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Re: Remote Observational Setup
You’re welcome Doug. Glad you got it sorted out. Also, I can email you my write up with a screen print of the relevant touch points, highlighted. I tried attaching the image to my post but there seems be a size limitation on the attachments. Let me know. Also, interesting comment about your mini PC. I’m a bit wary of the unit and it’s robustness, but at the price point it is worth experimenting with. Did you find a replacement for your seismometer monitoring setup ? Cheers, Peter Mount: EXOS2-GT with Orion Extension pier, Orion SkyView EQ Host platform: Mini PC ‘Minis Forum’ Windows 10 Pro, Intel Celeron quad core, 4GB Ram, 64GB internal storage, 128GB microSD, 128 GB SSD via USB
Location: Sierra Foothills, CA
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Re: Remote Observational Setup
Doug Doonan
Peter,
Thank you very much for your feedback. I have been in contact with Rick B in the ASCOM forum and he pointed out the mistake which was frustrating me. I followed his suggestion and I am now in control of the mount.
Your comment about a mistake you were making in CDC is exactly what I was doing and fixing that as you did solved my problem also.
I will be copying your write up for my records as it is very good.
I am using Device hub in the new version of Ascom so I am not using POTH hub. I think if you wanted to get away from POTH you might just put the device hub in.
Thank you very much for your information
Doug
-----Original Message-----
From: Voyager <pmaks01@...> To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Sent: Sun, Dec 13, 2020 3:46 pm Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Remote Observational Setup [Edited Message Follows]
Doug,Here are some notes and thoughts. Window 10 Pro 64bit
CdC - 64bit - 4.2.1
ASCOM 32bit 6.4.1
Sharpcap 3.2 32bit (Intel Celeron does not support the full instruction set that the 64bit version requires).
PHD2 32bit 2.6.9
Note, I am using ASCOM 6.4.1.
My startup sequence is pretty standard:
1. PMC8 CM:
Select mount type - EXOS22
Find COM
Select/highlight port
Find current connection - Do It
Via ASCOM (Serial) Do It
2. Startup POTH Hub
Assuming you have done the setup for your mount 'Choose Scope' -
- you should have selected ES_PMC8 Telescope from the dropdown list
- click on "'Properties' button - this brings up the driver interface:
- ensure that "Enable Serial Port '' radio button is selected - this could be part of your issue...
3. Once above is setup just 'Connect Scope' from POTH
Also, a mistake that I was making in CdC, Stellarium and SharpCap, All Sky Plate Solver, when setting up the telescope, was to select "ES_PMC8 Telescope" directly rather than "POTH Hub". Once I figured this out all of the software worked pretty much flawlessly with each other. If you select the telescope directly whichever app connects first to the scope, will hold onto it until you explicitly disconnect from that app. Going through POTH Hub now makes sense as it directs traffic between the apps and each of the ASCOM devices. It could be that one of the apps has grabbed the serial port via a direct connection to the mount.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Peter
Mount: EXOS2-GT with Orion Extension pier, Orion SkyView EQ
Scope: ES AR152, ESED80-FCD100, Orion 8” Newt Guide system: Starfield 50mm, Altair GPCAM2 130M Imaging: Canon 6D, T3i, QHY5III462C Software: PMC 8 Manager, POTH Hub, CdC, PHD2, Sharpcap, All Sky Plate Solver, ExploreStars iOS(rarely used), Win Remote Desktop Host platform: Mini PC ‘Minis Forum’ Windows 10 Pro, Intel Celeron based system with 4GB Ram, 64GB internal storage, 128GB microSD, 128 GB SSD via USB
Location: Sierra Foothills, CA
-- Doug Doonan HomeBru 6 inch Reflector f 6.6 HomeBru 85 mm Refractor f 5.6 PMC-8, EXOS 2 Long retired EE.
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Re: Remote Observational Setup
Doug,
Here are some notes and thoughts. Window 10 Pro 64bit
CdC - 64bit - 4.2.1
ASCOM 32bit 6.4.1
Sharpcap 3.2 32bit (Intel Celeron does not support the full instruction set that the 64bit version requires).
PHD2 32bit 2.6.9
Note, I am using ASCOM 6.4.1.
My startup sequence is pretty standard:
1. PMC8 CM:
Select mount type - EXOS22
Find COM
Select/highlight port
Find current connection - Do It
Via ASCOM (Serial) Do It
2. Startup POTH Hub
Assuming you have done the setup for your mount 'Choose Scope' -
- you should have selected ES_PMC8 Telescope from the dropdown list
- click on "'Properties' button - this brings up the driver interface:
- ensure that "Enable Serial Port '' radio button is selected - this could be part of your issue...
3. Once above is setup just 'Connect Scope' from POTH
Also, a mistake that I was making in CdC, Stellarium and SharpCap, All Sky Plate Solver, when setting up the telescope, was to select "ES_PMC8 Telescope" directly rather than "POTH Hub". Once I figured this out all of the software worked pretty much flawlessly with each other. If you select the telescope directly whichever app connects first to the scope, will hold onto it until you explicitly disconnect from that app. Going through POTH Hub now makes sense as it directs traffic between the apps and each of the ASCOM devices. It could be that one of the apps has grabbed the serial port via a direct connection to the mount.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Peter
Mount: EXOS2-GT with Orion Extension pier, Orion SkyView EQ Host platform: Mini PC ‘Minis Forum’ Windows 10 Pro, Intel Celeron based system with 4GB Ram, 64GB internal storage, 128GB microSD, 128 GB SSD via USB
Location: Sierra Foothills, CA
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Re: Remote Observational Setup
Thanks, Wes, Buddy.
The pier is standard Orion stock: 07393 Orion SkyView Pro Telescope Mount Extension @ $99
I had to modify the pier very slightly - drilled/enlarged hole in the base to accept align with tripod head and trimmed the azimuth adjusting shaft on the pier to accept the Exos mount base, all of which took less than an hour. It works very well. Doug, I’ll put together my notes and share, just give me a day or two.
And Wes, thanks again for your support early in the process. Peter -- Mount: EXOS2-GT with Orion Extension pier, Orion SkyView EQ Host platform: Mini PC ‘Minis Forum’ Windows 10 Pro, Intel Celeron based system with 4GB Ram, 64GB internal storage, 128GB microSD, 128 GB SSD via USB
Location: Sierra Foothills, CA
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Re: Remote Observational Setup
The pier caught my eye too. I’d love to add one.
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Re: Remote Observational Setup
Doug Doonan
Hello,
I see you have solved the puzzle of ASCOM6.5 which I have been struggling with for the last couple of weeks.
I have been able to control my EXOS2 mount with the ASCOM6.5 just once!
Since then I get to the very end of the setup and I get an error message "The Ascom driver reports an error: Access to the Port "Com3 is denied" ". I have obviously connected to Com3 in various places during the setup procedure. I don't have anything going on in the background which might disrupt the Com3. I have looked in the ipconfig in the computer, and every thing is OK. So I am stuck until I get a jolt from somewhere.
Would it be too much of a problem for you to send me the steps starting at Ascom Device Hub and getting into your astronomy program. I use CDC. I have no problem with getting through PMC8 Configuration Manager.
I presume you are going from Config Mngr to Ascom Device Mngr to CDC(or equivalent).
Your host platform is one that I was using on monitoring my three seismometers until it gave up the ghost. The wifi stopped working and it would not update. My host platform is a different kind from Amaxon, but the same size and W10 Pro.
Thanks for listening to my tale of woe.
Doug
-----Original Message-----
From: Voyager <pmaks01@...> To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Sent: Sat, Dec 12, 2020 4:40 pm Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] Remote Observational Setup [Edited Message Follows]
Approximately, 4 months after my first successful ASCOM/serial connection to the EXOS2GT, I’ve finally got my rig setup to the point where I want it, for remote imaging.
Unfortunately, now the skies are no longer clear... Ready for Jupiter-Saturn conjunction. I would encourage all to not give up - wonderful and rewarding learning experience. --
Mount: EXOS2-GT with Orion Extension pier, Orion SkyView EQ Scope: ES AR152, ESED80-FCD100, Orion 8” Newt Guide system: Starfield 50mm, Altair GPCAM2 130M Imaging: Canon 6D, T3i, QHY5III462C Software: PMC 8 Manager, POTH Hub, CdC, PHD2, Sharpcap, All Sky Plate Solver, ExploreStars iOS(rarely used), Win Remote Desktop Host platform: Mini PC ‘Minis Forum’ Windows 10 Pro, Intel Celeron based system with 4GB Ram, 64GB internal storage, 128GB microSD, 128 GB SSD via USB
Location: Sierra Foothills, CA -- Doug Doonan HomeBru 6 inch Reflector f 6.6 HomeBru 85 mm Refractor f 5.6 PMC-8, EXOS 2 Long retired EE.
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Re: Remote Observational Setup
Wes Mcdonald
Voyager
Nice setup! Where did you get the pier? I want one!! Wes. -- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: Remote Observational Setup
Approximately, 4 months after my first successful ASCOM/serial connection to the EXOS2GT, I’ve finally got my rig setup to the point where I want it, for remote imaging.
-- Host platform: Mini PC ‘Minis Forum’ Windows 10 Pro, Intel Celeron based system with 4GB Ram, 64GB internal storage, 128GB microSD, 128 GB SSD via USB
Location: Sierra Foothills, CA
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Wes Mcdonald
Joe
No Video that I know of. But the principle is the same. Just tear into it and figure out the screws they move stuff around. The worm end play (axial movement) adjustment with the dime will be the same. Be careful with the dime tho. The collet is aluminum in the exos2 and if it’s the same in the iexos I can tell you it is fragile. But the usual cause of backlash is the mesh of the worm and wheel. If you get the worm block removed you can easily assess the end play. But I would avoid the collet unless it’s really wrong. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Wes Mcdonald
No. The bind comes from the pressure the worm places on the wheel. Take a look at Bob Hoskins document in the files section of the main sub group (I think, maybe the mounts). It addresses adjusting the mesh (and other things) in the exos2. Read it for the sense of what you are trying to do. Then apply the disassembly described in the video with the bits that allow you to adjust the mesh pressure. I am not much help as I have not worked on my iexos, only my exos2. Others have though and hopefully they will chime in.
This is a commonly done adjustment. Don’t worry. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Don Ivie <deiviejr@...>
Is that the part and the end of the video? With the dime?
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Wes Mcdonald
Don
It has bind. Do the adjustment. Not backlash but bind. It should bind when you open it up and turn it by hand. You can feel it. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Don Ivie <deiviejr@...>
Yes, perfectly balanced. I also tried with no load. It got better but still grinds rocks around the same position.
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Wes Mcdonald
Don
I presume you are balanced in RA? If you are very west heavy you could be stalling the motors when moving East Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Don Ivie <deiviejr@...>
So when the RA moves east it starts to grind. West is no problem.
Pic shows the position where the grinding starts. How do I "balance" this? 
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Doug Walker <espmc8@...>
Read all the comments. Sometimes the adjustment with the dime can't be done (it's locked in place.) so you loosen the screw on the back and adjust it there.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
On 12/11/2020 7:57 AM, Wes Mcdonald wrote:
You probably need to do the one at 3:49. And you have to manually rotate the wheel 360 degrees to see where it binds and make the mesh just tight enough. You will have to find the happy medium where the mesh is as tight as it can be without binding at the two (usually) high points (or one) and is not too lose at the low points. It’s a balancing act. --
Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 Canon T1i (no mod) Canon 18-55mm zoom lens Canon 75-300mm zoom lens Astromania 60mm guidescope ZWO ASI 120MC-S Lenovo m93 / Win10Pro NINA, DSS, SiriL, GIMP, Phd2
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Wes,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Is there a video that shows how to adjust to reduce/eliminate backlash on the declination axis? The RA video mentions it can be done, but doesn’t show how. Thanks Joe
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Re: New ASCOM 6.5
Doug Doonan
Hi all,
I think I found my problem. I had the mount running using the ASCOM 6.5 stuff. There are a couple of things that were funny about it, but I will see if they are due to my excitment and/or dumb stuff.
Doug
-----Original Message-----
From: Doug Doonan via groups.io <dougdwd@...> To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Sent: Thu, Dec 10, 2020 8:47 pm Subject: [ESPMC-Eight] New ASCOM 6.5 Hi all,
I am having a tough time using the new ASCOM 6.5 to control my PMC8 exos2 mount. It runs AOK using the old POTH routine, but I would like to get it running on the new ASCOM before the POTH goes down. Is there any one here that can help me? Doug -- Doug Doonan HomeBru 6 inch Reflector f 6.6 HomeBru 85 mm Refractor f 5.6 PMC-8, EXOS 2 Long retired EE. -- Doug Doonan HomeBru 6 inch Reflector f 6.6 HomeBru 85 mm Refractor f 5.6 PMC-8, EXOS 2 Long retired EE.
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Wes Mcdonald
You probably need to do the one at 3:49. And you have to manually rotate the wheel 360 degrees to see where it binds and make the mesh just tight enough. You will have to find the happy medium where the mesh is as tight as it can be without binding at the two (usually) high points (or one) and is not too lose at the low points. It’s a balancing act.
The second adjustment is also sometimes necessary if there is end play in the worm. This allows the work to move back and forth along its axis instead of forcing the wheel to turn. You can observe this when you turn the wheel pulley by hand to where it is moving the wheel in on direction and then reverse the direction while observing the worm movement. It should not translate along its axis. If it does then do the dime adjustment. Wes
-- Wes, Southport NC EXos2-GT PMC-8, iExos 100 ES ED 127, 10" LX200GPS+wedge, Astro-Tech 8" Newt, ETX-90, 60mm no-name guide scope ~ 260mm FL Polemaster, Orion ST-80 and SAG, ZWO 290MM, D5300 astro modified Nina, Bootcamped Mac Mini control computer, RDP to iMAC 110 amp hour lead acid deep discharge battery for field power Electrical Engineer, Retired
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Re: iEXOS-100 worm gear jamming/crunching?
#FIRMWARE
#iEXOS-100
#goto
Matt Hallett
Hi Wes,
Just to be clear, is the bit I would adjust relating to the video at 5:56 (where he loosens/tightens the worm gear shaft with a dime, or the adjustment he goes through at 3:49 with the 3mm and 2mm hex keys? I don't want to go twisting the wrong bolts! --------------------- Mount: iexos-100 with PMC-8 Scopes: Startravel 102 Camera: Nikon D7500 Software: Deep Sky Stacker, Siril, Photoshop
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