Re: PHD2/G11T connection problems
I would suggest using Ethernet. All the setup instructions are on the Gemini-2.com website. Worked for me first try.
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PHD2/G11T connection problems
Hi everybody. I have been using my new G11t for about three weeks, but I haven¡¯t tried autoguiding with it yet. Today I plugged in my mount to my PC using the USB port on the Gemini box. I get a message telling me that the system was trying to connect to the mount but it never does. I did download the Gemini mount ASCOM app, previously. At this point I have no idea what I need to do to get the computer and mount paired up. Any help would be really appreciated.
Jeff
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I don't have a way to ensure that the nut is the same tightness, other than "hmm that seems about the same". I was thinking of 3d printing a part that I could clamp to the tightening nut and attach the torque wrench to that. I would of course be careful not to over-tighten the nut -- my whole thought here is that too much pressure on the bearing may cause it to roll unevenly.?
Right now I'm thinking that just cleaning the pads has made a world of difference. I'll take the scope out tonight and see how it goes. If my guiding spikes are gone and I can get those great images again I'll probably put this stuff on the back burner.? There's only so many hours in a day to obsess over this after all!
Jamie
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Re: Options for software control of Gemini 1 (G11)
I use Ekos/Kstars from Indilib.org too and am very happy with it.? It integrates a whole bunch of functionality including dome control of your observatory, planetarium control, autoguiding, alignment, plate solving, multiple configurations.? It is a one stop shop free of charge, and can even run on a Pi 2B (client and server) controlled remotely.? If you need to transfer images and if power is no issue you may want to get a Pi 4B.? It also has an OnStep driver in case you want to build your own Goto controller, which I did (and happy about the outcome).? But Ekos supports the Gemini too IIRC.
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Lithium is the worst grease for the mount, it gets hot and drips and runs, it gets cold and stiff , it also dries up and leaves hard clay behind. Buy a true synthetic based grease with Teflon, I like SuperLube with Teflon, it is the best stuff out there IMO and has the lab tests to prove it. Here in the USA Amazon has tubs of the stuff for $10 and is lasts forever. I have been giving blobs to my friends with Losmandy mounts in ziplocks and have rebuilt about a dozen friends Losmandy G11 and GM8 mounts using that can and I still have 2/3 of it left.?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
? ?Astropheric Weather Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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ah okay thanks
how do you ensure you are hand tightening the same amount?
[Edited Message Follows]
This is how I used the torque wrench:?? So now I have a number that I can look at to see if my clutches are slipping and if it's time to clean them. I can also note down the torque numbers on good or bad nights to help understand how the clutch tightness affects guiding.?
Jamie
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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This is how I used the torque wrench:?? So now I have a number that I can look at to see if my clutches are slipping and if it's time to clean them. I can also note down the torque numbers on good or bad nights to help understand how the clutch tightness affects guiding.?
Jamie
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He just wants his own telescope!?
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Wow! That¡¯s scientific!
?
I had bought the Losmandy nonslip clutches, which seemed to achieve the desired outcome. However, while recently doing a bit of maintenance I seemed to have misplaced one of the clutch pads. Chief
suspect is my wife¡¯s dog, which has probably hidden the clutch pad in its stash somewhere. Faced with long delivery delays during the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to improvise. My wife suggested cutting out the shape of the clutch pad from a pastry rolling
mat. I did and it seems to work quite well, although it¡¯s only on the Dec axis. The dog has resumed its status of being ¡°our¡± dog.
?
?
Greg
?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
On Behalf Of Jamie Amendolagine
Sent: Tuesday, 29 September 2020 5:46 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [Losmandy_users_io] Clutch update
?
I'm not tightening. I'm measuring how much torque it takes to turn the shaft before and after cleaning the clutch disk. After cleaning the disk the shaft is roughly twice as hard to turn when lightly tightened by hand. In each case I only
tighten by hand.?
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I use lithium grease only for the worm & gear lubrication.
No problems so far.
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I'm not tightening. I'm measuring how much torque it takes to turn the shaft before and after cleaning the clutch disk. After cleaning the disk the shaft is roughly twice as hard to turn when lightly tightened by hand. In each case I only tighten by hand.?
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Hi Jamie
please avoid tightening with any tools - you really should not need to do that.?
it sounds like you more need to just clean the clutch disks, which is a good idea from your description
Thought I'd give an update.?
So I got the alternative clutches, and tried one in the RA. Hard to tell if it's better or worse since I accidentally dabbed some lube on the pad, and it's not plastic, so I don't know if I was able to clean it -- Doh!?
Either way I was able to guide pretty well last night. I think that I need to tighten the RA more with the different clutch (lubricated clutch that is...).?
I just took a look at the DEC clutch, and lube has definitely gotten to that one without my help. I'll clean it up and see how that works. I also got a 1/4" torque wrench, just to see if I can detect any better or worse guiding with different tightness of the clutch.?
Jamie
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Thought I'd give an update.?
So I got the alternative clutches, and tried one in the RA. Hard to tell if it's better or worse since I accidentally dabbed some lube on the pad, and it's not plastic, so I don't know if I was able to clean it -- Doh!?
Either way I was able to guide pretty well last night. I think that I need to tighten the RA more with the different clutch (lubricated clutch that is...).?
I just took a look at the DEC clutch, and lube has definitely gotten to that one without my help. I'll clean it up and see how that works. I also got a 1/4" torque wrench, just to see if I can detect any better or worse guiding with different tightness of the clutch.?
Just finished cleaning it up, and wow, what a difference. With a fairly lightly tightened clutch it used to take about 25 inch lb to start it turning, then about 12 inch lb to maintain a motion. Now with it not as tight, it takes about 20 inch lb to start it, and 20 inch lb to maintain a motion. Let's see if it makes a difference in guiding.?
Jamie
Jamie
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Re: Losmandy OPW Assembly
Another thing you might want to look into is the position of the plate holding the worm block. On my mount it is threaded into the RA body by 3 screws. There is a bit of play with the centering which affects the distance and orientation of the OPW in reference to the spur gear edge, hence the worm possible meshing range. If the gearbox side of the worm is a little tight you might want to move that plate slightly off center towards the OPW. That will give you a bit more gap. Not too much forward or the maximum meshing will still leave you with some backlash.
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I guess I can give you my example of why we shouldn¡¯t ?use it.? My mount had the same grease for 10 years. It was the naval lithium grease someone recommended years ago. This is the result. I had grease in every single piece on both axes
Guilherme?
On Sunday, September 27, 2020, Brian Valente < bvalente@...> wrote: Hi Claudio
factory
specifically
recommends against lithium grease. I forget the exact reason, but i recall talking with Scott that it ends up seizing up after a few years
Brian
Hi,
Any argument for advising against lithium grease?
Thanks
Claudio
--
Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Hi Claudio
factory
specifically
recommends against lithium grease. I forget the exact reason, but i recall talking with Scott that it ends up seizing up after a few years
Brian
Hi,
Any argument for advising against lithium grease?
Thanks
Claudio
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Hi,
Any argument for advising against lithium grease?
Thanks
Claudio
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Re: Options for software control of Gemini 1 (G11)
Hi!
And at the base of the ASIAir, is Indi :)
Magnus
Den 2020-09-27 kl. 15:22, skrev Bryn
Evans via groups.io:
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I use ZWO ASIAir pro which you can control wirelessly from your
IOS or Android device.?
if you are a ZWO camera, filter wheel or electronic focuser
unit, it can also control those. It can also control few
heaters.
you can connect it to the mount using a serial cable or via a
wireless interface into the Gemini 1.
I connect to it via my home WiFi, but it also has its own WiFi
hotspot, but it¡¯s pretty weak.
Basically it¡¯s a well packaged raspberry pi based system that
you can do DSO imaging, plate solving, goto, guiding and now
planetary video with. Very good system, even better if you are a
ZWO camera, and now ZWO ecosystem user.
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Re: DIY spring loaded worms in 5 minutes
I found and fixed the DEC movement bug in my OnStep system.? I had assigned the DEC step pin to the same pin used for LED controls.? As a result, every time the LED was blinked, it turned my DEC motor instead.? Redefining the LED pin fixed it so I can declare victory on the OnStep front, everything seems to be working quite well as far as I can tell. I created an album for the image I described earlier in this thread, at least it shows the same resolution as the image on my laptop.? I can't get it to show properly otherwise so? here's the link.? Again I'm very pleased with the stars especially as it was unguided.? I hope to take many good images with my G11S now that it works well.
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Re: Options for software control of Gemini 1 (G11)
I use ZWO ASIAir pro which you can control wirelessly from your IOS or Android device.?
if you are a ZWO camera, filter wheel or electronic focuser unit, it can also control those. It can also control few heaters.
you can connect it to the mount using a serial cable or via a wireless interface into the Gemini 1.
I connect to it via my home WiFi, but it also has its own WiFi hotspot, but it¡¯s pretty weak.
Basically it¡¯s a well packaged raspberry pi based system that you can do DSO imaging, plate solving, goto, guiding and now planetary video with. Very good system, even better if you are a ZWO camera, and now ZWO ecosystem user.
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jeff marston
Jamie Amendolagine
Chip Louie
