STXL-6303E & FW8G-STXL - after cleaning service, guider is dark during main camera exposure

I'm using the "internal" autoguider in the FW8G-STXL filter wheel. Everything was working great (for hundreds of observing sessions) until I received the unit back from being serviced/cleaned by SBIG. Here's what happens now:

The guiding works very well on its own, but as soon as the main data camera (STXL-6303E) begins to expose, the guider image looks like a dark frame and the guiding fails. The guiding comes right back once the data image completes exposing. Either something is now blocking the light's path to the guider during main camera’s exposure (I don't see how that can be because the shutter is behind the filters which are behind the pick-off mirror for guiding), or else something to do with drivers/software was altered during the service - maybe new firmware was installed on the camera that is no longer compatible with MaxIm DL 5.17?

Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

Thanks, Bill! ... but I actually am using the filter wheel guider as an external guider in dual chip mode. I suspect this issue might have to do with the firmware update. I'm waiting to hear back from the folks at Diffraction Limited about that possibility.

 

Hi Adam,

• sbigudrv.dll: Version = 4.92 Build 1
• stxusb.bf2: Camera Version = Release Version = 1.06
• stxga.bf2: Camera Version = Release Version = 2.49.02
• stx6303.bf2: Camera Version = Release Version = 1.01.05
• stx0340.bf2: Camera Version = Release Version = 1.00.04

I have no way of telling what drivers and/or firmware versions were present when everything was working well.

Also, in case it matters, I am using MaxIm DL 5.17.




Thanks!
- Phill

 

Adam, Doug, Bill:

Is there anything I should do besides try upgrading to the latest MaxImDL? Is returning the camera's firmware to the previous version an option? Everything was working great before the firmware update that was done at the time of the cleaning service.

thanks,
Phill

 

I guess that depends on your definition of long-term. I wasn't planning to upgrade MaxIm DL right now, anyway. I am just trying to put the camera back to work soon and am considering MaxIm DL 6 if that's what's required to sort this out.

 

Okay, great! I don't think I have any way of determining the previous firmware version, though. It would have been whatever was installed when the camera was originally shipped to me in July 2015.