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Help troubleshooting after replacing Gemini 1 internal bettery
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Hi all! I'm new to the group. I recently bought a Losmandy G11 running on Gemini 1 v1.04 from a friend. I've been setting it up and trying to configure it with NINA. I'd been having issues with the automated meridian flip with NINA issuing multiple flip commands when I came across a forum post where someone with the same issue had resolved it by changing the internal CR 2354 battery on the Gemini 1, which I did because I had no idea how long it had been since it had been replaced, and here's where my problems started. As soon as I powered up the mount the RA motor started slewing at a very high speed, I had to almost immediately shut down the gemini to prevent the telescope from crashing into my pier. When I turned it back on the same thing happened, so I disconnected the motor cables from the Gemini and ran the setup using the hand controller (date and time, location, mount type, etc). I then switched it off, reconnected the motors and switched it back on for a warm restart, it seemed to be ok at first but as soon as I pressed one of the RA buttons on the hand controller the RA motor ran wild again at max speed, trying to slew west (I'm on the southern hemisphere, so that would be slewing east in the northern hemisphere, or lets just call it clockwise if you're behind the mount facing the celestial pole). When I tried to counter this slew with the hand controller it would show a MOTOR STALLED message on the hand controller. I tried replacing the battery again for the old one but the problem is still there. Any help will be very appreciated! Thanks, Franco.
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Well I did it. I inadvertently used the wrong cables for the motors and smoked something. I used 6 pin RJ connectors instead of 8 pin RJ connectors. The display was working fine until I pressed a button on the hand control and it clicked, went blank and I smelled it release smoke inside. Pulled the cover but don't see anything obviously fried. Installed the correct cables and powered up (cover removed). It powers up but the Dec starts running - not exactly slewing but moving pretty fast. As soon as I touch an arrow button the Ra starts slewing. The only way to stop either is power off. I appreciate your help. Warren
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Reinstall G1 software
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My Gemini 1 Is not working. I could get it to boot, start, and initially slew, but then the screen goes blank and is unresponsive. Same thing with different hand controllers used. Then recently another problem started. After starting and going to an object search, the screen allows to enter the object, identify its location, but then, with another press of the button, it just goes back to object search. It also has stopped tracking. Solar tracking is enabled (I just use this amount on the sun). And I could Move the telescope with a hand controller, but the mount does did not track. I am wondering if my software is corrupted. Is there a way to reinstall it?
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I’m being sent a G1 to fix that is being used with a G11 which I believe to have DSCH encoders fitted. Is there any easy way to test the encoder port without access to the mount? Cheers, David
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Gemini is turning 25!
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Hi All, Please enjoy a brief history of the past quarter-century narrated by our own René: https://gemini-2.com/Gemini25Years.html Happy Birthday, Gemini! -Paul
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Gemini-1 SkySafari Wireless Control - WiFi or Bluetooth?
I have a 2008 G11 with Gemini-1 that I have been controlling with the SkyFi III wireless hotspot. Last time I used it, when I removed the micro USB charging cord, the USB female jack on the circuit board came off. While the module still works, I'll need to figure a way to attach the charging cord via another method. First challenge was getting the cover off the chassis. It was held on by 4 screws with tiny security type slots on top. None of the many security bits I had fit. Long-story short, I eventually got into the circuit board, only to find suitable solder points were lacking. I assume it has some sort of charging circuitry to disconnect charging power when the lithium battery is fully charged. So that is a challenge still to be met. In the meantime I saw on this forum two possible substitutes for the SkyFi III, which is no longer available: Gemini-1 Bluetooth Gemini-1 Wifi Both of these are described as working with mobile devices running SkySafari. The quite modest price is about the same, from a Ukrainian vendor. Which of these two would be the recommended solution? Thanks, Russ
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is a gm811 the same as an old gm8 or the G11
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G 811 the same as a G11
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Hello. This is the first time I write on the forum. I have a G8 11 mount and gemini 2 level 6 (1.1.28). So far I have been running Ascom 6.6 and Nina 2.2 without problems. The problem arose with the update to Ascom 7.0.2 and Nina 3.1. When connecting the mount I get a no connection message. After it is connected. But it hasn't really connected, because it doesn't move the mount when you tell it to go to a certain object. I have changed the USB cable, connection port, etc. Nothing, the mount doesn't move. Where could the problem be??? Thanks
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Bonjour, Que signifie le message ci-dessous s'il vous pla?t ? Je ne peux plus pointer de cibles. Merci. Bien cordialement. Jean-Bernard Pioppa
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Gemini L4 issue
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Hi I have a Moutain instruments MI 250 with a Gemini 1 L4 system and last night when I power up the system with the standard 'warm startup' , the DEC motor starts running at a slow pace and it does not stop. I've tried a cold start and still the same problem. Remove the Gemini battery for a couple of minutes and the problem remains. After start the system tried to disconnect the hand pad to see if the problem has something to do with it, but the DEC motor still running. Check the cable from the hand pad to the Gemini system and it's fine. Any ideas/thoughts on this? thank you in advance Paulo Casquinha
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Greetings
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I am new to this group. Presently also a member of the Losmandy Users and Gemini-II user Groups. I have a 2003 vintage Losmandy G11 equatorial mount which I am thinking of upgrading. It has the 492 Digital Drive non goto. Best regards Eugene
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Hi, I've a Losmandy GM8 Gemini 1 and an ASIAIR+. I can't connect GM8 to ASIAIR - with he the original cable serial/RJ9 with another serial/usb - with GeminiFI module Wifi - with the Losmandy cable USB to RJ9 (https://astro-gadget.net/gadgets/cables/losmandy-gemini-1-rj9-usb-pc-cable-3m) How did you do it ?? Thank you in advance !
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Hand controller
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I am unable to move my stepper motors with my hand controller. I have made sure that pec is turned off. I purchased my G-11 in 2005. How to I fix this?
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Hello all, I'm the proud new owner of an old G11 from 1995running Gemini 1. To get it working almost like new, I had to re-grease it, replace the polar scope, and decided to reduce the default motor speed to 600 to preserve what's left of them. I've taken a few months to validate the setup using either the controller or a small Mele computer running NINA, PHD2, stellarium and now FireCapture for planetary imaging. It all works like a charm with decent guiding for my C11 or CFF 105mm refractor, including meridian flips—GREAT! As a precautionary backup, I got my hands on a second Gemini 1 with the same old motors at a good price. However, I'm still trying to get this one to work, as I've had issues with the RTC. I replaced the CR2354 battery with a new one that reads 3.3V. The location, mount type, and other settings all work well and remain in memory with no issues. However, the RTC wasn't functioning correctly. Initially, it displayed an RTC error and erratic time displays with symbols like "?" and "#", along with numbers. I decided to replace the RTC63421A with a new one. Now it's better: I can set the correct time, but the RTC doesn’t run consistently. Sometimes it stops, sometimes it blocks the controller, at best it runs at about 1/3 the normal speed (i.e., seconds only update every 3 seconds). I’ve attached a photo of the main board. Nothing looks fried to me, so I’m stuck. Any ideas about what might be happening or how I could troubleshoot further? Many thanks, Franck
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I recently fixed my 2nd Gemini1. The flat motor cables were intermittent. I made some cat5e cables 2.5' long and it seemed to work but I let it run on my bench for an hour and noticed the PWM signal (pin#5) on the RA drive IC give some really long pulses (simply put oscope in envelope mode) and the motor jerk for a brief moment. I had laying around a 15' long cat 6 cable and zero issue with 9 hours of bench running. After researching, I found cat8 cables are shielded pairs and cost the same (~$6 for a pair of 3' cables on Aliexpress), so I am using them w/o issue.
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Problem with G11 and Gemini L4 V1.04 - Older version
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Hello guys, my Gemini System runs about 24 years without a greater problem. But now, i have a problem with this system. If i want to slew to an object, the system make a slew, goes into centering mode but does not stop. The gemini stay in this mode until i press the right-arrow button on the controler to interrupt the centering. If i want to slew to another objekt, the controler print the message *Interupted" in the display. There is no possibility to slew to any other object. The system repeat the "Interupt" message on every try to slew. Also from a pc given object, from N.I.N.A., for example. What problem could it be with the controler ? I check the following things: 1. Complete reboot of the gemini system. - No effect 2. Disconnect from the pc and try to slew - No effect 3. Disconnect al cables and checked for dirt - Everything seems to be okay. Thanks a lot for your support !!
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Purchasing a G11 with last version of the Gemini-1 controller
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Hello, I'm looking at purchasing a G11 this weekend. The drive is about 3 hours and I have limited knowledge of this mount - it will be my first equatorial mount. From the photos sent, it is last version of the Gemini-1 controller. What should I look for? Is the mount compatible with new laptops? The motors are untucked. Thank you for any ideas and pointers. The present owner does not have any knowledge either - estate sale. Included is an Explore Scientific ED127 with guide Orion Starshoot autoguider - which I understand is not compatible with newer versions of Windows. Regards, Tom
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ASI Air Pro on Gemini 1 how to make USB to Serial?
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I would like to go with a ZWO setup and use newest ASI Air. I have the serial cable that I have used on old XP PC with serial port and now Win 7/10 PC using on 2 port edge port with robofocus. Not sure this cable is helpful but I this one. How can I get Air USB to serial on Gemini 1? Thanks, Victor
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Hi Are there any special requirements for doing a meridian flip with this mount using NINA. I have been reluctant to use meridian flip as earlier attempts failed miserably, although I think its really a necessary option to capture significant data when conditions permit. Kind regards
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Hi All So I'm doing some testing with N.I.N.A and focusing (no pun intended) on the Meridian flip. I've watched the Losmandy podcast where Edward Plumer covers this topic in wonderful detail and I'm also making use of the spreadsheet Edward has kindly made available to make the whole process easier. I'm using Gemini1 (Level 4, Version 1.04) and N.I.N.A v3.1 (HF2) My Western limit in Gemini is set to 99 degrees This is what the spreadsheet looks like And using those values, this is what N.I.N.A looks like So, I picked a target that was going to be crossing the meridian fairly soon (I.E the next hour) and set up a sequence to do the following: - - Wait until the target is above a certain altitude - Slew to the target - Start tracking I have a trigger defined to do a Smart Meridian flip (I also tried the simple "Meridian flip" trigger, too). However, the meridian flip is giving me just a 1 minute window of opportunity to perform the flip (which I'm sure can't be right). Also, it's NOT performing a flip during that small window, either. If anybody can shed some light on this, I will be forever in your debt :) Don't worry about the time. It's daytime here and I'm just testing the meridian flip (or should I say, tring to get it working !!!) Edward, if you're on this forum, thank you for sharing your knowledge and spreadsheet with us all. -- Thanks and Best Regards Neil
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