Re: EXOS2 / mount level inconsistent with tripod level?
Jeff Snell
Mine was nowhere close either but that is likely pretty common for small bubble levels like that. They just won't overcome the friction inside the glass without a lot of "tapping." I bought a small 8" builder's level from Lowe's. It sits nicely with the mount attached on a little bit of a ledge along the left side of the mount as you face north. Fits well across the back of the mount too underneath the polar scope. Jeff PMC-Eight w/Explore Stars ES ED80mm APO Celestron 8" Edge HD Canon Ti-5 w/ Spencer Camera Astro-mod Lenovo Serial Connection w/APT, CdC, PHD2, Orion Starshoot Auto Guider, Polemaster
How I did - attach mount head to a tripod, put level on saddle and level it (saddle should be parallel to the ground)
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Re: EXOS2 / mount level inconsistent with tripod level?
How I did - attach mount head to a tripod, put level on saddle and level it (saddle should be parallel to the ground)
Make a dot with a marker on mount's bubble where 'true' level is. -- EXOS2-GT PMC8 Orion150 Mak, Polemaster, ZWO ASI178MM
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EXOS2 / mount level inconsistent with tripod level?
Alex Arjomand
Hi all,
I had a quick question about leveling the EXOS2 mount. I have noticed that if I:
Is this expected (i.e. is the mount on a different plane than the tripod base)? Or should these two be different? Is it better to align using the bubble level or by leveling the tripod? Thank you! Alex -- Mounts: ES EXOS2 PMC-8 Scopes: Celestron C8SE (OTA from Nexstar 8SE), 10" Antares Dobsonian Software: ASCOM / Stellarium / Sharpcap Computer: Lenovo X1 Carbon, Windows 10/64 Cameras: ASI385 Location: Toronto / Bortle 8
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Re: #EXOS2 PMC Control Box makes rattling noises - Crazy?
#EXOS2
Ersin
Thank you for kind and prompt reply Jerry.
According to the previous owner the "set" is from 2019 an he did not mentioned any issues with the mount. Maybe your colleagues in Germany are able to identify the mount with the serial number. Again thank you for your help. Best regards Ersin Gueler
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Re: #EXOS2 PMC Control Box makes rattling noises - Crazy?
#EXOS2
On Mon, Jun 29, 2020 at 08:06 AM, Ersin wrote:
It sounds like a relay which is switching high frequently - any suggestions, firmware update?Hi Ersin, I am sorry you are having this issue. The controller should not be making any noise at all as you noted. Please contact Explore Scientific Germany at https://www.explorescientific.de/kontakt/ They should be able to help you with checking out the PMC-Eight. Do you know how old it is? Do you know if the previous owner registered the system with us? Did they tell you about any problems with the mount prior to you buying it? Thanks, I am sure you will be taken care of. -- 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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#EXOS2 PMC Control Box makes rattling noises - Crazy?
#EXOS2
Ersin
Hello I´m Ersin from Germany and i bought a pre-owned comet hunter and the exos2 pmc mount. After getting the system run (probs with android and missing sqllite/data) i´m pretty happy but the rattling noise coming out of the controller makes me a little bit nervous. It sounds like a relay which is switching high frequently - any suggestions, firmware update?
Thank you for kind help and best regards from Germany Ersin
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Re: #iexos-100 with Starry Night / Mac OS
#iEXOS-100
Chris Tardif
No not Mac....just windows (4ever)
-- Mounts: Explore Scientific IEXOS-100 w Celestron CG5 tripod, iOptron CEM 40 Scopes: Explore Scientific FCD-100 ED-102CF, Various Canon lenses, ZWO mini-guidescope, StarField 60mm guide-scope. Camera: ASI120MM Mini (mono), Altair GPCAM 130 Control PC: Intel NUC Loc: 44 -79
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Re: Crazy Question - What's The Difference Between the PMC8 and a Mini- Computer?
#EXOS2
#OpenGOTO
#TECHNICAL
Darryl Ellis
That does help Robert. I appreciate it.
So now I won't feel guilty when I invest in yet another device for my AP setup, lol. Thanks, Darryl -- DHEllis59, Dover, DE
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Re: Crazy Question - What's The Difference Between the PMC8 and a Mini- Computer?
#EXOS2
#OpenGOTO
#TECHNICAL
Darryl Ellis
Wow, that looks the business Jennifer. Love the dual monitor setup as well.
Yeah, I bought a mini computer off of Amazon which worked well. It had a defective power connection so I returned it. I plan on replacing it at some point, but got distracted and ended up buying a new to me camera. I'll have to look into the Optiplex. Thanks, Darryl -- DHEllis59, Dover, DE
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Re: ASCOM Freezing iEXOS 100 PMC-Eight
jrichard333 <jrichard333@hotmail.com>
Good day ToddB,
A couple of questions/ suggestions: 1. Try running POTH first before starting other applications For the most part, only one connection at a time through POTH. I run a different setup than you. POTH, Stellarium Scope, Stellarium, and APT. When I have POTH connected and APT, I can go back and forth with no issues, when Stellarium scope is active, on the third exchange, POTH crashes. 2. Have you upgraded your mount to the latest firmware? 3. Check and measure your battery voltage to make sure it is above 10.8 volts DC at the lowest. 4. If using your PC, are you running these apps as an Administrator? 5. Do you have enough RAM or hard drive space? 6. Have you downloaded all of the updates for your computer?
ExploreStars App: 1. How much free space do you have available? 2. How many other apps are running in the background? 3. The only issue I have with the Explorestars app is that “9” key. Sometimes it performs an electronic stick and I have to click it again to get it to stop slewing.
Electronic focuser: 1. What software are you using and are you running it as an Administrator? 2. Have you tried running it in compatibility mode?
I am thinking about deigning/ building my own electronic focuser for my Maksutov.
I hope this helps.
JR
From: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io [mailto:MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io]
On Behalf Of ToddB
Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2020 5:28 PM To: MAIN@ESPMC-Eight.groups.io Subject: Re: [ESPMC-Eight] ASCOM Freezing iEXOS 100 PMC-Eight
Thanks, Lloyd.
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Re: ASCOM Freezing iEXOS 100 PMC-Eight
ToddB
Thanks, Lloyd.
I switched back to ASCOM 6.4, and its a little better, but barely. So, here are my steps: 1. Open Carte du Ciel, and hit Connect. This starts POTH automatically. (So, I have POTH connected to the PMC8 driver, and Carte du Ciel connected to POTH.) 2. Then I open the ASI imaging software. That's basically it. If I need to focus, I have to disconnect the mount from POTH, otherwise the focus software immediately causes it to crash. So, I'll focus, then close that software, then connect to POTH via Carte du Ciel. I had the thought today that if the focus software causes it to crash, maybe the imaging software also makes it unstable. If I can get out tonight, I'll try FireCapture. I have to vent for a minute. I've been trying to fix this for months...ever since I got the mount. Even ExploreStars doesn't run all that stable. More than half the time that I try to do a star alignment, it crashes. Sometimes its in the middle of a slew when it crashes, and the slew doesn't stop in that case. I have had to start my nights over several times a night every single night. I'm pretty close to calling it quits. I sincerely appreciate the help.
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Re: How Do I Recover From a RN-131 FACTORY RESET?
#EXOS2
#G11
#TECHNICAL
zeccax@...
Hi Jerry,
Thanks again for your time. Today the new cable arrived. I'm at work at the moment but I will try to connect to it when I'll be home before doing anything else. I will try your procedure if the serial connection can't do the trick. I have read about the reset hardware in the chipset manual using the gpio9 pin and I will use this as last if nothing works. I'll keep you updated. Kind regards, Filippo
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Re: How Do I Recover From a RN-131 FACTORY RESET?
#EXOS2
#G11
#TECHNICAL
Hi Jerry,
Yes I know, that's why I said my serial wasn't working and then I just tried with WiFi before doing a factory reset hoping it would had give me WiFi connectivity back. Now, knowing that I made a factory reset after switching to serial, is that the reason I can't see the internal rn131 ssid? Do a good serial cable going to work to connect to it and set the Es values back? Edit: sorry groups just went into maintainence and I missed your previous post
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Re: How Do I Recover From a RN-131 FACTORY RESET?
#EXOS2
#G11
#TECHNICAL
On Sat, Jun 27, 2020 at 11:28 PM, <zeccax@...> wrote:
Since i couldn't connect INDI drivers to use the mount anymore with the wifi, and the serial cable wasn't working I tried to revert it in WiFi doing the same procedure since i could still see the SSID of the PMC-Eight and i could connect with putty.HI Filippo, I wanted to say here based on your comment above is that the ESX! command must be issued on the CURRENT communications channel to toggle back to the alternate channel. In this case, you had successfully switched from "wireless": to "serial" using the ESX! command on the "wireless" channel. To get back you would have simply connected to the "serial" channel with the terminal program on the com port and issued the ESX! command again to switch back to the "wireless" channel. -- 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: How Do I Recover From a RN-131 FACTORY RESET?
#EXOS2
#G11
#TECHNICAL
On Sat, Jun 27, 2020 at 11:28 PM, <zeccax@...> wrote:
I rebooted the device and now I can't see the internal RN-131 SSID in the wireless connections list. I can't connect to it and perform your procedure to set the values.Hi Filippo, I have a procedure to manually reset the RN-131 module back to the factory defaults again, using the hardware GPIO9 pin (as discussed in the Microchip RN-131 manual) but I am reticent to post it here because there is a fair chance that someone can cause a hardware failure if they are not careful or do not have experience doing this work on electronic circuitry. I want to verify that when you power up your PMC-Eight that 1) There is no SSID that pops up on your network list, and 2) that the system can still communicate via the serial port. I have notes that the SSID that pops up may have the word "save" in the name of the SSID, I am not sure if this is the case for your system. I know you are waiting on a cable to verify number 2 so we can wait for that. In the meantime, if you are comfortable opening up your PMC-Eight, you can still have your controller for use via serial and we can recover your wireless module if you can do the following: 1) Open up the PMC-Eight enclosure by removing the cover 2) Disconnect the antenna cable from the WiFi module daughter board 3) Remove all the DB9 screws (standoffs) from the 3 DB9 connectors (6 in all) this is how the board is mounted in the enclosure 4) Carefully remove the board paying close attention to the antenna cable and connector so that you don't damage them. 5) Pull the WiFi module daughter board from the main PMC-Eight board 6) Carefully place the main board back in the enclosure 7) Line up the connectors and screw holes in the enclosure and put the screws back in the DB9 connectors and tighten 8) Replace the enclosure cover. If you decide to do this, you should first talk to Kent in customer support - service@... +1 (866) 252-3811 to get an RMA# or you can log into our service request webpage at: https://explorescientific.supportsync.com/ and submit a service request. If you submit a service request via our website, put a link to this message thread in the request to document our conversation. Let me know what you decide to do. -- 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: Crazy Question - What's The Difference Between the PMC8 and a Mini- Computer?
#EXOS2
#OpenGOTO
#TECHNICAL
Darryl,
Nothing is missing :-)
Your PMC8 is built around the Propeller chip that Jerry described, and it is a dedicated real-time processor. I'm not aware of anything else like it on the market. No, it's not a general-purpose chip, but it's a fine choice for what he needed it to do.
On top of that, the motor control functions are encapsulated behind an API (the PMC8's control language). So whatever astronomical control program comes down the road, now or later, just write a driver to talk with that documented API and you're good to go.
So yes, the new purchaser does need to have a separate computer to act as an executive for the PMC8, whether for visual or AP, but IMO that's a feature, not a bug. It preserves independence and versatility. Today I use a Win7 laptop and ASCOM for AP, but when that runs out of gas for me, I'll probably end up with a Raspberry Pi and INDI - based solution. And when someone comes up with yet another astro-gadget-management platform, that will probably work, too - because the PMC8 converses with its control programs but is not entangled with them.
Hope this helps... - Bob
Mounts: ES PMC-8 EXOS2
Scopes: SV 102EDT, ZWO 60/280 Guide
Cameras: Nikon D5300, Altair GPCAM2 290M
Software: ASCOM, CdC, AstroTortilla, BYN Pro, Sharpcap, PHD2 Computer: Thinkpad x230, Win7Pro/64
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Re: Crazy Question - What's The Difference Between the PMC8 and a Mini- Computer?
#EXOS2
#OpenGOTO
#TECHNICAL
Daryl:
Below are some pictures of my setup.
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Re: Crazy Question - What's The Difference Between the PMC8 and a Mini- Computer?
#EXOS2
#OpenGOTO
#TECHNICAL
Darryl Ellis
Jerry,
As always i appreciate your responsiveness and detailed, this one being somewhat over my head, answer, lol, but I get the point. I was just wondering because a lot of the components sounded familiar. Also, I have been considering getting a mini computer or something similar to use with my mount, but it just felt redundant. Darryl -- DHEllis59, Dover, DE
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Re: Crazy Question - What's The Difference Between the PMC8 and a Mini- Computer?
#EXOS2
#OpenGOTO
#TECHNICAL
On Sat, Jun 27, 2020 at 10:55 PM, Darryl Ellis wrote:
Help me understand. HI Darryl, What you are asking is why can't the PMC-Eight operate like an Arduino, or Raspberry Pi? The answer is that these processors are not general purpose computers that run an operating system the way we have them configured in the PMC-Eight system. Having said that, the ESP-WROOM-02 can be configured to run the RTOS operating system if one were to load that firmware into the processor. I did not choose this configuration as all we require is to run a wireless protocol stack and serial interface to the Propeller 8-core microcontroller. The Propeller chip has access to only 64 KB of memory space (EEPROM) with 32 KB of firmware loaded from the EEPROM into system RAM (32 KB) when booted. The ESP-WROOM-02 has 4 MB (32-Mbit) of memory space (EEPROM) to load programs and firmware and provides a file system to store data. This is a more sophisticated processor that can approach but not quite be a general purpose computer in operation.
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Re: How Do I Recover From a RN-131 FACTORY RESET?
#EXOS2
#G11
#TECHNICAL
On Sat, Jun 27, 2020 at 06:37 PM, Jerry Hubbell - Explore Scientific VP Engineering wrote:
RN-131 network SSIDHi Jerry, Thanks for your time. Unfortunately I can't see the internal RN-131 SSID in the network list when i scan for wifi connection. I probably didn't explain well in my previous posts, sorry: I performed the command to switch to serial successfully using the same pdf in this part: If you want to change the interface from the default WiFi Port (interface 1) to the Serial Port (interface 0), do the following: NOTE: This assumes that you start with the delivered configuration of the PMC-Eight with the WiFi interface enabled 1. Set your SSID to the PMC-Eight-xx, whatever yours is 2. Using Putty, TELNET into address 192.168.47.1 port 54372. 3. You should be greeted with the *HELLO* prompt of the RN-131 module 4. Enter "###" you should see "Diagnostic Mode Disabled#! 5. Enter "ESX!" and you should see "ESX0!" which says that the interface was switched to the serial port (interface 0) Everything went good and i rebooted. After that, I discovered that any software i tried (indi drivers/pmc8 configurator/parallax/putty) couldn't connect with the serial cable (It's an FTDI USB-RS232 cable and i used FT_Prog to invert the #DTR as instructed in a post i have read to make it work with the pmc-eight. Probably it's a bad cable). Since i couldn't connect INDI drivers to use the mount anymore with the wifi, and the serial cable wasn't working I tried to revert it in WiFi doing the same procedure since i could still see the SSID of the PMC-Eight and i could connect with putty. The *HELLO* appeared but the "###" command wasn't responding so i couldn't revert to WiFi in the same way using the ESX! command. After that I got the stupid idea to do a factory reset thinking that at least it was going to re-enable the wifi interface and that I would have been able to perform the commands (the procedure that you wrote) to set all the ES default values back in the same putty session before losing the connection. Factory reset worked, setting the values didn't. I lost the connection at the first command i entered: "set uart b 115200" I rebooted the device and now I can't see the internal RN-131 SSID in the wireless connections list. I can't connect to it and perform your procedure to set the values. Is there any hope that a working serial cable can do the trick so i can set all the default values without connecting to the RN-131 internal SSID? Filippo
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