SC-3 SN: SC1300M - 2002101 Firmware Ware Version 6 for earlier serial numbers SC3 Control via ASCOM Telescope Mount Mathis 1250 with SiTech Telescope CKD24 Telescope Control via ASCOM Problem - Image from SC3 has a split screen mirrored appearance, (see Picture) like high gain and low gain. The pick Off Mirror has been set into the optical field just before vignetting begins per instructions. Problem - Calibrate AO will not move the mount. ST4 cable is not used. AO settings very aggressive, still no response from mount. Calibration fails. Problem - Calibrate AO fails. Log reports: AO reporting invalid status. Aborting operation. Note - Instructions say that if ASCOM is used, the ST4 cable is not required, so no ST4 cable is connected. 4 Pictures Attached
We're going to need to tackle this in steps, as it seems there are multiple issues at work here. A. Initial Questions 1. What version of MaxIm are you using? e.g. 6.30 2. One of your screen shots is from TheSky X. What version? e.g. 10.5.0 build 13507 is current. 3. Are you using Software Bisque's TPoint telescope pointing modeling software (an add-on to TheSky)? 4. How is your ASCOM mount configuration set up? e.g. is ASCOM Device Hub in the middle? Or the ASCOM Driver for TheSkyX in the middle? or all direct to the SiTech driver? Some examples: a) MaxIm Guider - Control Via - ASCOM - Set to SiTech ASCOM driver b) MaxIm Guider - Control Via - ASCOM - Set to ASCOM for TheSky c) MaxIm Guider - Control Via - ASCOM - Set to Device Hub d) MaxIm Guider - Control Via - ASCOM - Set to MaxPoint If b), which is often used with TPoint, then check you have enabled pulse guiding in the properties of the ASCOM driver for TheSky. BTW if you are running the Bisque ASCOM driver, they updated it 2023-01-05: https://www.bisque.com/downloads/ascom2xmount-adapter-installer-6-2/ This looks like an optical effect, an internal reflection. What's the optical setup - eg focuser/rotator/reducer/field flatener/extension tubes etc. ? Try the basic guiding operation. Start by manually testing that MOVE works. Verify that the mount moves in all 4 directions. Like so: Please confirm the Camera 2 setup has AO on Sensor 1. It's the first sensor on the SC-3 (it only has 1 sensor, unlike self-guiding setups where the guide sensor is the 2nd sensor). Other Tips: In TheSky X, change the "Cross hair update interval" from "as fast as possible" to perhaps 1 second. No point in hammering the SiTech controller with excessive requests.
Beginning with the first problem ; 1.Maxim ver 6.3 2.Sky 10.5.0 12978 updated to 13507 3.No pointing model. MaxDome II Rotation Motor Sensor failed. Replacement is on order. Manual Rotation ok 4. How is it setup, Not sure. I start Telescope Control in TheSky, it starts, the SiTech Panel shows on Screen. If I Disconnect the Telescope thru The Sky, The SiTech Panel remains On, and Tracking. I have to Close SiTech on its own panel. TheSky setup is: The Sky, Mount Setup, Choose Mount, ASCOM Mount, OK Settings, Ascom Telescope Chooser, SiTech DII Telescope, pop up screen says DiTech Setup for ASCOM to SiTechEXE Ver=1.7B SkyX control of the mount appears normal. Home, Park, Go To all work ok Question 1)b Note: Cannot use telescope tonight, hoping for tomorrow night. See if Sky Update changes anything. Note: I just ordered the Rotation Sensor today, shipping FedX express, if the rotation sensor works, I can proceed with Rotation Calibration, Dome Geometry Setup, TPoint. On hold for now. End Updates.
Resume Solving SC3 Problem 6/12/23 Follow up on the SC3 problem I’m trying to get the SC3 guider to work, simplifying things by using just Maxim DL Pro The status of the scope is “tracking” The system is a CDK24, SiTech controller, and Mathis 1250 mount. Aluma 4040, SC3 Guider Test 1 To Setup the 4040 and SC3 I used DL Imaging for the Aluma 4040 DL Config 4040 Selected, and for SC3 - ASCOM / DL Imaging Camera 2 - DL Imaging Setup SC1300 selected. I did this because if I use DL Imaging for the 4040 and the SC3, the connect fails. But using DL Imaging for the 4040 and ASCOM for the SC3, it works without connect fail. Connect camera works normally but the AO does not calibrate. The AO takes images, but won’t move the mount. Test #2 Setting up the Camera on Maxim DL Pro Connecting the Camera and guider both with DL Imaging, DL Imaging + Filter Wheel and SC3, DL Imaging. I connect and get a runtime error in C++, The log file last entry is “Connected to Camera 1 “DL Imaging” (CCDPLUGDLIMAGING.dll V6.30.7.0) Nothing Further. If I remove the SC3, the camera loads properly. DLAPI is 2.7.1.0 The Camera Config DL:Config AC4040 is selected FPGA Rev 14 The SC3 Camera Config DL:Config SC1300 is selected RFGA Rev 6 Correct me if I’m wrong, but the SC3 should work with a scope that is initialized. This scope will goto and track where it is directed. The tracking is OK. Is there some other setup or something that has to be completed before the SC3 will function? I’m guessing that no, nothing further needs to be completed to allow the SC3 to operate. Software Control Profile TheSky connects thru ASCOM to the MaxDomeII TheSky connects thru ASCOM to the SiTech Controller TheSky connects to nothing else PWI3 is directly connected to the Focuser / Rotator, and Fan Controls Maxim DL Pro stands alone, connected directly to the Camera and SC3 I must be overlooking something because the 4040 and SC3 should both be able to connect with DL Imaging Thats what I’m trying to accomplish in solving this problem first, connect the 4040 and SC3 with DL Imaging. Then, test the SC3, after I get the 4040 and SC3 connected properly. Software versions TheSky is 10.5.0 Build 13507 Maxim DL Pro is 6.30 PWI3 is 3.5.5 MaxDomeII is running properly and dome geometry is entered and working. The Mathis Mount is polar aligned. I hope you can help me solve this camera setup problem and get the SC3 working. I have some experience with AO using a ST4000 and a AO8. I used that configuration on a Losmandy Mount for years, so I have some experience with how to use the AO software Thanks Gary Starkweather
Gary, I think something very simple must be wrong. The AO must be physically connected to the SC-3 I2C Auxiliary port, as the SC-3 provides power and control to the AO. MaxIm configuration: Here's what you need to do to configure both the AC4040 and SC3 for use in MaxIm as the main camera (#1) and guide camera (#2) with AO: First, the main camera: Now, the second camera, which is the guider, and has the AO plugged into it: Then you should be able to connect and have everything run properly. Let us know if this works. If you can't get this to work, can we remote into your observatory computer and check settings? We would need to schedule a time that works for both of us.
I think the problem was camera 1 setup, I had AO selected. Oops. Changed that. Camera 2 setup was OK, and the camera connects and captures a picture. I'll test it tonight and see if the AO works. Thanks! Gary