Meridian Flip
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I continue to have difficulties getting a Meridian flip with the mount and AsiAir. I've tried numerous options but to no avail. I finally got access to the mount via my Mac and noticed that are two boxes unchecked in the safety limit section. Can someone have a look at the attached and advise?
Thanks
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On Fri, Jan 24, 2025 at 10:12 AM, Tony wrote:
What ASIAir settings are you using to configure meridian flip?
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Hi Tony,
Doing a meridian flip was my Bain to getting NINA to flip. Here is a part of my journey. [email protected] | OK, so close but yet, so far. NINA and Automated Meridian Flips... still.
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I do not own an ASIAir. So can't say if my settings for my mount's limits would work for you.
If you try them, you MUST make sure your mount and telescope will not crash before the limits stop the movement.
Finally, someone named David published his settings and I tried them, and they worked for me.
I've since gotten my GM811G HD to reliably flip for me.
Just yesterday I rechecked my settings and last night proved them out in automatically running in NINA.
These are set in your Gemini controller. Under: Mount>Limits and I have NINA use my Gemini II's settings.
How an ASIAir does this is beyond me because I don't have one. My entire operation has always been run through a powered USB hub on my telescope and a single cable to my laptop.
I've never needed an ASIAir, so your image is a bit foreign to me, though I did look it over.
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Limits are a primary function of your Losmandy Mount and the Gemini Controller. Because your computer has no clue where your mount is Physically.
>Eastern Limit: 95.18
>Western Limit: 103:40
>Western Go To: 2:30 (This I think is automatically set by the Gemini)
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I use a stylist with my Gemini touch screen. No touch screen likes my fingers, and Scott and Tanya both use stylists in their demo video's. Works for them, works for me.
What I do is to run the mount to where the camera is close to, but well safe, from crashing into my mount anywhere. Then tap the Set Limit Here icon on screen. Don't be confused when the screen gets a bunch of X's on it, just proceed.
Do the same manual swing to the other side of your mount and again tap the Set Limit Here icon again. Again, don't be confused by the X's on the screen.
Save the new settings and then test them manually. The mount should beep and shut down as it comes to the limits set. If you let go of the button you are swinging with, then reinitiate it the mount will continue swinging and you will crash your telescope into the mount.
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When doing these Limit Settings don't forget to swing your DEC to make sure everything is clearing your mounts hardware.? Because you want to avoid any possibility of breaking or damaging your telescopes focuser or camera.
My mount has a 12" extension to make it a "Portable Pier". So, I have substantial clearance from my HD tripods legs. But others (you) may have interference that you must deal with if your load (Telescope and Camera) can be impacting anything when running unattended.
The mounts limits are to protect it, and the load it is carrying. And only your mount and Gemini II controller can do that. Not the ASIAir, and not your computer.
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OK, try my settings for yourself.
I made several actual test runs with mine in the daytime by picking a star near the Meridian as a target, then sitting there and watching as the star crossed the meridian and the mount did a meridian flip.
I was pleased as punch when it did! And I wasn't sitting out in my insulated Carhart's in the dark waiting with my red LED headlight to make sure things didn't crash.
Once you find your limits "sweet spot", write it down so you don't lose it if you have to do a factory reset on your Gemini II. How do I know this?
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Good luck! I do hope this can help you. Paul is good as Gold with his advice as well. He's given me, and many others the key to happiness with our mounts.
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Sonny Edmonds GM811G HD |
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Hi Tony,
Both your Eastern and Western Safety Limits are set to 93 degrees... or 3 degrees past the meridian.?
The point of Meridian Flip = Western Safety Limit - Western GoTo Limit.
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Your Western GoTo limit is 5 degrees. You are telling the mount you want to flip 1 degree before the meridian and yet you are telling the ASIAIR to stop tracking one degree before the meridian. That may be your problem. Recommend a Western GoTo Limit of 2 degrees and 30 seconds (default) to start and definitely follow Sonny's recommendations. |
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On Thu, Jan 30, 2025 at 04:30 PM, Tony wrote:
You don't have to use flip points, these were introduced as an option with Gemini L6. If the two checkboxes are unchecked, your safety limits and the Western Goto limit will be used instead of flip points.
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The flip failed again this evening. However I did notice this clock countdown on the hand controller screen with the word Guide. I did not notice at what value the countdown began (probably at 60 minutes?) but appeared after AsiAir indicated that the first meridian flip failed and was waiting for a second attempt. |
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On Fri, Jan 31, 2025 at 12:26 AM, Tony wrote:
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Did you change any of the settings? You said you have a 93¡ã safety limit. This translates to 12 minutes of tracking past the meridian. If ASIAir stops at 1 minute before,? then a total of 13 minutes of tracking to safety limit. Your HC is showing nearly 60 minutes. What's changed?
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On Fri, Jan 31, 2025 at 10:37 AM, Tony wrote:
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8 minutes past the meridian puts the goto target at 98¡ã. Your safety limit is at 103.40¡ã. A flip will not happen, since the Goto limit is then at 101.10¡ã and the target is 3+¡ã before the Goto limit. The mount will simply try to slew to the target without flipping.
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Try increasing Goto limit to, say, 13¡ã.?
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Paul Kanevsky
Sonny Edmonds
Ryan Noonan
