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General Discussion / Re: On start up my AstroEQ tries to drive the DEC axis more than a full circle
« on: September 06, 2024, 09:53:26 »
Thank you, Tom. That explains it (I think).
Park, shut down, then reconnect the same mount and power up, all is well, but if I connect the other mount then that is where the problem occurs.
mounts + different gear ratios = different interpretation of stored position. I'll experiment to see if there's a point (Home, perhaps?) where they both coincide.
Thanks for the explanation.
Park, shut down, then reconnect the same mount and power up, all is well, but if I connect the other mount then that is where the problem occurs.
mounts + different gear ratios = different interpretation of stored position. I'll experiment to see if there's a point (Home, perhaps?) where they both coincide.
Thanks for the explanation.
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General Discussion / Re: On start up my AstroEQ tries to drive the DEC axis more than a full circle
« on: September 05, 2024, 20:09:04 »
Sorry, the last two paragraphs keep getting truncated. They should read:
A consequence of this is that connecting the AstroEQ controlled mount after a previous session with the AZEQ6 means that the AstroEQ mount believes it is pointing at AZ 120 deg and ALT -33 deg instead of 270 deg and 0 deg. This doesn't completely explain the observed behaviour (more than 360 deg of rotation in DEC) but it may indicate the source of the problem: why do they disagree? Is it an EQMOD problem or a decoding of position one?
Sorry if that is abit confusing and not well explained. Let me know if you need any other information
A consequence of this is that connecting the AstroEQ controlled mount after a previous session with the AZEQ6 means that the AstroEQ mount believes it is pointing at AZ 120 deg and ALT -33 deg instead of 270 deg and 0 deg. This doesn't completely explain the observed behaviour (more than 360 deg of rotation in DEC) but it may indicate the source of the problem: why do they disagree? Is it an EQMOD problem or a decoding of position one?
Sorry if that is abit confusing and not well explained. Let me know if you need any other information
3
General Discussion / Re: On start up my AstroEQ tries to drive the DEC axis more than a full circle
« on: September 05, 2024, 15:56:39 »
Hi Tom
Thank you so much for responding, great support!
I am using an AstroEQ 4.6 - my assembly of your board and chips with Farnell supplied resistors, capacitors semiconductors &c.
The Firmware is 8.2 (loading utility 3.93)
EQMOD was version 2.00q but updated recently to 2.00w (made no difference).
ASCOM platform is 662.4294.NewCertificate
Cartes du Ciel (with which I observe the goings on and select goto targets) is 4.2.1
The mount is an EQ5 with NEMA 17 steppers configured with a custom park position of weights down, OTA pointing horizontally west. Controlled by a Panasonic Toughbook running Windows 11 pro.
Since the first post I have got a little closer to understanding the problem. I also use an AZEQ6 with Cartes du Ciel and EQMOD, connected to the same laptop via a Lynx Astro cable. This also has a custom park position of weights down OTA pointing west (identical to the EQ5's). The problem I have discovered is that depsite parking both mounts (EQ5 or AZEQ6) in the same custom position each time, when I connect the other mount and switch on they disagree wildly about what the parking position is/was.
A consequence of this is that connecting the AstroEQ controlled mount after a previous session with the AZEQ6 means that the AstroEQ mount believes it is pointing at AZ 120
Thank you so much for responding, great support!
I am using an AstroEQ 4.6 - my assembly of your board and chips with Farnell supplied resistors, capacitors semiconductors &c.
The Firmware is 8.2 (loading utility 3.93)
EQMOD was version 2.00q but updated recently to 2.00w (made no difference).
ASCOM platform is 662.4294.NewCertificate
Cartes du Ciel (with which I observe the goings on and select goto targets) is 4.2.1
The mount is an EQ5 with NEMA 17 steppers configured with a custom park position of weights down, OTA pointing horizontally west. Controlled by a Panasonic Toughbook running Windows 11 pro.
Since the first post I have got a little closer to understanding the problem. I also use an AZEQ6 with Cartes du Ciel and EQMOD, connected to the same laptop via a Lynx Astro cable. This also has a custom park position of weights down OTA pointing west (identical to the EQ5's). The problem I have discovered is that depsite parking both mounts (EQ5 or AZEQ6) in the same custom position each time, when I connect the other mount and switch on they disagree wildly about what the parking position is/was.
A consequence of this is that connecting the AstroEQ controlled mount after a previous session with the AZEQ6 means that the AstroEQ mount believes it is pointing at AZ 120
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General Discussion / On start up my AstroEQ tries to drive the DEC axis more than a full circle
« on: September 01, 2024, 21:39:40 »
Here's a little head scratcher that I have been having with my AstroEQ.
I have a couple of these in use on an EQ5 with stepper motors and very good they are too. It's only used for widefield imaging with a Canon 200 mm prime lens and regularly guides at under 1 arc sec.
The issue lies somewhere between the AstroEQ and EQmod. When first connected in my custom home position and asked to slew to the NCP, the mount slews up to the NCP but then the DEC motor carries on right past it and continues to slew through a further 360
I have a couple of these in use on an EQ5 with stepper motors and very good they are too. It's only used for widefield imaging with a Canon 200 mm prime lens and regularly guides at under 1 arc sec.
The issue lies somewhere between the AstroEQ and EQmod. When first connected in my custom home position and asked to slew to the NCP, the mount slews up to the NCP but then the DEC motor carries on right past it and continues to slew through a further 360
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AstroEQ Support / Broken my AstroEQ board (I think)
« on: September 09, 2021, 15:49:58 »
A few nights ago the USB socket on my home assembled V 4.6 AstroEQ came loose:- one of the mounting lugs on the socket had become detached and so had one or more of the connecting pins.
A new PCB USB socket was obtained and the old one de-soldered and the new one attached. Unfortunately the track around the ground pin was damaged in the process, although there is still continuity to ground according to my multimeter.
The problem now is that on power connection the power LED lights up, but so too does the status LED which come on solid and stays on. If a USB cable is plugged in the USB LED flashes, but the status LED stays on solid. On attempting to start EQMOD an ASCOM 'Out of memory error' appears and the mount is unresponsive to commands.
My eyesight is not what it was when the board was assembled, but I can't find any obvious short circuits in the area of USB socket connections, is there anything I can do or check to try and revive the AstroEQ?
A new PCB USB socket was obtained and the old one de-soldered and the new one attached. Unfortunately the track around the ground pin was damaged in the process, although there is still continuity to ground according to my multimeter.
The problem now is that on power connection the power LED lights up, but so too does the status LED which come on solid and stays on. If a USB cable is plugged in the USB LED flashes, but the status LED stays on solid. On attempting to start EQMOD an ASCOM 'Out of memory error' appears and the mount is unresponsive to commands.
My eyesight is not what it was when the board was assembled, but I can't find any obvious short circuits in the area of USB socket connections, is there anything I can do or check to try and revive the AstroEQ?
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AstroEQ Support / Re: No status light when connected
« on: February 20, 2018, 10:51:27 »
Many thanks for the chips which arrived today.
Plugged the new ones in and all is working again, so, a great remote diagnosis for which many thanks!
Al
Plugged the new ones in and all is working again, so, a great remote diagnosis for which many thanks!
Al
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AstroEQ Support / Re: No status light when connected
« on: February 18, 2018, 12:10:55 »
Thanks, Tom.
I've ordered a replacement via the purchase page. Fortunately, I still have a spare motor driver chip as I got through several of those a while back!
Al
I've ordered a replacement via the purchase page. Fortunately, I still have a spare motor driver chip as I got through several of those a while back!
Al
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AstroEQ Support / Re: No status light when connected
« on: February 18, 2018, 11:22:49 »
Yes, multimeter readings are no prob (about the limit of my electronic ability!)
Pin 40 (on the opposite side of the chip from pin 1) shows 5.00 volts.
Pin 40 (on the opposite side of the chip from pin 1) shows 5.00 volts.
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AstroEQ Support / Re: No status light when connected
« on: February 18, 2018, 10:52:32 »
Not sure I understood all that! But thanks anyway.
Don't have an Arduino nor an ISP for one, so dug out a copy of HyperTerminal and shorted the two resistors you indicated together (not without its challenges if you are as ham fisted and vision deficient as me :-).
Typing AT in the HyperTerminal window shows the letters on screen when the two resistors are shorted together, but doesn't when they aren't, so does this mean the USB serial link is good?
And if so, does that mean I need to order a new main chip?
Don't have an Arduino nor an ISP for one, so dug out a copy of HyperTerminal and shorted the two resistors you indicated together (not without its challenges if you are as ham fisted and vision deficient as me :-).
Typing AT in the HyperTerminal window shows the letters on screen when the two resistors are shorted together, but doesn't when they aren't, so does this mean the USB serial link is good?
And if so, does that mean I need to order a new main chip?
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AstroEQ Support / Re: No status light when connected
« on: February 17, 2018, 15:18:10 »
Update.
Having spent the early afternoon with a soldering iron (and heart in mouth) I can now report that when the USB lead is connected the 'link' LED flashes quickly and continuously. No flashing when power is connected or before the USB lead is plugged in. No sign of life from the status LED.
Having spent the early afternoon with a soldering iron (and heart in mouth) I can now report that when the USB lead is connected the 'link' LED flashes quickly and continuously. No flashing when power is connected or before the USB lead is plugged in. No sign of life from the status LED.
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AstroEQ Support / Re: No status light when connected
« on: February 16, 2018, 19:45:32 »
Unfortunately, Tom, the USB LED succumbed to one of the accidental collisions with the concrete floor and Attempts to solder in a replacement merely demonstrated the inadequacy of my soldering skills and equipment, so I can't say. The controller was working OK without it for some months.
Thanks for the prompt response, as ever!
Al
Thanks for the prompt response, as ever!
Al
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AstroEQ Support / No status light when connected
« on: February 16, 2018, 17:26:00 »
I have broken my AstroEQ! (I think)
Had been using it with my grab-n-go set up and following invetsigations into a non-moving RA axis (which may have been down to a jammed stepper motor), I went to power up but got no response. The power light comes on but the status light doesn't show any activity and attempting to connect via the Config utility (v 3.7.3) to update the firmware or configure the unit etc results in 'programmer not responding' message after 10 failed attempts to connect.
Any hints on diagnosing what's wrong would be welcome.
The unit is one of Tom's circuit board is V4.5
Had been using it with my grab-n-go set up and following invetsigations into a non-moving RA axis (which may have been down to a jammed stepper motor), I went to power up but got no response. The power light comes on but the status light doesn't show any activity and attempting to connect via the Config utility (v 3.7.3) to update the firmware or configure the unit etc results in 'programmer not responding' message after 10 failed attempts to connect.
Any hints on diagnosing what's wrong would be welcome.
The unit is one of Tom's circuit board is V4.5
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Beta Firmware Releases / Re: [Completed] AstroEQ 8.0.3(beta)
« on: February 10, 2017, 09:08:05 »
The latest version (downloaded this morning) works fine here, Tom.
Well done! (Again!) Your customer service puts commercial players to shame.
Looking forward to hearing about the 'stand alone' handset-only capability.
Well done! (Again!) Your customer service puts commercial players to shame.
Looking forward to hearing about the 'stand alone' handset-only capability.
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Beta Firmware Releases / Re: [Completed] AstroEQ 8.0.3(beta)
« on: February 09, 2017, 19:22:39 »Well the upload appears to have been a success. If you now try disconnecting the USB and reattaching it, and the click the Configure button from the main screen does it run the configuration?
Afraid not.
It just says:
:O11
Awaiting Response...
null
Failed to recieve response.
Read Failed!! Connection unavailable.
Tried powering down and disconnecting but the with the same result. Fortunately can still upload V7.4 and everything works again.
The latest debug file is attached.
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Beta Firmware Releases / Re: [Completed] AstroEQ 8.0.3(beta)
« on: February 09, 2017, 12:52:44 »Unplug everything from the AstroEQ, then plug back in power followed by USB, then try uploading the firmware again.
Did it say why the upload failed? If you run the Debug version of the config utility you will get more details in a CMD window (like Smokie's screenshot).
You're too quick for me , Tom
I've just edited my post above to include the deebug text.
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