Problem with a new SBIG AFW

Hello,

We recently purchased two SBIG filter wheels: AFW-10-50ST and AFW-12-R which we intend to use as a dual filter wheel with a "SBIG USB to FW" device.
I installed the system as instructed in the manuals and was able to make both wheels to work as standalone, and then I combined them into a dual filter wheel and it worked fine from MaximDL (V6.5), identifying all 22 potions I wanted, etc. Also ASCOM Diagnostic was able to connect to the dual filter wheel successfully.
I then left the system for 10 min and then tried to move the filter wheels again (from MaximDL) but it did not move.
I tried to use the ASCOM Diagnostic and it gave me the following error message (see also attached image):

Create Creating device
Connected Connecting to device
Error ASCOM.InvalidValueException: Driver Setup Error: No Filter Wheel was found.
Double check your hardware setup. Please disconnect and verify your virtual slots setup.. Please disconnet and verify your ASCOM Setup and Filter Wheel connection.
at ASCOM.SBIG.USB_FW.FilterWheel.set_Connected(Boolean value)
at CallSite.Target(Closure , CallSite , Object , Boolean )
at System.Dynamic.UpdateDelegates.UpdateAndExecute2[T0,T1,TRet](CallSite site, T0 arg0, T1 arg1)
at ASCOM.DriverConnect.ConnectForm.btnConnect_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\ASCOM Build\Export\ASCOM.DriverConnect\ConnectForm.cs:line 258
Dispose Disposing of device
Dispose Completed disposal
ReleaseComObject Releasing COM instance
GC Collect Starting garbage collection
GC Collect Completed garbage collection

Thus, I separated the dual into the two wheels as standalone and found that the AFW-10-50ST is working fine, but the AFW-12-R is giving the above error message.
I tried both with the same hardware so it could not be a cable issue or a problem with the "SBIG USB to FW" device.
Multiple tries, recycling power, disconnecting and connecting the USB, reinstalling the driver, Checking the slots and ASCOM setups, Checking the hardware connections, All resulted with the above error message.
Also, when plugging in the power the AFW-12-R wheel does not turn to find its home position as it used to do before the problem occurred, and as the AFW-10-50ST (which is working fine) is doing.

Can you please advise on how to solve this problem.

Thanks,
Shai

 

Yes. Actually the second wheel (the upper one) is the AFW-10-50ST and This one is working fine. Of course to check it as standalone I put the switch to 0, but when using it as dual I put the switch to 1.
Thus I never touched the address switch on the AFW-12-R which is the faulty one (and we need to use it as the lower wheel.

 

Interestingly, today the AFW-12-R is initializing and finding home when I plug in the power. I looked under the lid and all seems to me in proper position, motor and sensor board are connected to the main electronic board.
The wheel is turning by hand when the power is off, though at different place around the circle different forces need to be applied by hand, though the difference is not to o significant.

Also today the AFW-10-50ST is giving problems as it does not recognize it has 10 filter positions. See the attached image for the error messages it is giving.

I am really puzzled by this inconsistent behavior from day to day.

 

Maxim DL Pro Version 6.50 (I am operation the camera in simulator mode and only connecting the filter wheel)
ASCOM Platform - 6.6 SP2 - 6.6.2.4195

And, BTW.,
After several tries I got the AFW-10-50ST to work properly (see attached image for the ASCOM Diagnostics which recognize all filters).
The AFW-12-R still gives the error message I mentioned in my first post above.

I also tried to run the two wheels from a different computer with the same software newly installed on it, and got the same error message for the AFW-12-R while the AFW-10-50ST is working fine.

 

I should also note that when powering the wheels and they search the home position sometimes the wheels get stuck, with the motor making noises of trying hard to move. I then have to disconnect the power, move the wheel by hand, and then when powering again it find the home position. When it happened at first I though it is just a hiccup that will not repeat, but it seems to be repeating on random occasions and with both wheels, and with the AFW-12-R it became more severe with time, until it now repeats every few times when power is applied.
One movie which shows a severe incident can be found at http://wise-obs.tau.ac.il/~shai/tmp/wheels/VID-20240808-WA0006.mp4 . I have other movies which shows normal operation at the same web folder http://wise-obs.tau.ac.il/~shai/tmp/wheels/ . I should note that in these movies the USB is not connected to the computer, it is only the power plugged on and off.
Also, the AFW-12-R sometimes finds the home position at position number 12 and not at 1.

 

The AFW-12-R is SN: AFW240306
The AFW-10-50ST is SN: AFW240401
The invoice is from 2024-06-05 and we got them a few weeks ago and I started to test them this week.

 

Thanks Tim.
It seems there is no other choice but to send them to you. Both Wheels are brand new and under warranty, and showing problems before we even mount them on the telescope. They were bought by Haifa University and I will need to consult with them about who will fill the RMA contact form and how to send them back to you, so it will take a few days before we will fill the RMA contact form.
We also will need to know from you exactly what to send back: the accessories we got with the wheels, cables, the SBIG USB to Filter wheel adapter, etc. the whole package that you sent us?

 

The AFW-10-50ST was showing also the same hardware issue but much more rarely, so it was never caught on camera. It had twice the same problem as the AFW-12-50R out of about 100 operations.