Re: Gemini II hand box cable type and max length
Hi sctom1,
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The hand controller cable is actually an RS232 (serial) communications cable. If you use it at 9600 baud, serial cable can be fairly long, 15m or longer. A lot? depends on cable properties. Using Ethernet and the virtual HC is probably a more reliable and easier way to control your Gemini, as Chip suggests, but with a 25ft cable, I suspect you should be able to get your HC working in the warm room.
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Regards,
?
? ?-Paul
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On Thu, Nov 21, 2024 at 08:26 AM, <sctom1@...> wrote:
I looked for this, but I couldn’t find it anywhere so apologies if it is somewhere and I overlooked it.
What type of cable is between the hand box and the Gemini II and what is the maximum length I can go? My observatory is being planned with a warm room separated from the scope room and I may need up to 25 feet of cable so I don’t have to walk out to the mount to do the start up every time with the hand box. ?The hand box will be on a desk beside my PC running NINA. I will leave the Gemini turned on, but shut off power to it when not used, so no other need to go to the mount at startup or shutdown. ?Unless this will cause issues with the Gemini.?
FWIW, 20 feet of USB 3.0 from PC to Pegasus UPBv3 works fine. Will try 25 feet soon.
Many thanks
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Re: Need help with connection problem
Ron, what version of ASCOM driver are you using? Can you try the latest, from here:
?
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If that still doesn't help, please upload an ASCOM driver log. .
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Regards,
?
? -Paul
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On Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 09:51 PM, <stargazr39@...> wrote:
Hello, Group.
I am trying to get my Gemini to connect to my laptop via USB, so that I can use both The Sky 6 and N.I.N.A. for observing/and imaging.? My old Gemini I worked well using a Serial/USB connection, but I am having a problem with the new Gemini II.
I'm running Windows 10.? Device manager shows my USB connection to Gemini via COM 4, and when I open The Sky 6 and set up the link using COM 4 and 9600 Baud, it connects and will slew to targets that I select.
The problem is when I try to connect to N.I.N.A. for imaging.?? When I first tell it to connect to the mount via Gemini.net, I get the message: "Success. Mount connected to Gemini.net via COM 4 at 9600 Baud".
The problem is that a few seconds later I get the message: "Serial port timed out", followed by the message "Gemini not responding, terminating connection".
THEN: a few moment later a message appears saying "Success. Mount connected to Gemini.net via COM 4 at 9600 Baud".....followed seconds later by the "Serial Port timed out" message, and then the "Gemini.net not responding, terminating connection".
These messages just keep repeating in a loop...connecting, timing out, disconnecting.
My question is, is this a problem in N.I.N.A., since this does not occur when I connect while using The Sky 6.
If it's a N.I.N.A. problem, do any of you know what settings I can change to stop this "Serial Port timed out" and "terminating connection" thing from happening.
I'd sure like to get this sorted before the next new moon cycle, as I'm getting behind on my imaging!!
Ron Abbott
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Re: Gemini II hand box cable type and max length
On Thu, Nov 21, 2024 at 05:26 AM, <sctom1@...> wrote:
I looked for this, but I couldn’t find it anywhere so apologies if it is somewhere and I overlooked it.
What type of cable is between the hand box and the Gemini II and what is the maximum length I can go? My observatory is being planned with a warm room separated from the scope room and I may need up to 25 feet of cable so I don’t have to walk out to the mount to do the start up every time with the hand box. ?The hand box will be on a desk beside my PC running NINA. I will leave the Gemini turned on, but shut off power to it when not used, so no other need to go to the mount at startup or shutdown. ?Unless this will cause issues with the Gemini.?
FWIW, 20 feet of USB 3.0 from PC to Pegasus UPBv3 works fine. Will try 25 feet soon.
Many thanks
?
I know this is not your question but here is another solution that resolves the problem of having hand controller access in the warm room and increases you control and access to the Gemini. Why not connect using Ethernet cable which has a 100m length limit???
?
You would get a virtual HC on screen as well as full access to Gemin 2 UI for updates and changes to any Gemini 2 settings needed for imaging and debugging.
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Gemini II hand box cable type and max length
I looked for this, but I couldn’t find it anywhere so apologies if it is somewhere and I overlooked it.
What type of cable is between the hand box and the Gemini II and what is the maximum length I can go? My observatory is being planned with a warm room separated from the scope room and I may need up to 25 feet of cable so I don’t have to walk out to the mount to do the start up every time with the hand box. ?The hand box will be on a desk beside my PC running NINA. I will leave the Gemini turned on, but shut off power to it when not used, so no other need to go to the mount at startup or shutdown. ?Unless this will cause issues with the Gemini.?
FWIW, 20 feet of USB 3.0 from PC to Pegasus UPBv3 works fine. Will try 25 feet soon.
Many thanks
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Re: Need help with connection problem
Hi Ron,
I use N.I.N.A. and connect to my mount with USB also and I don’t recall this having happened before so, I’d say it’s not a N.I.N.A. issue :).
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My first thought is, are you trying to use both The Sky and N.I.N.A. at the same time? If so disconnect the mount from The Sky first and then try N.I.N.A. by itself. You may even want to reboot your computer before connecting, just to make sure everything is as pristine as windows will let it.
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Are you using Gemini.net to connect The sky also? If so then this shouldn’t be an issue but, still worth a try.?
Other than that the usual suspects apply. Try a different cable, different connector and/or port on your laptop, increasing the Baud rate etc.
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Good luck
Jonathan
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On Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 04:39 PM, <Tjkallenbach@...> wrote:
Thanks Chip,
I sent my Gemini in to Losmandy about 5 months ago, they installed version 6.? The polar align is not really a problem; it is more of an idiosyncrasy.? The speed of rotation seems to vary.? Some times the counter will count of degrees but the mount is moving very slowly.? Other times the mount moves fast without the count up.? Usually, once I cancel the PA and tell it to PA again, it works fine.? ?I will look at the HC to see what speed is being displayed as it moves.? That reminds me...I was resetting the mount limits by following a Losmandy you tube video.? My mount did not behave the way the mount in the video did.? The video said slew to the limit...listen for the beep...change the speed...I don't remember exactly now but I followed the video exactly and it took forever for the mount to move beyond the existing limit to the new limit.? Is there a different method I should use with version 6?
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Problems I had with meridian flips were probably due to my lack of understanding the mount limits.? I just added an RA extension and 12" pier extension.? My hope is that those two additions will allow me to increase the limits and reduce the idle time during a flip.
?
To be clear, I am not complaining about the mount.? It is a beautiful, well made piece of equipment that I would recommend with hesitation.? It is just different than my Skywatcher EQ6-r.
?
Thank you
?
Hi Tom,
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Okay got it.? AFAIK the latest versions are: Gemini 2 L6.1, HC 1.63 and PIC code v3.0.? If you have Ethernet working to the Gemini 2 just GFU and install L6.1 and HC 1.63 of you can map the Gemini 2 as a drive and simply copy the files over to the Gemini-2 but I can't recommend this unless you know how to do this already.?
?
The PA issue is well understood and is really more of an undocumented setting requirement ZWO didn't tell anyone about.? The issue is a time out, it is easy to fix by simply changing the MOVE speed in the HC to 400 and using the HC gets this done with three button presses, MENU > SPEED.? Personally I would always choose to use the All-Sky polar alignment as it is very easy and has the potential to give a more accurate polar alignment.?
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As far as using Gemini limits goes ignore that video and make your life easier by just manually setting the limits to higher numbers both East and West.? Then loosen the RA clutch to accurately set the mount to CWD and then tighten the clutch back to just enough that the RA is firmly set and power down, wait 10 seconds and power back up.? Then using the Gemini-2 HC RA buttons slew the mount either West or East it really doesn't matter as the Gemini 2 will know which way you slewed the mount.? Go to the limit on one side and be sure you leave some room in case your future CWD setting is not as good as this one.? Next you go to the LIMITS page and press SET LIMIT HERE.? Rinse and repeat for the other side of the pier and you are GTG.?
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Unfortunately the ASIAIR if programed will not shoot past the meridian.? The ASIAIR has a hard limit of zero minutes before the meridian to stop shooting and tracking.? Then you need to set the number of minutes you want the ASIAIR to wait before flipping, reacquiring the target and resuming data capture.? You can shoot through the meridian but you have to be shooting manually.?
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Oh it is quite different from an EQ6 which is why I sold all 4 of my modified EQMOD mounts, 2 x HEQ5/Sirius and 2x EQ6/Atlas and moved to Losmandy.? It was a GREAT move IME.?
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Let us know how it goes.? ? ? ? ? ?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Need help with connection problem
Hello, Group.
I am trying to get my Gemini to connect to my laptop via USB, so that I can use both The Sky 6 and N.I.N.A. for observing/and imaging.? My old Gemini I worked well using a Serial/USB connection, but I am having a problem with the new Gemini II.
I'm running Windows 10.? Device manager shows my USB connection to Gemini via COM 4, and when I open The Sky 6 and set up the link using COM 4 and 9600 Baud, it connects and will slew to targets that I select.
The problem is when I try to connect to N.I.N.A. for imaging.?? When I first tell it to connect to the mount via Gemini.net, I get the message: "Success. Mount connected to Gemini.net via COM 4 at 9600 Baud".
The problem is that a few seconds later I get the message: "Serial port timed out", followed by the message "Gemini not responding, terminating connection".
THEN: a few moment later a message appears saying "Success. Mount connected to Gemini.net via COM 4 at 9600 Baud".....followed seconds later by the "Serial Port timed out" message, and then the "Gemini.net not responding, terminating connection".
These messages just keep repeating in a loop...connecting, timing out, disconnecting.
My question is, is this a problem in N.I.N.A., since this does not occur when I connect while using The Sky 6.
If it's a N.I.N.A. problem, do any of you know what settings I can change to stop this "Serial Port timed out" and "terminating connection" thing from happening.
I'd sure like to get this sorted before the next new moon cycle, as I'm getting behind on my imaging!!
Ron Abbott
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Re: NINA Sequence and Park at Zenith
Ah, good suggestion - I had use the slew to alt/az but didn't even think about tracking stopped instruction. Thanks!
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Re: NINA Sequence and Park at Zenith
That is interesting, a 90/90 in the Advanced Sequencer places my mount on the eastern side ready to track CW down…possibly because of my go-to Western Limit. Doesn’t matter too much given that I command tracking to stop. A person should probably try a few different commands to see what works best prior to automating… I know some folks like to take their sky flats 10-20° away from the rising/setting sun.?
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Re: NINA Sequence and Park at Zenith
You would likely want 90/270 so that the mount continues to track westward from the meridian with counterweights down.
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On Nov 20, 2024, at 12:49, Ryan Noonan via groups.io <repast_twerps0r@...> wrote:
I use NINA to automate skyflats in the AM. I can send you a screenshot of my sequence in a few days.
Basically after imaging my mount parks at HOME and waits for the sun angle to get to the desired elevation.
Once the sun is at the desired elevation the Advanced sequencer commands a:
Slew to Alt/AZ - 90/90 (this slews the mount to zenith)
Tracking Stopped
then it starts to take the sky flats.
After sky flats are done it commands a slew back to HOME.
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Re: NINA Sequence and Park at Zenith
I use NINA to automate skyflats in the AM. I can send you a screenshot of my sequence in a few days.
?
Basically after imaging my mount parks at HOME and waits for the sun angle to get to the desired elevation.?
Once the sun is at the desired elevation the Advanced sequencer commands a:
?
Slew to Alt/AZ - 90/90 (this slews the mount to zenith)
Tracking Stopped
then it starts to take the sky flats.?
After sky flats are done it commands a slew back to HOME.?
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Re: NINA Sequence and Park at Zenith
Le 20 nov. 2024 à 17:58, Paul Kanevsky via < yh@...> a écrit :
From NINA, you can use the Sequencer command Find Home to tell Gemini to slew to this position, and park there when you're ready to take flats.
The Flat Wizard in NINA has a native Slew to Zenith function.
Cheers, JB
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Re: NINA Sequence and Park at Zenith
On Wed, Nov 20, 2024 at 09:45 AM, John Dias wrote:
GM811g user here.
I want to automate sky flats at the start and end of each sequence in NINA. However, NINA only provides a "Park" option and not the other park options available in the HC or Gemini software HC. Is there a way I can use a Python script to issue commands to my mount so I can customize the sequence with a Park at Zenith option?
Just move the scope to the desired flats position (zenith), and then use the HC to set Home Position there:
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From NINA, you can use the Sequencer command Find Home to tell Gemini to slew to this position, and park there when you're ready to take flats.
?
Regards,
?
? ? -Paul
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NINA Sequence and Park at Zenith
GM811g user here.
I want to automate sky flats at the start and end of each sequence in NINA. However, NINA only provides a "Park" option and not the other park options available in the HC or Gemini software HC. Is there a way I can use a Python script to issue commands to my mount so I can customize the sequence with a Park at Zenith option?
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Re: Can’t connect Ethernet or USB
Hi Edward,
?
Either one should work, although I used the PicKit 3 software myself.?
?
Regards,
?
? -Paul
On Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 06:35 PM, Edward Plumer wrote:
Paul,
?
Of the options you linked for the PICKit 3 unit I got, do you recommend the
?
PICKit 3 V3.0.3.3
?
or the
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MPLabX v4.15
?
approach?
?
?
--
Edward
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Thanks Chip,
I sent my Gemini in to Losmandy about 5 months ago, they installed version 6.? The polar align is not really a problem; it is more of an idiosyncrasy.? The speed of rotation seems to vary.? Some times the counter will count of degrees but the mount is moving very slowly.? Other times the mount moves fast without the count up.? Usually, once I cancel the PA and tell it to PA again, it works fine.? ?I will look at the HC to see what speed is being displayed as it moves.? That reminds me...I was resetting the mount limits by following a Losmandy you tube video.? My mount did not behave the way the mount in the video did.? The video said slew to the limit...listen for the beep...change the speed...I don't remember exactly now but I followed the video exactly and it took forever for the mount to move beyond the existing limit to the new limit.? Is there a different method I should use with version 6?
?
Problems I had with meridian flips were probably due to my lack of understanding the mount limits.? I just added an RA extension and 12" pier extension.? My hope is that those two additions will allow me to increase the limits and reduce the idle time during a flip.
?
To be clear, I am not complaining about the mount.? It is a beautiful, well made piece of equipment that I would recommend with hesitation.? It is just different than my Skywatcher EQ6-r.
?
Thank you
|
Re: Can’t connect Ethernet or USB
Paul,
?
Of the options you linked for the PICKit 3 unit I got, do you recommend the
?
PICKit 3 V3.0.3.3
?
or the
?
MPLabX v4.15
?
approach?
?
?
--
Edward
|
I have attached a pic of my hc firmware readout. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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-------- Original message -------- From: "Chip Louie via groups.io" <chiplouie@...> Date: 11/19/24 11:12 AM (GMT-05:00) Subject: Re: [Gemini-II_io] Asiair
On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 02:40 AM, <djewing@...> wrote:
Can someone point me in the direction of getting my mount working with the asiair. Some things function but not all.?
?
We can't help if you don't respond.? What is your rig configuration and what issues have you had?? Let us know if you still need help.?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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The issue of PA will slow/motion rotation to 60degs is easier then that. Soon as rotation should begin, look as the speed selection in lower left of HC. Simple toggle to “slew”. ?Always it goes. ?This takes little effect w/o screwing wick the mounts speed settings.
I don’t have problems with flips that I recall. ?Other than not letting AAP re-plate solve after the flip. ?
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On Nov 18, 2024, at 5:11?PM, Tjkallenbach via groups.io <Tjkallenbach@...> wrote:
? My experience is that while I still experience "problems", most of them have work-arounds.? For example, when I run the polar align routine in the air, the degrees of rotation will not count up.? Even though the mount is moving the counter stays at 0.0 degrees.? I have to cancel the operation and run it again for the degrees to increment toward 60°.? If I just let it go without the count, the polar align fails and I need to go to CWD with the hand controller, switch the air off, switch the gemini off, restart the gemini then restart the air.? It is not a big deal just a little quirky.? After a successful PA, I go home and restart everything.? Oh...going home, When I tell the mount to go home in the air, the mount will go home but I do not get the message go home success or whatever it is.
When it is time to do a meridian flip it seems that the mount will not move until the air has issued the command three times but then will do the flip.??
?
Tom
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I am currently working on figuring out what firmware i have. Was told it was L6 by previous owner. I need to confirm myself when I get home today. Mine is guilty of the quirks mentioned in a previous message. Polar alignment being funky, not getting a finished home notification after telling it to go home and meridian flip issues. Only had it out 1 time since purchasing it. I need to tinker some more.?
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
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-------- Original message -------- From: "Chip Louie via groups.io" <chiplouie@...> Date: 11/19/24 11:12 AM (GMT-05:00) Subject: Re: [Gemini-II_io] Asiair
On Mon, Nov 18, 2024 at 02:40 AM, <djewing@...> wrote:
Can someone point me in the direction of getting my mount working with the asiair. Some things function but not all.?
?
We can't help if you don't respond.? What is your rig configuration and what issues have you had?? Let us know if you still need help.?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Paul Kanevsky
Chip Louie
John Dias
Ryan Noonan
Edward Plumer
