Connect error, AC4040M + filter wheel

Discussion in 'Aluma AC Series CMOS' started by Eric Dose, Aug 1, 2024.

  1. Eric Dose

    Eric Dose Cyanogen Customer

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2015
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Albuquerque, New Mexico
    My AC4040M + filter wheel + guider has just begun throwing the popup message "Error opening filter wheel / Filter Wheel not connected." when I power up the camera and guider, wait 20 seconds, and try to connect into MaxIm DL. It happens every time, starting last night, after a year of connecting properly. The PlaneWave mount starts up fine before I try to connect the camera. I don't use the guider.

    Upon this failure to connect, the Camera Control > Camera 1 Information box reads: "No camera / SetMinExposure: MinExpos... / Error in camera plugin callba..."; and Camera 2 Information reads "SetMinExposure: MinExpos... / Error in guide camera plugin" The text lines are cut off by the info window as I'm showing. The minimum exposures are not something I can change.

    So later today the observatory staff will check all physical connections--but the odd Camera Information messages tell me that something may be going on with my software / firmware / drivers. Do you have any guidance?

    MaxIm DL Pro 6.50
    DLAPI 2.8.0.0
    AC4040M FPGA Rev 14
    SCE1300M FPGA Ref 7

    Thank you,
    Eric
     
  2. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    Messages:
    10,316
    See if there's a firmware update for the camera. Some of our CMOS models have a firmware update to ensure that the camera doesn't lock up if the filter wheel fails to initialize properly.

    Also check whether the filter wheel is initializing properly, i.e. is doing at least a full rotation and then setting itself to slot 1.
     
  3. Eric Dose

    Eric Dose Cyanogen Customer

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2015
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Albuquerque, New Mexico
    I've just updated firmware, cycled camera power, rebooted PC. DL Config now shows AC4040M FPGA Rev 15. Attempting camera connect yields the same errors and messages with the same timing; no change at all.

    Verifying rotation of filter wheel must wait for observatory staff shift, later today.
     
  4. Eric Dose

    Eric Dose Cyanogen Customer

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2015
    Messages:
    92
    Location:
    Albuquerque, New Mexico
    The filter wheel does show too much resistance at places in its rotation. I would like to have the camera sent to SBIG Service (from Mayhill, New Mexico, USA).

    EDIT: RMA Request is submitted 1715Z today.
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2024

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