I am fairly new to Gemini 11 having acquired a very used G11 with G2 back in November.? I started using it with Stellarmate on a RPI4, mounted on the scope with a homemade power distribution box integrated into the RPI4 case, ASI533MC, ZWO Focuser, and an ASI220mini on my guide scope. I used a travel router on the tripod with a long (stiff) ethernet cable.? With this configuration, I had to run a 12V cable plus the ethernet between the scope and the tripod.? Stellarmate is great when it works, but I was having glitches that I attributed more to the Pi than the software.? So I purchased a $150 N100 mini computer with 16gb RAM with the intention on putting Stellarmate X on it.?

While I was waiting for it, I used an ASIAIR, no problems at all with it, worked great.? The only issue was that I was getting poor guiding and didn't have access to the advanced features of PHd2 to debug it.? (turns out I replaced the 2piece worm with an 1piece and precision worm, stripped the old grease and regreased it, etc.).? But still, I wanted the PHd2 calibration assistant, guiding assistant, and access to different guiding algorithms and of course PEC.? So, a friend convinced me to stay with Windows and try NINA.? I access it through windows remote desktop on my desktop computer in my office or my ipad.? I built a new power distribution box, with three 12V outlets controlled by $5 PWM's and 3 uncontrolled outlets using a 3d printed case.? Cost me about $30. I keep the mini computer on the tripod, run a single USB to the back of the camera and use the camera's hub for the other equipment.? All these configurations run through my home wifi.? The power box runs the camera and the dew heaters.??

NINA was a bear to learn after using the ASIAIR for a year on my AVX, but it's worth it.? So much more control, many more tools.??

In all cases, I power the mini computer, the mount, and the 12V supply from AC adapters running to my greenhouse.??

I think I will give it a try. I looked at the Eagle while doing my research and can afford it, but I'm not actually sure I actually need it.

What I'm hoping to do is consolidate my power. As it sits, I will need at least 4.

1. Gemnini

2.NUC

3.ASI 2600

4. Mini Router.

Five if I use my multi port USB

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I was hoping the ASI or stellarmate could supply power centrally and eliminate the mini router because I thought it created its own wifi.?

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My 174MINI guider could plug into the 2600 then on to the ASI AIR. Then all I need is 2 fixed power supplies.

The AsiAir is running the PhD guide engine. That produces the PhD guide logs you may be familiar with. ?You should remember that the AsiAir requires you use ZWO’s cameras, color wheel etc. ? so if you’re gonna use the Air be prepared to use all Zwo gear.

On Sun, Feb 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM, <drice34@...> wrote:

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I just posted this on CN just so I could get as much info as I could.

The other alternative is IF they make a central power distribution block. However I would like to eliminate the mini router and GPS would be nice.

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Bringing up an old thread here...

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Been working a lot lately and found my way to Carlsbad NM for work. Haven't posted here in a while either......

I'm planning on taking my Losmandy G11 with me and have been seriously considering converting from an Intel NUC to ASI air or Sstellarmate Pro. I finally pulled the trigger on an ASI2600 and will be using a large battery bank for power.

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One of my concerns with the current setup with adding the 2600, is the power connections (losmandy/nuc/2600/router). I would have to be creative with the various power supply distribution.

Next is that if I have an issue with the NUC, I have no monitor per-se. Right now, I remote desktop in on my local network.

I also need a mini router for bridging the gap.

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It is my understanding that ASI and stellarmate creates its own WIFI, eliminating the need for a mini router? Is this correct?

I like the power distribution both offer and is one of the most important factors.

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Finally since this is an older thread, I will ask again. Will both of these work with the Gemini 2 V6?

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IME I don't recommend the Stellarmate, too many issues.? If you have the money, a lot of money and feel more comfortable in a Windows environment look at the Primaluce Eagle computers.? Not cheap and they have some issues but overall a high performance option for the people deep, deep pockets.? Even the lowest model will cost you nearly $1,500 and only has an old mobile Celeron with 8GB RAM which in a Windows 11 machine is crippling.? The first real useable version has an Intel Core i5 with 16GB and comes in at $2,500.? The problem is the Eagles don't do anything significantly more or better than an ASIAIR Plus.? ??

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If you are happy on the mini-PC and know the apps you could just stick with that and maybe update to streamline the system a bit.?

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On Sun, Feb 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM, <drice34@...> wrote:

?

I just posted this on CN just so I could get as much info as I could.

The other alternative is IF they make a central power distribution block. However I would like to eliminate the mini router and GPS would be nice.

?

?

?

?

Bringing up an old thread here...

?

Been working a lot lately and found my way to Carlsbad NM for work. Haven't posted here in a while either......

I'm planning on taking my Losmandy G11 with me and have been seriously considering converting from an Intel NUC to ASI air or Sstellarmate Pro. I finally pulled the trigger on an ASI2600 and will be using a large battery bank for power.

?

One of my concerns with the current setup with adding the 2600, is the power connections (losmandy/nuc/2600/router). I would have to be creative with the various power supply distribution.

Next is that if I have an issue with the NUC, I have no monitor per-se. Right now, I remote desktop in on my local network.

I also need a mini router for bridging the gap.

?

It is my understanding that ASI and stellarmate creates its own WIFI, eliminating the need for a mini router? Is this correct?

I like the power distribution both offer and is one of the most important factors.

?

Finally since this is an older thread, I will ask again. Will both of these work with the Gemini 2 V6?

?

?

?

?

Yes!? The ASIAIR Plus and Pro work very well with the G11G.? I have been using them together for several years as well as during the Gemini 2 L6 Beta test.? They work great together with no significant issues.??I have been using the latest Gemini 2 L6 releases and the latest version of the ASIAIR app which sometimes is a Beta with no issues.?

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I will say that I use the ASIAIR Plus and Gemini 2 with a different configuration than most people, I am using the fastest compact travel router with a 3-port 1Gbps switch available (GL.iNet Slate AX travel router) to connect via Wi-Fi to my Google Pixel XL phone or Samsung tablet, both on Android O/S.? Both the Gemini 2 and ASIAIR Plus are connected to the router using common Ethernet patch cables which provides very fast screen update speed, download and screen refresh is very fast and responsive compared to using the native ASIAIR Wi-Fi.? Additionally the connection is reliable and has a much longer range with speed than the notoriously bad native ASIAIR Wi-Fi.? ??

I'm not sure why you would want to go backward and use a desktop or laptop to access a system that is designed with a user interface designed specifically for mobile device use but if you must there is no difference in interface or function when running an Android emulation like bluestacks, LD player or multi.? They all work the same if a bit slower depending on what it is you are doing.?

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If you want to access the ASIAIR from indoors you can configure the travel router to function as a bridge router and allow your mountside travel router to connect to your home LAN via Wi-Fi and you can run the ASIAIR app under an Android emulator.? It all works well but can take a bit of time to set up and get running smoothly. To save time and trouble I use the newer Slate AX in the field or driveway as a standalone system when I will be nearby or outside observing visually on a secondary mount.? If I want to stay indoors I just swap an older Slate that I leave preconfigured in bridge mode just for this infrequent use.? So the best of both worlds.? ?

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I cannot speak to the StellarMate Pro device, but I can say that I use StellarMate X on a MiniPC and it works just fine. I prefer the ability to use PHD2 for guiding.?

I’ve used them both. ?The Air is very easy and I can in no way recommend StellarMate.

?

I just posted this on CN just so I could get as much info as I could.

The other alternative is IF they make a central power distribution block. However I would like to eliminate the mini router and GPS would be nice.

?

?

?

?

Bringing up an old thread here...

?

Been working a lot lately and found my way to Carlsbad NM for work. Haven't posted here in a while either......

I'm planning on taking my Losmandy G11 with me and have been seriously considering converting from an Intel NUC to ASI air or Sstellarmate Pro. I finally pulled the trigger on an ASI2600 and will be using a large battery bank for power.

?

One of my concerns with the current setup with adding the 2600, is the power connections (losmandy/nuc/2600/router). I would have to be creative with the various power supply distribution.

Next is that if I have an issue with the NUC, I have no monitor per-se. Right now, I remote desktop in on my local network.

I also need a mini router for bridging the gap.

?

It is my understanding that ASI and stellarmate creates its own WIFI, eliminating the need for a mini router? Is this correct?

I like the power distribution both offer and is one of the most important factors.

?

Finally since this is an older thread, I will ask again. Will both of these work with the Gemini 2 V6?

?

?

?

I tested the mount yesterday afternoon and it was behaving, so I went ahead and did the reset to defaults. I set the limits back to what I had and will see what happens during the next set of interferometer runs. That probably won't be for about a week due to cloudy weather in the near-term forecast.

Thanks Paul. I'll try your suggestions and see what happens. The problem is that it is intermittent. I ran the interferomter three times this week and it only happened on two of the nights but it was consistent on both of those nights. I was only able to get it to slew to the target star after parking the mount, powering down and performing a warm start. It would misbehave if I used a warm restart.

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I'll report back after running your suggestions.

On Fri, Feb 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM, Rick Scott wrote:

My G-11 with Gemini 2 has been having problems where it stops tracking and displays that the western limit has been reached. The problem is that it’s not really at the limit. I’ve even increased the limit with no change. The time to western limit shown on the mount's internal web server showed 1 hour and 59 minutes. I've tried changing the western limit and the time to limit increases properly but the mount still stops at the same physical point.?The HC Firmware is V1.20 and the Mainboard Firmware is 5.21.

My HGM Titan doesn’t have this problem. Its HC Firmware is V1.10 and the Mainboard Firmware is 5.10. Note that this is older firmware and that mount doesn't have this problem.

I’m running an intensity interferometer using both of these mounts (two telescopes are need to create an interferometer) and they are both tracking Sirius for many hours. I’m starting at an hour angle around -3 and the problem appears when the hour angle is around +2 (5 hours of continuous tracking). The angle of the mount is about 135 degrees and the western limit was set to 150 degrees. I plan on updating to level 6 but cannot until this project is complete.

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Can you provide guidance on how to resolve this?

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?thanks for update Kurt

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cheers

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Brendan

Finally had a chance to check both servo motors. Even though the DEC motor had no markings on it, they are both identical to the SVM-HT.

Thanks for the help on this!

Hi, Paul!

Thanks for the tips! I'm looking forward to using them in my future astrophotography sessions.

Best Wishes and clear skies!

Russ

Hi Russ,

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Absolutely make sure you're spreading the stars by at least an hour or two in RA between aligns. Avoid any stars very close to the pole or below 30 degrees above the horizon.

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Regards,

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? -Paul

Hi, Chip Louie!

Thanks for your reply and suggestions.

When on target, the mount is tracking very well. I did a 90 second exposure and my stars were tight (highlights were dreadful, my scope is an f/4). I couldn't get a GPS signal and had manually entered my position, but I will check again (even better, hopefully get a GPS signal this time). The time was correct against my cellphone. I check my counterweight down position with a level.?

Given the above, the most likely candidates for my observed error are as Paul Kavensky and you suggested: star identification issues, not have the selected stars spread out enough across the sky, and using more stars. These are the first fixes I will try.

Thanks for your help and your encouragement.

Best Wishes and clear skies!

Russ

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Hi, Paul!

Thanks for your reply.

The mount isn't new but I don't have a lot of experience with it yet (last year was pretty much dedicated to Dobsonians). I've been selecting "align" when model built and I must confess my ignorance that I don't know what "synchronise" means regarding my Losmandy mount.

The first place I plan to start is to take Paul Kavensky's idea of better star identification and using more stars spread out over a great part of the sky.?

Hi, Paul!

Thanks for the reply and the good comments.

I'm using a Newtonian scope with a tight focuser and my 20 mm eyepiece does have an illuminated, cross hair reticle, so the most likely culprit is misidentification of stars and that I didn't spread out the stars enough (my house is right beside me and covers part of the eastern sky) and add more stars to encompass more of the sky.

Thanks again for your help.

Best Wishes and clear skies!

Russ