I have an STL 11000m which has done me great service here in UK. The other night, in the middle of a run, the download suddenly gave me no image. Instead I got a uniform background of exactly 2720 counts, with the odd hot pixel at 65258. Bias and dark frames are the same, 2720 plus some hot pixels. Checking the guider chip, that is uniform, but at 65000+. I have the latest SBIG driver. I’ve tried with TheSkyX camera driver, and also with MaximDL...with the same unhappy result. Does anyone know what has happened? Can I fix this end, or is this a matter for Bill in S.Cal?? Thanks, Chris
A couple of suggestions before engaging @Bill to repair the camera. Power everything off, then retry. If that fails, put it on the workbench (kitchen table). Try it with the original power supply. Confirm the filter wheel (if it has the internal one) is rotating. Confirm the shutter is activating.
I’ve now tested as you suggested, Colin. Results: Original power pack working: single green light on camera. Shutter working. Filter wheel working. Weather is now a little warmer at 7C rather than 0C, but no change in download. Apart from the downloads of lights, darks, bias frames now giving me a reading of straight zero everywhere, everything else seems to be working on the camera as normal, incl temp compensation, taking images with either chip etc. Is there a way to “flush” the image buffer? I have .fits samples if they would help diagnostics?
The "straight zero" indicates a hardware failure. The camera will need to go to @Bill for repair. You can contact him by email BILL (at) SBIG (DOT) COM
