Re: OK, Basic Question about ZWO ASI290MM guide camera....
Yes...PHD2 is looking for the FL of the scope that the autoguider camera is looking through. So that will be the FL of the "piggyback" telescope that you are using for autoguiding.??
(And if you were to use a 2X barlow, then double the scope FL entry in PHD2.)
Then...see how it goes.
Be sure to really bolt down the autoguide camera, and it's piggyback scope to your main imaging scope.? And tie your cables in such a way that they won't snag and tug on the sutoguide camera.? ?Any wiggle there will also wiggle your main camera image.
Sorry, but I'm not afraid to ask a stupid question.
So I got my new ASI 290 MM Mini guide camera this morning.
In setting up PHD2 it asked for focal length. So is that the focal length of my ? It's 50mm Dia. X 162 mm Focal Length.
Because I haven't been able to find anything on the 290 relating to Focal Length of the camera.
So I put 162 in the Focal Length box when setting up PHD2 for this new camera.
Sound good?
I'm already looking forward to tonight with baited breath.?
Amoungst other things, I'm hoping to reduce my imaged star sizes with tighter guiding. Fingers crossed.
(After Focusing and Centering... )
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
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John,
I wonder if I could chat with you off-list about some issues you might be familiar with on older G11s.
Tom
(loeblt at gmail dot com)
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Re: OK, Basic Question about ZWO ASI290MM guide camera....
Focal length is the focal length of your guidescope, which is 162mm
it will also ask you the pixel size of your 290mm which is?2.9 ¦Ìm
make sure you use the profile wizard!
Sorry, but I'm not afraid to ask a stupid question.
So I got my new ASI 290 MM Mini guide camera this morning.
In setting up PHD2 it asked for focal length. So is that the focal length of my ? It's 50mm Dia. X 162 mm Focal Length.
Because I haven't been able to find anything on the 290 relating to Focal Length of the camera.
So I put 162 in the Focal Length box when setting up PHD2 for this new camera.
Sound good?
I'm already looking forward to tonight with baited breath.?
Amoungst other things, I'm hoping to reduce my imaged star sizes with tighter guiding. Fingers crossed.
(After Focusing and Centering... )
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
|
OK, Basic Question about ZWO ASI290MM guide camera....
Sorry, but I'm not afraid to ask a stupid question.
So I got my new ASI 290 MM Mini guide camera this morning.
In setting up PHD2 it asked for focal length. So is that the focal length of my ? It's 50mm Dia. X 162 mm Focal Length.
Because I haven't been able to find anything on the 290 relating to Focal Length of the camera.
So I put 162 in the Focal Length box when setting up PHD2 for this new camera.
Sound good?
I'm already looking forward to tonight with baited breath.?
Amoungst other things, I'm hoping to reduce my imaged star sizes with tighter guiding. Fingers crossed.
(After Focusing and Centering... )
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
|
Hi Kent,
I've had my G-11 for about 20 years now and I take the RA and DEC apart annually to clean the clutch pads free of any grease and lube the shaft bearings with Superlube.?
Take care my old Stellafane friend from 25 years ago.
John Desbiens
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Hi Luis,
Using the virtual pass-through port in ASCOM driver is the complicated way to do this. Using TheSkyX ASCOM connector configured to connect to Gemini.NET driver is the easier way. Gemini.NET is a hub and allows any number of ASCOM applications to connect to Gemini at the same time.
Regards,
? ? -Paul
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Re: Sh2-114 aka Flying Dragon nebula
Tks Brian...from my location it takes a 10 minute image to even see it...and I mean barely see it!
Stu
On Thu, Dec 3, 2020 at 4:12 PM Brian Valente < bvalente@...> wrote: very cool Stu - i wasn't even aware of this nebula!
On Thu, Dec 3, 2020 at 12:59 PM Stu Beaber < wd4sel@...> wrote: Shot this last night (12/2/20) in Ha light only (96% Moon). Hope to get more on it tonight to make the larger wings stand out better...
Stu
--
Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Sh2-114 aka Flying Dragon nebula
very cool Stu - i wasn't even aware of this nebula!
On Thu, Dec 3, 2020 at 12:59 PM Stu Beaber < wd4sel@...> wrote: Shot this last night (12/2/20) in Ha light only (96% Moon). Hope to get more on it tonight to make the larger wings stand out better...
Stu
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Sh2-114 aka Flying Dragon nebula
Shot this last night (12/2/20) in Ha light only (96% Moon). Hope to get more on it tonight to make the larger wings stand out better...
Stu
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Depending on age and use...I would start with clean?and lub
Stu
On Thu, Dec 3, 2020 at 2:23 PM Kent Blackwell < kent@...> wrote: This may have been addressed before. I have an older G-11 non-goto that serves me well but has a stiction issue in both RA and DEC motions. Dose anyone have any suggestions for a possible fix? Once near an object I can slew via the handbox but it would be nice to alleviate some of the stiction issue when slewing manually.
G-11
s/n HGM299603097
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To specialist guys in cables,
?I connect the devices (cameras, focuser, GPS¡) through an USB ¨CLan extender (?https://es.aliexpress.com/item/32636951658.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.294763c0DzflBM) from my permanent observatory to a comfortable cabin 10 m away. All works very well, but when I try to connect the Losmandy mount? G11 Gemini 1 with TheSkyX Pro (via RJ22 RS-232 socket-RS232 serial DB9-USB, that functions correctly if I connect directly to my computer) it is not possible because they (the device USB-LAN extender and TheSkyX) share the same port COM). Looking on ¡°Gemini_Telescope_Net _Installation and_Manual¡±, I believe that the solution could be to create a virtual port (¡°Pass-Trough Port Setup¡± describes on the 32 page). But I don¡¯t know which option is prefereable: via a hardware serial port or via a software created virtual port. Or othe solution. Can someone help me?
Luis
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Re: Cleaning and lubing the worm and worm gear
Bill
as I mentioned before, generally the problems we see with things seizing up are with the needle bearings
You can of course inspect the worm for dirt or grease build up.?
if it's there, you can wipe it down with WD40 or alcohol and relube with a teflon grease/superlube/arctic lube (we do not recommend lithium grease)
rotate the worm gear so the grease is spread through the grooves
Hi Bill,
Absolutely use any common solvent to remove all old lube, alcohol is a good final rinse but letting the work rest or if you have shop air is just as good to evaporate the solvent. Relube using SuperLube with Syncolon (Teflon) NOT the silicone stuff, you can't get rid of that stuff! Order it from Amazon and like magic is arrives in a day or two!
Use enough but not too much, if it is blobbing up that is too much. It is better to remove and reapply fresh grease when it gets contaminated and having done it will make it easy the second time. I do this every two years or sooner if I have been out in the desert a lot and give the mounts a through once over checking for loose screws and things gone askew and setting them right.??
It's like changing your vehicle's oil, easy once familar with the job. Keep us posted!
 ?Bill Tschumy
Group,
I have been having problems on my 10 year old GM8 with periodic jerkiness when centering while viewing through the eyepiece and with RA motor lag messages. Brian suggested that after 10 years it was time to clean and lube the mount.
I took it apart and cleaned and lubed the needle bearings as Scott showed in the YouTube video. That seemed to go well and the bottom needle bearing on the RA axis did seem stiff or possibly even frozen.
I was wondering if the worm and worm gear needs to be cleaned and lubed at this time. That was not shown in the video and it seem like getting into the worm gear is somewhat involved. Is this also something I should tackle, and if so how do you do it?
Bill
--
Bill Tschumy
Otherwise -- Longmont, CO
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
? ?Astropheric Weather Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Looking into Losmandy
Hi Chip
This is excellent feedback. Visual observing is my passion, and any photography is just for fun.
I will seriously consider wood.
Thanks,
Andrew?
--
Main Telescope:?Explore Scientific 152ED APO Refractor in Carbon Fiber
Mount:?Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT Equatorial
Other Scopes:?Meade 8"LX90 SCT, William Optics ZenithStar 66mm APO Refractor
Binoculars:?Oberwerk 20x80 & 25x100 Giant Binoculars, Alpen 8x42
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This may have been addressed before. I have an older G-11 non-goto that serves me well but has a stiction issue in both RA and DEC motions. Dose anyone have any suggestions for a possible fix? Once near an object I can slew via the handbox but it would be nice to alleviate some of the stiction issue when slewing manually.
G-11
s/n HGM299603097
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Re: How to restore operation after safety limit is reached?
Hmmmmmm.... I have the RAEXT on my G11G, does that mean when using NINA, I can tell it not to do a Meridan Flip???? Would definitely prefer it.
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Re: How to restore operation after safety limit is reached?
>>>
Just? do NOT do?a formatting! You can recover from it, but it's not easy.
what did you format Sonny?
I think you are seeing the default settings there Paul.
But if you are ever in doubt, you can go back to square one with
When I was getting started, and things seemed off to me, I would do a factory reset to get back to Zero and start over.
Just do NOT do a formatting! You can recover from it, but it's not easy.
I used this Video to set mine.?
It's a little tricky (or I thought so at first) but here Ya go.
I did the "Set Limit Here" a few times during my No Meridian Flip test run.
I don't know if any other mount has this No Flip capability, but it's golden for me.
An additional reason I got the RAEXT for my 811 mount. First was being able to configure my mount to my desired needs. But the No Meridian Flip is just genius to me.
Meridian Flips have always been a PITA to me. And completely disruptive to my imaging.
(In Fact, I have page bookmarked. It helps me, and it helps me help others.)
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: How to restore operation after safety limit is reached?
On 12/3/2020 1:25 PM, Sonny Edmonds wrote: I think you are seeing the default settings there Paul.
But if you are ever in doubt, you can go back to square one with a Factory Reset, as explained by Tanya. <> Not quite. They are close to the defaults but they are custom to my installation and 100% verified as safe. The one big change was that I increased the western goto limit from the default 2.5 degrees to 30 degrees so the mount would do a flip if a GOTO caused it to slew more than 3 degrees west of the meridian. With these limits, it is my understanding that any GOTO will end with at least 30 degrees (two hours) of tracking available before hitting the western safety limit. So as long as I don't track for more than two hours before the next GOTO I should be good. At least I think I am ;) Paul -- Paul Goelz Rochester Hills, MI USA pgoelz@... www.pgoelz.com
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Re: How to restore operation after safety limit is reached?
I think you are seeing the default settings there Paul.
But if you are ever in doubt, you can go back to square one with
When I was getting started, and things seemed off to me, I would do a factory reset to get back to Zero and start over.
Just do NOT do a formatting! You can recover from it, but it's not easy.
I used this Video to set mine.?
It's a little tricky (or I thought so at first) but here Ya go.
I did the "Set Limit Here" a few times during my No Meridian Flip test run.
I don't know if any other mount has this No Flip capability, but it's golden for me.
An additional reason I got the RAEXT for my 811 mount. First was being able to configure my mount to my desired needs. But the No Meridian Flip is just genius to me.
Meridian Flips have always been a PITA to me. And completely disruptive to my imaging.
(In Fact, I have page bookmarked. It helps me, and it helps me help others.)
Edit in: Sorry folks for this edit. But setting the limits is, to me, a fairly personal need based on each configuration.
I use a fairly small, fairly short, refractor for Deep Space Objects. So my limits can be pushed as needed do to the additional room my telescope allows, and my mounts configuration as a "Portable Pier" (no legs to dodge).
So in my opinion, each operator needs to address your personal needs, and to do so before your first use. It's prudent to learn as much as you can before you have a close call. ;^)
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
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Re: Looking into Losmandy
Daveo,
Yup, you have Losmanditis, this is a similar affliction to Takitis. Stay well and enjoy the mount!
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
? ?Astropheric Weather Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Looking into Losmandy
Hi Andrew, I have owned a few Losmandy mounts and all viable tripod options under $1,000 for the GM8 and G11 mounts for imaging and visual use. I have owned classic welded Losmandy adjustable 3" leg HD tripods, Losmandy Folding HD 3" leg tripod, 2 different versions of the Losmandy LWT (Lightweight Tripod), Losmandy MA (Meade tripod Adapter) on Meade LX200 heavy 2" leg tripods, and Berlebach Planet with double clamps. All of these tripods are strong, some are extremely strong and more than capable of carrying a G11 with an over max. spec. payload well. But in my experience using everything from a Takahashi FS-60Q to a C14 the best tripod for visual use has been the amazing Berlebach Planet Ash hardwood? tripod. IDK if it is the dense hardwood, the tripod head design, the locking head leg setup or some sort of Mulda black magic but these are much more damp than any of the metal tripods I have owned and used a Losmandy mount on top of. For a visual observer shorter settle time is a plus and for visual sessions I only load the Berlebach Planet in the car? For imaging it is a toss up between the heavyweight Losmandy FHD, middleweight MA/Meade and Planet tripods. The Losmandy LWT IMO is too light for serious imaging but fine for casual visual use. LOL, this from a guy who routinely loaded his classic GM8 and 1st gen. LWT rolling on a Wheelie-Bar out to the driveway with a C11 for years. You have heard this before, do as I say not as I do. ? But other than stability and settle time the Berlebach Planet offers a slightly taller max. height, large accessory tray, the fact that wood is more comfortable to touch in the cold, the Planet is easy to setup and handle. But just because the Planet has wood legs don't imagine it is a lightweight tripod, the Planet is more than 10 pounds heavier than the LWT and only about 9 pounds lighter than the old FHD which my scale says was 35+ pounds bare. I just took delivery of the new GM8G mount but the new FHD will require a second trip to the shop in a few weeks but I don't think it will be very different than the original FHD.?
 ?ACorkill
Hi deitzelj?
5,
, Great information and thanks for verifying damping. I love the look of the mount and have "experienced" one, but not with a long refractor like mine, so good to know your experience. Thanks, Andrew
-- Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
? ?Astropheric Weather Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Michael Herman
Paul Kanevsky
Luis Barneo
ACorkill
Kent Blackwell
Chip Louie