Hand controller issues or is this normal?
We had to replace our Gemini 2, along with the H/C back in August 2023. One of our members noticed that after the system starts up and initializes, the hand controller doesn't go to the "Home" screen, you have to push the "Back" button twice to get to the home screen. Is this normal, or do we have to do something to get it to start up in the home screen after initialization?
I have included 2 pictures of the H/C to show information.
|
Re: RA stall on HGM Titan mount
Just a quick update. I went out to our observatory today to see if I could get the scope to move, since it was 20 degrees warmer (37F). It performed as usual with no issues. We will still be servicing the mount when it gets a bit warmer.
Thanks again for all of the helpful advice.
|
On Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 05:10 PM, Brendan wrote:
I nearly had a meal of Mr Rabbit. ??
I highly recommend that you don't! This is the type of childhood trauma that will never get resolved, and yet cost a small fortune in therapy :)
|
Re: Star Trails/No Tracking in RA
Hi Paul,
?
The only thing I see is that your mount is set not to track. When you bring up ASCOM driver virtual HC and connect to Gemini, try a Goto to any object, first. Then be sure to click on "Track" checkbox in the driver. Let me know what happens at that point. Does the check box stay checked or unchecks itself? Does the mount start tracking?
?
?
Your mount is set to park mode '1' which means it will not wake up and start tracking until you do a Goto or explicitly wake up the mount using Wake Up command from the physical HC. That's why I suggest to do a Goto, first.
?
Regards,
?
? -Paul
?
On Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 11:58 PM, Paul Romero wrote:
Hi All,
?
I recently hooked up a Linux PC/indi driver to my Gemini 2, and it seems that ever since then my ASCOM driver or Gemini 2 does not track in sidereal (RA). I¡¯ve reset my USB Settings in Windows, I¡¯ve reset my Gemini 2 controller, powered off, and then cold restarted, and I¡¯ve also re-inputted my mount¡¯s settings. Still, when the mount is commanded to slew to a point, such as when calibrating PHD2 guider or starting a sequence in SGP, it does perfectly but instead of the expected point stars, I observe star trails and no sidereal tracking upon reaching the target point. I¡¯ve uploaded a set of troubleshooting logs located in files/ ¡°promero 12-3-2024¡±. A look at the gemini webpage for iphone shows nominal voltage and battery voltage.
?
I have tried going back to the .25 ASCOM driver version, but nothing changes. I have the latest firmware updates. The mount is a MI-250.
?
In a perhaps related issue, when used, my ethernet connection disconnects after a minute or two, but my USB connection seems stable. This started occurring after I changed my router model and network physical setup. All other network devices work fine.
?
Clear Skies,
?
Paul
|
Star Trails/No Tracking in RA
Hi All,
?
I recently hooked up a Linux PC/indi driver to my Gemini 2, and it seems that ever since then my ASCOM driver or Gemini 2 does not track in sidereal (RA). I¡¯ve reset my USB Settings in Windows, I¡¯ve reset my Gemini 2 controller, powered off, and then cold restarted, and I¡¯ve also re-inputted my mount¡¯s settings. Still, when the mount is commanded to slew to a point, such as when calibrating PHD2 guider or starting a sequence in SGP, it does perfectly but instead of the expected point stars, I observe star trails and no sidereal tracking upon reaching the target point. I¡¯ve uploaded a set of troubleshooting logs located in files/ ¡°promero 12-3-2024¡±. A look at the gemini webpage for iphone shows nominal voltage and battery voltage.
?
I have tried going back to the .25 ASCOM driver version, but nothing changes. I have the latest firmware updates. The mount is a MI-250.
?
In a perhaps related issue, when used, my ethernet connection disconnects after a minute or two, but my USB connection seems stable. This started occurring after I changed my router model and network physical setup. All other network devices work fine.
?
Clear Skies,
?
Paul
|
Re: Losmandy GM8 settings
On Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 05:09 PM, <g3international@...> wrote:
Sidereal is always showing 448771 - mines is set at 897452
A g11 worm wheel has 360 teeth.? I'd expect a different divisor by a factor of two with 180 teeth.
?
How does the mount track visually at high power?
|
Re: Losmandy GM8 settings
On Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 02:09 PM, <g3international@...> wrote:
Jonathan,
?
My RA Divisor number appears to be much higher than what I'm seeing on the web (Sidereal is always showing 448771 - mines is set at 897452).?
?
How do I restore factory defaults for the device? Maybe that's what I need?
?
From the top MENU>SYSTEM>RESET HGM DEFAULT?
?
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
|
Like my daughters Rabbit. ? Mr Rabbit had a meal of many of my telescope mount cables. ?More than once.?
I nearly had a meal of Mr Rabbit. ? ?Anyway he was banished to outside pen! ?
cheers
--
Brendan
|
Re: Losmandy GM8 settings
Jonathan,
?
My RA Divisor number appears to be much higher than what I'm seeing on the web (Sidereal is always showing 448771 - mines is set at 897452).?
?
How do I restore factory defaults for the device? Maybe that's what I need?
|
Thanks Brendan/Jonathan - I purchased new cables from Losmandy and will fully inspect the HC unit to see if there is any damage.
?
I have some time-share raccoons that like to pull on hoses and cables in my back yard so I will have a closer look at all parts.
?
Ken
|
Re: Losmandy GM8 settings
The settings seem to be correct. Elongated stars can be caused by a myriad things like wind gusts, large PE, backlash, flexure etc. Were you getting good results before? If so, did you change anything between then and now? Is the elongation in RA or DEC? You also mention you had the software updated to L6.1 but, did you also update the hardware?
?
The first thing I¡¯d suggest is to post a guide log so we could see where the problem might be.?
Second would be to run a guide assistant in PHD and accept the suggestions, then try for a couple of minutes and see whether things improve.
?
Lastly, run an unguided session for about an hour or so just to get an idea of the mount¡¯s performance (PE mostly). With this run you can analyze the log and visualize the PE of the RA worm.
?
I¡¯m not familiar with the ZWO environment so these suggestions are directed more for a windows pc running the full version of PHD
?
Hope this helps
Jonathan
|
The cable is a standard 6P6C if I remember correctly. An easier option would be to simply cut the ends off and crimp new connectors on the now free ends. This assumes, of course, you have the crimping tool and replacement connectors :)
?
Cables are cheap so that may be the best option
|
Kenn just buy a replacement cable from Losmandy?
?
You can make your own it¡¯s not hard but they all eventually start to fail at the RJ PLUG as it get a lot of force upon it. ?
Inspect socket is ok free of debris using a torch/magnifier and socket pins all ok not twisted or pulled. ?
I¡¯ve a small piece seen of paper inside a socket (it was Tiny) causing data cut issues.?
Any way first port is replace cable. Or measure it (pin to pin) with multimeter while twisting it. ?
They always fail under movement.?
--
Brendan
|
I've been having issues with elongated stars within the ZWO environment. Have not been able to pinpoint yet why this is happening but was wondering if the mount had anything to do with it. I had the software updated to 6.1 months ago but have only now started to use the scope. Here are some pictures of my setting. I was hoping that someone with more knowledge of this could tell me if any setting looked "off".
|
I am having a problem with the HC rebooting when doing my mount modelling. It appears to be the cable wiggling but spraying with DeoxiT and swapping it around along with reseating doesn't seem to work this time.
?
I searched the topics for information on a cable replacement but no luck. Anyone have a suggestion for a replacement or I will ring Losmandy?
?
On a separate but related topic does anyone do modelling via the Virtual HC or other method so I can bypass the HC itself?
?
Thanks,
Ken
|
Re: RA stall on HGM Titan mount
Thank you to all for the suggestions. It looks like a good cleaning and re-greasing of the components, along with a worm gear adjustment is in order.?
?
?
|
Re: RA stall on HGM Titan mount
When that has happened to me on my G11. I shutdown. Check balance and CLUTCHES. Then I reseat the RA and Dec coaxes and restart. Then start. It¡¯s never stopped me for more than a brief inconvenient. Careful RA and Dec spring loaded worm gear hasn¡¯t been changed recently. If so suspect that.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Dec 1, 2024, at 4:45?PM, Mark Kaye via groups.io <mark.kaye@...> wrote:
? I have an elderly G11 and the grease in the bearings turned to a solid and I was getting stall warnings. Turns out one of the bearings in the Declination arm did not spin at all. So I took it completely apart and cleaned out all of the old grease in my ultrasonic cleaner and then used Super Lube Multi-Purpose Synthetic Grease to re-grease all of the bearings. After that, the mount was good as new again. We get real cold here, -30C in the depth of winter and it all worked down to those temperatures. My mount is in a permanent Observatory.
I have since had the mount upgraded to new precision spring loaded worms and tucked in motors. That has improved the mount.
On 01/12/2024 01:16 p.m., Kurt Aichele wrote:
Last night at our club observatory, we tried to power up our scope on a Losmandy HGM Titan mount. As soon as we turned it on, we got a "RA Stall" warning. Scope wasn't used for the past 6 weeks due to weather, and it was 17F last night. Mount was purchased in 2014. I'm not sure when the last time the mount was serviced. I tried to move the scope on the DEC axis too, but it was extremely sluggish, and only moved a few degrees before it stopped. Scope is perfectly balanced. We are looking for some reasons why this may have happened, along with suggestions on how to correct this. My feeling is that the mount needs to be serviced, possibly due to inadequate lubrication, or the lubricant has hardened. appreciate any input/suggestions.
|
Re: RA stall on HGM Titan mount
I have an elderly G11 and the grease in the bearings turned to a solid and I was getting stall warnings.? Turns out one of the bearings in the Declination arm did not spin at all.? So I took it completely apart and cleaned out all of the old grease in my ultrasonic cleaner and then used Super Lube Multi-Purpose Synthetic Grease to re-grease all of the bearings.? After that, the mount was good as new again.? We get real cold here, -30C in the depth of winter and it all worked down to those temperatures. My mount is in a permanent Observatory.
?? I have since had the mount upgraded to new precision spring loaded worms and tucked in motors.? That has improved the mount.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 01/12/2024 01:16 p.m., Kurt Aichele wrote: Last night at our club observatory, we tried to power up our scope on a Losmandy HGM Titan mount. As soon as we turned it on, we got a "RA Stall" warning. Scope wasn't used for the past 6 weeks due to weather, and it was 17F last night. Mount was purchased in 2014. I'm not sure when the last time the mount was serviced. I tried to move the scope on the DEC axis too, but it was extremely sluggish, and only moved a few degrees before it stopped. Scope is perfectly balanced. We are looking for some reasons why this may have happened, along with suggestions on how to correct this. My feeling is that the mount needs to be serviced, possibly due to inadequate lubrication, or the lubricant has hardened. appreciate any input/suggestions.
|
Re: RA stall on HGM Titan mount
On 12/1/2024 13:16, Kurt Aichele wrote:
Last night at our club observatory, we tried to power up our
scope on a Losmandy HGM Titan mount. As soon as we turned it on,
we got a "RA Stall" warning. Scope wasn't used for the past 6
weeks due to weather, and it was 17F last night. Mount was
purchased in 2014. I'm not sure when the last time the mount was
serviced. I tried to move the scope on the DEC axis too, but it
was extremely sluggish, and only moved a few degrees before it
stopped. Scope is perfectly balanced. We are looking for some
reasons why this may have happened, along with suggestions on
how to correct this. My feeling is that the mount needs to be
serviced, possibly due to inadequate lubrication, or the
lubricant has hardened. appreciate any input/suggestions.
_.__._,_
Kurt, I'll mention an issue I hit when I first used my Titan in
lower temps (I bought one of the first models in late 2002 and
used it that winter). I was getting RA stalls at 19F, but when the
temp was warmer (around 40F in the day) I did not get the stalls.
I talked to Losmandy and they suggested I remove the RA housing
block and put it the freezer (with worm and bearings inside) for
some hours, and see if I could turn the worm by hand. I could not!
The problem was my Titan had aluminum RA and DEC housings but the
bearings were steel. Aluminum contracts at a greater rate than
steel and compressed the steel bearings to the point they would
not allow the worm to turn freely. Losmandy provided a solution
and I purchased new stainless steel RA and DEC housings. Also I
was using a 25:1 gear box and moved to the now standard 50:1 to
provide more torque to the worms. I've been good ever since to
even lower temps. Hopefully you don't have aluminum housings and
can rule this out for your case.
Joel
|
Re: RA stall on HGM Titan mount
Sounds like the worm/gear mesh may need to be adjusted to leave a little breathing room, as colder temperatures cause different metals to contract at different rates causing what was a properly adjusted mesh to become too tight. It could also be that the grease needs to be changed, if it¡¯s the original ¡ª old grease starts absorbing a little moisture from the atmosphere, and that freezes at 17F causing grease to lose viscosity and become hardened.
?
Regards,
?
? -Paul
On Sun, Dec 1, 2024 at 01:16 PM, Kurt Aichele wrote:
Last night at our club observatory, we tried to power up our scope on a Losmandy HGM Titan mount. As soon as we turned it on, we got a "RA Stall" warning. Scope wasn't used for the past 6 weeks due to weather, and it was 17F last night. Mount was purchased in 2014. I'm not sure when the last time the mount was serviced. I tried to move the scope on the DEC axis too, but it was extremely sluggish, and only moved a few degrees before it stopped. Scope is perfectly balanced. We are looking for some reasons why this may have happened, along with suggestions on how to correct this. My feeling is that the mount needs to be serviced, possibly due to inadequate lubrication, or the lubricant has hardened. appreciate any input/suggestions.
|
Paul Kanevsky
Chip Louie