Re: G11 Flip successful

#32843

Hi ,
I tried so many objects M27 South and North M52 , NGC281 , NGC146 all in Cassiopeia and always did Meridian Flip.
One only thing I am worry about short message from Gemini.net? "Serial Port Timed Out "? for 2-3 seconds but never disconnect the mount from NINA? or computer .
Please check my attachment and this always happen just after " Flipping Scope"? command .?
I am using? Gemini Telescope Driver Version? 1.1.0.1? Dated October 14 , 2021 .
Thanks for help .?
Regards
Roman

Flip_NGC381.jpg

Re: G11 Flip successful

#32842

开云体育

Hi Robert ,

Thanks for response .

I am ?just confuse because you talking about Max/min two settings but I see only one Minutes after Meridian or you using different version of NINA .

I am using 1.10 HF3 . Please check my attachment .

My previous settings was 2 Minutes After Meridian I change it today to 3 minutes maybe this help ?, who knows .

Its a cool watching the flip and I like it ?

Regards

Roman

?

Sent from for Windows

?

Show quoted text

From: Robert Patterson
Sent: November 15, 2021 6:53 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Gemini_users_io] G11 Flip successful

?

Hi Roman,
I too have the Genimi 1 and use NINA.? It would not flip at first and I found that it is all to do with the Max/min Minutes after meridian (two settings) and the east and west safety limits.? The mount flips now with no issues and I do not miss any imaging time at meridian.??
I recommend that you watch the attached blog from Losmandy on NINA meridian flips.? It is very informative

Regards,

Robert

?

43280F7E99C7489CB394E52FBEF070E7.png

settings_flip.jpg

Re: G11 Flip successful

#32841

Hi Roman,
I too have the Genimi 1 and use NINA.? It would not flip at first and I found that it is all to do with the Max/min Minutes after meridian (two settings) and the east and west safety limits.? The mount flips now with no issues and I do not miss any imaging time at meridian.??
I recommend that you watch the attached blog from Losmandy on NINA meridian flips.? It is very informative

Regards,

Robert

G11 Flip successful

#32840

Hi all ,
I can sleep now LOL
Three weeks ago accidently? damage my Gemini1 controller and motors just fall? asleep .
I tried flip twice yesterday w/o success and today I just connect my QHY268M camera to NINA and voila !
I did not now about that special? window message .?
I am attaching pictures taken with my phone jut forgot using window sniping tool :)
Everything end stack on Recenter - Plate Solving because mount? after regreasing? still on my kitchen floor so no stars .
I am going flip the mount one more time and have fun I hope not burn motors again or keep David busy :)
Regards
Roman

Groups.IO mobile app for iOS and Android

#32839

Folks, for those reading Groups.io?messages on your mobile devices, there is now a mobile app that you can use to do so:

iOS:?
Android:?

Might be a great option especially for those who normally use a mobile email reader to view or post messages.

Regards,

? ? ?-Paul

Re: Gemini 1 Problems

#32838

As David said, use a volt meter to measure your "3V" battery while it is still in the Gemini.??

Easiest way to do that is use a ground point on the G-1 board for the - probe of the voltmeter.? I find the easiest one to use is the metal solder point just left of one of the big tall capacitors on the right side near the RA or DEC motor cable connector outputs.

The + probe goes to the top of the battery.

If you get 2.9V or less, replace the battery with the same type.? If the battery is over 3V and still repeatedly CMOS resets, see bottom of this message for a list of repair people.??

_______

Then, as Derek said, the safest surest way to set the correct time is to pretend you live at Greenwich England and your time zone offset is zero.? Then enter just the UTC time ...like these instructions:

?Gemini1 time and date UTC format

5.3.10.5 UTC Date/Time

The "UTC Date/Time" menu item is where you set Gemini's real time clock (RTC).

Upon executing "UTC Date/Time" the UTC date and time display freezes but the RTC

continues to keep time.

The display of date and time from left to right reads as follows: "yymm.dd hh:mm:ss"

(yy = year, mm = month, dd = day, hh = hour, mm = minutes, ss = seconds).?

Get your UTC time and date from

?

So for May 4 2021 you'd take the 21 as the last 2 digits from 2021, the 05 is for May, 04 is the day ..for 6:15:25 AM

2105.04 06:15:25

For time after noon like 14:00 = 2pm enter like

2105.04 14:15:25

full link used to work:

You must also re-enter your location latitude and longitude.

In Gemini-1, West of Greenwich England (i.e. USA) you just use a minus sign - in front of the Longitude.??

The latitude and longitude use a decimal point, but this is European notation for a comma in the USA.? So you enter Degrees.Minutes?

So I live in Sunnyvale California and my latitude is?

? ?37.4

And longitude is

? -120.3

After you enter these things, Park at CWD.??

Tell Gemini to Cold Boot.

Your GoTo should be accurate.

The reboot is necessary to get the Gemini software to read in the values of location and then run properly.

But.....

If, when you reboot it again says "CMOS Reset," then all your data entries are lost again.??

If, after you replace the battery it will first say? ?"CMOS Reset," that is normal and all your data entries are lost again.? Enter them again.?

If then a re boot with a fresh battery says? "CMOS Reset," then you have a damaged Gemini-1 and need it repaired (a bad chip, not the battery, is causing the CMOS Reset message).? ?Get your unit to one of the 3 repairers and they will fix it up.? ?

Repairers are:

Bren Smith in Australia,

David Partridge in UK

Myself in USA.

Best of luck,

Michael

Show quoted text

On Sat, Nov 6, 2021, 10:18 PM David C. Partridge <david.partridge@...> wrote:

Change the battery.? If you keep getting the message after doing that, then there’s a problem with the hardware.
?
David
?
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Gary Copeland via
Sent: 07 November 2021 01:48
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini_users_io] Gemini 1 Problems
?
I've been trying to figure out what I am doing wrong when I try to align my G-11 with Gemini 1.?
?
When it starts up gives me a CMOS reset warning. I then enter location and time zone and UTC (-7 here in Tucson).?
?
When I start the setup process by going to a bright star it is so far off that it's useless.?
?
Does anyone know of a good step-by-step video that might help? I find the user manual nearly worthless.?
?
Thank you,
?
Gary
?
?

Re: Gemini 1 Problems

#32837

Forgot to say..."CMOS reset" means the contents of the SRAM was lost on power down and reset.?? This data is lat/long time zone DTG etc etc etc

So find why it lost the data...usually bad battery.?? Pwr up new battery enter data save and reboot...your GTG
--
Brendan

Re: Gemini 1 Problems

#32836

After you change the battery and enter location lat/long time zone offset etc, and remember Gemini 1 DTG time is in a .

ie:
UTC date/time: Nov 07, 2021 04:55:55
Gemini UTC display (yymm.dd: hh.mm.ss): 2111.07 04:55:55

After entering all this...reboot your system.....

--
Brendan

Re: Gemini 1 Problems

#32835

开云体育

Change the battery.? If you keep getting the message after doing that, then there’s a problem with the hardware.

?

David

?

Show quoted text

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Gary Copeland via groups.io
Sent: 07 November 2021 01:48
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini_users_io] Gemini 1 Problems

?

I've been trying to figure out what I am doing wrong when I try to align my G-11 with Gemini 1.?

?

When it starts up gives me a CMOS reset warning. I then enter location and time zone and UTC (-7 here in Tucson).?

?

When I start the setup process by going to a bright star it is so far off that it's useless.?

?

Does anyone know of a good step-by-step video that might help? I find the user manual nearly worthless.?

?

Thank you,

?

Gary

?

Re: Gemini 1 Problems

Derek C Breit

#32834

开云体育

UTC is -0.. LOCAL is -7.. They don’t mix!

Either enter UT and an offset of 0, or Local and an offset that’s appropriate..

This is a better question for the LOsmandy group.. I would ask there.. Things like Reasonable polar alignment, accurate startup position of the mount to CWD.. Accurate location and time.. Accurately aligned finder scope / laser pointer / something to make sure you can see the star in the eyepiece.. The FORMAT of the date and time can be tricky.. Took me forever to let go of everything I thought I knew before I got it work easily.. Start Over is the best advice I can give.. :-))

?

Derek

?

Show quoted text

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Gary Copeland via groups.io
Sent: Saturday, November 06, 2021 6:48 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini_users_io] Gemini 1 Problems

?

I've been trying to figure out what I am doing wrong when I try to align my G-11 with Gemini 1.?

?

When it starts up gives me a CMOS reset warning. I then enter location and time zone and UTC (-7 here in Tucson).?

?

When I start the setup process by going to a bright star it is so far off that it's useless.?

?

Does anyone know of a good step-by-step video that might help? I find the user manual nearly worthless.?

?

Thank you,

?

Gary

?

Virus-free.

Gemini 1 Problems

#32833

I've been trying to figure out what I am doing wrong when I try to align my G-11 with Gemini 1.?

When it starts up gives me a CMOS reset warning. I then enter location and time zone and UTC (-7 here in Tucson).?

When I start the setup process by going to a bright star it is so far off that it's useless.?

Does anyone know of a good step-by-step video that might help? I find the user manual nearly worthless.?

Thank you,

Gary

Hello Leo..

Derek C Breit

#32832

开云体育

Hey Leo..

??? The Phone is unreliable here for the past 6 months.. I think we lost a cell tower during a heatwave..

Anywho, I will be going to Kaiser SJ later (3 or 4) or you can reach me at breit underscore ideas at poyntsource dot com.. No spaces and watch the spelling..

??? Derek

REMINDER: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS CHANGE SUNDAY 7 NOVEMBER

#32831

Hi Everyone,

?

Heads up for those observing Daylight savings time, primarily in north america

Daylight savings is changing on November 7^th. ?

For those of you affected, your timezone will fall back one hour (“Spring ahead, Fall back”, right?). You will need to change your timezone in the Gemini. This is the offset in hours from UTC.

?

For example, Pacific time will now be -8 offset (previously -7). East coast time will be -5 (previously -4).

?

If you find your gotos are off by 15 degrees, check that timezone!

For those of you pitching UTC as the way to avoid this, please remember when you are configuring your astronomy automation software, your computer and your Gemini need to agree on your time settings.

--

Brian?

Brian Valente

portfolio

Re: G11 Gemini limits

John Kmetz

#32830

Philippe,

Whenever I put a new telescope on my G11, I use the MI-250 limits, which are the most conservative at 95 and 92 degrees. If I see there is more room for the camera end to go, I will increase until I can get the widest angle. Currenly I am using 98 and 98, and Western GoTo Limit = 0, for a 100mm refractor.

But it is not the safety limits that will affect how accurate you are after a meridian flip. In some situations, the limits might stop the flip from occuring at all if you violate the Eastern Safety Limit angle.

Getting back to the same place in the sky is more related to tripod stability, mount leveling, polar alignment, and doing a proper star alignment model. A good plate solving program like ASTAP or Plate Solve 2 should get you back on target after the flip to do more imaging.?

I hope I have answered your question.

John

G11 Gemini limits

#32829

Hello all,
I use my G11 with current slewing from CWD park to Az 130 deg/280 deg. and scope TMB130 on left side. Depending of the target altitude and the risk to hit the tripod I may like to start with scope on right side.
I success this in changing the East limit to less than 130 deg? causing a flip as the scope start to move but I observe a slewing error of a few deg.
How is it possible to avoid a start flip keeping the original East limit to 130 deg. or less when I consider there is no risk to hit the tripod.
Thanks for help,
Philippe
-

?

What do you want to do ?

New mailCopy

Re: model building using plate solve

#32828

Hi Ron,
Basically giving you a different perspective, and a method I have found works with different mounts.
Brian and I are friends beyond our preferred mounts. (Which my 811 was bought against his advice. But it is more than enough mount for my desired objects and optics. Nebula does not require monster telescopes. ;^) )
Brian personally worked with me when getting started, and we tested plate solving with successes. But at the time my main camera was not getting images that could plate solve.
Our tests were done with an image of his.?
So you see, not everything is lollie pops and roses. Some of us came up from some pretty bad equipment experience's.
I have to literally see my object, center and compose it myself, then I go full auto on it.
Me and Frank Sinatra, I did it my.... way.... LOL!

But being of open mind, I'd like to revisit Plate Solving now that I have cameras capable (I believe) of actually working.
I'm probably one of the few who actually checks my Polar Alignment every time, even though my mount is not moved from day to day, week to week. I use Sharpcap for that.
But find my mount is more stable than Sharpcap gives it credit for. Re-running Sharpcap does not yield repeat accuracies one would expect.
So I've come to just do it once and go on to what Scott and Rene' built into the software to build a Model for the specific night.
Most want a one star and done alignment. Rene' posted 10 stars is good, more even better. So when you poo-poo modeling, is it based on a proper model building? Or on impatience?
Lots of ways to skin a cat. We all use different equipment in different ways to achieve our results.
Mine are just a bit more "Old School" I'd suppose.

I really Love my 811. I have it configured into a heavy duty semi-pier configuration. And Scott told me, don't mess with it, just use it. Sage advice.
But our Losmandy Mounts are the only ones I've seen that allow personal configuring to a specific goal. Big Plus! One I've utilized to make mine ideal for my imaging.
Nothing short of Pure Genius.

Re: model building using plate solve

#32827

Hi Sonny
Thanks for your feedback of this concept
Brian is our guru and points the way - modeling is just to " get to the object ". So because platesolving defines where everything is, the idea of? achieving a more accurate model not gonna add improvement as? it is way easier and less time consuming to?
GOTO object, platesolve and sync.??? ( re:? model doesnt improve tracking error, just gets you there)
The ultimate goal is imaging and getting round stars with long exposures.? Your model has been stored so you only need to? GOTO first object, center, then plate solve , recenter,sync and bada-bing!! youre at your object so start PHD and image away
Ron
BTW Im a silent lurker, lousy typer, slow responder and learn from your comments,
thanks again
:)

Re: Gemini II ASCOM driver slewing several degrees towards west

#32826

Hi Nikul!

I often think the best problem is one that goes away by itself.

But then later it comes back...? So now you know what to look for if it happens to you again.

Have fun!? ?

It is finally raining here in the drought stricken San Jose area of California.? My telescope use brought the rain of course!? ?

Michael

Show quoted text

On Fri, Oct 22, 2021, 7:06 AM Nikul Suthar <nikulsuthar@...> wrote:

Thank you very much to Michael, Paul, Brian and Chuck... To my surprise I was not able to reproduce the issue last night... I don't know why the issue did no surface last night... I was not able to connect with Ethernet which I still need to figure out probably bad cable to consider culprit for. I first tried with my different stick PC and Stellarium on it with the USB connection and it did slew properly... Then I switched to Cartes Du Ciel and it worked properly as well. Then I switched to USB connection with my laptop where I found the issue with Cartes Du Ciel and to my surprise the issue did not surface. I don't remember if I changed anything or by mistake I changed anything that made it slew properly then I don't know... As long as I have it slewing probably I don't mind. Although I will keep in mind if it reproduces the problem again... I'll try the connection with Ethernet which a new cable and then check the config on the portal...

But thank you very much for your valuable input...

Thanks,
Nikul

On Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 2:25 PM Brian Valente <bvalente@...> wrote:
>>> Here's a good place and time to recommend the Garmin gps that losmandy sells. I use it all the time (pun intended!) and have never had a problem with geographic location and time. Well worth the cost, in my opinion

yes, definitely the Losmandy GPS is a great?tool for precise time and location

I also wanted to make sure folks know how the locations interface works on the Gemini Telescope.net application

On Thu, Oct 21, 2021 at 1:39 PM crocco1250 via <crocco1250=[email protected]> wrote:

Brian

Here's a good place and time to recommend the Garmin gps that losmandy sells. I use it all the time (pun intended!) and have never had a problem with geographic location and time. Well worth the cost, in my opinion

Chuck

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, 08:53:45 AM PDT, Brian Valente <brian@...> wrote:

Hi Nikul
?
I think the issue you are having may be that you can’t set your location coordinates in the Gemini Telescope.net app, you can only select from the predefined list.? You have to set your site coordinates in the Gemini hand controller (or the gemini web pages),
?
Here’s from the gemini user guide (available in the software under Help! Menu)
?
?
?
?
Thanks
?
Brian
?
Brian Valente
Losmandy Astronomical
?
Losmandy.com
Tutorials and vids at
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nikul Suthar
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 11:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini_users_io] Gemini II ASCOM driver slewing several degrees towards west
?
Hi All,

I'm based in Phoenix, AZ and I bought a used G11 from Stellarvision a little over a month ago. It is having the Gemini 2 mini control board. Today for the first time I setup its ASCOM driver on my PC and configured it to my current location in Phoenix and the current time as in attached screenshot. Then I slewed to the Moon through Cartes Du Ciel and it did slew but several degrees (30° to 40° I don't know exactly) to the west of where it was located. Basically it was around 30° east of meridian but the mount slewed to the counterweight almost horizontal on the west side and my RASA 11 pointing very close vertical to Meridian slightly on the west side. I verified that the ASCOM driver hand controller window had matching RA and Dec coordinates with the RA and Dec coordinates of the Moon in Skysafari Plus running on my cellphone. But still it slewed several degrees west of the Moon. Similar symptoms it showed with slewing to star Vega as well. I parked and slewed several times to the Moon but it did the same mistake all the time.

Then I disconnected my PC and connected the hand controller where it slewed to the Moon correctly. I need to run my G11 through the ASCOM driver and need to fix this issue. I would highly appreciate if anyone has any info on such kind of issues.

Thanks,
Nikul

--
Brian?

Brian Valente
portfolio

Re: Gemini II ASCOM driver slewing several degrees towards west

Nikul Suthar

#32825

Thank you very much to Michael, Paul, Brian and Chuck... To my surprise I was not able to reproduce the issue last night... I don't know why the issue did no surface last night... I was not able to connect with Ethernet which I still need to figure out probably bad cable to consider culprit for. I first tried with my different stick PC and Stellarium on it with the USB connection and it did slew properly... Then I switched to Cartes Du Ciel and it worked properly as well. Then I switched to USB connection with my laptop where I found the issue with Cartes Du Ciel and to my surprise the issue did not surface. I don't remember if I changed anything or by mistake I changed anything that made it slew properly then I don't know... As long as I have it slewing probably I don't mind. Although I will keep in mind if it reproduces the problem again... I'll try the connection with Ethernet which a new cable and then check the config on the portal...

But thank you very much for your valuable input...

Thanks,

Nikul

Show quoted text

On Thu, Oct 21, 2021, 2:25 PM Brian Valente <bvalente@...> wrote:

>>> Here's a good place and time to recommend the Garmin gps that losmandy sells. I use it all the time (pun intended!) and have never had a problem with geographic location and time. Well worth the cost, in my opinion

yes, definitely the Losmandy GPS is a great?tool for precise time and location

I also wanted to make sure folks know how the locations interface works on the Gemini Telescope.net application

On Thu, Oct 21, 2021 at 1:39 PM crocco1250 via <crocco1250=[email protected]> wrote:

Brian

Here's a good place and time to recommend the Garmin gps that losmandy sells. I use it all the time (pun intended!) and have never had a problem with geographic location and time. Well worth the cost, in my opinion

Chuck

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, 08:53:45 AM PDT, Brian Valente <brian@...> wrote:

Hi Nikul
?
I think the issue you are having may be that you can’t set your location coordinates in the Gemini Telescope.net app, you can only select from the predefined list.? You have to set your site coordinates in the Gemini hand controller (or the gemini web pages),
?
Here’s from the gemini user guide (available in the software under Help! Menu)
?
?
?
?
Thanks
?
Brian
?
Brian Valente
Losmandy Astronomical
?
Losmandy.com
Tutorials and vids at
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nikul Suthar
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 11:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini_users_io] Gemini II ASCOM driver slewing several degrees towards west
?
Hi All,

I'm based in Phoenix, AZ and I bought a used G11 from Stellarvision a little over a month ago. It is having the Gemini 2 mini control board. Today for the first time I setup its ASCOM driver on my PC and configured it to my current location in Phoenix and the current time as in attached screenshot. Then I slewed to the Moon through Cartes Du Ciel and it did slew but several degrees (30° to 40° I don't know exactly) to the west of where it was located. Basically it was around 30° east of meridian but the mount slewed to the counterweight almost horizontal on the west side and my RASA 11 pointing very close vertical to Meridian slightly on the west side. I verified that the ASCOM driver hand controller window had matching RA and Dec coordinates with the RA and Dec coordinates of the Moon in Skysafari Plus running on my cellphone. But still it slewed several degrees west of the Moon. Similar symptoms it showed with slewing to star Vega as well. I parked and slewed several times to the Moon but it did the same mistake all the time.

Then I disconnected my PC and connected the hand controller where it slewed to the Moon correctly. I need to run my G11 through the ASCOM driver and need to fix this issue. I would highly appreciate if anyone has any info on such kind of issues.

Thanks,
Nikul

--
Brian?

Brian Valente
portfolio

Re: Gemini II ASCOM driver slewing several degrees towards west

#32824

>>> Here's a good place and time to recommend the Garmin gps that losmandy sells. I use it all the time (pun intended!) and have never had a problem with geographic location and time. Well worth the cost, in my opinion

yes, definitely the Losmandy GPS is a great?tool for precise time and location

I also wanted to make sure folks know how the locations interface works on the Gemini Telescope.net application

Show quoted text

On Thu, Oct 21, 2021 at 1:39 PM crocco1250 via <crocco1250=[email protected]> wrote:

Brian

Here's a good place and time to recommend the Garmin gps that losmandy sells. I use it all the time (pun intended!) and have never had a problem with geographic location and time. Well worth the cost, in my opinion

Chuck

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, 08:53:45 AM PDT, Brian Valente <brian@...> wrote:

Hi Nikul
?
I think the issue you are having may be that you can’t set your location coordinates in the Gemini Telescope.net app, you can only select from the predefined list.? You have to set your site coordinates in the Gemini hand controller (or the gemini web pages),
?
Here’s from the gemini user guide (available in the software under Help! Menu)
?
?
?
?
Thanks
?
Brian
?
Brian Valente
Losmandy Astronomical
?
Losmandy.com
Tutorials and vids at
?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Nikul Suthar
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2021 11:32 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini_users_io] Gemini II ASCOM driver slewing several degrees towards west
?
Hi All,

I'm based in Phoenix, AZ and I bought a used G11 from Stellarvision a little over a month ago. It is having the Gemini 2 mini control board. Today for the first time I setup its ASCOM driver on my PC and configured it to my current location in Phoenix and the current time as in attached screenshot. Then I slewed to the Moon through Cartes Du Ciel and it did slew but several degrees (30° to 40° I don't know exactly) to the west of where it was located. Basically it was around 30° east of meridian but the mount slewed to the counterweight almost horizontal on the west side and my RASA 11 pointing very close vertical to Meridian slightly on the west side. I verified that the ASCOM driver hand controller window had matching RA and Dec coordinates with the RA and Dec coordinates of the Moon in Skysafari Plus running on my cellphone. But still it slewed several degrees west of the Moon. Similar symptoms it showed with slewing to star Vega as well. I parked and slewed several times to the Moon but it did the same mistake all the time.

Then I disconnected my PC and connected the hand controller where it slewed to the Moon correctly. I need to run my G11 through the ASCOM driver and need to fix this issue. I would highly appreciate if anyone has any info on such kind of issues.

Thanks,
Nikul

--

Brian?

Brian Valente

portfolio