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Re: Info

lottesjj
 

Tom,
Well, that's a good idea and even better news. I've lurked over at the G1 group and there seemed to be a agreement to keep a spare motor for the eventual burnout. That's where that thought came from and one of the reasons I was very reluctant to invest in a G1.
I'm also wondering if the static issues have been addressed? I've read that the G1 was susceptible to static discharges (unexpected CMOS resets) & ground loops created by isolated earth, DC, & chassis grounds & their interactions when crossed. I'm a former electronics technician and learned to hate "floating" grounds with an unrelenting passion. Getting everything from tickled to knocked flat by them is NOT fun(ny).

John.

--- In Gemini-II@..., "tomhilton1" <tom@...> wrote:

John
You might ask if you can get a rebuild motor (normal not Maxim) or yours rebuilt. I have not heard of one Maxim motor going bad so far.
Could save you several hundred dollars if you could.

Tom
Re: MI-250 Motors, Gear boxes, Gemini II Info

[email protected]
 

Here a link to the drawing Larry said he would provide.

Tom Hilton
About the ASCOM driver for Gemini

tomhilton1
 

You can download the ASCOM driver for Gemini 2 here.


Note that is does support the web interface as one of the connection methods. However you will probably have to manually change the IP
address from 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.111 for it to work.

Tom Hilton
Re: Hi from Mexico

Rainer
 

Hi 搁别苍é,

Thanks for the prompt answer. Well yes I would like to have one new Gemini II, but an investment of US $ 1,095.00 + shipping costs is just too much just for testing. Sorry ...

I have a spare Gemini I and when you are ready I would gladly test the new firmware in my Observatory :-)

regards Rainer

--- In Gemini-II@..., Rene Goerlich <Rene@...> wrote:

Hi Rainer,

Welcome!

Will the firmware in future for Gemini I also be updated in the same
way as for the Gemini II or is from now on the Gemini I a buried dead
system ? I have the possibility to burn my own EPROMs.

I have 4 Gemini I units and honestly for the moment they are all
working with no problems and an investment for updating to Gemini II
is a No No at the moment.

That would be maybe US $ 4,000.00 or even more ...
No, G1 is not dead. Once everything with G2 is working fine my next
project for the G1 will be to adapt the new HC to it. This will need an
adapter for the DB15 (like the one Tom Hilton had for the additional USB
or serial port) and a new eprom, because the new HC uses some new serial
commands.

But, you should consider to try a G2, nevertheless. There's so much new
and so much to come, especially for observatories like yours and you can
tell me your thoughts and wishes.

搁别苍é
Re: Adapter Cables-RJ45

[email protected]
 

Chris N
Connect Losmandy. They should have them.

Tom
Adapter Cables-RJ45

 

I have a 2001 model year Gemini with the RJ45 motor connectors. Where do I get the adapter cables for those motors for use with the G2?

Thanks

Chris N
Cedar MN
Pricing and Delivery

[email protected]
 

开云体育

Note to all.
I do not work for Losmandy, or what used to be Mountain Instruments.
I am just a user like all the rest of you.? Yes I am a beta tester for the Gemini2.
So any pricing that I give out is second hand information, and Losmandy has
the final pricing say.? That is why I have been somewhat reluctant to mention pricing.
I can not officially represent them either.?

Sincerely
Tom Hilton

On 2/2/2011 11:28 AM, tom@... wrote:

?

Frank
My understanding from Karen at losmandy, it that the basic unit without motors is $1095.00 USD.
Karen posted the cost with motors in 2 previous messages.? Please see them.

Tom
On 2/2/2011 11:11 AM, Frank Mraz wrote:

?

Tom,
?
And the cost ?
?
Frank
?
> To: Gemini-II@...
> From: tom@...
> Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 19:26:49 -0700
> Subject: Re: [Gemini-II] Re: Pricing and Delivery
>
> Frank
> The Basic Gemini 2 unit without motors.
> Tom
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> <*> Your email settings:
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>
> <*> To change settings online go to:
>
> (Yahoo! ID required)
>
> <*> To change settings via email:
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>
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Re: Pricing and Delivery

[email protected]
 

开云体育

Frank
My understanding from Karen at losmandy, it that the basic unit without motors is $1095.00 USD.
Karen posted the cost with motors in 2 previous messages.? Please see them.

Tom
On 2/2/2011 11:11 AM, Frank Mraz wrote:

?

Tom,
?
And the cost ?
?
Frank
?
> To: Gemini-II@...
> From: tom@...
> Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 19:26:49 -0700
> Subject: Re: [Gemini-II] Re: Pricing and Delivery
>
> Frank
> The Basic Gemini 2 unit without motors.
> Tom
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> <*> Your email settings:
> Individual Email | Traditional
>
> <*> To change settings online go to:
>
> (Yahoo! ID required)
>
> <*> To change settings via email:
> Gemini-II-digest@...
> Gemini-II-fullfeatured@...
>
> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Gemini-II-unsubscribe@...
>
> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
>
>


Re: MI-250 Motors, Gear boxes, Gemini II Info

[email protected]
 

One other thing Larry recommended!

Larry also said that he has never seen a Losmandy rebuilt (non-maxim) motor fail. This is because they put a heat sink inside the rebuilt motors.
These non-rebuild motors seems to die from heat. He recommended that anyone who has spare motors that don't have that heatsink
get them rebuilt.

Tom Hilton
Re: MI-250 Motors, Gear boxes, Gemini II Info

[email protected]
 

开云体育

Hi Steve
Well I talked to Larry this morning (2-2-11).? He said that he had been re-drilling the motors on the newer (white) and rebuilt (also White) mounts.
This was a matter of convenience,? and that it is not necessary.? Here is the reason he did it.
On the Dec he did it so that you could get past the meridian a little further, because the way cables came out and hit.
On the RA he did it so that the motor would clear the AZ hold down better.?? He said if one removes the AZ lock down handles
you would not need to drill the RA motor.?? He recommends doing this anyway, because the seem to catch cables.?? Just keep
one handy, and use it as a wrench.

He said that he would put together so drawing for me, and when he does I will post them on the MI250.com web site.

Tom Hilton

On 2/1/2011 7:08 PM, Steve Shellman wrote:

?
Hi,
?
I talked to some folks today with some knowledge of the MI-250 and the Gemini II system (Hmm...wonder who that might be). I thought I would share my tid bits as I was a bit confused reading various posts as well. They were very helpful as usual.
?
If you have one of the newer MI-250 mounts (last couple years - the white mounts - I did not specifically inquire about the grey mounts but they did question which mount I had and if it was one of the latest production runs so it makes me think it might matter) you can just plug the Gemini II system right into your existing motors and?order the GII system without the motors. Of course, you can replace your old motors with new servo motors (which are the same quality and grade as the motors on your MI-250 mount) or you can upgrade to the Maxon motors as well.
?
I was told the only reason I would want to upgrade my motors to MAXON motors (if my regular servo motors?were still in good working order) was if I was pushing the limits of the?weight capacity (i.e., using a C14 with imaging gear, etc on it, which I am ... so I am thinking about doing this).?If you do upgrade your motors, KEEP YOUR GEARBOXES.? They are made for the 250 worms. I was told the switch from the servo motors to the Maxon motors was an easy switch ...no drilling holes or other complicated adjustments.?
?
Hope that clears some things up on the MI-250 electronics "upgrades."?Maybe you all got this from earlier posts and if so I am sorry?to be repetitive?but I was having some difficulty interpreting some of the posts and answers.
?
Carpe Noctem,
?
Steve S.
Virginia?
Re: Slew Speeds and Voltage Requirements

Jerry Lodriguss
 

Hi 搁别苍é,

That sounds great.

Thank you very much for confirming this.

It is good news!

Jerry



At 05:18 AM 2/2/2011, you wrote:


Hi Jerry,

So, bottom line, what is the minimum voltage that
the Gemini 2 requires to work in the field at a
remote location running off of deep-cycle batteries?

Will it work with 12 volts?
Yes. I operate my Titan using a 12V 5A switching
power supply (measured 12.2V) at home and a 12V 32Ah gel battery in the field.
I used the same battery at the G1 for many years w/o any problem.

If people had problems, these were usually
caused by voltage breaking down under load,
caused by weak power supplies, thin wires to the power supply, bad contacts.

I yet have to test it (could someone with an
adjustable power supply please do) the minimum
voltage. I guess, that with some limitations on
slewing speed Geminis could work down to (stable) 9V.

搁别苍é


Jerry

At 11:01 PM 2/1/2011, you wrote:

Jerry,

Is the new Gemini 2 going to be happy with lower voltages than the
old Gemini 1?

Anyone know anything about this?
Not an easy question!

We experimented with the PWM handling. The new
algorithm gives more torque at low speeds, so
guiding/tracking should be somewhat better.

Of course, the motors are the same. Once their
inductance and resistance leeds to increase the
PWM duty cycle to 100%, there's a limit that
needs higher voltage to be overcome.

So I think that tracking/guiding performance
will be improved at low voltages, fast slewing
higher loads will still need higher voltages.
One member of our beta test made CCD
tracking/guiding tests and achieved very good results.

搁别苍é


A Beginner's Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:
<>

An Advanced Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:
<>

.
.
.
.
.
.
.


A Beginner's Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:


An Advanced Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:


.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Re: Pricing and Delivery

Frank Mraz
 

开云体育

Tom,
?
And the cost ?
?
Frank
?
> To: Gemini-II@...
> From: tom@...
> Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2011 19:26:49 -0700
> Subject: Re: [Gemini-II] Re: Pricing and Delivery
>
> Frank
> The Basic Gemini 2 unit without motors.
> Tom
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> <*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini-II/
>
> <*> Your email settings:
> Individual Email | Traditional
>
> <*> To change settings online go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Gemini-II/join
> (Yahoo! ID required)
>
> <*> To change settings via email:
> Gemini-II-digest@...
> Gemini-II-fullfeatured@...
>
> <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Gemini-II-unsubscribe@...
>
> <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>

Re: Info

tomhilton1
 

John
You might ask if you can get a rebuild motor (normal not Maxim) or yours rebuilt. I have not heard of one Maxim motor going bad so far.
Could save you several hundred dollars if you could.

Tom
Re: Info

lottesjj
 

All,
WOW, what a flood. I like it. I've heard direct email from Russell @ Losmandy and all the answers/info here. The G2 IS spendy, but not out of the question. I'm looking G-2 with Maxons, a spare Motor & OWP-11 (Mine are original and are starting to show it) & a new reticule for the PS. ~$2600-$2700, so SWMBO must agree.
I have a 5x8 trailer observatory to finish out, then I do believe I can do this.
Thanx to you all I'll be "lurking/learning" until I actually pull the trigger in a few months. (read before June).

John.

--- In Gemini-II@..., "tomhilton1" <tom@...> wrote:

John
I talked to Karen at Losmandy. Hopefully she will be posting here with a answer to your questions.

Tom

--- In Gemini-II@..., "lottesjj" <john.lottes@> wrote:

New Member here, my name is John
I have a Non-Goto G-11, Polar Scope, HD Tripod, pads, & have been looking for the last 2-3 yrs at a system but at the $$$ I gotta be careful. Biggest, best bang for the $$$ So the question I've been looking for is...how much? & How long for delivery?

John.



--- In Gemini-II@..., "tomhilton1" <tom@> wrote:

Franco
It is my understanding that there is already a waiting list. The firmware is still being worked on, but it is user upgradable.
It is a nice unit. I am glad I have mine. Of course the decision
of where you want to wait for the firmware to be finished is yours.
I don't think there is going to be any hardware upgrades for quite some time.

Tom Hilton


--- In Gemini-II@..., franco pegolo <francopegolo@> wrote:

Hello , i have the Gemini I? and would like to upgrade to Gemini II do you think
it is better wait ?a little bit before to change?it? ?? Maybe there are some
more test to do ?? Thanks a lot Franco
Re: Slew Speeds and Voltage Requirements

 

Hi Rene,

Is there a optimum slewing speed for efficiency to conserve battery strength?

Thanks,

Gale

--- In Gemini-II@..., Rene Goerlich <Rene@...> wrote:

Hi Jerry,

So, bottom line, what is the minimum voltage that
the Gemini 2 requires to work in the field at a
remote location running off of deep-cycle batteries?

Will it work with 12 volts?
Yes. I operate my Titan using a 12V 5A switching power supply (measured
12.2V) at home and a 12V 32Ah gel battery in the field.
I used the same battery at the G1 for many years w/o any problem.

If people had problems, these were usually caused by voltage breaking
down under load, caused by weak power supplies, thin wires to the power
supply, bad contacts.

I yet have to test it (could someone with an adjustable power supply
please do) the minimum voltage. I guess, that with some limitations on
slewing speed Geminis could work down to (stable) 9V.

搁别苍é


Jerry

At 11:01 PM 2/1/2011, you wrote:

Jerry,

Is the new Gemini 2 going to be happy with lower voltages than the
old Gemini 1?

Anyone know anything about this?
Not an easy question!

We experimented with the PWM handling. The new
algorithm gives more torque at low speeds, so
guiding/tracking should be somewhat better.

Of course, the motors are the same. Once their
inductance and resistance leeds to increase the
PWM duty cycle to 100%, there's a limit that
needs higher voltage to be overcome.

So I think that tracking/guiding performance
will be improved at low voltages, fast slewing
higher loads will still need higher voltages.
One member of our beta test made CCD
tracking/guiding tests and achieved very good results.

搁别苍é


A Beginner's Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:


An Advanced Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:


.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Re: Slew Speeds and Voltage Requirements

 

开云体育

Hi Jerry,

So, bottom line, what is the minimum voltage that
the Gemini 2 requires to work in the field at a
remote location running off of deep-cycle batteries?

Will it work with 12 volts?

Yes. I operate my Titan using a 12V 5A switching power supply (measured 12.2V) at home and a 12V 32Ah gel battery in the field.
I used the same battery at the G1 for many years w/o any problem.

If people had problems, these were usually caused by voltage breaking down under load, caused by weak power supplies, thin wires to the power supply, bad contacts.

I yet have to test it (could someone with an adjustable power supply please do) the minimum voltage. I guess, that with some limitations on slewing speed Geminis could work down to (stable) 9V.

搁别苍é


Jerry

At 11:01 PM 2/1/2011, you wrote:

>Jerry,
>>
>>Is the new Gemini 2 going to be happy with lower voltages than the
>>old Gemini 1?
>>
>>Anyone know anything about this?
>Not an easy question!
>
>We experimented with the PWM handling. The new
>algorithm gives more torque at low speeds, so
>guiding/tracking should be somewhat better.
>
>Of course, the motors are the same. Once their
>inductance and resistance leeds to increase the
>PWM duty cycle to 100%, there's a limit that
>needs higher voltage to be overcome.
>
>So I think that tracking/guiding performance
>will be improved at low voltages, fast slewing
>higher loads will still need higher voltages.
>One member of our beta test made CCD
>tracking/guiding tests and achieved very good results.
>
>搁别苍é
>
>
>

A Beginner's Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:


An Advanced Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:


.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Re: Slew Speeds and Voltage Requirements

Jerry Lodriguss
 

Hi 搁别苍é,

Thank you for your reply.

So, bottom line, what is the minimum voltage that
the Gemini 2 requires to work in the field at a
remote location running off of deep-cycle batteries?

Will it work with 12 volts?

Jerry



At 11:01 PM 2/1/2011, you wrote:


Jerry,

Is the new Gemini 2 going to be happy with lower voltages than the
old Gemini 1?

Anyone know anything about this?
Not an easy question!

We experimented with the PWM handling. The new
algorithm gives more torque at low speeds, so
guiding/tracking should be somewhat better.

Of course, the motors are the same. Once their
inductance and resistance leeds to increase the
PWM duty cycle to 100%, there's a limit that
needs higher voltage to be overcome.

So I think that tracking/guiding performance
will be improved at low voltages, fast slewing
higher loads will still need higher voltages.
One member of our beta test made CCD
tracking/guiding tests and achieved very good results.

搁别苍é


A Beginner's Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:


An Advanced Guide to DSLR Astrophotography:


.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Re: Slew Speeds and Voltage Requirements

 

开云体育

Jerry,

Is the new Gemini 2 going to be happy with lower voltages than the
old Gemini 1?

Anyone know anything about this?

Not an easy question!

We experimented with the PWM handling. The new algorithm gives more torque at low speeds, so guiding/tracking should be somewhat better.?

Of course, the motors are the same. Once their inductance? and resistance leeds to increase the PWM duty cycle to 100%, there's a limit that needs higher voltage to be overcome.

So I think that tracking/guiding performance will be improved at low voltages, fast slewing higher loads will still need higher voltages.
One member of our beta test made CCD tracking/guiding tests and achieved very good results.

搁别苍é
Slew Speeds and Voltage Requirements

Jerry Lodriguss
 

Is the new Gemini 2 going to be happy with lower voltages than the old Gemini 1?

Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks,

Jerry







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Re: Hi from Mexico

 

开云体育

Hi Rainer,

Welcome!

Will the firmware in future for Gemini I also be updated in the same way as for the Gemini II or is from now on the Gemini I a buried dead system ? I have the possibility to burn my own EPROMs.

I have 4 Gemini I units and honestly for the moment they are all working with no problems and an investment for updating to Gemini II is a No No at the moment.

That would be maybe US $ 4,000.00 or even more ...

No, G1 is not dead. Once everything with G2 is working fine my next project for the G1 will be to adapt the new HC to it. This will need an adapter for the DB15 (like the one Tom Hilton had for the additional USB or serial port) and a new eprom, because the new HC uses some new serial commands.

But, you should consider to try a G2, nevertheless. There's so much new and so much to come, especially for observatories like yours and you can tell me your thoughts and wishes.

搁别苍é
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