FW7 STX Filter wheel sometimes sticks and won't rotate

Discussion in 'Filter Wheels' started by Tim Carruthers, Jun 9, 2016.

  1. Tim Carruthers

    Tim Carruthers Cyanogen Customer

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2015
    Messages:
    49
    Hi,
    I have a new FW7 and STX with AO-X. Sometimes the filter wheel doesn't turn to a selected filter causing images not to be taken in a remote automated operation.

    I have adjusted the tightness of the central pivot a few times, but can't get it correct. Is there a recommended way to do this / troubleshoot this issue?

    Many thanks,
    Tim
     
  2. Tim

    Tim Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    Messages:
    1,841
    How often does this occur? Are you able to reproduce the issue consistently?
     
  3. Tim Carruthers

    Tim Carruthers Cyanogen Customer

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2015
    Messages:
    49
    Hi Tim,
    It only happens very infrequently. When I test it manually with TSX it always moves OK. No, I can't reproduce it consistently. With CCDAP5 using TSX the filter wheel would error just as dawn flats were about to commence.
    When I first got the filter wheel from you recently, the stickiness in rotation was almost all the time, but then I loosened the central pivot and it seemed OK - always moving OK on direct command. BTW, I see the manual for this filter wheel has recently been improved....thanks.

    This is what CCDAP5 reports in it's logs when this happens:

    06:25:28 Rotator moved to: 349.00
    06:25:29 Status code: 0
    06:25:29 Exposure: 9.5, Target ADU: 22000
    06:25:49 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error motor timeout. Error = 31004.
    06:25:49 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:25:51 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:25:53 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:25:53 Exposure adjusted to 104.3 sec.
    06:25:53 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:25:53 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:26:24 Status code: 4
    06:26:24 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:26:31 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:26:31 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:26:33 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:26:34 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:26:34 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:26:35 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:26:35 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:27:06 Status code: 4
    06:27:06 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:27:13 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:27:13 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:27:16 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:27:18 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:27:18 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:27:18 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:27:18 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:27:49 Status code: 4
    06:27:49 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:27:56 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:27:56 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:28:03 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:28:05 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:28:05 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:28:05 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:28:05 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:28:36 Status code: 4
    06:28:36 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:28:43 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:28:43 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:28:51 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:28:53 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:28:53 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:28:53 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:28:53 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:29:23 Status code: 4
    06:29:23 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:30:06 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:30:06 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:30:08 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:30:10 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:30:10 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:30:10 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:30:10 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:30:41 Status code: 4
    06:30:41 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:31:24 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:31:24 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:31:25 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:31:27 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:31:27 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:31:27 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:31:27 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:31:58 Status code: 4
    06:31:58 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:32:40 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:32:40 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:32:52 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:32:53 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:32:53 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:32:53 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:32:53 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:33:24 Status code: 4
    06:33:24 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:34:07 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:34:07 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:34:08 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:34:10 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:34:10 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:34:10 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:34:10 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:34:41 Status code: 4
    06:34:41 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:35:23 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:35:23 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:35:25 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:35:27 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:35:27 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:35:27 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:35:27 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:35:58 Status code: 4
    06:35:58 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:36:40 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:36:40 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:36:48 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:36:50 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:36:50 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:36:50 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:36:50 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:37:21 Status code: 4
    06:37:21 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:38:03 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:38:03 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:38:14 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:38:15 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:38:15 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:38:15 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:38:15 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:38:46 Status code: 4
    06:38:46 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:39:29 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:39:29 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:39:33 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:39:35 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:39:35 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:39:35 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:39:35 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:40:05 Status code: 4
    06:40:05 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:40:48 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:40:48 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:40:55 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:40:57 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:40:57 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:40:57 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:40:57 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:41:28 Status code: 4
    06:41:28 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:42:10 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:42:10 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:42:18 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:42:19 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:42:19 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:42:19 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:42:19 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:42:50 Status code: 4
    06:42:50 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:43:33 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:43:33 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:43:41 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:43:43 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:43:43 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:43:43 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:43:43 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:44:14 Status code: 4
    06:44:14 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:44:56 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:44:56 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:44:58 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:45:00 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:45:00 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:45:00 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:45:00 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:45:31 Status code: 4
    06:45:31 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:46:13 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:46:13 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:46:15 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:46:17 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:46:17 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:46:17 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:46:17 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:46:48 Status code: 4
    06:46:48 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:47:30 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:47:30 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:47:33 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:47:35 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:47:35 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:47:35 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:47:35 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:48:06 Status code: 4
    06:48:06 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:48:48 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: Receive time-out. Error = 209.
    06:48:48 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:48:50 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:48:51 Current ADU: 2,001
    06:48:51 Exposure adjusted to 329.8 sec.
    06:48:51 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:48:51 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:48:58 Session aborting...

    06:49:01


    I am also getting some occasional Camera timeout errors that aren't preceded by a any filter wheel errors - I have posted in the STX section regarding these.

    Many thanks,
    Tim
     
  4. Tim Carruthers

    Tim Carruthers Cyanogen Customer

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2015
    Messages:
    49
    It is still happening. In the slightly colder air of dawn, the flats don't get taken because the filter wheel refuses to move, I think.....It seems to work at all other times OK.

    Please advise.
    Thanks,
    Tim
    See log from CCDAP5 below....You don't allow this type of file to be uploaded/attached??


    06:19:40 Sun Altitude: -8.10, below set value of -8.0
    06:20:41 Sun Altitude: -7.87
    06:20:41 Azimuth null point set automatically to: 248
    06:20:41 Altitude null point set automatically to: 80
    06:21:32 Slewing scope...
    06:22:57 Slewed to RA: 23 56 37.5, Dec: -20 25 47
    06:22:57 Mount settling for 6.0 sec. after slew.
    06:23:06 Dome coupled to telescope
    06:23:09 Dome slewing...
    06:24:00 Telescope RA: 23 56 37.6, Dec: -20 25 48
    06:24:01 Series 1, 5 Exposures, 1x1, Luminance filter
    06:24:01 Exposure 1 of 5
    06:24:02 Rotating to PA: 29E
    06:24:02 Rotator moving to: 28.76
    06:24:22 Rotator moved to: 28.00
    06:24:24 Status code: 0
    06:24:24 Exposure: 9.5, Target ADU: 22000
    06:24:37 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error motor timeout. Error = 31004.
    06:24:37 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:24:38 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:24:40 Current ADU: 1,773
    06:24:40 Underexposed. Retry at 19.0 sec. exposure
    06:24:40 Status code: 0
    06:24:40 Exposure: 19.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:24:47 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:24:47 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:24:49 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:24:51 Current ADU: 1,773
    06:24:51 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:24:51 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:25:21 Status code: 4
    06:25:21 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:25:28 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:25:28 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:25:30 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:25:32 Current ADU: 1,773
    06:25:32 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:25:32 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:26:03 Status code: 4
    06:26:03 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:26:10 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:26:10 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:26:12 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:26:13 Current ADU: 1,773
    06:26:13 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:26:13 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:26:44 Status code: 4
    06:26:44 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:26:51 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:26:51 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:26:53 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:26:55 Current ADU: 1,773
    06:26:55 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:26:55 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:27:26 Status code: 4
    06:27:26 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:27:33 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:27:33 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:27:34 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
    06:27:36 Current ADU: 1,773
    06:27:36 Too dark. Needed exposure is above the maximum of 30 sec.
    06:27:36 Try again in 30 sec.
    06:28:07 Status code: 4
    06:28:07 Exposure: 30.0, Target ADU: 22000
    06:28:14 I:TI1, CCDSoft2XAdaptor.CCDSoft5Camera.1: SBIG driver: CFW error busy. Error = 31001.
    06:28:14 Sending email (100 sec. timeout)...
    06:28:25 Sent message: Take image failed. Send successful
     
  5. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2014
    Messages:
    7,379
    Location:
    Earth
    Tim, I think you can zip the file prior to upload, and it will accept it.
     
  6. Tim Carruthers

    Tim Carruthers Cyanogen Customer

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2015
    Messages:
    49
    OK...thanks for letting me know about that.
    Cheers,
    Tim
     
  7. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    Messages:
    9,932
    It should not be a critical adjustment. There is a pair of bearings, which are tensioned by spring washers under the pivot.

    Is the carousel held firmly vertically, or is it easy to push the wheel down?
     
  8. Tim Carruthers

    Tim Carruthers Cyanogen Customer

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2015
    Messages:
    49
    Hi Doug,

    I went out to the remote site last weekend and was able to reproduce the failure of the filter wheel to rotate to the requested filter, but only when the scope was pointing near the zenith, such as when taking sky flats....this suggested to me that the issue was indeed a mechanical one, so in the absence of any guidance from your technical staff on this forum, I experimented with loosening and then tightening the circular silver central pivot wheel that seemed to tighten or loosen the wheels movement on the axis. Loosening made the problem worse, but tightening the central axis assembly seemed to abate the adverse behavior.....the wheel was indeed easily wobbled back and forth at the wheel's edge prior to the final adjustment. With three sky flats sessions since (touch wood!) there has been no filter wheel errors reported.

    Many thanks,
    Tim
     

Share This Page