Re: Need advice selling my Losmandy G11 492 Digital Drive
Jeff,
I just spoke with Michael Herman, as I was not so familiar with style of G11. I am defiantly interested.. Think yahoo and you have my email address.?
Peter?
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Re: New G11G with subpar guiding
Brian,
I was able to confirm with the seller that the mount was brand new and unused and if im correct in that the first two digits of the serial number (219554) signify the year of manufacture, then it's definitely a newer mount with the most recent hardware. Tonight looks clear so I will run through the baseline guiding sequence and see what I get. Is the oldham coupler something that I should wait until after the baseline guiding to adjust?
Thanks,
Vishal
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Re: Need advice selling my Losmandy G11 492 Digital Drive
I
'm in the market for a G11. Really looking for the head. Don't really need weights, tripod, controller etc. If you decide to parse it please contact me.
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Re: Meridian Flips and NINA
So I rebooted everything and I'm now on target.
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Does anyone have an 8" MA pier extension "EX8" that they are not using? These are still on back-order. Anyone done a DIY version that they can share ideas on?
--
Edward
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Re: Runaway slew while using PHD2
Alan, Can you please try the latest ASCOM driver (version 1.0.83)? I added the logic to reject guiding commands while the mount is slewing. This will result in an error being returned to PHD2, which should hopefully stop it from guiding until the slew is completed. Please give it a try and let me know if it helps: /g/Gemini_ASCOM_Driver/files/TestRegards, ? ? -Paul
On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 07:52 AM, alan137 wrote:
Maybe the "stop guiding when slewing" under PHD2 doesn't work because it is "too late" and gemini already got some kind of simultaneous mixed-up command.? I wonder if via ASCOM there is a way for it to tell PHD in advance to stop guiding.? I know that NINA can do it.? But it's still Gemini's fault for not even giving me a STOP button.
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Re: Meridian Flips and NINA
Thanks Paul,
I think I may have to go back to the old driver. Cartes de Ciel has me sitting over to the west of the pole star at the parked position. Not sure why?
Peter
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Re: New G11G with subpar guiding
Hi Vishal
I recall? this is a used G11 you picked up recently. Any details on the mount date and hardware?
First I recommend doing a baseline guiding, it looks like your settings might be off a bit given the large number of steps in your calibration. you can create a baseline guiding by following these steps (make sure to do the optional 8b. step)
Second, it looks like there's a fairly major periodic error around 120sec?which is typically?from a poorly aligned/mounted oldham coupler.?
Brian
Hi all,
I've finally gotten around to testing the performance of my G11G and everything wenty great except for some pretty erratic behavior in the RA axis diring guiding. I used all default settings, except for the recommended changes from the guiding assistant, and was able to get around .8" error in the DEC axis but almost 3" error in the RA axis. I'll attach links to the guide/debug log but I'm not sure what to look for when reading them; I was hoping someone here could comment on whether this looks like an issue to be solved in PHD2 settings/PEC training or if this is something going on in the mechanics of the mount.
Thanks in advance,
Vishal
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Meridian Flips and NINA
On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 10:17 AM, <pcboreland@...> wrote:
Paul,
My poor addled brain finally figured that out. Currently, I use JNOW as there was an issue with there being an offset using J2000. Does this version of the driver fix that problem? Will this version of the driver solve the flip issue with it staying on the west side and pointing the scope into the ground. I've been told this is a Gemini bug that and this phenonium happens while tracking? Do I now need to move to use J2000?
Thanks,
Peter
Peter, J2000/JNow setting affects gotos to coordinates only, not tracking, guiding or meridian flips. J2000 is generally not needed for use with NINA and most other automation software, but yes, this version of the driver fixed it so that if you do set J2000 in Gemini, NINA will not get confused when trying to center an object using short gotos. This had nothing to do with meridian flips. For that you'll need to look elsewhere.? Regards, ? ? ?-Paul
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Re: Meridian Flips and NINA
Paul,
My poor addled brain finally figured that out. Currently, I use JNOW as there was an issue with there being an offset using J2000. Does this version of the driver fix that problem? Will this version of the driver solve the flip issue with it staying on the west side and pointing the scope into the ground. I've been told this is a Gemini bug that and this phenonium happens while tracking? Do I now need to move to use J2000?
Thanks,
Peter
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Re: Need advice selling my Losmandy G11 492 Digital Drive
You are selling an item that can be shipped rather?inexpensively. So the best way to reach a willing buyer is with the mass market. Another is to watch the want ads on the astro sites.?
The 492 systems I've sold rarely go as the lot and parting it out is the fastest way to sell it. Motors sell faster than the controllers or hand controls. There is a slow steady market for these parts that has picked up with the unavailability?of new controllers and folks replacing their mounts while retaining the GII systems. I recently sold a complete system for that reason. Got $235 shipped.
George
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Re: Meridian Flips and NINA
On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 08:39 AM, <pcboreland@...> wrote:
Paul,
I do not see a files option?
Peter
You need to join the group, first. Files are not visible to unregistered users. /g/Gemini_ASCOM_Driver
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Re: Meridian Flips and NINA
On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 08:12 AM, <pcboreland@...> wrote:
Where do I down load the 1.0.82.0 version of the Ascom driver? I can only fine Gemini.Telescope.Net (1.0.75.0).
Version 1.0.82 is not yet officially released, but available for testing here: /g/Gemini_ASCOM_Driver/files/TestRegards, ? ? -Paul
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Re: Meridian Flips and NINA
Where do I down load the 1.0.82.0 version of the Ascom driver? I can only fine Gemini.Telescope.Net (1.0.75.0).
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Re: Runaway slew while using PHD2
On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 07:52 AM, alan137 wrote:
Maybe the "stop guiding when slewing" under PHD2 doesn't work because it is "too late" and gemini already got some kind of simultaneous mixed-up command.? I wonder if via ASCOM there is a way for it to tell PHD in advance to stop guiding.? I know that NINA can do it.? But it's still Gemini's fault for not even giving me a STOP button.
There's no way for the ASCOM driver to tell PHD2 to stop guiding, but I can certainly add some checks not to accept guiding command during a slew. While I'm not sure that's what caused the wild slew in your case, such a check might help prevent other unexpected behavior. Regards, ? ? ?-Paul
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Re: Meridian Flips and NINA
I becoming increasingly frustrated trying to execute a successful? meridian flip. Up until this point I thought I had a settings problem, for example setting the western goto limit value correctly. This is not the case. I now realize the flip is executed but the scope stays on the west side and the telescope ends up pointing at the ground. What is happening here and how do I fix this?
To execute a flip I have to set an alarm on my phone to get up, I then park the scope, and then slew back to the target. A lot of time is lost plus this is not good for ones health.
Peter
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Re: Runaway slew while using PHD2
Maybe the "stop guiding when slewing" under PHD2 doesn't work because it is "too late" and gemini already got some kind of simultaneous mixed-up command.? I wonder if via ASCOM there is a way for it to tell PHD in advance to stop guiding.? I know that NINA can do it.? But it's still Gemini's fault for not even giving me a STOP button.
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Re: Need advice selling my Losmandy G11 492 Digital Drive
I've bought and sold on CN , Craigslist Ebay and Facebook Marketplace.. (Not just astro gear)? Ebay seller fees are expensive (10 to 12.5%).? Although you can do a local pickup only sale on Ebay, you need to be sure the buyer gives you a QR code or 6 digit code that you use to confirm that the product was delivered/received, otherwise the buyer can claim he never picked up the product.
Craigslist is strictly cash, as is Facebook Marketplace.? I've never had a problem on CN buying or selling. You do however have to watch out for scams, but it's pretty obvious (zero posts, zero activity, strange transaction requests).?I use Paypal there unless it's local pickup because at least there's some protection.? ?I haven't used A-M because of the fees they charge both buyers and sellers.?
Because of the way most of these places work you don't really know what the final sales price may be.? All you see in these cases is the 'offered' price.? ?That makes using them for getting a feel for pricing a little difficult.
The competition is pretty steep now, and for someone looking for a precision mount, they are likely also wanting? a mount that has most of the modern bells and whistles.? The market is good though so if it doesn't sell it's probably just priced too high.? People are getting a lot more than they have historically for 'popular' used gear because of the demand.?
?
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New G11G with subpar guiding
Hi all,
I've finally gotten around to testing the performance of my G11G and everything wenty great except for some pretty erratic behavior in the RA axis diring guiding. I used all default settings, except for the recommended changes from the guiding assistant, and was able to get around .8" error in the DEC axis but almost 3" error in the RA axis. I'll attach links to the guide/debug log but I'm not sure what to look for when reading them; I was hoping someone here could comment on whether this looks like an issue to be solved in PHD2 settings/PEC training or if this is something going on in the mechanics of the mount.
Thanks in advance,
Vishal
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Re: Needle bearings and axial play, is this a significant performance problem and how difficult is it to fix?
Hi Alan,
Peter is going to list his better replacement parts.? ?(He also has found an 80:1 gearbox that is not marketed by McLennan..it comes from vendor RS Components.? )
To get to the ring gear:
On a G11 or GM8, you? 1. remove the bottom clutch knob and it's flat thrust needle bearing assembly.? (Put those parts in a plastic bag).? 2.? pull out the 1.25 inch shaft as though you were replacing the clutch disk. 3.? To remove the upper ring gear, you must back the worm threads away from the ring gear teeth. (on a GM8 drive you'd have to remove the worm to get the worm sufficiently back from the ring gear.)
4. Lift off the ring gear.? Actually, before you lift it off, you should see if you can lift it up slightly.? If you can lift the ring gear up with the worm still fully engaged, it could mean the worm center is slightly higher than the ring gear center.? If the center of the worm axis and the center of the ring gear heights were absolutely at the same level, (or the ring gear center is higher than the worm center so the worm is riding on the ring gear teeth below center of the ring gear) the ring gear should be trapped by the worm threads.? ?I hope this makes sense!? If the ring gear needs to go higher to be centered, you will need a thicker upper race washer or (as Peter discovered) a new flat needle bearing with slightly larger rollers.? McMaster-Carr sells many different thickness race washers. Peter found that a new needle bearing but same races put his ring gear at the optimal height for his DEC worm.??
5. Under the ring gear will be the flat race washers with the flat needle bearing sandwiched between those flat race washers.?? ? ?a. There will be a thin flat race, and a thicker flat race.? ? ?b. The thin race washer goes underneath (closest to the clutch knob at the other end).??
That's all...from memory.??
Once you take off the upper ring gear you will see the internal cylindrical needle bearings holding the 1.25 inch shaft in place. I was told that the needle bearings can be tapped out to replace them, using a wooden dowel on the G11, but on my GM8 axes, I can't see how to get those bearings out or to put new ones in. If someone knows, please advise how to disassemble the GM8 axis body.?
Best, Michael
How does one get to the thrust bearings?
What's the source and part number for the encoders?
What's the maximum slew rate with the 1024 encoders?
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Edward Plumer
Paul Kanevsky
Michael Herman