Ken,
?
The padded Orion case was not in stock. I found this , which worked out great. I can store the three legs, the counterweight shaft, and the glow-in-the-dark vibration pads.??
?
Thanks again for the suggestion.
?
Lloyd
?
?
?
?
|
Re: Different tripod for the heck of it
Looks great. How is the Losmandy pier tube attached? Does the tube's base plate simply bolt on?
|
Re: Nextstar 8se & a G8 - need help with dovetail
On Fri, Nov 15, 2024 at 06:16 AM, PeteL wrote:
Apologies for not replying with my thanks earlier - my email was filtering lots of my groups.io to junk for a bit. So thank yo all for the help and suggestions. I have been mulling over which path to pursue as I like the computerized mount for my learning the sky or if time is short, as well as my kids know how to operate it on their own. I had quickly seen the dedicated bar and blocks to change the OTA over to losmandy - but with the potential option of changing the saddle to allow me to move between the two, that might make more sense for me currently.
Thanks again,
PeteL
?
Pete,
?
See my previous post dated Oct. 16th.? The best possible option is to purchase the current Losmandy GM8G saddle that accepts both the smaller Vixen and larger Losmandy "D" style dovetails which have become the two most popular dovetail styles and the de facto standards.? Here is a link to the right part from Losmandy:? they are in stock and if you are local you can pick one up on Monday at the shop.? If you tell them you have an old GM8s and if you ask Tanya they can provide the fasteners. Tell her Chip sent you.??
?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
?
?
?
|
Re: Nextstar 8se & a G8 - need help with dovetail
Celestron sells a 3" wide bar it calls the for the C8, 9.25, 11 and 14. The C8 bar is quite a bit lighter and certainly?stiff enough. About $50.
|
Probably a Chinese copy. Fine them handy for thing I use a lot. Keep electronics?parts and assemblies in this Harbor Freight rack and a couple?of plastic?multi-drawer?storage units on top.?
I get enough use out of the 881 to have burned out heating coil. Second soldering station, the first went through its transformer. The irons last about a year.
No, that's Dave Schwartz' Smart Hand Control (SHC) for OnStep motor controllers. It' built around an Espressif ESP32 development board. Use it to test the MCU modules before?soldering?them on their PCBs. Hate to waste a $2 PCB. The MCUs are fabbed by Taiwan semi, but the modules are assembled in China. At $3 a unit you have to do your own QC. They run about 10% defective. Mostly in the USB circuit. The SHC runs about $10-12 in parts. I sell them as a kit for $25 assembled for $40. The switches don't travel well thus I mount them for shipping.
|
Re: Nextstar 8se & a G8 - need help with dovetail
Apologies for not replying with my thanks earlier - my email was filtering lots of my groups.io to junk for a bit. So thank yo all for the help and suggestions. I have been mulling over which path to pursue as I like the computerized mount for my learning the sky or if time is short, as well as my kids know how to operate it on their own. I had quickly seen the dedicated bar and blocks to change the OTA over to losmandy - but with the potential option of changing the saddle to allow me to move between the two, that might make more sense for me currently.
Thanks again,
PeteL
|
Different tripod for the heck of it
I have used my G11 these past twenty years on a variety of different tripods.? The standard G11 tripod it came with is excellent.? The Berlebach wood tripod is easier to handle in snow.
?
Less known and very pricey is the 10micron Aries tripod.? The easiest to pack up and put in the car by a long shot.? And takes up the least space of everything I've tried.? ?(pictured is G11 carrying AP GT130 and CFF 92, with h-alpha and Herschel wedge respectively).? -Greg N
?
|
Re: Pier Adapter vs. Pier Extension
Oberon510’s picture shows the hand knobs at the top of extension and hex bolts on the adaptor. You can also switch these bolts so that extension stays attached to the RA rather than tripod/pier when you disassemble (as I do)
?
Either way, you need to move the mounting horns for the Gemini from the adaptor to the extension if using the original RA and DEC motor cables.
--
Edward
|
Re: G11T RA Clicking Sound
Thanks, John. I removed the RA axis cover and did not see anything amiss when slewing. It looked pretty perfect. I fiddled with the SLW. The sound is much fainter now. I don't think it is now imaginary, but the volume is low enough that I'll probably have to ask my wife if she can hear it just to be certain it is still there. I could now be hearing it because I expect to hear it.?
?
I also wondered how the old gear aligned with the gearbox. The old motor has only had about 200-250 hours of tracking use (to include slews). I didn't feel the vibration of the ticks in the gearbox, only in the motor, which made me think it was a motor problem at first. With a clearer head, I will check back tonight for both the sound and feel for any rhythmic vibrations.?
?
The last thing I feel like doing is removing that motor again. I quite literally bled getting it back on, which included language that earned the outing a solid R rating. It seems like they could design a motor housing that does not impede access.?
?
George
|
Re: Astroart 8 Not Calibrating / Guiding Gemini 1
Hi Joe,
?
I'm not familiar with AstroArt, so these comments are based on some assumptions. A few things worth noting:
?
There are two different and distinct methods of autoguiding Gemini, and you need to pick one to configure correctly.
?
1. Method 1 uses the autoguider output of your guide camera connected to autoguider input on Gemini. This method uses an ST4 connection and cable. There may be differences between what Gemini expects at the autoguider input and what QHY5Lii outputs. When I used Gemini-1 with an ST4-compatible camera, I had to use a relay box in between to make sure the camera could talk to Gemini.
?
2. The other method uses Gemini serial commands to autoguide. In this case, there is no connection to the autoguider port needed, but Gemini must be connected to your PC and the autoguider software must issue what's called 'pulse guide' commands to Gemini over the serial link. This method would use the ASCOM driver in AA, I presume.
?
For method 1, the pulse guide settings in the ASCOM driver you mention will not do anything, since the autoguider corrections are sent directly from your camera to Gemini, bypassing ASCOM driver. For method 2, when using Gemini-1, I recommend leaving Async Pulse Guide selected, and turn off Precision Guide setting, as it had quirks when used with G1.?
?
Let's decide which method of autoguiding you want to use, and then figure out what's needed to make it work. When you say PHD2 calibrates and auto-guides, what autoguider mount connection option did you select in PHD2? A setting of "On-Camera" will use method 1 or ST4, while a setting of "ASCOM-compatible" will use method 2 using pulse guiding.
?
Once we know what method works for you in PHD2, we can then try to configure the same in AA8.
?
Regards,
?
? -Paul
?
?
?
?
On Thu, Nov 14, 2024 at 02:19 AM, KC5DFP wrote:
Hello All.
?
I have an issue with Astroart 8 and my G11 Gemini 1, specifically AA8 calibrating commands not getting to the mount, or that’s what it seems like anyway.?
?
I have a QHY5Lii guide camera output plugged into the autoguider port of the Gemini 1, and tried all available Guide dropdown menu options available under the AA8 Telescope Control panel. I got the “mount didn’t move” error, meaning the mount didn’t receive any commands, no matter what selections used.?Im using the ASCOM Diver from the Astroart website that pulls up the Gemini software and?connects to the mount?successfully.?Lastly, using PHD2 with the same cabling/connections the mount calibrates and guides well, so I know the hardware and cabling are fine.
Just to note I did put the Gemini hand controller in all speed mode and tried all combinations of the Async Pulse Guide and Precision Guide Pulse software settings but to no avail.?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
?
Joe
|
Re: Pier Adapter vs. Pier Extension
I appreciate all the replies and the pictures. It helped quite a bit. I ordered the 12" extension.
?
Thanks,
Joel
|
Re: Pier Adapter vs. Pier Extension
Hi Joel,
?
Some pics of my pier attached. Below the rat-cage, I have a 4" OD solid aluminum cylinder bolted to one side of railroad track cemented into the ground, and another 2x3" aluminum bar on the other side. The aluminum plates under the pier head are 3/4" x 7" OD which are not easy to find. But you can see I drilled and tapped them so they can be leveled as needed - it's hard to get a pier perfectly level so some adjustment is often needed.
?
Regards,
?
John
--
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Losmandy G11G2 on pier; refurbed Losmandy G11 with OnStep controller; SkyShed design roll-off observatory; ZWO ASI2600MM-P; ZWO ASI071MC; Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED with field flattener; Celestron C925 Edge HD with 0.7XFR, William Optics Zenithstar 61 APO; PHD2, NINA, Sequence Generator Pro and PixInsight user
|
Re: Astroart 8 Not Calibrating / Guiding Gemini 1
Joe, I’m not great on things like guiding but I do know I have read of issues with this very same camera QHY5ver2
?
Search all the the Gemini forums. Here’s one to start with.?
/g/Gemini_ASCOM_Driver/topic/qhyccd_5l_ii_vs_phd2/33168724
?
?
I only say this as a search my give better results FWIW
?
And welcome to the forum. I’m sure others will chime in?
?
Cheers
?
--
Brendan
|
Astroart 8 Not Calibrating / Guiding Gemini 1
Hello All.
?
I have an issue with Astroart 8 and my G11 Gemini 1, specifically AA8 calibrating commands not getting to the mount, or that’s what it seems like anyway.?
?
I have a QHY5Lii guide camera output plugged into the autoguider port of the Gemini 1, and tried all available Guide dropdown menu options available under the AA8 Telescope Control panel. I got the “mount didn’t move” error, meaning the mount didn’t receive any commands, no matter what selections used.?Im using the ASCOM Diver from the Astroart website that pulls up the Gemini software and?connects to the mount?successfully.?Lastly, using PHD2 with the same cabling/connections the mount calibrates and guides well, so I know the hardware and cabling are fine.
Just to note I did put the Gemini hand controller in all speed mode and tried all combinations of the Async Pulse Guide and Precision Guide Pulse software settings but to no avail.?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
?
Joe
|
Re: G11T RA Clicking Sound
Hi George,
?
A ticking while slewing does not necessarily mean a problem with tracking and guiding. Since you are in slew speed, it's hard to say where a 0.5s noise might be coming from. You may want to take off the spur gear covers and see if you can spot anything. I'd say take all the payload off and try to turn the gears by hand to see if you can feel or spot any hangups. Then try removing the motor and turn things again if the prior test doesn't reveal anything. I wonder how your old pinion gear mates with the new gearbox. This situation might require a call to HGM.
?
Good luck,
?
John
?
--
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Losmandy G11G2 on pier; refurbed Losmandy G11 with OnStep controller; SkyShed design roll-off observatory; ZWO ASI2600MM-P; ZWO ASI071MC; Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED with field flattener; Celestron C925 Edge HD with 0.7XFR, William Optics Zenithstar 61 APO; PHD2, NINA, Sequence Generator Pro and PixInsight user
|
Re: G11T RA Clicking Sound
I have a G11G and the DEC was making a clicking sound when slewing under load.? I used one of these to isolate the sound.? The SLW needed adjusting.
?
------------------------
Jim W
Phoenix, AZ. USA
Losmandy G11G w/ L6, NINA 3.0 / ASTAP, ASI2600MC Pro, Sky-Watcher Scopes, Canon L Lenses.
|
I just received a new Titan axis upgrade for the Losmandy G11. It is a beautiful piece of kit. After balancing the axes and selecting the G11T in the hand controller, I moved the mount on both axes to make sure everything was working smoothly. In the new RA axis, I'd hear a ticking sound. The mount has some weight on it (about 45 lbs) but everything is well balanced. When I removed the RA motor and ran it from the hand controller, there was no ticking sound. Adjusting the tightness of the motor against he gear housing did produce much of a change, though I thought I noticed a much smaller tick slewing eastward versus slewing towards the west. The ticking is at very regular intervals at maximum slew using the hand controller (perhaps every 0.5 sec). It does not seem to affect slewing at all and there is no binding to the point that movement stops in any orientation I've checked.?
?
When the RA motor was attached to the G11G, it did not make this sound. The Axis upgrade calls for using the RA axis motor from the G11G for the G11T. Settings in the hand controller are those necessary for the G11T in terms of gearing.?
?
My first thought was a possible gearbox issue, though this seems a little less likely coming straight from the factory. Another thought, coming from my G11G days of two days ago, was perhaps the RA worm gear needs some adjusting? There is probably a good 30 degrees F in temperature difference between my location and where the worm gear was originally adjusted; however, I've read that these are properly adjusted at the factory. I'm not a natural tinkerer. I was recently befuddled by a focuser screw. So while I adjusted the worm gear on my G11G, I was absolutely certain I needed to. Now, I'm not so sure and would rather get some further information before taking things apart and coming to the usually problematic realization that there are extra parts.?
?
First, is this clicking sound actually normal for a new mount??
If this sound isn't entirely normal but everything is working as it should, should I just use the mount under the rules of engagement regarding things that aren't broken?
If tinkering is required, what are the areas I should look to tinker in? Gearbox and...??
?
Thanks in advance for all replies!?
?
Regards,?
?
George
?
?
?
|
Interesting you're dissatisfied with the 858D. I too have one of those plus additional nozzle. Don't use it for anything really sophisticated but find it quite well suited for the occasional job of removing something of the size of 44pin QFPs or smaller. And for the money saved compared to a proper tool you can pay someone to clean up your desk for years.
|
? ? ? “Yeah and clean, well ? ? ? ? organized workplace.”
?
Hahaha I start every job with a clear desk …..end up looking like that. ?Only takes a few hrs!
?
George, you use “Dexion storage bins”! ? A tech’s go to for organising!
?
Is that Astrophysics HC I see in one of the bins on the right? ?The 855 hot air is like mine. ?I really should get a proper Quick 861DW. ?
Mine is only good for heatshrink and burning my fingers. ? ?Paul did really well and glad it worked out as it gives confidence. ?
--
Brendan
|
Re: Pier Adapter vs. Pier Extension
Joel,
?
I did this same thing several years ago. I pulled the MAL adapter head off the tripod and bolted it to the top of my pier with the center bolt hole. However, I did use a rat-cage with two aluminum plates on top of the pier with three bolts around the outside for leveling. The extensions are just hollow tubes as far as I know, so there may not be anything on the bottom end to bolt through. You want the mount high enough so the polar scope holes will align with a point in the sky above the walls, or your PAs will be more difficult. Besides the center bolt (1/2"?) I put in three smaller cap screws through the other MAL holes into the aluminum plate below, but after I did one PA. After that you have no AZ adjustment other than what the mount AZ knobs will do, so you need to get as aligned with that center screw shaft as possible before drilling more holes. I'll try to find some pics later.
?
Regards,
?
John
--
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Losmandy G11G2 on pier; refurbed Losmandy G11 with OnStep controller; SkyShed design roll-off observatory; ZWO ASI2600MM-P; ZWO ASI071MC; Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED with field flattener; Celestron C925 Edge HD with 0.7XFR, William Optics Zenithstar 61 APO; PHD2, NINA, Sequence Generator Pro and PixInsight user
|
Ed Harp
Chip Louie
Edward Plumer
Paul Kanevsky
Joel Black
