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Since my recent problems resulted from efforts to deal with moisture on the G11/Gemini-1 mount, I have decided to institute some changes in how it is used. No longer will I leave the electronics outside, but covered when finished with observing for the night. This had lead to my misguided efforts to deal with dew that had accumulated during the observing session. While the use of Calcium-Chloride crystals to absorb the trapped moisture was effective, it only took one instance of spilling that corrosive (and sticky) solution to necessitate an extensive repair.?

But after Michael Herman resurrected the dead/dying Gemini-1 chassis, I have decided to do the following:

• Cover any unused data ports with silicone plugs to exclude moisture.
• Remove the Gemini-1 chassis safely indoors after observing has ended for the night. This will allow any moisture to evaporate and prevent any theft of that expensive piece of electronics.?
• During use the chassis will be covered with a cloth to exclude most of the dew that would otherwise collect on the front panel.?My wife made a nice polyester cover to prevent dew settling on the chassis.

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This cloth can be folded around any of the cables to minimize contact with moist air. These efforts should be most beneficial improvements for longevity of the Losmandy G11/G-1. While such a quality product is not inexpensive, I've learned that "cheap isn't ..."

Best Regards,
Russ

I've sort of answered my own question. Based on physical dimensions the Hand Controller and Autoguider jacks are the same size (with 6 pins, RJ-11). The Encoder and Feature jacks are a different size and have 8 pins. So I'm still researching the correct plug for these jacks.?? is a domestic source of plugs for ?jacks. There is no minimum order and shipping is $8 via USPS. I'll do some more research. Total will be around $10 delivered. Similar plugs can be obtained from China, with shipping taking considerably longer.

After much research, I could not find what Feature and Encoder jack is used. But the RJ-11 plug will cover the hole. So a bit of super glue and a small amount of coax cable moisture seal will secure these jacks against moisture entry. So I've ordered 4 of that connector cover for $7.35 post paid.

Russ

Steve...

if its a real old ST4 camera.....like the early sbig??? Most used +12V out as the signal top move the mount.? The modern ST4 system has completely changed and now uses a "gnd" or "low" as the signal to move the mount.? My early link, showed that each HC button depress switches a "low" or "Gnd" signal to move the mount.? Modern ST4 is the same.?

You cannot use the old in a new ST4 input, like that in the 492DD!? You will cause damage.? To use such an old 12V switching ST4, you need a relay converter box.?? So please check your old ST4 camera output type to see what output type it is.........

Cheers


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Brendan

Hi Brian,

Before ordering silcone plugs for the ports I want to make sure I have it right. According to the Losmandy G-11/Gemini-1 manual the RS-232 fort is RJ-22. That one will be occupied by the serial cable to my?SkyF?wi-fi hot spot for connection to?SkySafari. But there are 4 other identical-looking ports that will need plugs:

• Hand Control
• Encoders
• Autoguider
• Feature

So are these all RJ-11? I just want to make sure since shipping from China usually takes 4-6 weeks. Thanks, Brian.

Kind Regards,
Russ

Hi Michael,
Thanks for a little more of the process you followed to find the problem. That is why consulting experts like yourself is well worth the effort. I will also be getting some of those silicone port plugs to exclude moisture. According the Losmandy G-11/Gemini-1 manual there are unused RJ-11 and RJ-22 ports to be sealed. So that will be the next purchase, even if it take 4-6 weeks from China. Also when in use I will be covering the Gemini chassis with a thick absorbent cloth to prevent much dew from forming on the top. Any moisture there has a direct path inside to cause problems. Also the Gemini chassis will be kept indoors when not in use. The G-11 mount itself is much more resistant to humid air. But I've learned my lesson with the Gemini-1. Maybe if/when I get another slid-off roof observatory the electronics can reside outside the house.

Seeing how the mount itself was affectedly the salt solution, I decided to open the chassis and remove all traces of salt residue. Three of the 6 standoffs had some evidence of salt contact. Also the fuse had some crusty looking corrosion growth between itself and the round component to its right. So I carefully cleaned the standoffs and the deposits near the fuse. While I had the standoffs removed I used a moist paper towel to remove any salty looking deposits. A jeweler's screwdriver help loosen this stuff, ?and after wiping with a dry towel the vast majority of the contaminant was removed. I doubt if 100% was removed, but it has to be an improvement. The sub-D 15-pin serial port for the deluxe hand controller had a little external corrosion. This was easily cleaned, and no corrosion was evident on the pins.

Also that problem "hand controller" port had grown some more green looking corrosion since you cleaned it. So I gave that area another once over. It may continue to be a problem since it is near impossible to thoroughly clean. If worse comes to worse I suspect that it could be removed to prevent further shorts in that area. But getting it sealed from the intrusion of external air should help.

In some respects the Gemini-1 has a design flaw in that it is not sealed from moisture. In many climates dew will be a constant danger. So I'll be shielding my chassis from that as much as practical. I suspect a more vertical orientation would be better than the 45 degree angle I had for mine. Seems like that would be slower for dew deposit.

Next step for me is getting the settings correct for the?SkyFi?wireless hotspot to connect to the RS-232 port. This opens up a lot of functionality, being able to use?SkySafari?to control the mount. For many double stars the WDS catalog in the Gemini-1 is cumbersome to use. And not all the doubles of interest are in that catalog. But my iPad Mini running?SkySafari?makes it easy. Tap-select the object on the screen and press go-to. Also I have made double star observing lists from?Burnham's Celestial Handbook for all 88 constellations, with nearly 6,000 entries. If any forum members are interested I can facilitate your getting those observing lists. They are a great aid for users of?SkySafari.

So my story has a happy ending. Thanks again (and again ...) Michael for your efforts. They are much appreciated.!

Warm Regards,
Russ


?

Also best not to cross post the same question between forums. ?Most people monitoring Losmandy also monitor Gemini forums. ?

The subject is probably better suited in this forum so I’ll leave it to mods.?
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Brendan

Hi, all.? I recently acquired a used Losmandy GM-8.? It's a solid unit and It has the stepper motors on it but no control system. So I'm looking for a 492 DDS, hand remote, wiring to the steppers, and, if you have one, a power supply cord or cords that will work with the GM-8.

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Thanks but if i do that the while program freezes.

Steve?

the 492 digital drive unit ?has no computer connections. ?However you can connect an modern ST4 autoguider and auto guide with the unit.?

What you do is remove the HC and plug in a 6p6c (6 pin/6connector) “y” adapter into the HC socket. ?Then you plug the Guider and HC into this. ?

On the 492 front panel you have a button that can select G/S. ?Guide speed. ?.3x, .5x, 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x this is the rate any HC or ST4 autoguider signal will move the Ra axes at for corrections.?

This shows the .

This shows a .
Another view of them. ?

You can probably find one cheap. Losmandy has s a manual about the . ? Have a read ??

One think that camera that camera The isn’t an ST4 output camera. ?You cannot use it to guide the GM8 directly. ?You may be able to use a Interface. ?You can also use it in USB as a guider but it has no ST4 output format

? Sorry you need a different guider ?or The shoestring interface should work ? I’ve never used on but others say it works ?kinda complicated it somewhat as you then need a laptop to use the USB just to get ST4! ? St4 was standalone ??

?

I recently repaired a 482 DD unit and sent the user a document on all this recently ? I can send you a copy if you email me ? I’ll need your email address. The. 492DD Units are nice decent units. ?Yes they have limitations like no goto and sow slew rates (16x sidereal max) but it’ll return good service and will guide just fine as said.?

cheers

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Brendan

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I abhor recurring charge crap. The only one I've signed on for is , but I did that before I even got it working for me, based on reputation. Then I found a video, and followed it. As well as Brian's advice to get my first "solve" in Polar Alignment. Now that I can run it fairly well, I enjoy trying to get it as close to all zero's
That said, I'm all for the Open Sourced stuff. It is usually free as well.
I use Gemini Telescope, Stellarium, PHD2, Tight Vnc, and the software download for my Atik Infinky Camera.
most of us newbies know, and is excellent with Losmandy mounts.
I've used for going on 6 years now, but probably only actual mount control for 4-5 now. But I find it amazing for finding and having it slew the telescope to the object. And now, with my 811, it's even more amazing.
I start as soon as it settles, then take some images to see if I want to adjust the centering or not.
?is a program I use when I want to go inside and run the rig remotely. It opens the Mount computer desktop on my inside computer displays and lets me run everything from inside, just like I was setting outside.
My Atik Infiniky has it's own program to run the camera and collect images. Then I just save them to my Micro SD card. It currently has years of imaging on it, plus back up programs I can restore to my Baby Dell mount computer if need be.
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SonnyE


(I suggest viewed in full screen)

This is my first post to this group. ?I have appreciated the insights from past messages as I have disassembled, cleaned, and lubricated a new-to-me, twenty-year old, GM8.?

I would like help connecting my computer to the non-Gemini GM8 so that I can guide with a DBK21 color camera and PHD2.? What cable/adapter is suitable to connect a USB to ST-4? ??

Steve

Way to go Michael,
Those little plugs came up about two years ago and I thought " Hey thats a good ideah.

HAPPY SKIES TO EVERYONE AND KEEP LOOKING UP DERIC

I love a happy ending!
Kudo's to Michael for the save!

I got 2 of these and applied them every where I could on my Gemini 2 and mount computer. (I'm still short 3 )?

When I lived in Wyoming, I used a product called Insulex that was a spray. We had a weigh in motion Xray machine on a discharge belt from the crusher building. It had a history of being problematic.
We took all the PS boards out of it, cleaned them well, then sprayed them with the Insulex and dried them well.
That was the end of all erratic behaviors. The ore was metallic (Uranium) and was very hard on the electrical system.

I put the plugs in for dust intrusion. I live in a semi-arid location so dew and damp is a rarity. But still something to consider.
With my Gemini II controller, I have one of those Touch Pad pens I keep in in the coiled wire by the controller. Because like many, touch pads don't work for me, either. But the arrow button pad works fine on the back side.
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SonnyE


(I suggest viewed in full screen)

Hi Russ, have a look at ACF50, it is an anti corrosion oil so may be a bit tacky but can be used on any surface including electrical connections, I have been using it for years on my motor bike and I do not worry if it gets sprayed on the electrical components, like you I live near the sea but have never any corrosion issues since using it, apparently it was developed for the US air force to stop thier planes corroding so must be good stuff. Must admit it never crossed my mind but I think I will coat the vulnerable components with it myself.