Darryl,

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I finally had a clear night to experiment more with the G11G L6 and PHD2. This is again the C11 kit which runs with 43# of counterweights and no PEC training. I've not spent much time delving into the PHD2 advanced setting menu and it's still over my head. When we talk of only a couple of settings (Agg and MnMo) when there are many more choices and settings within the menu I'm not sure what to do. I selected the Predictive PEC algorithm for RA and there are a lot of choices within that menu and completely different than with the other models.

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It felt like I was guessing with no understanding of the parameters and the results were not good, at least compared to where I started based on using the Wizard. There is really no consistency with guiding. It can be less than 1.0" for quite a while and then it just spirals out of control. I don't really pay attention to what PHD2 is doing because I'm EAA live stacking with SharpCap and the FWHM tells me when things are going bad. I set a FWHM filter and when frames start dropping I know that PHD2 has failed.

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I don't have any cable snags or other physical conditions that would cause problems. The guide scope and camera are correctly identified. I focus the guidescope with a Bahtinov mask each session. I polar align with SharpCap to "Excellent". There was no wind during the last session. The L6 is the latest update.

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The best practices I've found are all incomplete in terms of covering the various PHD2 settings. Here is what I've gathered so far aside from what you recommended previously:

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- set TVC on mount to ZERO

- use 2 second (min) exposures

- increase size of target box to 50x50

- force calibration every night (I don't do this unless guiding is poor)

- always bump North before a calibration

- set Agg between 55-70

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With all the possible models and settings it would be nice to have a more complete set of typical parameters for a G11G Gemini2 L6 with no PEC training. I did run the Guiding Assistant and the DEC backlash recommendation was huge (2178). Screen grab is attached.

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This is especially frustrating because I also have an AM5 and set up PHD2 using the Wizard and it guides at 0.8" or less all the time and has never been hit and miss like the G11G. The G11G/Gemini2 and PHD2 seemed to be better behaved with L5.?

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On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 11:11 AM, Ryan wrote:

This may need to be a different thread, but something else that has been happening at L5 and L6 even with updating the firmware.?

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When i click the DEC or RA button on the touch screen OR the bottom physical buttons it will occasionally slew the wrong direction. If I press the opposite button for each direction it continues along the same pathway.?

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So for example if the if I am trying to slew the RA motor to the west I would click the appropriate button. I will press the touch screen or physical button to slew to the west. However rather than slewing west it will slew to the east. I will release, and when I hit the button again it will continue slewing in the same, wrong, direction. when I go back to the opposite directional button. It will continue to slew east. It is not until I repark at counterwieght down, unpark and try to slew again that this will fix.?

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This same issue will occur with the Dec axis.?

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It is not everytime but does happen consistently.?

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What will make this happen more often than not is when I try to manually slew the RA and Dec axis simultaneously. It happens far more often in the Dec axis than the RA.?

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Any thoughts here?

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I don't think this is related to my initial problem as there usually is a clear fix by re-parking the mount.?

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I think I've observed this on Gemini L6.1 and HC 1.6.3.? Usually I can see this when I am in a hurry but I noticed the same thing.? I don't slew much manually so I may have just been missing it all this time. It is reminiscent of the old Gemini 1 controller when you wanted to change speeds with a double press but the issue here is that a double press of the membrane keypad causes the mount to continue in the same direction.? I have mostly seen it when using the dual axis slew or movement.?

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Good catch there!?

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I can do multi directional slewing with the manual buttons, but the touch screen works best for me with a screen stylist pen thing. (Touch screens don't like my finners.)

But when slewing, my Gemini2 takes off and does multi-directional slewing all the time.

About the most I use the hand controller for is when building my multi star models.

But once a Model is done, it lasts for months and months usually. (My mount stays setup and aligned, and NINA does Plate solving to bullseye the object.)

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When you "unlearn" any bad habits from off-shore mounts, and the more you settle in with your Losmandy mount, the more joy you will find.

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Sonny Edmonds
GM811G HD

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It's more complicated than does it work when very cold or hot.? While an antiseize paste like MP-50 can reduce the chances of metal parts seizing under pressure better than a general purpose lubricant that's not the lubricant profile needed for precision machinery.? For example I don't see Rolex using MP-50 to lubricate their precision watch movements.??

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So because this application is not a drilling rig or high pressure undersea valve in this application there is more to lubricant performance than just having a wide operating temperature range and very high anti-seize characteristics.? In this application, lubricating a precision machine operating at low speeds and moderately light loads only intermittently there are likely other more important characteristics that need to be weighed from any lubricant choices.? ?

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FWIW, MI-250 mounts (I have one) use the MP-50 lubricant.? Works great in all temps. ?Doesn't separate, harden or anything like that. In the almost 20 years I have had this mount, I regreased it once.? MP-50 just doesn't break down.

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According to the MP-50 label on my 1lb can (enough for a lifetime), it's temp range is -300 to +750.? That should cover every situation!

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I'm in MN and it gets cold here for months on end.? I don't use equipment when it gets below zero anymore but I used to.? Coldest temp was -30F.? Mount worked fine (I didn't but the mount did!).

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Chris N

Cedar, MN

On Sat, Jan 25, 2025 at 11:14 AM, Robert Kesler wrote:

Chip:

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Thank?you, for the feedback. I appreciate your thoughts and agree about the lubricants. Losmandy does not advertise the Lubricant Kit so I emailed Tanya - hopefully they still carry it.

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My set-up is on a pier outside in an observatory so I don't have the warm room concern about the thermal expansion and contraction.? We have had a run of temps in the teens and below...

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I also have a 10" LX200 and learned from Doc Clay about the hazards of lubricants not designed for mechanical/electrical/optical equipment!

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Thanks and very best regards

Bob

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Hi Bob,

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I used to be a Doc Clay advocate many moons ago when I bought my first LX200 back in early 1992.? But he changed.? After buying a scope a few years ago that Dr. Clay advertised that he repaired, tuned and was in pristine condition I opened the box to find an 8" LX200 ACF OTA that was trashed and broken.? I emailed Dr. Clay and had to go round and round with him for months and then having to lose a significant percentage of the cost of the scope AND pay the return shipping to him I have put him on my blacklist and tell people to stay away.? It is a very long story and I have all the emails where he accuses me of damaging the scope myself and the emails where he was abusive and in fact sounded like he was mentally ill.? Ultimately I ended up eating not only the cost of shipping both ways and a restocking fee I had also purchased several new accessories which I was now out of luck on unless I could find the same scope at a time they were in high demand used.? It took me two years of looking to find a scope that was in the pristine condition the scope I bought was supposed to be in.? I bought it and it was a great used scope and a smooth transaction just like virtually 100% of my used gear purchases are.? I still love that late model Meade LX200?8" ACF?in Meade Blue Crinkle coat scope today.? I just took it off my side-by-side rig on the G11G to mount the little Takahashi FS-60Q to partner with the fully optioned ASIAIR Plus imaging rig behind an Askar FRA500 which BTW really is an impressive imaging optic.?

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On Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 08:09 AM, Robert Kesler wrote:

Paul:

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Well, truth is, I have not. OK this is a very good possibility, and I will follow the Losmandy instructions/video on how to do that.? I was not aware that the lubricant would break down like that!

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Thanks for the feedback, it is greatly appreciated.

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Bob

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Only the very cheap, poor excuse for grease known as white lithium grease is really susceptible to breaking down and drying out and turning into the nasty hard powder that gums up precision machinery. Almost any modern fortified grease based on a pure synthetic base oil will not dry out and leave that hard crusty stuff behind to gunk up the works and has a much higher level of lubricity.?

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The lubricant kit Losmandy offers is very solid stuff and will not breakdown much if at all over long periods, stiffen excessively in the cold or run off in the heat.? The Losmandy grease kit is generally thought to be one of the best all in one options.? There are other greases out there that offer higher performance but they would require you to buy research and buy them in quantities you don't need.? So my advice is to go with the kit and be happy in the knowledge it is very good stuff.??

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I also have advised people with the classic Losmandy drivetrain (straight line steppers or servos without spring loaded worms) to put their mounts outside in the cold for a few hours before setting the backlash and to ignore the alarming amount of warm room backlash for maybe going on 9-10 years.? The reason is that aluminum has double the material contraction of steel and brass is somewhere in between.? The basic Losmandy mechanical design will keep contracting as the metal gets colder and vice versa which makes any warm room backlash setting basically disappear in the cold.?

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G11T w/Gemini 2, new since last May, permanenty mounted on pier. I wanted to check PA last night in NINA. It moved to the first position then almost froze, I think went to tracking speed. When I checked it a couple of months ago it worked fine. Did a setting change since then?

Thanks,

Frank Coster

On Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 11:09 AM, Robert Kesler wrote:

Well, truth is, I have not. OK this is a very good possibility, and I will follow the Losmandy instructions/video on how to do that.? I was not aware that the lubricant would break down like that!

I continue to have difficulties getting a Meridian flip with the mount and AsiAir. I've tried numerous options but to no avail. I finally got access to the mount via my Mac and noticed that are two boxes unchecked in the safety limit section. Can someone have a look at the attached and advise?

Thanks

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Hi Bob,

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When was the last time you regreased the mount? Grease starts to break down over time, and starts absorbing moisture from the atmosphere. When temperatures fall below freezing, grease becomes harder and can cause binding.?

Regards,

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? ?-Paul

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On Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 08:50 AM, Robert Kesler wrote:

I have searched here for "COLD WEATHER TRACKING PROBLEMS" without any success.?

Here in Maryland the weather has been as low as 4 deg F and in teens at night - rare for us. I have a G11 remotely controlled in roro observatory. I'm getting stall notices first in RA and the next night in RA and DEC. I tried adjusting the worm gears and still had the same issue which I have never had in the past? 9 years. Electrical supply is very robust. Balance hasn't changed that I can tell. Maybe time to upgrade motors...?

Any thoughts or ideas would be most appreciated.

Oh these cold dry nights are awesome for us here in the Free State.

Thanks, Bob

I mostly do it when slewing to zenith or checking safety limits. I'll slew both RA and dec at the same time to get where I want faster. Rather than slew RA to desired point, then slew Dec to desired point. Its not a massive time saver, but something I have done or years.?

On Thu, Jan 23, 2025 at 01:40 PM, Edward Plumer wrote:

I have always assumed NINA settling time parameter is there to allow mount time to stop vibrating or creeping at the end of a slew before starting an exposure.

I have always assumed NINA settling time parameter is there to allow mount time to stop vibrating or creeping at the end of a slew before starting an exposure.

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Edward

On Wed, Jan 22, 2025 at 11:09 PM, Jim Magill wrote:

I assume that tracking stops during a slew and then restarts after the slew is complete.? ? ?It would be nice to know if this assumption is correct.? ? Meridian flips obviously are associated with slews and plate solving too --? assuming that adjustments need to be made to reduce the pointing error to some tolerance.? ?So my working hypothesis is that tracking is stopping as required by the flip and/or plate solving -- and then tracking fails to restart.? ?I then "solve" the problem by toggling tracking off and on via the Gemini application on my PC? --? and this gets tracking going again.? ? Tracking has never stopped during an imaging sequence, meaning just recording images.? ??