Re: Connecting Gemini one to laptop.
Hi David Thank you for your reply. I have had this set up from new, bought many years ago, but not used a great deal over the time. I have been using my Mead LX200 for many years for visual observing. I now wish to go int atro photography were my EQ mout and refractor would be better for this job. Thanks again for your help ? Ken ? Sent from for Windows ?
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From: David C. PartridgeSent: 18 March 2022 11:54 To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [Gemini_users_io] Connecting Gemini one to laptop. ? A nasty thought occurs – did you buy this G-1 2nd hand?? If so do you know if the serial port actually works? ? I can test and repair if necessary. ? David ? 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: Connecting Gemini one to laptop.
A nasty thought occurs – did you buy this G-1 2nd hand?? If so do you know if the serial port actually works? ? I can test and repair if necessary. ? David
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of k.weilding2@... via groups.io
Sent: 18 March 2022 10:28
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini_users_io] 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: Connecting Gemini one to laptop.
Thank you for that info, will have a look later. Unfortunately I don’t know anybody who could make me one.
Thanks?
Ken?
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- The RS-232 adapter should be full voltage range RS-232 not logic level which a lot of them are.
- How are you wiring the RJ22 4P4C plug?
?
?
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??
|
Re: Connecting Gemini one to laptop.
- The RS-232 adapter should be full voltage range RS-232 not logic level which a lot of them are.
- How are you wiring the RJ22 4P4C plug?
?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of k.weilding2@... via groups.io
Sent: 18 March 2022 10:28
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Gemini_users_io] 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??
|
Re: Connecting Gemini one to laptop.
Hi Ken, First, you should see if you can find a serial COM port on your laptop after connecting the converter to it. It should show up under Control Panel->Device Manager, something like this (it might be a different COM port): ? ? ??  If you don't see a COM port, that means you don't have the right driver installed for your adapter or USB->Serial adapter?isn't working. The serial cable pin-out for Gemini-1 is documented here:?  If you can't find a ready cable, you can always make one or ask someone with a bit of crimping/soldering skills to build one for you. Regards, ? ? ?-Paul
On Fri, Mar 18, 2022 at 06:27 AM, k.weilding2@... wrote:
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??
|
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??
|
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
|
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
|
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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David C. Partridge
Paul Kanevsky
Michael Herman