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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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Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

Cisco,
Re bumping a safety limit shouldn't happen if I'm close to north on both axes.
Ron Abbott?
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

Cisco,
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!
Ron Abbott?
Re: Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

On Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 11:44 AM, Susan wrote:
This is my first time posting here. I am looking for a Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit. I have been advised by Losmandy that they are no longer stocking the firmware upgrade kit. So I am hoping I can find one "used" instead of having to send my Gemini 2 system to Losmandy in the USA for Factory Upgrade Service. If not the whole kit, I would also be happy with at least 1) the Pic programmer adapter to match the Gemini 2 pins, 2) the microSD card #1 with programming software and step-by-step instructions, and 3) the microSD card #2 with complete L6 firmware already installed and ready to go. I can source the required PICKit3 programmer from elsewhere. Since I live in Canada, the cost of sending my Gemini 2 to Losmandy in the USA for Factory Upgrade Service is substantial, given I would have to pay for shipping both ways and in the end I will pay in $CAN...
Hi Susan,
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Welcome and thanks for posting.? IDK if you have been lurking here long but we all pitch in to help.?
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You are WAY better off to simply download the latest GFU utility and reflash your G2 firmware rather than use the kit micro SD card method.? As you post it is easy to buy a cheap PIC kit programmer. I used programmers I found on Amazon, there are several, just buy whatever version 3 or later is cheapest.? Some of these kits include a ribbon cable and a header or a few bread board jumpers and for a one time use the breadboard? jumpers work fine.
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I've updated several for people in L.A. and a few who shipped me their Gemini 2 and HC. Just be careful to get the connections in the correct order, double check your work and you'll be fine.??
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While you have the hood up you might also install the newest version of the Gemini.net ASCOM driver and app and replace the battery unless it has been replaced in the last 6 months.?
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Keep us posted.?
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--

Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?

Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

I too connect my MI-250 directly to my PC via Cat5e cable (no routers, is a direct connection).? I'll share my Network settings in case they are helpful.?
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say if you had the same issue with a previous unit, the chances of getting two bad units is pretty slim.? You may want to remove the motors and see if the buttons work under a no-load situation.
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When the "Speed" button on the HC is set to "Slew" and you press a tactile button on the back of the HC, you are not bumping up against a Safety Limit are you?
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Just trying to think of every situation that would cause a no slew situation.
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Network Settings.jpg

Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

WayBack,
I've tried all speeds, and all HC modes (visual,? all speeds, etc) nothing works.?
As far as Ethernet connection,? I'm connected via a Cat 6 cable from the Gemini to my PC, but am still trying to configure the connection so it'll work (I'm not very savvy re: computer connections!!).
Ron Abbott?
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

Cisco,
Thanks for those attachments.? I'll compare your settings to mine and let you know.?
You're right about me just purchasing the unit. Re: your suggestion, after having this same problem with the first unit,? they sent me a whole new unit, HC, Gemini, and all cords.? So far,? no solution!
Ron Abbott?
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

Only setting the [Speed] button to "Guide" should give this impression.? Does the HC show "Slew" above the [Speed] button on the main HC panel?
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Did you try the Ethernet Gemini Server and the virtual HC page buttons from a PC with the Rate set to Slew?? With this you can determine if it's the HC or Gemini-2 providing the mis-feature.
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Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

From your previous post, I see you are a fellow MI-250 user.? I'll share my "Mount Parameter Setup" web pages so you can compare to your setup to see if anything jumps out.
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From your previous post, it looks like you maybe just purchased this unit?? If so and nothing else works, you may have to send the HC back so Losmandy can test the HC.?
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Mount Parameter Setup 1.jpg
Mount Parameter Setup 2.jpg

Re: Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

You can use GFU to update to level 6 apart from the servo encoders.?? You don¡¯t need the SD cards.

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https://gemini-2.com/GFU-download.html

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Then you can use the PICKit to upgrade the servo controller ICs.

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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Susan
Sent: 05 October 2024 19:38
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini-II_io] Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

?

This is my first time posting here. I am looking for a Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit. I have been advised by Losmandy that they are no longer stocking the firmware upgrade kit. So I am hoping I can find one "used" instead of having to send my Gemini 2 system to Losmandy in the USA for Factory Upgrade Service. If not the whole kit, I would also be happy with at least 1) the Pic programmer adapter to match the Gemini 2 pins, 2) the microSD card #1 with programming software and step-by-step instructions, and 3) the microSD card #2 with complete L6 firmware already installed and ready to go. I can source the required PICKit3 programmer from elsewhere. Since I live in Canada, the cost of sending my Gemini 2 to Losmandy in the USA for Factory Upgrade Service is substantial, given I would have to pay for shipping both ways and in the end I will pay in $CAN...
Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

Meridian Flip issue is not resolved after upgrading GeminiTelescope Driver to 1.1.28 (as shown above). Tonight NINA connected to all devices, but was slow to connect to the G11 Mount (this is new, it used to connect fine). After a couple tries it connected. I setup my imaging sequence. I was able to Slew and Center on my object just fine and start the sequence.?
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All ran well until it was time for the Meridian Flip. The Flip dialog opened in NINA, then No flip. The dialog Checked off the flip and went on to AutoFocus even though no flip occurred. I stopped the sequence. Tried to manually Slew and Center, nothing happens. And I get two errors.?
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1: ASCOM GeminiTelescope server? ? Serial Port timed out.?
2: NINA: ASCOM Driver Error? ?SlewEquatorialAsync
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Slew commands give the errors. But I can Park the scope from NINA with no issue. Weird. This setup worked fine for two years up until three nights ago when it stated failing Meridian flips.?
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There are Log files for both GeminiTelescope, and ASCOM if needed for diagnostics.?
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Could it be a bad USB cable ? I will swap that tomorrow.?
Re: Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Why worry about it? ?I still run Gemini 2 w/ no intention to upgrade. ?Just get a copy of PemPro and your set for PEC development.




On Oct 5, 2024, at 12:44?PM, Susan via groups.io <s.sawyerbeaulieu@...> wrote:

?
This is my first time posting here. I am looking for a Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit. I have been advised by Losmandy that they are no longer stocking the firmware upgrade kit. So I am hoping I can find one "used" instead of having to send my Gemini 2 system to Losmandy in the USA for Factory Upgrade Service. If not the whole kit, I would also be happy with at least 1) the Pic programmer adapter to match the Gemini 2 pins, 2) the microSD card #1 with programming software and step-by-step instructions, and 3) the microSD card #2 with complete L6 firmware already installed and ready to go. I can source the required PICKit3 programmer from elsewhere. Since I live in Canada, the cost of sending my Gemini 2 to Losmandy in the USA for Factory Upgrade Service is substantial, given I would have to pay for shipping both ways and in the end I will pay in $CAN...
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

Jonathan and Crisco,
As far as I can see,? all functions seem to work.? Time and date, position of the mount, menus, etc; all look OK. But I can't get the mount to move using the HC buttons. BTW, I can also change the sewing and go-to speeds,? which I confirmed by ordering go-to and parking using the HC.
Ron Abbott?
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

On Sat, Oct 5, 2024 at 08:49 AM, <stargazr39@...> wrote:
Jonathan,?
Neither the physical buttons on the back or the buttons on the screen will work.? When I push the buttons on the screen,? they show a black square on the button being pressed.?
Ron Abbott?
The black square on the button being pressed tells me the HC at least is sensing the press. That¡¯s good. Just to make sure, that same square also appears when you press the back buttons?
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Here¡¯s a couple suggestions:
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1.- test the cable for continuity on all pins just to rule out the cable being bad. If you can test a new cable that would be even better.
2.- make sure you are trying to move the scope while using the ¡°slew¡± speed. On the lower left corner of the screen is a button named ¡°SPEED¡± and above that the current speed is displayed. Press on the button until you see ¡°SLEW¡± displayed and then press the direction buttons. Pressing the button sequences between the different speeds in order, going ¡°slew¡±-¡°move¡±-¡°center¡±-¡°guide¡±. Be sure to keep the button pressed for a few seconds to let the motors ramp up in speed (takes about a second or two)
3.- if step 2 didn¡¯t work then try changing the speeds. Go to MENU->SPEED and make sure ¡°manual slewing speed¡± is something like 800. By default it should be the same speed as ¡°goto slewing speed¡± but you can change them independently. If you had to change the speed then go to the move menu and try again.
4.- lastly, try a factory reset. Go to MENU->SYSTEM->reset HGM defaults
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That¡¯s all for now
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good luck
Re: L6 update questions before beginning

 

Thanks Paul!


Art Trail
attrail1@...

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, 10:22 AM, Paul Kanevsky <yh@...> wrote:

On Fri, Oct 4, 2024 at 09:54 PM, Art Trail wrote:
?I'm a little confused about the FW update. Am I to use the GFU to update the FW? Or, am I to install it on SD cards?
Both methods do the same thing. GFU can do this automatically, by downloading the latest firmware from the internet and sending it over to the SD card over Ethernet connection. But, you can always copy the files directly to the SD card, manually, either using FTP or by taking the card out and using a card reader/writer attached to your PC. Just make sure the folder structure is correct.
Wanted - Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit

 

This is my first time posting here. I am looking for a Gemini 2 Level 6 firmware upgrade kit. I have been advised by Losmandy that they are no longer stocking the firmware upgrade kit. So I am hoping I can find one "used" instead of having to send my Gemini 2 system to Losmandy in the USA for Factory Upgrade Service. If not the whole kit, I would also be happy with at least 1) the Pic programmer adapter to match the Gemini 2 pins, 2) the microSD card #1 with programming software and step-by-step instructions, and 3) the microSD card #2 with complete L6 firmware already installed and ready to go. I can source the required PICKit3 programmer from elsewhere. Since I live in Canada, the cost of sending my Gemini 2 to Losmandy in the USA for Factory Upgrade Service is substantial, given I would have to pay for shipping both ways and in the end I will pay in $CAN...
Re: G11 issue with NINA and Meridian Flips

 

I re-installed the GeminiTelescope driver, 1.1.28. And then removed the old version 1.0.75. I can now start NINA and the Norton Security issue went away. However I have a new issue. NINA is very slow to connect to the mount now. I get timeout errors, but it re-try's and connects after 30 seconds. Never had this issue before with USB and Baud rate of 9600. I tried increasing the Baud rate 19200, then 28800. Same slow response to connect to the mount. I set it back to 9600. I will eventually go to Ethernet, but I want to understand why USB is having issue now. I worked fine for two years on 1.0.75 driver.?
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Also, now the Check boxes on the right for Asynchronous Pulse Guide and Precision Pulse Guide are greyed out. Why ??
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Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

For clarification, do all other HC functions work??
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If I am understanding correctly, you can do a "go-to" from the HC and that will work?? Time and date show correctly on the HC?? RA/Dec/Alt/Az all show correctly?? Everything else HC related seem to work??
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If you choose your moving speed on the HC to "Slew" and hit a button, nothing happens (what is your "Slew" speed set to?)?
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I guess I'm asking if the lack of the ability to slew using the diamond buttons is the only feature not working from your HC.
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Have you tried unplugging and reconnecting the hand controller?? And maybe switching the cable around (current HC connection would now go to the Gemini box and vice versa).
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(These are some random thoughts)?
Re: Help - New Gemini 2 user (Continued)

 

Jonathan,?
Neither the physical buttons on the back or the buttons on the screen will work.? When I push the buttons on the screen,? they show a black square on the button being pressed.?
Ron Abbott?
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