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Re: iEXOS-100 WiFi to Serial Question
Skull HQX
You should probably watch this ES video completely: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_gYiJnEU38&t=
It is more about ASCOM over WiFi, but it will make a lot more clear I believe. At 11:38 there is some information about the application Rick just posted a link for. With that application switching to wired will be easier. Not a complete answer, but it will get you started I hope. Clear skies!
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Re: iEXOS-100 WiFi to Serial Question
Jed Orme <jedtorme@...>
Hello Rick,
Thanks much for the quick response but I am not sure I understand what to do with this zip file. I am communicating by email on my iMac which is my main computer. I only use a small PC laptop for astronomy related software, etc. So I think I can figure out how to transfer the file over to my PC but not sure what to do with it after I open &/or run the zip file. Will it make the needed changes in my PC to enable the serial connection or is there anything else I need to do? Jed
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California Nebula with the G-11 PMC-Eight
#astrophotography
Steve Siedentop
ES ED127CF FCD100
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Re: iEXOS-100 WiFi to Serial Question
On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 02:37 PM, Jed Orme wrote:
...Now I need to switch to using a serial connection instead of WiFi with my PC laptopThere is an application for that here: https://espmc-eight.groups.io/g/MAIN/files/User%20Contributions/PMC8ConfigurationManager103.zip -- Mount: EXPLORE SCIENTIFIC EXOS2-GT EQUATORIAL MOUNT WITH PMC-EIGHT GOTO SYSTEM Scope: ED115 FPL53 115MM F/5.5 AIR-SPACED TRIPLET ED APO REFRACTOR IN CARBON FIBER
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iEXOS-100 WiFi to Serial Question
Jed Orme <jedtorme@...>
Hello Kent,
As you may recall, I recently purchased this mount & plan to use it primarily for astro photography rather than viewing with my WO Z61 telescope & attached ZWO mini guide scope & camera. I plan also to use SharpCap for polar alignment. I currently have it set up with a WiFi connection to my PC laptop to use ExploreStars, & have been experimenting with 2 & 3 star virtual alignments also. But I understand that I can’t use the ExploreStars when doing long exposure astro photography due to field rotation errors, so I have downloaded Cartes du Ciel & the ASCOM driver for it to use for astrophotography work. Now I need to switch to using a serial connection instead of WiFi with my PC laptop, & also have downloaded your “ExploreScientific PMC-Eight Application Note PMC8-AN003 DOC-ESPMC8-AN003 Rev. 0.1 2019 January 12” six page documentation that explains how this must be done. But based on its complexity, it looks like you need to be a computer programmer or engineer to accomplish this. Is there some kind of video tutorial or anything else that the average person might be able to use to help with this? I am planning on attending a star party event this weekend, but I am not going to attempt to make this change to using a serial connection with the USB A to Mini B cord that I bought to use for this until I can better understand how it is done. What can you suggest please? Jed Orme
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Re: External Power
#EXOS2
#starparty
#TECHNICAL
On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 01:10 PM, Skull HQX wrote:
It's good to know it has reverse polarity protection. But I'm not going to test it!Here is how the protection is implemented -- Jerry Hubbell Vice President of Engineering Explore Scientific, LLC. jrh at explorescientific.com www.explorescientificusa.com 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 1-866-252-3811 Author: Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data Remote Observatories for Amateur Astronomers: Using High-Powered Telescopes From Home Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) IAU MPC W54 Equipment Wilderness, VA Mounts: ES PMC-Eight G11 + Telescope Drive Master (TDM) Scopes: ES 165 FPL-53 ED APO CF, ES 102 FCD100 ED APO CF Cameras: QHY174M-GPS + FW, QHY163C Misc: 3-inch 0.7x Focal Reducer Field Flattener, Filters: Luminance, Red, V-band Photometric, Diffuser, 200 lpmm Spectral Grating Software: MaxIm DL 6, Cartes du Ciel, Astrometrica, AstroImageJ, AutoStakkert!
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Re: PMC-Eight for other mounts?
On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 01:34 PM, Robert Hoskin wrote:
I would think that selling DIY PMC8 kits for refurbing select mounts from other mfrs, could be a good idea, down the road.Hi Bob, I can say a couple things about that, as I had the same view when I started this project 6 years ago. After numerous discussions with Scott Roberts over the years, as far as the business model that Explore Scientific has pursued in the past and our plans into the future, I can say that we have no plans to create any type of DIY kit to sell for people to retrofit other manufacturer's mounts. Being a small company, there currently is not a large enough market to sell DIY kits for the astronomical community. We will help those who wish to use their purchased systems for their own DIY projects though, and encourage this work. Our future business plan does not support the DIY market and are geared toward selling complete systems. The CGE PMC-Eight mount was an experiment to see what was involved with designing a retrofit drive system. We have it in service and the initial measurement of the native PE is very good at around 3 arcseconds RMS. Thanks Jerry Hubbell Vice President of Engineering Explore Scientific, LLC. jrh at explorescientific.com www.explorescientificusa.com 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 1-866-252-3811 Author: Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data Remote Observatories for Amateur Astronomers: Using High-Powered Telescopes From Home Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) IAU MPC W54 Equipment Wilderness, VA Mounts: ES PMC-Eight G11 + Telescope Drive Master (TDM) Scopes: ES 165 FPL-53 ED APO CF, ES 102 FCD100 ED APO CF Cameras: QHY174M-GPS + FW, QHY163C Misc: 3-inch 0.7x Focal Reducer Field Flattener, Filters: Luminance, Red, V-band Photometric, Diffuser, 200 lpmm Spectral Grating Software: MaxIm DL 6, Cartes du Ciel, Astrometrica, AstroImageJ, AutoStakkert!
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Re: PMC-Eight for other mounts?
Jerry,
That's an interesting picture. I was trying to figure out why the worm pulley was so small, and then realized that that mount's tooth count explained it. :-)
I would think that selling DIY PMC8 kits for refurbing select mounts from other mfrs, could be a good idea, down the road. Perhaps someday move the motor counts out of the source code and into an external .xml file for both ASCOM and INDI, to facilitate?
- Bob
Mounts: ES PMC-8 EXOS2
Scopes: SV 102EDT, ZWO 60/280 Guide
Cameras: Nikon D5300, Altair GPCAM2-IMX224C
Software: ASCOM, CdC, AstroTortilla, BYN Pro, Sharpcap, PHD2 Computer: Thinkpad x230, Win7Pro/64
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Re: External Power
#EXOS2
#starparty
#TECHNICAL
Skull HQX
Thanks Jerry, It's good to know it has reverse polarity protection. But I'm not going to test it! Last year I blew up a €400 synthesizer because I mistakenly plugged in a feed that actually was 9V center-pin negative. Most guitar fx pedals use 9V center-pin negative and the plug is the same 2.1x5.5mm one a lot electronic music instruments use. Those guitar fx pedals are used with synthesizers btw. I can't play guitar and it even can be argued I can't play keys! But I digress. Strangely my most expensive guitar fx pedal, an Eventide H9 Max, is center-pin positive with a 2.5x5.5mm barrel, but it fits the 2.1x5.5mm plug... So what could possibly go wrong. Yeah, I also managed to blow up that one some time after that first mistake. No working reverse-polarity protection on that thing either! And that is a €700 device. I was mad at myself (something like that never happened to me before in my life) but after ordering a 25ct SMD part I could easily repair it. The synthesizer though... I could bring it back to life (took an ever cheaper part) and even get it to boot, but part of the processor that holds the programming was dead and couldn't hold a reflash. I gave up repairing it. Since then I have color coded all plugs and leads. And never again will assume a device has a robust reverse-polarity protection! :-) Clear skies!
On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 5:37 PM Jerry Hubbell - Explore Scientific VP Engineering <jrh@...> wrote: On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 06:20 AM, Skull HQX wrote:
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Re: PMC-Eight for other mounts?
On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 01:36 AM, Charles Botkin wrote:
I believe that the drive pulses and gear ratios can be adjusted to match almost any mount ? Or did I read the information wrong? Hi Charles, thanks for your question. Yes, the PMC-Eight can be configured and used on any mount as a DIY project. So for the G11 this is: 360 x 1 x 400 x 32 = 4,608,000 total counts. The arcseconds/microstep = 1,296,000 / 4,608,000 = 0.28125 arcseconds/microstep
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Re: External Power
#EXOS2
#starparty
#TECHNICAL
Wes Mcdonald
Pin is positive 12v. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC PMC-8, ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90 Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: External Power
#EXOS2
#starparty
#TECHNICAL
On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 06:20 AM, Skull HQX wrote:
I’m not sure if the mount has a robust reverse polarity protection but you don’t want to find out the hard way!Yes, the mount controller has reverse polarity protection on the 12 Vdc input power. The connector is 2.1 x 5.5 mm with the pin at 12 Vdc. https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=CP-037A-ND Jerry Hubbell Vice President of Engineering Explore Scientific, LLC. jrh at explorescientific.com www.explorescientificusa.com 1010 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762 1-866-252-3811 Author: Scientific Astrophotography: How Amateurs Can Generate and Use Professional Imaging Data Remote Observatories for Amateur Astronomers: Using High-Powered Telescopes From Home Mark Slade Remote Observatory (MSRO) IAU MPC W54 Equipment Wilderness, VA Mounts: ES PMC-Eight G11 + Telescope Drive Master (TDM) Scopes: ES 165 FPL-53 ED APO CF, ES 102 FCD100 ED APO CF Cameras: QHY174M-GPS + FW, QHY163C Misc: 3-inch 0.7x Focal Reducer Field Flattener, Filters: Luminance, Red, V-band Photometric, Diffuser, 200 lpmm Spectral Grating Software: MaxIm DL 6, Cartes du Ciel, Astrometrica, AstroImageJ, AutoStakkert!
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Re: PMC-Eight for other mounts?
Steve Siedentop
The PMC Eight will bolt on to a G-11 with the included mounting plates. If you’re getting a second hand G-11, do yourself a favor and get the one piece worm blocks. You will eventually have to adjust a G-11 and the two piece worm block will be exercise in frustration. The RA extension is really nice also as it lets you separate the mount into two pieces for easier transport. As far as other mounts go, you’ll need to figure out how to secure the motors to the mount. There will be other settings to configure, but I’m not at my desk right now and can’t give you any screenshots. Perhaps Jerry can chime in. A TDM is nice to have but not required. However, if you’re going to do long exposure astrophotography, you’ll need to use an autoguider or a TDM. If your setup will be portable, stick with autoguiding. -Steve
On Fri, Feb 7, 2020 at 6:05 PM Wes Mcdonald <wesmcd6@...> wrote:
--
Mounts: ES PMC-8 G11 with Ruland Couplers and One Piece Worm Blocks, Skywatcher NEQ-6 Scopes: ES ED127CF FCD100, Orion 6” Mak, Stellarvue SV80EDT, Coronado Solarmax 40 Cameras: CentralDS CDS-600, CentralDS Astro 60D, Orion Starshoot SSAG Msc: Moonlite Focusers, Astrozap Dew Straps, Pegasus Ultimate PowerBox Software: PixInsight, Cartes du Ciel, BackyardEOS, SkySafari
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Re: PMC-Eight for other mounts?
Wes Mcdonald
Charles You change the number of pulses per revolution in the app and I think in the ascom driver too.... Why would you buy a exos2-gt and put stepper motors on it and then try to purchase a PMC and interface it etc, when you can purchase the exos2-gt PMC8 as a package? Btw I don't think ES has or sells PMC8 controllers stand-alone. Tell you what. If you want to build something sweet, get yourself an exos2-gt PMC8 and build you and me the spring loaded worm modification I have designed? With that we can reduce the backlash to about zip and probably reduce the PE also. You could source kits for the community. The idea is you modify the existing worm block and machine two slides. The springs and things come from McMaster Carr. It's a snap. If you have a mill. You should probably go private on this if you are interested. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC PMC-8, ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90 Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: External Power
#EXOS2
#starparty
#TECHNICAL
Skull HQX
This will depend on the capability of such a converter. I’ve tested with a big powerbank that has a 9 and 12V output option and that seemed to work. On average the power draw was about 5W nominal if I remember correctly. I’ve also tested with a couple smaller powerbanks and two larger ones, that only have USB out and plugged in a ‘standard’ USB to 12V adapter cable. For some of those powerbanks it would boot the mount and WiFi could be connected. For some that even didn’t work. Working the mount proved unstable or impossible. So the only real option would be a good quality powerbank that has a 12V output that can provide enough (peak) power. Be aware your cable needs to have the correct polarity at the mount. I’m not sure if the mount has a robust reverse polarity protection but you don’t want to find out the hard way! Clear skies. Op za 8 feb. 2020 om 12:07 schreef <johntolliday433m@...>
I see this thread dates back to November but wanted to make a suggestion / query:
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Re: External Power
#EXOS2
#starparty
#TECHNICAL
@JohnDT
I see this thread dates back to November but wanted to make a suggestion / query:
Lithium batteries are affordable (compared to LiFePO4) and small enough to carry onto an aircraft (thinking - solar eclipse trip). The problem is that they discharge reducing their output voltage. My TalentCell 6000mAh is down to 10.4V at 50% charge. Here is a suggestion: Use a Buck Boost converter. These cost around £12 GBP on Amazon plus a small project box to put it in. My question is whether the EXOS-100 PMC-Eight mount is compatible with these converters as they control the voltage by Pulse Wave Modulation. Does anyone know??
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Re: PMC-Eight for other mounts?
I believe that the drive pulses and gear ratios can be adjusted to match almost any mount ? Or did I read the information wrong?
Doing atm work is something I do enjoy, but why would I buy the G-11 kit and not the EZOS2-GT and supply my own motors and brackets ?
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Re: PMC-Eight for other mounts?
Wes Mcdonald
The PMC8 is not integrated to encoders....have to ask Jerry if that is in the cards. The losmandy upgrade employs a TDM to manage the velocity of the shaft and has its own high res encoder not interfaced to the PMC8. At least I believe all of the above is correct. The only magic about putting in a PMC 8 on another scope would be working out the drive chain. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC PMC-8, ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90 Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: PMC-Eight for other mounts?
Skull HQX
I believe ES has a kit to upgrade a Losmandy G11 with PMC-Eight GoTo capabilities. It’s not cheap, but that’s relative. Maybe you could use that? To be honest, what you want to do might be more trouble than it is worth. Unless that is something you will enjoy? Clear skies! Op vr 7 feb. 2020 om 21:47 schreef Charles Botkin via Groups.Io <charlesbotkin=yahoo.com@groups.io>
I am looking at getting the PMC-Eight to convert a non go-to mount into a go-to.
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PMC-Eight for other mounts?
Charles Botkin
I am looking at getting the PMC-Eight to convert a non go-to mount into a go-to.
From what I have read it seems this would be a nice solution compared to building an on-step, but can encoders be used with the PMC-Eight ?
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