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Re: G-11/Gemini compatibility with ASI Air

 

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 04:25 AM, SkywatchBob wrote:
I recently bought an ASI Air to connect mount, telescope, camera, and guide scope.? I tried connecting the ASI Air using a USB cable that fit in the port on the Gemini.? When I try to access the mount through the phone app, the ASI Air does not recognize the mount.? What do I need to do to get the mount and the ASI Air to talk to each other.? I plugged the USB cable to a USB-2 port, not USB-3 in the ASI Air.
The ASIAIR / Gemini-2 combination works great! I have used USB to connect the two no problem. That said you need to used the correct USB ports on both for best results.?

On the Gemini-2 you must use the square USB Type B port. The Gemini-2's front panel USB Type A port is a low power port only.?

On the ASIAIR side you could use any port - use a USB 2 port because it is wasteful to use a USB 3 port for the tiny amount of data used to communicate with Gemini-2. Save the USB 3 ports for cameras and other connections that need the higher data rates.?

That said IME the best connection to use between the Gemini-2 and ASIAIR is the Ethernet port. First the Ethernet port of the ASIAIR uses different hardware on the RPi4b board and no / low impact on the USB port overhead. Using the Ethernet port also frees up a USB port for other peripherals.?

If you add high performance mini travel router into the mix your Wi-Fi range will suddenly become much larger and your smartphone or tablet user interface will feel a lot faster because it is no longer being hamstrung by the low performance native Wi-Fi of the RPi4 or CM.?

Adding the travel router also allows you more flexibility in that you can now reliably connect to you home net work and work from a laptop or PC and a bigger screen. Oh and you get to be warm too.?

I have been using the Gemini-2 mini and ASIAIR this way all through Covid. Mount side when warm and inside when cold.?

--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

? ?Astropheric Weather Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?


Re: Model parameter change upon sync in Starry Night - Newb Question

 

Hi George,

Gemini.NET doesn't automatically re-read the changed parameters unless it knows that it needs to do so. If you update the model through Gemini.NET, it'll automatically update these by re-reading from Gemini. When you change them from the HC or through some other piece of software, you'll need to tell Gemini.NET to reload the parameters. The three simple ways to do this are to:

1. Close and reopen advanced settings window
2. Press "From Gemini" button on the advanced settings window, or
3. Press the "Get Settings From Gemini" menu in the modeling parameters window:



Regards,

? ?-Paul


On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 02:20 AM, George Stallings wrote:
I've just set up a new observatory with a new-to-me, never used Losmandy G11G wiith Gemini 2. My goal is to control the G11 with Starry Night or Cartes du Ciel (I like both well enough). My first attempt to align solely within Cartes du Ciel on Thursday was something of a nightmare. Gotos were way off, but I kept trying. When I would center on the target star and synch in Cartes du Ciel, the program would not synch. Multiple things were going wrong and I was sure it was all due to user error. I've read the majority of the manual in bits and piecesSince I had been working out in the observatory for a few hours doing other things, I was tired, and it was late, I decided it would be better to walk away from the issue for the night and come back out fresh.?

Tonight, the weather was cold with snow showers, but I could figure out issues in the observatory. This time I tried to align first with the hand controller. I fake aligned on several stars in the east and one in the west, and I made "corrections" for the positions of the stars before hitting align so that the model parameters would change. I should note that I queried the GPS to update time and location, though both had already been correct when I turned the mount on. The gotos looked pretty good. Then I connected to Gemini.net on the PC and the model parameters on the hand controller matched those in Gemini.net. I had been unsure whether the alignment would carry over once I got to the PC, so this was comforting. I then connected Gemini.net to Starry Night and it showed my mount was centered on Dubhe, which was correct. I slewed to Betelgeuse and then pretended the mount was a little off on the goto and made some adjustments in RA and Dec to "center" the star. After pretend centering, I synched on Betelgeuse. Starry Night updated and centered the cursor on the map; however, my modeling parameters in Gemini.net did not change. I slewed to several other stars, making adjustments in RA and Dec on each slew and these modeling parameters stayed the same. I checked the box for "Sync does additional align." When I had attempted to do this on another computer indoors, each sync within Starry Nights updated the modeling parameters, but I never performed an initial align with the hand controller when doing this.?

Does Gemini.net not update modeling parameters it initially receives from the hand controller?

A fully separate question: Does Gemini.net read the GPS from the Gemini II Mainboard? Mine does not when I query through Gemini.net. For background, I am connected via USB and my hand controller does find the GPS when I query it. I also understand why Gemini.net wouldn't pick it up, but I just making sure my suspicions are correct. I do have a USB GPS module, though I doubt I'll ever need or use it in the observatory. This is mostly just a curiosity.?

Thanks for any feedback and please accept my apologies for the newbie questions. I've never had a Gemini-based mount before. It's like I'm back in the late 1990s using my first goto mount again. : )?

Regards,?

George


Model parameter change upon sync in Starry Night - Newb Question

 

I've just set up a new observatory with a new-to-me, never used Losmandy G11G wiith Gemini 2. My goal is to control the G11 with Starry Night or Cartes du Ciel (I like both well enough). My first attempt to align solely within Cartes du Ciel on Thursday was something of a nightmare. Gotos were way off, but I kept trying. When I would center on the target star and synch in Cartes du Ciel, the program would not synch. Multiple things were going wrong and I was sure it was all due to user error. I've read the majority of the manual in bits and piecesSince I had been working out in the observatory for a few hours doing other things, I was tired, and it was late, I decided it would be better to walk away from the issue for the night and come back out fresh.?

Tonight, the weather was cold with snow showers, but I could figure out issues in the observatory. This time I tried to align first with the hand controller. I fake aligned on several stars in the east and one in the west, and I made "corrections" for the positions of the stars before hitting align so that the model parameters would change. I should note that I queried the GPS to update time and location, though both had already been correct when I turned the mount on. The gotos looked pretty good. Then I connected to Gemini.net on the PC and the model parameters on the hand controller matched those in Gemini.net. I had been unsure whether the alignment would carry over once I got to the PC, so this was comforting. I then connected Gemini.net to Starry Night and it showed my mount was centered on Dubhe, which was correct. I slewed to Betelgeuse and then pretended the mount was a little off on the goto and made some adjustments in RA and Dec to "center" the star. After pretend centering, I synched on Betelgeuse. Starry Night updated and centered the cursor on the map; however, my modeling parameters in Gemini.net did not change. I slewed to several other stars, making adjustments in RA and Dec on each slew and these modeling parameters stayed the same. I checked the box for "Sync does additional align." When I had attempted to do this on another computer indoors, each sync within Starry Nights updated the modeling parameters, but I never performed an initial align with the hand controller when doing this.?

Does Gemini.net not update modeling parameters it initially receives from the hand controller?

A fully separate question: Does Gemini.net read the GPS from the Gemini II Mainboard? Mine does not when I query through Gemini.net. For background, I am connected via USB and my hand controller does find the GPS when I query it. I also understand why Gemini.net wouldn't pick it up, but I just making sure my suspicions are correct. I do have a USB GPS module, though I doubt I'll ever need or use it in the observatory. This is mostly just a curiosity.?

Thanks for any feedback and please accept my apologies for the newbie questions. I've never had a Gemini-based mount before. It's like I'm back in the late 1990s using my first goto mount again. : )?

Regards,?

George


Re: Latest indi updates for gemini

 
Edited

A couple more fixes. Konstantin Baranov fixed the tracking rate selections. It looks like they've been broken for a long time. I fixed the "tracking ON / OFF" status in ekos. It looks like those were broken for a while also. They actually did correctly turn tracking on and off, but they did not correctly indicate when tracking was off. The "ON / OFF" issue will hopefully pass review by morning. The tracking rate selection has been available in nightly builds for a few days.?

Jamie


Re: G-11/Gemini compatibility with ASI Air

 

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I agree with Zolt ¨C whenever my ASIAir fails to recognize/connect to my G11G, it is always due to the cable. Either the connection is poor at the ASIAir end (loose), or the USB-B (printer) cable itself is bad. In the former case, you can try plugging it into different USB ports on the ASIAir ¨C preferably USB-2.0. You want to keep your imaging camera on USB-3.0.? --Rob

?

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Zolt Levay via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 6:45 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: EXTERNAL: Re: [Gemini-II_io] G-11/Gemini compatibility with ASI Air

?

Maybe check that the cable is good? Do you see Losmandy Gemini as one of the choices in the Mount menu? My Air connects to the mount OK, though sometimes the USB connection is loose on the Air.

?

?


Re: G-11/Gemini compatibility with ASI Air

 

Hi Bob

make sure you are using the correct USB port on the Gemini 2



On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 4:25 AM SkywatchBob <skywatchbob@...> wrote:
I recently bought an ASI Air to connect mount, telescope, camera, and guide scope.? I tried connecting the ASI Air using a USB cable that fit in the port on the Gemini.? When I try to access the mount through the phone app, the ASI Air does not recognize the mount.? What do I need to do to get the mount and the ASI Air to talk to each other.? I plugged the USB cable to a USB-2 port, not USB-3 in the ASI Air.



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?

--
Brian


Re: G-11/Gemini compatibility with ASI Air

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Maybe check that the cable is good? Do you see Losmandy Gemini as one of the choices in the Mount menu? My Air connects to the mount OK, though sometimes the USB connection is loose on the Air.



Re: G-11/Gemini compatibility with ASI Air

AstroLenn
 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Hi Bob,

Do I understand that you can see your imaging and guide cameras already on the app? Gemini's should be really easy as they remember time location etc.

On 25/2/23 10:48, SkywatchBob wrote:

I recently bought an ASI Air to connect mount, telescope, camera, and guide scope.? I tried connecting the ASI Air using a USB cable that fit in the port on the Gemini.? When I try to access the mount through the phone app, the ASI Air does not recognize the mount.? What do I need to do to get the mount and the ASI Air to talk to each other.? I plugged the USB cable to a USB-2 port, not USB-3 in the ASI Air.


G-11/Gemini compatibility with ASI Air

 

I recently bought an ASI Air to connect mount, telescope, camera, and guide scope.? I tried connecting the ASI Air using a USB cable that fit in the port on the Gemini.? When I try to access the mount through the phone app, the ASI Air does not recognize the mount.? What do I need to do to get the mount and the ASI Air to talk to each other.? I plugged the USB cable to a USB-2 port, not USB-3 in the ASI Air.


Re: RA lag both motors stopped

 

Hi,
I remade all soldering of din plug on the mainboard and verify visually all the others. looks good.

After that mounts works well for 10mn.?
Then I had again both messages?
back from powerfail
DEC LAG

Try with another 13V power. .. worst (problem appear much faster)

Then back on the main power and increase voltage from 15,2 to 16v
Got RA lag message only once then nothing for at least 30mn

something in the power rail ???

thanks erwan


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

 

On Thu, Feb 23, 2023 at 12:13 PM, Brian Valente wrote:
FYI this is confirmed as expected behavior. Gemini 2 has no "Initial Alignment" anymore, <99 always returns 1 + x. The coordinates are taken from startup.
Correct. In G2, bit 2?Modelling in use is used to indicate whether an alignment was done. Bit 1 is always set to 1.


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

 

ok


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

 

On Wed, Feb 22, 2023 at 10:09 AM, Graeme Coates wrote:
so that's does appear to be a Gemini 2 bug (the reported value from <99: is incorrect when the mount has not had an Initial Alignment) :)
FYI this is confirmed as expected behavior. Gemini 2 has no "Initial Alignment" anymore, <99 always returns 1 + x. The coordinates are taken from startup.
?
--
Brian


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

 

Frank I'm going to set you up with a support ticket so we can talk directly

There's a lot of cooks in the kitchen right now, and I realize it can be confusing for all



On Wed, Feb 22, 2023 at 11:51 AM Frank Wielgus <frankwielgus55@...> wrote:
Brian thanks - I'm starting to loose track here.
Do you want me to repeat the test ?? Please repeat where you want the limits set. I will then image the scope at the point of trying the meridian flip.



--
Brian?



Brian Valente
astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?

--
Brian


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

Jim Waters
 



-----------------------
Jim W
Phoenix, AZ USA


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

Jim Waters
 

On

-----------------------
Jim W
Phoenix, AZ USA


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

 

In the auto meridian flip settings, is the "use telescope side of pier" on or off?


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

Jim Waters
 

I haven¡¯t looked though each of the previous posts so I am likely missing necessary information.?

I am running 5.21 and I think ASCOM Gemini Driver 1.1.17.0 with NINA 2.1 HF1 RC0x and haven't had issues doing Meridian Flips with my G11G.? My setup process is as follows.? I was running ASCOM Gemini Driver 1.0.84 but upgraded recently.


  • Set CWD.? Use bubble levels on RA and DEC
  • Power on ¨C Quick start (Don't understand the difference between Quick and Cold Start now)
  • Polar align the mount with PoleMaster and SharpCap Pro
  • Park the mount CWD
  • Cycle power ¨C Quick Start
  • Model the mount - 3 or more in west then east
  • Setup NINA's target

I connect to the Gemini-2 through point-to-point Ethernet.? After modeling the mount I don¡¯t use the HC.? Everything is through NINA.? When I kick off an imaging session the mount is CWD and I tell NINA to sync from NINA to Gemini-2.? Never the other way around.? I have had issues syncing the other way.

I use Edward's setting for NINA and the mount Limits settings.

I am not sure if the above adds any value.


-----------------------
Jim W
Phoenix, AZ USA


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

 

On Wed, Feb 22, 2023 at 02:13 PM, Frank Wielgus wrote:
Regarding the tests to solve the issue, they are done indoors, otherwise it might be months.

From a cold start CWD:
- the mount is pointing at the NCP
- if I do a "go to bright star", it goes there with no issue ( I know from having used it outside, the star is within the field of view )
- this tells me the NCP is an alignment point
I just tested adding another star and did an alignment. No difference in outcome - when just over the meridian, the meridian flip function does nothing. The other functions do work. Even nudging the mount further to when it starts beeping, the meridian flip function does nothing.
I tried to do exactly what you describe here, Frank.

I had Level 6 beta already flashed, so I tried a cold start, slew to past the meridian, and then do :Mf#... and it flipped with no problems, even without a single sync or align. Repeated a couple of times, works!

I then flashed firmware 5.21 and now, with cold start, align/sync, etc., I can't make it flip using the :Mf# command. The result is exactly like what you're getting, :Mf# returns 0, meaning success, but no flip. Anywhere before or past the meridian, all the way to the safety limit, still no flip. Unless I'm missing something, it appears the :Mf# command is broken in that version...

Regards,

? ?-Paul


Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working

 

Brian thanks - I'm starting to loose track here.
Do you want me to repeat the test ?? Please repeat where you want the limits set. I will then image the scope at the point of trying the meridian flip.