Images coming out completely black

Discussion in 'STX and STXL Series Cameras' started by Tim Long, Jan 28, 2019.

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  1. Tim Long

    Tim Long Cyanogen Customer

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    When I started the observatory up today (remotely) MaxIm DL reported that it was unable to connect to the camera. I went on site and had to re-plug the USB connector and I also physically power-cycled the camera at that point.

    Now, the camera connects in MaxIm DL, but all images (ligths and darks) come out completely black, with all pixels having a value of zero. MaxIm actually states a maximin pixel value in the range 43,000 but there is no obvious non-zero pixel in the image. Measuring with the Information tool shows an average/max/min value of zero across the entire image.

    The camera is less than 1 year old, it is an STXL-6303, with FW-8G and AO-X.

    I would expect to see at least some dark current, even if there were a fault with the filter wheel, shutter, AO-X or indeed if the cap were still on the telescope (which it wasn't). So, this does not seem to bode well to me. I would appreciate your help and advice in troubleshooting.
     
    Tim Long, Jan 28, 2019
    #1
  2. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    Are Bias frames like that too?
     
    Colin Haig, Jan 28, 2019
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  3. Tim Long

    Tim Long Cyanogen Customer

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    I've just tried taking a bias frame and yes, all zero.
    --T.
     

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    Tim Long, Jan 28, 2019
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  4. Colin Haig

    Colin Haig Staff Member

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    What happens if you run the SBIG Driver Checker, and check the driver versions, and then check the firmware?

    Sounds like a hardware failure, but maybe something in firmware has been lost. The latter *might* be fixable without sending it in.

    If it is indeed a hardware failure, we'll have to get it in for service.
     
    Colin Haig, Jan 28, 2019
    #4
  5. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    That does sound like a hardware failure, unfortunately. Please contact bill@sbig.com
     
    Doug, Jan 28, 2019
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  6. Tim Long

    Tim Long Cyanogen Customer

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    Driver and firmware update doesn't seem to have fixed it. Does it have to be physically power-cycled for the new firmware to take effect, or does it reboot at the end of the update? (I'm doing this remotely at the moment)
     
    Tim Long, Jan 28, 2019
    #6
  7. Tim Long

    Tim Long Cyanogen Customer

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    OK I've spoken to Bill and I'm sending it in. Bummer.
     
    Tim Long, Jan 28, 2019
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