Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
WSL=94,?? ESL= 94,?? WSL=3? these are my settings.? Assuming use of only the HC and a planetarium connected to gemini, I interpret this as permitting a meridian flip between 91 and 93 degrees. Is this correct ?
Since the Gemini is new and was only used 2 months, and I cannot use the usb method at all, what are my options for replacement/repair ?
Hi Frank,
the math is correct. As it stands your window of opportunity for a flip runs from 1 degree past meridian all the way to your safety limit of 4 degrees past meridian. That is 4 minutes to 16 minutes past meridian. Not a whole lot of wiggle room but manageable, just need to pay close attention to where your target is.?
As Paul suggested, you may want to increase your WGL to something like 6 to give you more room to work. That will let you flip from 2 degrees before the meridian. Also, if those limits are not hard set for your equipment, you may want to increase them a bit (but only if your scope allows).?
Finally, the software you use for imaging needs to have the correct values as well, and they all work slightly differently. Some require time instead of degrees so be careful with that too.
As for the comms error my only suggestion would be to make sure the com ports are setup properly in your gemini.net driver. Maybe even check the usb config on device manager to make sure it¡¯s all correctly set (I assuming windows?).
good luck
Jonathan
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Frank, I don't work for Losmandy, so you're better off contacting their support directly about any repair/replacement.
Your? safety limits are very conservative, so there will be a very limited area where a flip is even possible. One thing to realize with Gemini L5 is that if you use a Goto to force a flip, the destination coordinates for such a goto must be sufficiently far from the current position, otherwise Gemini might decide that it's easier to reach this destination by staying on the same side of the meridian (as long as the safety limit is not violated.) If you must have such strict safety limits, you may want to try to increase the western goto limit and make it larger. That will increase the area where a goto destination will likely cause a flip. L6 beta is changing some of this logic to improve the reliability of automated meridian flips.
Regards,
? -Paul
?
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
correction between 91 and 94 degrees
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Thanks.
WSL=94,?? ESL= 94,?? WSL=3? these are my settings.? Assuming use of only the HC and a planetarium connected to gemini, I interpret this as permitting a meridian flip between 91 and 93 degrees. Is this correct ?
Since the Gemini is new and was only used 2 months, and I cannot use the usb method at all, what are my options for replacement/repair ?
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Re: problem with my Gemini
Thanks Brian for this information. Cordially
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envoy¨¦ : 17 f¨¦vrier 2023 ¨¤ 17:41
de : Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
¨¤ : [email protected]
objet : Re: [Gemini-II_io] problem with my Gemini
Hi Michael
>>>Is the voltage control on the web interface reliable, the yellow and red thresholds?
It will show the correct voltage. The Red and yellow warning levels are inaccurate and will be fixed in a future update. The battery voltage is good down to about 2.0v
Hi Brian, first of all thank you for your answer. Just one last question:Is the voltage control on the web interface reliable, the yellow and red thresholds? Cordially Michael nvoy¨¦ : 17 f¨¦vrier 2023 ¨¤ 17:13
de : Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
¨¤ : [email protected]
objet : Re: [Gemini-II_io] problem with my Gemini
Hi Michael
A new battery will discharge quickly down to around 2.9-3.0v and remain steady for several years. That is normal. If you believe your settings are being lost? Ensure the battery contacts are firm on the battery as shown in this video?
Brian
Hello everyone, I have a problem with my Gemini, I come to you to solve it if possible. After a few tries with the web interface, the sites now remain in memory, which was not the case. On the other hand, the models (east and west) disappear after several starts! So this problem is only partially solved ! In addition, the CR3454 battery is discharging day by day. I changed it 3 days ago the voltage was 3.297v right after the replacement (according to the control of the web page) and today it is 3.145v and drops steadily day by day by about 0.040 v. Is this normal? Could the microprocessor have suffered in any way? I indeed made manipulations using the web interface by redefining several times the sites which did not remain in memory. Could I have accidentally done something stupid? Thank you in advance for your help. Best regards Michael ?
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Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio?
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astrobin?
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Brian
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 09:06 PM, Frank Wielgus wrote:
have always used the usb method. I set up the ethernet option to troubleshoot the problem.? The communication errors only seem to occur with usb.
That would mean the USB connection is poor. Maybe it's on the Gemini side, if you had tried multiple USB cords and different laptops. Probably easiest and best solution is to use Ethernet, as that's a better connection and protocol, anyway. On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 09:06 PM, Frank Wielgus wrote:
The failure to meridian flip happens with either method. However, with no capture software involved, I cannot generate a meridian flip from the HC or from gemini.net software.
Tonight, I going to uninstall ASCOM and Gemini.net then reinstall and retest.
Reinstalling ASCOM and driver isn't likely to help with the flips. It is most likely related to your safety and goto limits and whether or not the same coordinate can be pointed to from both sides of the pier without violating safety limits. Regards, ? ? -Paul
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Frank,
If you can¡¯t generate a meridian flip from the hand controller then you probably have the limits set incorrectly.
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I have always used the usb method. I set up the ethernet option to troubleshoot the problem.? The communication errors only seem to occur with usb.? The failure to meridian flip happens with either method. However, with no capture software involved, I cannot generate a meridian flip from the HC or from software.
Tonight, I going to uninstall ASCOM and then reinstall and retest.
--
Paul
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
I have always used the usb method. I set up the ethernet option to troubleshoot the problem.? The communication errors only seem to occur with usb.? The failure to meridian flip happens with either method. However, with no capture software involved, I cannot generate a meridian flip from the HC or from gemini.net software.
Tonight, I going to uninstall ASCOM and Gemini.net then reinstall and retest.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 06:36 PM, Frank Wielgus wrote:
Things have deteriorated. Getting these errors now as shown in attached. From different laptops and trying a variety of usb cables.? The image that is hard to read is regarding an ASCOM/Gemini time out error.
I've only used the setup Last Sept. and Oct. - successfully.
Suggestions appreciated.
Frank, you reported two different problems, each likely unrelated. Communications error and mount failing to flip are two different things and are better diagnosed separately. Do you get the the communications error with an Ethernet connection between the PC and Gemini? When does the error occur? Randomly, or when the mount is slewing? It seems that you've gone back to using USB instead of Ethernet. Why? Regards, ? ? -Paul
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Things have deteriorated. Getting these errors now as shown in attached. From different laptops and trying a variety of usb cables.? The image that is hard to read is regarding an ASCOM/Gemini time out error.
I've only used the setup Last Sept. and Oct. - successfully.
Suggestions appreciated.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Thanks
After trying various cables and laptop usb ports, the meridian flip issues remains.? The settings I used for limits and criteria in the capture software are identical to those used successfully last Oct.
I did review the excellent videos regarding the subject.
Working with the capture software folks, it appears the command for meridian flip is give but the mount takes no action and just continues tracking.
All other aspects of the Gemini seems to work.
My 1st post details the pertinent Gemini settings.? The capture software is set to authorize a flip between 4 & 15 mins. after the flip.
I have varied all the settings to kingdom come and still get a message that the mount reports west pointing east.
I really appreciate any help.
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Re: Guide Calibration GM811G, ASIAir
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Re: Guide Calibration GM811G, ASIAir
Yes that is backlash
Your guiding should work normally. The calibration only uses the north direction. You should bump the mount north prior to calibrating to take up any backlash?
I have some curious behavior in calibrating guiding with a GM811G/Gemini II (L5.21, HC V1.41) using ASIAir Pro (V2.0/10.46), 60mm f/4 guide scope, ZWO ASI290MM Mini camera. All seems to work well except that when it gets to the southbound declination steps, the motion for each step is very small. It says it's correcting backlash for several steps then exits calibration, but still takes another minute or so to nudge back to the original position. Once it settles, guiding is fine. Not sure if this is in the Air or the mount. Seems like a backlash issue;?I checked the backlash setting in the Gemini, set TVC to zero as I've seen recommended.
-- Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio? portfolio astrobin?
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Brian
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Guide Calibration GM811G, ASIAir
I have some curious behavior in calibrating guiding with a GM811G/Gemini II (L5.21, HC V1.41) using ASIAir Pro (V2.0/10.46), 60mm f/4 guide scope, ZWO ASI290MM Mini camera. All seems to work well except that when it gets to the southbound declination steps, the motion for each step is very small. It says it's correcting backlash for several steps then exits calibration, but still takes another minute or so to nudge back to the original position. Once it settles, guiding is fine. Not sure if this is in the Air or the mount. Seems like a backlash issue;?I checked the backlash setting in the Gemini, set TVC to zero as I've seen recommended.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
>>>I tried direct ethernet and it too failed the same way regarding meridian flip.? I will try a different usb cable and report back.
I think you need to separate out the comm error issue from the meridian flip. A comm error would cause all sorts of issues which may or may not explain your meridian flip issue.?
The meridian flip is complicated because it's a coordination between two systems that you have to manage. I'm not sure if you've already seen our videos on how meridian flip works but here it is just in case?
Thanks Brian.
I tried direct ethernet and it too failed the same way regarding meridian flip.? I will try a different usb cable and report back.
-- Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio? portfolio astrobin?
--
Brian
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
Thanks Brian.
I tried direct ethernet and it too failed the same way regarding meridian flip.? I will try a different usb cable and report back.
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Re: Meridian Flip - Stopped Working
these are comm errors, so you need to try different components to see what is causing the issue
I suggest trying a different USB cable and/or trying to connect via ethernet (swapping the USB cable is easier so maybe try that first)
You can also try different USB Ports on your computer(s)
it's unlikely there's an issue with the Gemini
Update.
With the scope connected to my imaging laptop ( via usb as usual ), I thought I'd set the home position. When I do that I get 2 errors:? serial port time out, and ascom communication error.?
I tried my backup imaging laptop and got the same error ( same software ).
Does this this mean I have an issue with the Gemini unit? If So, what are my options as it was successfully used for the 1st 2 months I had it ?
Frank
-- Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio? portfolio astrobin?
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Brian
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Re: problem with my Gemini
Hi Michael
>>>Is the voltage control on the web interface reliable, the yellow and red thresholds?
It will show the correct voltage. The Red and yellow warning levels are inaccurate and will be fixed in a future update. The battery voltage is good down to about 2.0v
Hi Brian, first of all thank you for your answer. Just one last question:Is the voltage control on the web interface reliable, the yellow and red thresholds? Cordially Michael nvoy¨¦ : 17 f¨¦vrier 2023 ¨¤ 17:13
de : Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
¨¤ : [email protected]
objet : Re: [Gemini-II_io] problem with my Gemini
Hi Michael
A new battery will discharge quickly down to around 2.9-3.0v and remain steady for several years. That is normal. If you believe your settings are being lost? Ensure the battery contacts are firm on the battery as shown in this video?
Brian
Hello everyone, I have a problem with my Gemini, I come to you to solve it if possible. After a few tries with the web interface, the sites now remain in memory, which was not the case. On the other hand, the models (east and west) disappear after several starts! So this problem is only partially solved ! In addition, the CR3454 battery is discharging day by day. I changed it 3 days ago the voltage was 3.297v right after the replacement (according to the control of the web page) and today it is 3.145v and drops steadily day by day by about 0.040 v. Is this normal? Could the microprocessor have suffered in any way? I indeed made manipulations using the web interface by redefining several times the sites which did not remain in memory. Could I have accidentally done something stupid? Thank you in advance for your help. Best regards Michael ?
?
--
Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
--
Brian
-- Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio? portfolio astrobin?
--
Brian
|
Re: problem with my Gemini
Hi Brian, first of all thank you for your answer. Just one last question:Is the voltage control on the web interface reliable, the yellow and red thresholds? Cordially Michael
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
nvoy¨¦ : 17 f¨¦vrier 2023 ¨¤ 17:13
de : Brian Valente <bvalente@...>
¨¤ : [email protected]
objet : Re: [Gemini-II_io] problem with my Gemini
Hi Michael
A new battery will discharge quickly down to around 2.9-3.0v and remain steady for several years. That is normal. If you believe your settings are being lost? Ensure the battery contacts are firm on the battery as shown in this video?
Brian
Hello everyone, I have a problem with my Gemini, I come to you to solve it if possible. After a few tries with the web interface, the sites now remain in memory, which was not the case. On the other hand, the models (east and west) disappear after several starts! So this problem is only partially solved ! In addition, the CR3454 battery is discharging day by day. I changed it 3 days ago the voltage was 3.297v right after the replacement (according to the control of the web page) and today it is 3.145v and drops steadily day by day by about 0.040 v. Is this normal? Could the microprocessor have suffered in any way? I indeed made manipulations using the web interface by redefining several times the sites which did not remain in memory. Could I have accidentally done something stupid? Thank you in advance for your help. Best regards Michael ?
?
--
Brian?
Brian Valente astro portfolio?
portfolio
astrobin?
--
Brian
|
Re: Installing the Gemini II Retrofit Kit on an AZ8
Thanks for the write-up Bob.
Any word on how it finds and tracks objects.
Thanks,
John Desbiens
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Paul Kanevsky
