Resolved Self guiding

Hello,
I'm new in this group, but I come from SBIG yahoo group. I builded a permanent observatory. My mount is a Losmandy G11, Gemini 1 level 4, with servomotors 6 pin DIN connectors. I own ST402MEC1C/SBIG ST40 + CFW402-BVI/SBIG CWF4 for many years and it is doing a very good job. I work with TheSkyX Pro Camera add-on, CCDOps/CCDSoft. Recently I got a second hand ST-8XE SBIG camera attached to CFW8A filter wheel, with its carrying case that contains many accessories: AO-7, ST-7-RC, 9 pin dual relay ribbon cable, ...I tested the camera and filter wheel works fine with TheSkyX. I downloaded the manual.
Problem:
I'm confused how to connect the camera to the autoguider port of Losmandy using the self guiding of the camera. As the connector of the filter wheel to the camera has a female J11 connection I tried to put a telephonic cable J11 between it and the autoguider port of the mount, but it doesn't work. The same if I use ST-7-RC. I read the manual, surfed the web and found "Application Note Relay Adapter Box" with many configurations, but I think that my mount does not require this adapter box (and I don't have it) because it is a new mount model. Using the ribbon cable attached to the AO/-CF8-SCOPE port of the camera that fit at the same time the filter wheel and the autoguider port with a DB9-J11 cable is the solution?

Luis

 

Luis,

A basic telephone cable will not work. It is usually an RJ-11, a 4 pin connection. You'll need an RJ-12, a 6 pin cable for 2 line phones. Both are same size connectors. It may differ as straight through or pin to pin connections depending on mount or controller connections.

Joe

 

I'm sorry, the cable that I'm used is RJ12, not 11.
Luis

 

Yes, I have the newer version of Gemini that supports TTL output using the TIC-78 cable. The Gemini Users manual, October 2002, 72 pag: "...If your Gemini unit uses DIN connectors for the motors, you can connect TTL output autoguiders directly to Gemini..." But in my hands it dosen't work.

Luis

 

Yes. I use the photographic mode. The connector cable to autoguider port is a RJ12 SBIG cable supply with the camera: a flipped cable . Steps: calibre the mount, look a star, put it in the center, imaging with the ccd imager, grab the star to to verify that the star is there, put the self mode with the same time exposure: black screen without star. Change to other exposure times: not star in the screen to guide. The same with CCDOps, CCDSoft, and TheSkyX. Is it possible that my camera doesn't have the TC237 autoguider ccd or it is broken? How could I know it? The info camera of the CCDOps say that it is normal. I appreciate so much the time that you dedicate to my problem. Thanks.

Luis

 

My camera is ST-8XE without the"I", the serial number doesn't haven any "I", and without thr RGH port.

Luis

 

My doubt is if my camera have the secondary ccd. Infocamera of CCDOs says that it exist. Is it possible to disassemble the camera and verify it and note if perhaps any electronic circuit is broken?

 

Do you mean to disattache the filter wheel and look in?

 

OK. I will try

 

Unfortunatly, the spanish authotities have impose the lockdown to my city for 6 months, Oviedo. Then I can't go to my observatory to look up my camera.
Luis

 

Bill,
Colin had spoken about the cable. It is the John's cable from SBIG and the disposition of the wires is "flipped" as in your picture. I tested without outcome with other cables with the same wire distribution. The result is always a black screen with the square on its center middle. Error message: star too dim. I had used different exposures and brighter stars (even Vega!). As a preacaution, I verify the existence of star in the FOV taking a image before.
Luis