 [0]: :Mf#, 0
18:13:33.344 Serial received:? ? ? ? ? TID:8 [0]: :Gv, T
18:13:34.605 Serial received:? ? ? ? ? TID:8 [0]: :GH, +0.026745
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Frank what software is this?
A solution of sorts.? I reverted to a version of the capture software that doesn't rely on pier side to determine when to flip.? When the scope and target cross the median - even all the way to the limits, Gemini reports scope west pointing east and this screws up the flip as the capture software is waiting for a pier side change to make the flip. I'm not an expert in this so I may not be saying it right ( don't shoot please ).
Anyways - a solution that gets me back to imaging.
-- Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio? portfolio astrobin?
--
Brian
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
A few posts below this one, I attached an ascom log for one of my troubleshooting runs.? I looked and the Mf# is in there.? Whether done at right time or not is beyond me.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Ah. I wonder if this page has anything explanatory.
If the software is relying on SideOfPier to change to trigger the flip, it's wrong.?
The ASCOM log should show the command if it is triggering (:Mf# is the command from memory) - is it in there at the right time?
GC
A solution of sorts.? I reverted to a version of the capture software that doesn't rely on pier side to determine when to flip.? When the scope and target cross the median - even all the way to the limits, Gemini reports scope west pointing east and this screws up the flip as the capture software is waiting for a pier side change to make the flip. I'm not an expert in this so I may not be saying it right ( don't shoot please ).
Anyways - a solution that gets me back to imaging.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
A solution of sorts.? I reverted to a version of the capture software that doesn't rely on pier side to determine when to flip.? When the scope and target cross the median - even all the way to the limits, Gemini reports scope west pointing east and this screws up the flip as the capture software is waiting for a pier side change to make the flip. I'm not an expert in this so I may not be saying it right ( don't shoot please ).
Anyways - a solution that gets me back to imaging.
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Latest indi updates for gemini
Here's some of the latest updates I've made to the indi driver. I'd say that the highlight is the addition of safety limits and flip point's. I've also updated the ekos/kstars indi control panel so that long labels are readable. If they are too long a tool tip will pop up when you hover your mouse over the label. Please try out the new features and let me know if there are any bugs.? Jamie ?
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#1850 by??was merged?yesterday
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#1824 by??was merged?3 weeks ago
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#1820 by??was merged?3 weeks ago
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#1788 by??was merged?on Dec 16, 2022
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#1752 by??was merged?on Nov 3, 2022
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
A friend with a "new to him" G8 with the same gemini unit and software helped with testing various limit settings and was able to generate a flip with his unit with? E & W limits at 92 and WGT at 2.5. Software was told to flip 5 mins. past meridian.
When I tried the same it failed.
I'm thinking the issue involves something else.
Is it possible I have a corruption and need to reflash the gemini unit firmware with the existing version again ?
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Thanks Jonathan - great idea.
Just tried it. Results the same, no flip - even after a 5 min. retry.
Attached is the ascom log should it prove useful.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Could you try changing the settings in CCDciel? Use ¡°can track past meridian¡± for 12 minutes and ¡°no flip until past meridian¡± at 0. This should be comfortably within the gemini limits. I think the settings as they are now are a bit too close to the physical limits and any error in setting CWD when starting can skew the results.
You can try this during daylight so you don¡¯t waste a perfectly good imaging night ;)
hope this helps
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Thanks for the tips. The key factors are in the screen shot attached.
The way is interpret this is as follows:
1. the gemini limits permit meridian flip between 8 mins. before the meridian to 16 mins. after
2. the capture software was set to meridian flip between 7 mins. before meridian to 15 mins. after ( a 1 min. cushion on each end )
When run ( cold stars CWD ), the command to flip was given between 7-6 mins. before the meridian ( doing an inside imaging sequence ).
After the command for the flip, the mount reported back that it is west pointing east - the flip failed
The capture software retried after 5 mins. - the flip failed
Hopefully the screen shot helps.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
WSL=94,?? ESL= 94,?? WSL=3? these are my settings.? Assuming use of only the HC and a planetarium connected to gemini, I interpret this as permitting a meridian flip between 91 and 93 degrees. Is this correct ?
Since the Gemini is new and was only used 2 months, and I cannot use the usb method at all, what are my options for replacement/repair ?
Hi Frank,
the math is correct. As it stands your window of opportunity for a flip runs from 1 degree past meridian all the way to your safety limit of 4 degrees past meridian. That is 4 minutes to 16 minutes past meridian. Not a whole lot of wiggle room but manageable, just need to pay close attention to where your target is.?
As Paul suggested, you may want to increase your WGL to something like 6 to give you more room to work. That will let you flip from 2 degrees before the meridian. Also, if those limits are not hard set for your equipment, you may want to increase them a bit (but only if your scope allows).?
Finally, the software you use for imaging needs to have the correct values as well, and they all work slightly differently. Some require time instead of degrees so be careful with that too.
As for the comms error my only suggestion would be to make sure the com ports are setup properly in your gemini.net driver. Maybe even check the usb config on device manager to make sure it¡¯s all correctly set (I assuming windows?).
good luck
Jonathan
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Frank, I don't work for Losmandy, so you're better off contacting their support directly about any repair/replacement.
Your? safety limits are very conservative, so there will be a very limited area where a flip is even possible. One thing to realize with Gemini L5 is that if you use a Goto to force a flip, the destination coordinates for such a goto must be sufficiently far from the current position, otherwise Gemini might decide that it's easier to reach this destination by staying on the same side of the meridian (as long as the safety limit is not violated.) If you must have such strict safety limits, you may want to try to increase the western goto limit and make it larger. That will increase the area where a goto destination will likely cause a flip. L6 beta is changing some of this logic to improve the reliability of automated meridian flips.
Regards,
? -Paul
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
correction between 91 and 94 degrees
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Thanks.
WSL=94,?? ESL= 94,?? WSL=3? these are my settings.? Assuming use of only the HC and a planetarium connected to gemini, I interpret this as permitting a meridian flip between 91 and 93 degrees. Is this correct ?
Since the Gemini is new and was only used 2 months, and I cannot use the usb method at all, what are my options for replacement/repair ?
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Re: problem with my Gemini
Thanks Brian for this information. Cordially
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envoy¨¦ : 17 f¨¦vrier 2023 ¨¤ 17:41
de : Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
¨¤ : [email protected]
objet : Re: [Gemini-II_io] problem with my Gemini
Hi Michael
>>>Is the voltage control on the web interface reliable, the yellow and red thresholds?
It will show the correct voltage. The Red and yellow warning levels are inaccurate and will be fixed in a future update. The battery voltage is good down to about 2.0v
Hi Brian, first of all thank you for your answer. Just one last question:Is the voltage control on the web interface reliable, the yellow and red thresholds? Cordially Michael nvoy¨¦ : 17 f¨¦vrier 2023 ¨¤ 17:13
de : Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
¨¤ : [email protected]
objet : Re: [Gemini-II_io] problem with my Gemini
Hi Michael
A new battery will discharge quickly down to around 2.9-3.0v and remain steady for several years. That is normal. If you believe your settings are being lost? Ensure the battery contacts are firm on the battery as shown in this video?
Brian
Hello everyone, I have a problem with my Gemini, I come to you to solve it if possible. After a few tries with the web interface, the sites now remain in memory, which was not the case. On the other hand, the models (east and west) disappear after several starts! So this problem is only partially solved ! In addition, the CR3454 battery is discharging day by day. I changed it 3 days ago the voltage was 3.297v right after the replacement (according to the control of the web page) and today it is 3.145v and drops steadily day by day by about 0.040 v. Is this normal? Could the microprocessor have suffered in any way? I indeed made manipulations using the web interface by redefining several times the sites which did not remain in memory. Could I have accidentally done something stupid? Thank you in advance for your help. Best regards Michael ?
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Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
--
Brian
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--
Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
--
Brian
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 09:06 PM, Frank Wielgus wrote:
have always used the usb method. I set up the ethernet option to troubleshoot the problem.? The communication errors only seem to occur with usb.
That would mean the USB connection is poor. Maybe it's on the Gemini side, if you had tried multiple USB cords and different laptops. Probably easiest and best solution is to use Ethernet, as that's a better connection and protocol, anyway. On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 09:06 PM, Frank Wielgus wrote:
The failure to meridian flip happens with either method. However, with no capture software involved, I cannot generate a meridian flip from the HC or from gemini.net software.
Tonight, I going to uninstall ASCOM and Gemini.net then reinstall and retest.
Reinstalling ASCOM and driver isn't likely to help with the flips. It is most likely related to your safety and goto limits and whether or not the same coordinate can be pointed to from both sides of the pier without violating safety limits. Regards, ? ? -Paul
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Frank,
If you can¡¯t generate a meridian flip from the hand controller then you probably have the limits set incorrectly.
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I have always used the usb method. I set up the ethernet option to troubleshoot the problem.? The communication errors only seem to occur with usb.? The failure to meridian flip happens with either method. However, with no capture software involved, I cannot generate a meridian flip from the HC or from software.
Tonight, I going to uninstall ASCOM and then reinstall and retest.
--
Paul
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Paul Kanevsky
Jamie Amendolagine
