Connecting Gemini one to laptop.
Hi
I am still having great difficulty in find a suitable working cable to attach my RS232 port to my USB laptop.?
I have bought several cables which don't appear to work. I think i have downloaded all the correct software from Ascom.
I would have thought you could by this as a dedicated Gemini part off the shelf.
Are there any special settings i have to program into the Gemini when i open it up on my laptop to to make a connection to my mount.
Would appreciate any help, getting frustrated!
Thank you
Regards
Ken??
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Re: Gemini 1 connecting to laptop
Hi Michael Thank you for the information that’s great I will contact the gentleman. Regards Ken ? Sent from for Windows ?
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From: Michael HermanSent: 15 March 2022 23:21 To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [Gemini_users_io] Gemini 1 connecting to laptop ? Hi Ken, Please contact our very knowledgeable Gemini expert David Partridge, also of the UK.? He can make you a serial port cable, and if your Gemini has a problem, he is an expert repairer.?? He lives in Warwickshire.?? As for connecting the Gemini-1, I wrote this guide some years ago but it will explain how to make it work with free star charts like Stellarium.?? ? On Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 10:40 AM k.weilding2 via <k.weilding2=[email protected]> wrote: Could somebody please help me. I have the old Gemini 1 and i wish to connect it to my laptop, what connector do i need to go into RS 232 socket and then a USB to attach to my laptop.
Can you purchase this type of connector?
Would this all work with the Gemini software were you can control your telescope from your laptop?
Thank you
Ken
UK
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Re: Gemini 1 connecting to laptop
Hi Ken,
Please contact our very knowledgeable Gemini expert David Partridge, also of the UK.? He can make you a serial port cable, and if your Gemini has a problem, he is an expert repairer.??
He is at:
He lives in Warwickshire.??
As for connecting the Gemini-1, I wrote this guide some years ago but it will explain how to make it work with free star charts like Stellarium.??
Have fun!
Michael
On Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 10:40 AM k.weilding2 via <k.weilding2= [email protected]> wrote: Could somebody please help me. I have the old Gemini 1 and i wish to connect it to my laptop, what connector do i need to go into RS 232 socket and then a USB to attach to my laptop.
Can you purchase this type of connector?
Would this all work with the Gemini software were you can control your telescope from your laptop?
Thank you
Ken
UK
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Re: Gemini 1 connecting to laptop
On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 05:09 PM, k.weilding2@... wrote:
Thank you for the info, I am not technically minded what does a usb/ serial adapter look like.?
Regards?
Ken?
Here's one that I used recently:? You'll also need a special cable from this adapter 9 pin DB9 connector to the small telephone-plug type connector on the Gemini side.
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Re: Gemini 1 connecting to laptop
Thank you for the info, I am not technically minded what does a usb/ serial adapter look like.?
Regards?
Ken?
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Hi Ken,
You'll just need a USB to serial adapter with the appropriate cable for Gemini-1. USB/Serial adapters are fairly inexpensive, just get one that has the driver for the version of Windows that you plan to use. FTDI chipset-based adapters have been reported as
being more reliable and seem to work better with Gemini. Gemini-1 user manual has the pin-out of the serial cable connector if you want to make one or buy one from a third-party, or you might be able to order one from Losmandy.
Once you have the USB->Serial adapter, you'll be able to use Gemini ASCOM driver with all telescope control, automation, and other astronomy software that works with ASCOM.
Regards,
? ? -Paul
On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 01:40 PM, <k.weilding2@...> wrote:
Could somebody please help me. I have the old Gemini 1 and i wish to connect it to my laptop, what connector do i need to go into RS 232 socket and then a USB to attach to my laptop.
Can you purchase this type of connector?
Would this all work with the Gemini software were you can control your telescope from your laptop?
Thank you
Ken
UK
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Re: Gemini 1 connecting to laptop
Hi Ken,
You'll just need a USB to serial adapter with the appropriate cable for Gemini-1. USB/Serial adapters are fairly inexpensive, just get one that has the driver for the version of Windows that you plan to use. FTDI chipset-based adapters have been reported as being more reliable and seem to work better with Gemini. Gemini-1 user manual has the pin-out of the serial cable connector if you want to make one or buy one from a third-party, or you might be able to order one from Losmandy.
Once you have the USB->Serial adapter, you'll be able to use Gemini ASCOM driver with all telescope control, automation, and other astronomy software that works with ASCOM.
Regards,
? ? -Paul
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On Tue, Mar 15, 2022 at 01:40 PM, <k.weilding2@...> wrote:
Could somebody please help me. I have the old Gemini 1 and i wish to connect it to my laptop, what connector do i need to go into RS 232 socket and then a USB to attach to my laptop.
Can you purchase this type of connector?
Would this all work with the Gemini software were you can control your telescope from your laptop?
Thank you
Ken
UK
|
Gemini 1 connecting to laptop
Could somebody please help me. I have the old Gemini 1 and i wish to connect it to my laptop, what connector do i need to go into RS 232 socket and then a USB to attach to my laptop.
Can you purchase this type of connector?
Would this all work with the Gemini software were you can control your telescope from your laptop?
Thank you
Ken
UK
|
Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
Hi David,
Thanks for that. Possible warranty repair in the works per Losmandy.
I am hoping to get the unit on the last plane out tonight!
Clear Skies,
Paul
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
> I found something interesting on the Losmandy store/replacement parts: 'Stepprr motor PC Board". ? Not relevant – that’s for the earlier 492 digital drive system which used stepper motors not servo motors. ? I don’t believe Losmandy repair the motors when the encoders a burnt out but I could be wrong. ? D. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Romero
Sent: 14 March 2022 17:50
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Gemini_users_io] mount does not learn from platesolving? Hi David et all,
I may have misspoke about the stall message..the HC said also "heavy lag", so it is as noted the Gemini does not know where it is.
Michael shared with me his troubleshooting expertise. I swapped the cables.and found that the problem still existed with a different cable. One down.?
I then swapped the G2 controller outputs, and I found the DEC motor runs fine when connected to the RA output. Shoot! Saved, as mentioned, $500.
So it's the motor. I found something interesting on the Losmandy store/replacement parts: 'Stepprr motor PC Board". Could this be what's fried??
In any case, I am anxious to get up and running again, butI am awaiting Losmandy response to repair request.
BTW, it seems I memorized the RA and DEC backeards, do that may have been the cause of my Ozp! Would be funny if it didn't hurt in the wallet so much.
Clear Skies,
Paul
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
Hi David et all,
I may have misspoke about the stall message..the HC said also "heavy lag", so it is as noted the Gemini does not know where it is.
Michael shared with me his troubleshooting expertise. I swapped the cables.and found that the problem still existed with a different cable. One down.?
I then swapped the G2 controller outputs, and I found the DEC motor runs fine when connected to the RA output. Shoot! Saved, as mentioned, $500.
So it's the motor. I found something interesting on the Losmandy store/replacement parts: 'Stepprr motor PC Board". Could this be what's fried??
In any case, I am anxious to get up and running again, butI am awaiting Losmandy response to repair request.
BTW, it seems I memorized the RA and DEC backeards, do that may have been the cause of my Ozp! Would be funny if it didn't hurt in the wallet so much.
Clear Skies,
Paul
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
If ?all else fails, I or one of the other repairers can replace motor encoders and repair Gemini controllers. ? I live in UK, Michael Herman is in CA, USA, and Bren Smith is in Australia. ? David ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Kanevsky
Sent: 14 March 2022 12:01
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Gemini_users_io] mount does not learn from platesolving? On Sun, Mar 13, 2022 at 07:21 PM, Paul Romero wrote: I accidentally pushed in the DIN connector at an angle, and it bent the top pin. I pushed it back, and it slides in good, but the motor just races and abruptly halts, with "RA Stall" on the HC. I manually turned the worm gear, and it turns easy and smooth, so its not mechanical.
Swap the cables between RA and DEC and see if the other motor starts racing. If yes, you just need a new motor cable.
Regards,
? ? ?-Paul
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
On Sun, Mar 13, 2022 at 07:21 PM, Paul Romero wrote:
I accidentally pushed in the DIN connector at an angle, and it bent the top pin. I pushed it back, and it slides in good, but the motor just races and abruptly halts, with "RA Stall" on the HC. I manually turned the worm gear, and it turns easy and smooth, so its not mechanical.
Swap the cables between RA and DEC and see if the other motor starts racing. If yes, you just need a new motor cable. Regards, ? ? ?-Paul
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
On Sun, Mar 13, 2022 at 07:21 PM, Paul Romero wrote:
the new motor, upon putting everything back together races uncontrollably and then stalls.
This sounds like a situation I had last year and the only solution that worked was replacing the Gemini 2 PC board entirely - now $500. But same thing, the Dec? motor would race at high speed for several seconds then stop in a place the Gemini 2 could not identify. I would check or replace cables, or try to straighten out the pins, but you may have to go the pricey route. You could check continuity for all connections with a multimeter into the board, but after that, there may only be the one solution. Good luck, John
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
Oh dear! That may have been an expensive mistake ?. If you inserted the DIN in the wrong orientation it’s possible you’ve burnt out the motor encoder IC or maybe even the decoder IC in the Gemini … ? ? Clarification here – you say the DEC motor races and halts but you get an RA stall message?? Doesn’t sound quite as expected. ? D. ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Paul Romero
Sent: 13 March 2022 23:22
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Gemini_users_io] mount does not learn from platesolving? Hi Micheal,
Thank You for the tip! Actually I did use washers in the more traditional sense when I put in my new gearboxes today. It turns out that one of the bolts was not going in all the way (suspect a piece of a previous bolt must have blocked it), so I added three flat washers to keep the gearbox tight against the mount. Works Good!
HOWEVER, now the new motor, upon putting everything back together races uncontrollably and then stalls. This is the DEC. The RA, which has a new gearbox, too, runs great. Did the motor controller get fried? I accidentally pushed in the DIN connector at an angle, and it bent the top pin. I pushed it back, and it slides in good, but the motor just races and abruptly halts, with "RA Stall" on the HC. I manually turned the worm gear, and it turns easy and smooth, so its not mechanical.
Clear Skies,
Paul
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
Hi Micheal,
Thank You for the tip! Actually I did use washers in the more traditional sense when I put in my new gearboxes today. It turns out that one of the bolts was not going in all the way (suspect a piece of a previous bolt must have blocked it), so I added three flat washers to keep the gearbox tight against the mount. Works Good!
HOWEVER, now the new motor, upon putting everything back together races uncontrollably and then stalls. This is the DEC. The RA, which has a new gearbox, too, runs great. Did the motor controller get fried? I accidentally pushed in the DIN connector at an angle, and it bent the top pin. I pushed it back, and it slides in good, but the motor just races and abruptly halts, with "RA Stall" on the HC. I manually turned the worm gear, and it turns easy and smooth, so its not mechanical.
Clear Skies,
Paul
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Re: Parking to Home position failing
Hi Daniel,
I may have missed it, what version of Gemini are you using and what firmware?
Since you seem to have a problem with the mount being powered on for 48+ hours, can you power it down and then warm (re)start the next time, not leaving it on?
Regards,
? ? -Paul
On Sat, Mar 12, 2022 at 01:51 AM, Daniel Judge wrote:
This one still seems to reoccur and I can't see why. Is there a limit to the number of sync positions held in the formation of the pointing model? Is there a saved value for the home positon/park position?
I'm not sure if constant platesolve and sync from the software is overloading the sync points the gemini is using/saving with the model.
The only fix is to position the mount to CWD, power the mount off, reconned and cold start from cwd, create a pointing model again and continue. Rinse and repeat.
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Re: Parking to Home position failing
Hi Daniel
There is no limit to Syncs. Each new sync overwrites the first two modeling terms, so you could do it indefinitely.
On Fri, Mar 11, 2022 at 10:51 PM Daniel Judge < dan@...> wrote: This one still seems to reoccur and I can't see why. Is there a limit to the number of sync positions held in the formation of the pointing model? Is there a saved value for the home positon/park position?
I'm not sure if constant platesolve and sync from the software is overloading the sync points the gemini is using/saving with the model.
The only fix is to position the mount to CWD, power the mount off, reconned and cold start from cwd, create a pointing model again and continue. Rinse and repeat.
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Parking to Home position failing
This one still seems to reoccur and I can't see why. Is there a limit to the number of sync positions held in the formation of the pointing model? Is there a saved value for the home positon/park position?
I'm not sure if constant platesolve and sync from the software is overloading the sync points the gemini is using/saving with the model.
The only fix is to position the mount to CWD, power the mount off, reconned and cold start from cwd, create a pointing model again and continue. Rinse and repeat.
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
Can confirm, washers work on the MI-250 - we have this on our remote hosted mount.
Graeme
Hi Paul,
I don't know the MI-250, but why not just put some washers under the gearbox mounting and space the gearbox away from its mounting position that way... why?cut the gearbox shaft?? ?Too much work!
Michael
Thanks all,
With the new settings, my mount is learning, as evidenced by the RA and DEC error going to zero with each plate solve. Brian and company sent me two new gearboxes with my retrofit kit, so I plan on swapping out my old ones to decrease mechanical problems. With an MI-250 mount, though, this involves shortening the gearbox shaft enough to enable the Oldham coupler to closely match the worm drive, so that? there is no slipping, but also? the motor is seated firmly. There is as bit of apprehension on my part because of lack of experience.
Clear skies,
Paul
--
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Re: mount does not learn from platesolving
Excellent
Steve Ruttenberg
Photographer
Amateur Astronomer
928.968.3444
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Michael Herman
Paul Kanevsky
David C. Partridge
Steve Ruttenberg