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Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

On Tue, Oct 8, 2024 at 01:28 AM, gmartin@... wrote:
GemeiniTelescope? ? Target Unreachable.
Gary, that error on a meridian flip tells you that you are trying to reach the target that is not accessible from the other side of the mount without violating safety limits. Either adjust your safety limits to allow for more access on the east side, or wait longer for the time when you flip and the target that you flip to to become accessible on the east side.? From the point that you attempt to flip, you must have at least 180 degrees to rotate the RA axis to reach the same point on the other side, and that point must be west of that safety limit. Check your safety limits.
Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

Well, Meridian flip did not work. All went well up to that point. Again the NINA Flip dialog opened, said it was doing the flip, but it did not occur. Then errors started again. I get a lot of this error...
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GemeiniTelescope? ? Target Unreachable.?
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That error just keeps looping, even after I close NINA, and even after I close GeminiTelescope.?
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I can still Park and Home the mount. I can slew to objects East of the Meridian. But when I try to slew to objects West of the meridian I get the Target Unreachable errors again. It never exhibited this behavior before.?
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Gary
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Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

You mentioned being connected by an ethernet cable to a PC; remove it and test just the Gemini and HC.? Once that works properly, see what happens when you connect to your PC.
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I say this because when I had Ekos hooked up the first time I used my system, I was unable to slew and just heard a click.? This was caused by having Ekos' automatic meridian flip turned on while being pointed at the NCP in the home position.? As soon as I wanted to move the mount the auto-flip popped up a Stop icon on the HC and blocked it.? After I unchecked the auto-flip, the problem was gone.
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This may have nothing to do with your problem but then again, we don't believe it is the Gemini + HC that are causing the problems, so your PC connection is the first suspect.
Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

Well interesting. Today all I did was go turn on the Gemini, and went to the Network screen on the hand controller. I noticed the IP address had changed to a new value. So I looked on my EERO home network, and there was Gemini !! Yay. So DHCP worked.?
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I Then made a Network Reservation on my EERO to preserve this IP address for the Gemini. I had done this before for my two Mele pc's.?
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I checked the settings in the GeminiTelescope driver, all looked OK except site said Hollywood. I changed this to my local town. The Lat and Long was still correct.?
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I also noticed that the boxes for Asynchronous Pulse Guide and Precision Pulse Guide are greyed out, as they should be, as these are set by the Gemini when connected.?
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I can now connect via the GeminiTelescope driver, and also NINA. It connects quickly as it used to. Yay. I did a few slew commands and Parks, all works great.?
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Now I just need to see if the Meridian Flip issue is fixed tonight. I think it will be. Fingers crossed.
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I'm still a bit unsure how to check Flips during the day in NINA. I believe you have to be running a sequence. But since the lens cap is on it can't plate solve.?
Re: Correct L6 files

 

On Fri, Oct 4, 2024 at 08:31 PM, Art Trail wrote:
Are these the correct L6 files to download and install? /g/Gemini-II/files/Gemini%20Firmware%20L6.02
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Thanks!
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Art
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Yes.? These are the current production code files.? You can also use the GFU program to automatically update your Gemini 2.? Either way you will need a PIC Kit programer to program the PIC chips with the new .hex servo code.?
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--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
Re: Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 12:01 PM, David C. Partridge wrote:
specific to PEC
Sorry David, that was a Typo of the mind, I meant to type PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller).
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Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

Hi Gary,
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It will show up on your home network once it connects corretly, but you need to make sure Gemini is configured to join the network. You can either assign Gemini a static IP address or make it use DHCP. How did you set it up?
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Regards,
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?-Paul
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On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 01:11 PM, gmartin@... wrote:

Quick question. After connecting the Ethernet cable, will the Gemini II on my mount show up on my home network as a connected device ? Because at the moment it does not.?
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My home network is as follows. The house has the EERO router. I have a wired Cat6 burial cable run out to my observatory in the back yard. In the observatory I have a Netgear Gigabit 5 port switch. I have two Mele Q3 mini pc's connected to this switch. Both show up on my home network. I have connected the Gemini II to this same switch.??
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In the house I have my main pc. It can connect via remote desktop to the two Mele Q3 pc's.?
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Thanks again for the help.?
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Gary
Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

Quick question. After connecting the Ethernet cable, will the Gemini II on my mount show up on my home network as a connected device ? Because at the moment it does not.?
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My home network is as follows. The house has the EERO router. I have a wired Cat6 burial cable run out to my observatory in the back yard. In the observatory I have a Netgear Gigabit 5 port switch. I have two Mele Q3 mini pc's connected to this switch. Both show up on my home network. I have connected the Gemini II to this same switch.??
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In the house I have my main pc. It can connect via remote desktop to the two Mele Q3 pc's.?
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Thanks again for the help.?
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Gary
Re: Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

There¡¯s nothing in the motor driver firmware that¡¯s specific to PEC ¨C that¡¯s all handled by Rene¡¯s code in the ARM processor.

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David

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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of WayBack
Sent: 07 October 2024 14:38
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Gemini-II_io] Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

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On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 07:01 AM, Lloyd Merrill wrote:

are there any other features of the L6 that won't be available?

Yes, though the behavior of the mount in any specific manner becomes a characteristic for users of such a "Modified Mount" type to judge.

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As a regular user, I'm fairly certain that the L6 project incorporated PEC microprogramming to assist the mount with various features and issues. David Partridge might clarify this, but it's my understanding that the PEC programming alleviated some of the burden on the main CPU, aiding in managing limits, horizon, and motion reliability. The lack thereof would impact more than just resolution and the introduction of FUD, given that the logic is predicated on the collaboration of the three processors. This assumption ruled out any testing in the absence of the L6 Gemini-2 motherboard.

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Re: Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 09:38 AM, WayBack wrote:
On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 07:01 AM, Lloyd Merrill wrote:
are there any other features of the L6 that won't be available?
Yes, though the behavior of the mount in any specific manner becomes a characteristic for users of such a "Modified Mount" type to judge.
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As a regular user, I'm fairly certain that the L6 project incorporated PEC microprogramming to assist the mount with various features and issues. David Partridge might clarify this, but it's my understanding that the PEC programming alleviated some of the burden on the main CPU, aiding in managing limits, horizon, and motion reliability. The lack thereof would impact more than just resolution and the introduction of FUD, given that the logic is predicated on the collaboration of the three processors. This assumption ruled out any testing in the absence of the L6 Gemini-2 motherboard.
L6.02 mainboard firmware includes these PEC enhancements. These are independent of the new PIC Servo firmware, but will provide for finer/smaller corrections when new v3 firmware is detected. The new v3 PIC firmware has a number of enhancements, but in my mind, the main benefit is that L6 + PIC v3 is the combination that was thoroughly tested in development and beta-testing.? L6 + PIC v1 should work OK, but little time was spent verifying this.
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Regards,
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? ?-Paul
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Re: Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

On Mon, Oct 7, 2024 at 07:01 AM, Lloyd Merrill wrote:
are there any other features of the L6 that won't be available?
Yes, though the behavior of the mount in any specific manner becomes a characteristic for users of such a "Modified Mount" type to judge.
?
As a regular user, I'm fairly certain that the L6 project incorporated PEC microprogramming to assist the mount with various features and issues. David Partridge might clarify this, but it's my understanding that the PEC programming alleviated some of the burden on the main CPU, aiding in managing limits, horizon, and motion reliability. The lack thereof would impact more than just resolution and the introduction of FUD, given that the logic is predicated on the collaboration of the three processors. This assumption ruled out any testing in the absence of the L6 Gemini-2 motherboard.
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Re: Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

David,
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I don't want to hijack Susan's question; however, I didn't realize I could upgrade to the latest level 6 and postpone the servo upgrade.? Other than the higher resolution of the servos, are there any other features of the L6 that won't be available?
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Lloyd
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

Paul,?
Thank you for the new approach.? I will follow all of your steps carefully, and document the results of each step. Hopefully we can get to the answer for my problem. Will get back to my observatory this week and let you know the results.?
Ron Abbott?
Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

Hi Gary,
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With Ethernet, I suspect you just don't have the right connections/configuration. It can be a little challenging to connect as it requires some network configuration skills. This page has some instructions:
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Once you can connect to Gemini? from your web browser, the next step is to configure the ASCOM driver:
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As to timeout errors, it sounds like you were experiencing these before you updated ASCOM, at least during the meridian flip. I suggest you try a new USB cable (make sure it's not excessively long 3m maximum) and increase baud rate. Make sure you change the baud rate on the COM port in the Windows Device manager, as well as, in the ASCOM driver.
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Regards,
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? -Paul
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On Sun, Oct 6, 2024 at 04:24 PM, gmartin@... wrote:

Still troubleshooting why Meridian Flips stopped working four nights ago. As mentioned above, NINA works great until it it time for a Flip. NINA flip dialog opens, but no flip occurs. Then start getting ASCOM and NINA errors.?
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1: ASCOM GeminiTelescope server? ? Serial Port timed out.?
2: NINA: ASCOM Driver Error? ?SlewEquatorialAsync
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Today tried swapping the USB cable. No difference. Same issues. Connection to mount is slow, but works up to the point it needs to do a Flip, then all sorts of Com errors start occurring.?
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So now I'm trying to connect with Ethernet. I'm following the instructions in the ASCOM Gemini Driver.Net manual, pages 35-37. My mini PC is plugged into the same 4 port switch as the Gemini. I know the switch does not block anything. I configure telescope as directed, It will not connect. DHCP box is checked in hand controller.?
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I also tried the alternate method, uncheck the NetBIOS Name Resolution box and enter the IP address as shown in the hand controller. Still will not connect.?
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I turned off my Firewall for the mini PC, and also firewall on main PC in the house where the router is. Still will not connect.?
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So after running fine for almost two years, four nights ago something happened, and now I have problems connecting to Mount with both USB and now Ethernet.?
Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

I also had a similar problem with this N.I.N.A. update.? I thought of going back, but eventually did a complete gemini II software reload, reset everything to factory default and loaded all parameters from scratch.? It works now. I don't know what broke.? I first thought it was N.I.N.A.
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Regards,
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Charlie
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

On Sun, Oct 6, 2024 at 03:03 PM, <stargazr39@...> wrote:
What is puzzling to me is that it will do a go- to? and will park after a go-to.? To me this indicates that the motors and the controller are working. After a go- to,? I should be able to use the buttons to exactly center the object so I can sync,? but the buttons won't move the mount!
Hi Ron,

OK, I think it's time we get a bit more information from you. What you're experiencing isn't common (in fact, first time I'm hearing of this issue). The fact that you had your new Gemini exhibit this problem, and then, a completely new? replacement unit, seems to point to some misunderstanding or misconfiguration rather than an actual system fault.
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1. Can you please turn on the mount, then Reset to Defaults (go to Menu->System->Reset HGM Defaults). Then, turn off, and turn on the mount again. Don't skip this step.
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2 Goto Menu->HC->Info screen, take a photo and post it. It should have the versions of all the firmware.
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3. Then, don't change any settings, go back to Mount->Balance screen. Press RA+ or RA- physical buttons on the back of the HC and hold them down. Does the mount move in RA? Do you see any change on the balance screen when you press the button vs. when you don't? Post images of the balance screen with no button press, and then while RA+ or RA- is pressed.
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We'll go from there.
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Regards,
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?-Paul
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Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

The HC is just a client sending serial commands to the main board, for everything it offers, including manual moves from the main screen or tactile buttons. Any virtual HC (G2 web server or ASCOM) using the protocols can do the same.

¸é±ð²Ô¨¦


Am 06.10.24 um 22:45 schrieb Jonathan:

I think we might be bumping into a wall at this point, figuratively speaking of course :)
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you mention you¡¯ve tried with two different HCs and boxes. It is extremely improbable that both boxes suffer from the same issues so this points to some, hopefully easy to fix, user error. Since you¡¯ve tried everything that has been suggested I think the best option going forward would be for you to take pictures, or even better videos, of your HC settings and the steps you¡¯re taking to have the mount move. You know what they say, a picture is worth 1000 words, and a video a 1000 pictures :)
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hopefully with that we¡¯ll have a better idea of what¡¯s going on and offer better suggestions
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

I think we might be bumping into a wall at this point, figuratively speaking of course :)
?
you mention you¡¯ve tried with two different HCs and boxes. It is extremely improbable that both boxes suffer from the same issues so this points to some, hopefully easy to fix, user error. Since you¡¯ve tried everything that has been suggested I think the best option going forward would be for you to take pictures, or even better videos, of your HC settings and the steps you¡¯re taking to have the mount move. You know what they say, a picture is worth 1000 words, and a video a 1000 pictures :)
?
hopefully with that we¡¯ll have a better idea of what¡¯s going on and offer better suggestions
Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

Still troubleshooting why Meridian Flips stopped working four nights ago. As mentioned above, NINA works great until it it time for a Flip. NINA flip dialog opens, but no flip occurs. Then start getting ASCOM and NINA errors.?
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1: ASCOM GeminiTelescope server? ? Serial Port timed out.?
2: NINA: ASCOM Driver Error? ?SlewEquatorialAsync
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Today tried swapping the USB cable. No difference. Same issues. Connection to mount is slow, but works up to the point it needs to do a Flip, then all sorts of Com errors start occurring.?
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So now I'm trying to connect with Ethernet. I'm following the instructions in the ASCOM Gemini Driver.Net manual, pages 35-37. My mini PC is plugged into the same 4 port switch as the Gemini. I know the switch does not block anything. I configure telescope as directed, It will not connect. DHCP box is checked in hand controller.?
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I also tried the alternate method, uncheck the NetBIOS Name Resolution box and enter the IP address as shown in the hand controller. Still will not connect.?
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I turned off my Firewall for the mini PC, and also firewall on main PC in the house where the router is. Still will not connect.?
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So after running fine for almost two years, four nights ago something happened, and now I have problems connecting to Mount with both USB and now Ethernet.?
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

A direct connection is easy (of course when it works).? That said:
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Using the HC, check the IP in play on the Gemini-2 at Menu->System->Network.? The default should be 192.68.0.111 (255.255.255.0) but can be some other to your liking.
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Look up this video Brian made: ?Review the section on changing the Network adapter on the PC (12:30).? You need to go into the PC and set the Static IP of the PC Adapter.? Brian shows how to do this for a static IP.? For your IP you want to use the first three octets and some other one.? I pick 192.168.0.100 (255.255.255.0).? The important thing is they differ, and the first three octets are the same (the 192.168.0 part).? There is no Gateway when direct.? (The whole video is good to understand but we just need the PC and Gemini-2 ends set correctly for the direct connection.)
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Connect the ports with the patch cable.?
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Open a CMD window on the PC (black console command window)).? Type > Ping 192.168.0.100 {or the IP you picked}.? You should see a reply with a return time given, not a timeout.? ?If it does timeout this needs correcting.? It may mean a typo, not a static address, or you need a reverse Ethernet cable (old PC)
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If good, open the Browser and type this same IP into the browser for the address.
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On reply should be a page asking for the user:? Admin
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GL
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