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Well, bust my buttons....
After a computer reset, regaining everything is a PITA. So, one of the last things has been getting my GM811G to slew to park at the end of a NINA session. I know Paul has helped me with this before. But this time I figured it out in the virtual hand control by going to the Park>Configure Park Position>Slew to CWD before parking. A rather DUH moment, but for once I figured it out without asking. (It defaults to No slew before parking. Why do I care?) I have a little WiFi camera on the back fence I use with my cell phone to monitor the mount during the night. If it's parked, I know it completed. If it isn't parked, I don't know if it completed. I need to get 7 hours on my CPAP every night. So remote operation is a benefit to me. Thanks again Paul for the past help! -- Sonny Edmonds GM811G HD
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I don't understand why Losmandy disabled the port for the axis encoders
15
I don't understand why Losmandy disabled the port for the axis encoders on the Gemini II. It was present on the Gemini I, so Losmandy wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel. The reason: There would be so few users who would use encoders, a really great reason. If I understand correctly, you can connect the Nexus devices in parallel and use the encoders. I control the mount via Cartes de Ciel, i.e., via Ascom? The Nexus devices are also capable of being controlled via Ascom, so will the parallel installation work? Regards, Edwin
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Hello, So let's say I've set up the mount correctly re polar alignment and modeling and the pointing accuracy is good. I select a target from the database and it takes me there. After observing the target I decide to wander around the neighborhood of the target slewing here and there, does the Gemini stay with me and not lose modeling/pointing accuracy if I return to the database for a new target? Will it know where it is after I slew away from the target? Thanks in advance.
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First Time Set-up and Use
10
Hi Folks, My name is Kevin, and this is my first time posting to the Group. I took delivery of the Retro-fit kit for my G-ll on Monday and am planning on doing the basic set-up before installation onto my mount. I've been watching all the tutorials on Gemini that Brian has posted to You-tube, and am slowly wrapping my head around it. My goal is for visual at this time, but I'll be doing some imaging later. I've found through watching the vids that it is pretty straight forward with Lat/Lon, but when entering the time I have a question about Daylight Savings Time(pita). I am in the EST zone so my off set is -5, but we are in DST so the offset is -4, right? Also, when in the Fall, do I have to do a Cold Start and change the offset back to -5 again? Basically, I'm just asking for clarification that my thinking about the offset is correct and setting it for DST is correct? Everytime the time changes I will have to change the offset. BTW, any tips you might have for installing the hardware, or first time start-up and use are appreciated. Thanks, Kevin
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Hi folks, An updated version of Gemini firmware L6.12 is now available. This fixes the reported issue where PEC, once programmed, can't be turned off and must be cleared to disable. Update your Gemini using the usual methods: in GFU select L6.12 and click Start to update, or download and copy the files to the SD card from here: /g/Gemini-II/files/Latest%20Firmware%20Files/Gemini%20Firmware%20L6.12 When flashed, the version should read: Note that the HC firmware version didn't change, and remains at v1.64. Regards, -Paul
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Good morning, Just came across something this AM and curious if anyone else can replicate: Gemini2: 6.11 ASCOM: 7.0 When I deselect the PEC container while PEMPro is connected, it immediately reselects. I've tried: Deselecting PEC on Configure PEC page (turning off PEC playback) Deselecting PEC on main Hand Controller window Deselecting PEC on Advanced Settings Page. I noticed this originally when I was trying to record a few cycles this morning before sunrise with PEMPro and the PEC OFF command didn't work. But I tried it with and without PEMPro open and the status of PEMPro did not matter (open or closed) so PEMPro does not seem to be causal. I tried a cold start from the desktop hand controller and a power recycle with the power switch on the Gemini 2, reattempting all three of the above options after the cold start and power recycle. No change. I've attached a log file Here in the Files Section Can anyone else replicate? or is it just a matter of ghosts in my machine? My mount does seem slow to connect and lately fails the first attempt from NINA and then works on the second try. I'm using a direct connection with a crossover cable and a USB-Ethernet dongle. If no one else can replicate, then I will start troubleshooting connections. Thanks Ryan
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Starlight Xpress AO Connections
5
I have the original large Losmandy Gemini 2 controller and have been using the Ethernat port for pulse guiding with PHD2. I¡¯m adding Starlight Xpress AO unit to my system and need to know which Gemini port to use for the bump command from the AO and how to set it up. Thanks in advance, Rick
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Hello all, After performing a recent firmware update on a Gemini II mini-controller on a GM811 (received new from Losmandy in early 2022), I noticed that the Hand Controller is displaying February 29th in the lower right corner, regardless of the actual date. With my time zone offset (-7) this only occurs between the civil hours of 17:00:00 to 23:59:59 for any date in February and the year is 2025 or three year increments thereof (i.e. 2028, 2031, etc.). If the HC's 'Menu / Time' screen -and/or- the web page 'Time' are displayed while the incorrect date is shown, the date setting boxes show the correct date! With other time zones, the abnormality start time changes accordingly but the end time remains the same. In addition, the initial GOTO pointing accuracy after a 'CWD / Cold Start' is within the expected error even with the Feb. 29th date being shown. Hopefully this can be duplicated, and is not an isolated issue with my controllers. To confirm this - on the HC set the time zone offset to any valid negative value (AFAIK the problem does not appear with positive offsets), set the civil date to any day in February with a year as mentioned above, and set the civil time to (23:59:50 + time zone) and hit 'Set' at the bottom of the screen. After the display returns to the Home Screen, watch the date in the lower right corner jump from the set one to Feb.29th when the time rolls over to the next whole hour. If the year is set to anything other than mentioned, the date remains correct. It appears that the UTC 23:59:59 to 00:00:00 roll over triggers the Feb.29th date, and the civil 23:59:59 to 00:00:00 roll over corrects it. I have used GFU V1.0.0.32 to reload both the mainboard and HC firmware several times. The current firmware shown on the HC 'Menu / HC / Info' is : Mainboard - Level 6.10, Built Nov.5, 2024 HC - V1.63, Build Oct.14, 2024 RA / DEC Servo - V3.0 (Dumb question : why does one say 'Built' and the other say 'Build'?) I have performed the 'Reset HGM Defaults' and 'SRAM Reset' then reload from file, and have cleaned the contacts and reseated both micro SD cards, all without any improvement. By the way the micro SD cards are from Losmandy as part of their 'Level 6 Upgrade Kit' that I purchased last summer. The backup battery voltage is 3.01V, with the main battery reporting 14.98V. Other than what appears to be a 'cosmetic abnormality / annoyance', this mount and controllers perform flawlessly! I know it's late in February 2025, but I didn't want to get caught off guard in February 2028.... Clear skies, Ed
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[this has been solved] see my answer three messages below The issue resulted in several causes I guess data corruption, possibly due to a low lithium battery voltage due to cold conditions ==> batttery replaced bad contacts condition at HC SD card level, this being solved by reseating the SD card. Hello Some trouble here I have tried to upgrade to latest version available directly from GFU (6.11) I have used GFU to upload and flash I connect to the gemini web server the main unit reports a correct version (6.11) the HC section doesnt report any information but the HC itself keep booting on the older version which is 1.6 Any idea on how to tackle the problem ? Thank you in advance
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I started to veer to this topic on another thread and did not want to hijack that other thread. I sure would like to use the GFU Utility to its fullest capacity, but I keep running into a persistent problem with a file on my SD card which prevents the GFU from completing its tasks. When updating firmware, mine "times out" at the "Flash Firmware" and "Reboot" step every time I try to update the firmware. From past messages, I think the issue is with this M:Cur_Gem2.bin file that I can only clear out by formatting the SD card, loading the files, then renaming the NewGem.bin file to HGM_Gem2.bin. There is more to it than that but that is the short version. I have figured out a method to do these firmware updates that's a little clunky but does work. From the other thread, Paul K stated: That M:... does prevent any firmware updates using GFU since it prevents access to the folder using FTP. The only way to get rid of this file is to format the SD card and copy the files over again. In a nutshell for firmware updates, I first do the "Format" command from the GFU then upload all the files to the card using the GFU. I then remove the SD card from Gemini MU and install in a reader. There is no M: file that I can see on that card only the NewGem.bin (but the GFU still times out on "Flash Firmware" and "Reboot"). I then rename NewGem.bin to HGM_Gem2.bin and reinstall in the MU. Upon power up, the firmware updates and then the M: file reappears. Question-is that what is supposed to happen (M: file created)? If not, what is supposed to happen? And how to not create that M: file if that is the problem? Attached is what my SD card looks like after the update to L6.11/HC v1.64 (or any update). Can somebody post a screen shot of their SD card webpage if mine doesn't look right? If somebody can help, great! If not, not a big deal as I can still update the firmware (at this time). No issues with the actual operation of Gemini.
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Hey everyone, So I have firmware version 5.21 and version 1.20 in the hand controller. I am attempting to use GFU version 1.0.0.32 to get it to the latest version of Gemini 2. When I click the start button, I get the following error: I can connect to the gemini web server using the 192.168.8.220 address. Also, my ASIAir can connect to the Gemini wirelessly. I disconnected the ASIAir just in case it would cause an issue (don't know why it would since Gemini uses FTP). I confirmed that I can connect to the Gemini-2 via FTP as well. I am using the latest version of Windows 10. Any assistance is welcome. I wanted to use the GFU utility for safety :) Thanks!! Jason
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Hi folks, New Gemini firmware is available to address issues reported by users. L6.11 and HC v1.64 can be installed using GFU (make sure you have internet connection when running GFU so it can download the latest). Fixes in this release: HC: Fix for the leap year display on main screen MU: Reset RA/DEC reversal settings on Gemini reset (SRAM reset required) MU: Keep PEC enabled after changing tracking rate MU: Ensure Centering speed is used when pressing HC buttons past the safety limit If you are not using Windows or prefer not to use GFU, the updated files are also available for download: /g/Gemini-II/files/Latest%20Firmware%20Files/Gemini%20Firmware%20L6.11%20and%20HC%20v1.64 After the update, your Gemini should report the following versions: Regards, -Paul
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Current GEMPro Status?
11
Is this still being developed? What's the current status? ----------------------- Jim W Phoenix, AZ USA
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Quick question for those of you who probably do visual (or know more about how the mount works than I do). I'm surrounded by trees at my current location and have holes with no leaves to image thru. I use stellarium, and would like to have alt/az coordinates of the holes to know what might be visible and for how long. (At least, that's the best idea I have so far...and, no, moving is not an option :) It's awkward to use the HC to move the scope to the various "viewing limits", and was wondering if powering the mount on, loosening the clutches and pushing the scope to the limits (limbs of the trees) would i them be able to read the alt/az coordinates from the HC? Or would I need to keep the clutches engaged and move the scope with the HC (motors)? Basically, I'm trying to map out the openings. Thanks for ideas. Ken
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HC files
4
Greetings all, Where can one find *ALL* of the Hand Controller files to copy into a freshly formatted micro-SD card. The 'combined...' zip files that I have downloaded from this and 'Losmandy.com/files...' sites do not contain the graphics or logo screen files. The HC complains that the logo file is missing during boot up, and all of the buttons are missing their fill colors. I am assuming that you just copy the 'Catalog' folder from the Main to the HC card to use for the GOTO object selections. This formatting and coping of files is being done via Windows Explorer, not the GFU or FTP route. Cheers, Ed
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Hand controller
3
Hi folks... hoping this group is still available..? Anyway, my problem is with my hand held controller. First of all I mainly use my laptop to control the mount. However, I wanted to shoot the eclipse Friday so I just hooked the hand controller. The problem was after slewing to the moon, while centering it(the moon)the controller stopped responding to any inputs. Also, it kept doing it after rebooting everything and starting over. The remote controller is like new as I've only used it a couple times. Any ideas on what may be wrong? Thanks for your help, Les
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Gemini is turning 25!
5
Hi All, Please enjoy a brief history of the past quarter-century narrated by our own Ren¨¦: https://gemini-2.com/Gemini25Years.html Happy Birthday, Gemini! -Paul
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Gemini 2 Hits Western Limit Early
9
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. Can you provide guidance on how to resolve this?
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L6 vs PemPro
5
Hello all, I would like to get my guiding <1¡± and have recently upgraded my fw to L6. Is it still necessary to use PemPro to pec train my G11? Or is there a way to now do this with L6? Thanks! Art
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PEC keeps turning off
14
I just upgraded Gemini firmware and ASCOM 7 software and the mount keeps turning off PEC while doing imaging session. Sometimes I see PEC checkbox is unchecked from Gemini hand controller screen. I also noticed from PHD log viewer after imaging night. I don't really know if this is really related to the firmware and software update since I don't have old data. I use NINA software to control everything. Is there any log in the Gemini to tell me why it turned off PEC?
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Image Name
Sat 8:39am
Sat 8:39am