Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
There are stories of manufacturers just ¡°running some extra¡± of a part they got paid to make for someone. So imagine you get asked to make 100 units, and instead you make 200 for some reason , maybe to have backups in case there are defects or something. Losmandy most likely doesn¡¯t have the ability to make their own PCB so it¡¯s probably spun by an overseas manufacturer, then assembled there as well, but the software is most likely put on by Losmandy themselves here in CA. So the probably overseas company can make the hardware, but doesn¡¯t want to / can¡¯t figure out what the software is.?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 01:43 PM, Francisco wrote:
I have tried doing the repair, the issue was condensation build up inside the metal casing lead to a pretty bad series of shorts that burnt some traces. I tried repairing the traces with ultra thin wire and replacing the smd components that tested bad, but there must be some trace somewhere that doesn¡¯t look physically damaged, but is. Luckily the only permanent damage was the USB port is dead, and the battery (coin cell) voltage always read oddly low. Besides that it works fine. So it was never worth it for me to spend 700 for the full replacement board. This option seems interesting as I feel comfortable flashing firmware to the various chips.?
im in Oceanside CA.?
Those were the days.? When I used to do component level repairs and hot rod computer boards one of my tricks was using a tiny pin vice to drill partial on a trace through the mask exposing the trace then using solder paste with wire wrap to get around an issue like that then use toothpick dabs of high temp silicone or 2 part epoxy or lacquer to hold it all in place. I also sometimes could use a pin vice to cut internal traces of multi layer boards or sometimes even connected traces between layers. It's tricky and risky but back then it was an elevated level of work. It was flakey as hell but when it worked it was cool.??
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 08:12 PM, Paul Kanevsky wrote:
On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 02:01 PM, Krikke wrote:
I have bought this card and programmed the ARM processor and the pics with available files. To my understanding
it works, the hand controller shows the right software versions when connected.
?
I'd be curious to find out the source of these PCBs, as well. These look like the real deal, but I wonder how some third party came into possession of brand new, unconfigured PCBs.
?
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It is a curious thing.? Normally this sort of thing is protected by contract but here we are.? I just hope it works and I get a backup board.??
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 02:01 PM, Krikke wrote:
I have bought this card and programmed the ARM processor and the pics with available files. To my understanding
it works, the hand controller shows the right software versions when connected.
?
I'd be curious to find out the source of these PCBs, as well. These look like the real deal, but I wonder how some third party came into possession of brand new, unconfigured PCBs.
?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
I have tried doing the repair, the issue was condensation build up inside the metal casing lead to a pretty bad series of shorts that burnt some traces. I tried repairing the traces with ultra thin wire and replacing the smd components that tested bad, but there must be some trace somewhere that doesn¡¯t look physically damaged, but is. Luckily the only permanent damage was the USB port is dead, and the battery (coin cell) voltage always read oddly low. Besides that it works fine. So it was never worth it for me to spend 700 for the full replacement board. This option seems interesting as I feel comfortable flashing firmware to the various chips.?
im in Oceanside CA.?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
You can easily replace the USB port if it has physically broke. If you don't have the soldering tools to do it yourself, any semi-competent electronic/phone/ipad repair shop should be able to bust that out while you wait.
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On 5/18/2025 11:51 AM, Francisco via groups.io wrote: I also ordered one and the bootloader writer, and motor fw writer. My PCB works, but I broke the USB port so I¡¯ve been looking for a replacement for a while that isn¡¯t $700. I¡¯m excited to play with this and see if we can get it working.
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 11:01 AM, Krikke wrote:
I have bought this card and programmed the ARM processor and the pics with available files. To my understanding
it works, the hand controller shows the right software versions when connected.
?
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying.? The board will either work or it won't - if you have put the right files in the right place on the micro SD card, pushed the bootloader on to the ARM chip and programed the PIC controllers.? At that point the board should boot up normally and you managed to program everything correctly.??
?
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 11:01 AM, Francisco wrote:
I also ordered one and the bootloader writer, and motor fw writer. My PCB works, but I broke the USB port so I¡¯ve been looking for a replacement for a while that isn¡¯t $700. I¡¯m excited to play with this and see if we can get it working.?
?
Where in the world are you?? Maybe one of the Losmandy repair people can replace it for you if it is the right one.?
?
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
I also ordered one and the bootloader writer, and motor fw writer. My PCB works, but I broke the USB port so I¡¯ve been looking for a replacement for a while that isn¡¯t $700. I¡¯m excited to play with this and see if we can get it working.?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
I have bought this card and programmed the ARM processor and the pics with available files. To my understanding it works, the hand controller shows the right software versions when connected.
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 12:45 AM, Brendan wrote:
Well it¡¯s all there. ?The ARM is missing its sticker so no FW or bootloader installed. ?Cannot quite read the dspicc sticker they may need flashing as well?
I kinda wonder how these got on fleabay for sale ? ?Seconds? but they shouldn¡¯t have! ? ?You cannot tell unless you do pin to pin of every part
?
But ¡.maybe you will get lucky if you flash bootloader and use GFU ??
?
cheers
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Brendan
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Hi Bren,
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That's what I figured so I bought it.? It says it is returnable, new and guaranteed to be working.? Should get here in a couple of days, we will see...??
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
I would return it (I would not have bought it in the first place actually).
Then, if you really want a spare, buy a genuine from Losmandy.
IMHO.
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Sonny Edmonds
GM811G HD
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Re: New G11 - east vs west confused
Welcome to the Human Race, David!
You are not the first, probably not the last.
Congratulations on your new G11!
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Sonny Edmonds
GM811G HD
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Re: New G11 - east vs west confused
Yep! That was it. Thank you SO MUCH. I knew I was doing something wrong...
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Re: New G11 - east vs west confused
Is it possible that you have the RA cable going to the Dec motor and vice-versa?
The cables are identical, so it¡¯s not uncommon to mis-connect them.
Worth checking.?
Clear skies
K Walsh
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
Well it¡¯s all there. ?The ARM is missing its sticker so no FW or bootloader installed. ?Cannot quite read the dspicc sticker they may need flashing as well?
I kinda wonder how these got on fleabay for sale ? ?Seconds? but they shouldn¡¯t have! ? ?You cannot tell unless you do pin to pin of every part
?
But ¡.maybe you will get lucky if you flash bootloader and use GFU ??
?
cheers
--
Brendan
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
?
Make a copy of your G2 mini's micro SD card and then program the bootloader that has just been released and also program the servo PIC chips.? Maybe it will work??
?
?
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
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Brendan,
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Here are pics of the PCB:
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Yep, I'm guessing the ARM is blank.? Anyone know how to flash it and with what?
Does Losmandy flash them or buy them already flashed?
?
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New G11 - east vs west confused
Hello all,
I am really struggling with my new G11. I have it setup with a dual scope saddle so the mount's saddle is rotated 90 degrees.
I have confirmed the lat/lon/time and timezone are correct.
I do a cold restart in CWD position.
With the hand controller, I do a goto to M81 and the mount slews to Gemini.
The same happens with a goto using Stellarium. Note that Stellarium shows it pointing properly to Polaris before the slew and M81 after the slew.
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In addition, I set the home park position to be the the weights horizontal pointing west and the OTA pointing east. When I did a Park to home, it parked the mount with the OTA west.
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The mount is clearly confused and I am sure I am missing some simple detail probably related to the rotated saddle. Any help would be appreciated.
I have read all the manuals for the mount and Gemini and I am not sure what I am missing. Thanks in advance.
Dave
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Re: Gemini 2 controller PCB on eBay
It looks like a proper PCB. ?Post some pics front and back we can tell. ? Sounds like ARM is either dead or blank?
cheers
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Brendan
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Chip Louie
Paul Kanevsky
Sonny Edmonds