1. main@ap-gto.groups.io
  2. Messages
   Date   
Re: Broken clutch knob

steve_dashiell <dashiellyg1@...>
 

The risk with this approach is that if any of the glue gets into the
threads of the broken off stub, it could end up acting like a thread
locker, making the broken piece difficult to remove at all, even with
proper equipment.

Steve

--- In ap-gto@..., "Bryon Schwartz" <bryonnmissy@...> wrote:


If the screw part that is still in the mount is not stripped or
jammed into the thread wall maybe try crazy glueing, or some other
strong epoxy, the knob back onto the bolt and let it set for maybe a
day and then try twisting it out SLOWLY. This might work ONLY if the
remaining part of the bolt is not jammed or stripped into the screw
walls.

Just my $.02 and can't hurt to try. The only thing that could happen
is the bolt will shear again at the point where you glued it.

Bryon

--- In ap-gto@..., "Peter Santangeli" <peter@> wrote:


Indeed the problem is bad... that part I'm holding is supposed to be
at least 3/4 of an inch long. The rest is in the mount.

Pete
Re: Broken clutch knob

Bryon Schwartz <bryonnmissy@...>
 

If the screw part that is still in the mount is not stripped or
jammed into the thread wall maybe try crazy glueing, or some other
strong epoxy, the knob back onto the bolt and let it set for maybe a
day and then try twisting it out SLOWLY. This might work ONLY if the
remaining part of the bolt is not jammed or stripped into the screw
walls.

Just my $.02 and can't hurt to try. The only thing that could happen
is the bolt will shear again at the point where you glued it.

Bryon

--- In ap-gto@..., "Peter Santangeli" <peter@...> wrote:


Indeed the problem is bad... that part I'm holding is supposed to be
at least 3/4 of an inch long. The rest is in the mount.

Pete
Re: Error in AP driver

Yves Laroche
 

Sorry Ajai, i complety forgot to mention that i'm using CP3 controller.

----- Original Message -----
From: Ajai Sehgal
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 4:57 PM
Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver


Yup. If you have a CP1 or CP2 controller, never use the Horizon Check. It
is broken in the firmware.

Ajai

_____

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of
yves laroche
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 11:48 AM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver

Hi Ajai,

I've got plenty of synchronization problem last summer until i decided to
uncheck the Use Horizon Check feature in your driver. I was able to slew to
objects when they were on the same meridian side but when they passed the
meridian, the mount tried to go upside down at each try. I've got this
problem on several nights until i decided to investigate and found that the
Use Horizon Check feature was causing the behavior . This feature was
checked during the last winter without any problem but the problem appeared
after daylight saving change. I'm running AP ASCOM version 4.1.25 and
helper2.dll is installed.

Maybe it's related or not with this thread bot i prefer to let you
know...just in case.

Yves

----- Original Message -----
From: Ajai Sehgal
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 1:23 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver

I have looked at the code and can't see anything that would cause
this. The code is common to all the drivers that I write and so far
no issues have been reported. Here is the code. If someone can spot
the error I am will certainly fix it:

'Get the longitude from the AP and convert it to degress
SiteLongitude = -m_Util.DMSToDegrees(CommandString("Gg"))

' Convert from AP 0-359 westward to ASCOM format +/- 180 +E
If SiteLongitude < -180# Then SiteLongitude = SiteLongitude + 360#

This is the entire AP documentation on the topic (leaves quite a bit
to be desired - as you can see is is VERY open to interpretation:

Command: :Gg#
Response: +DDD*MM# or +DDD*MM:SS# if long format
Gets the current longitude.

It would be helpful if you could send me a serial trace of what the
AP is reporting back when you query the longitude when east (I can't
get to my AP right now because it is in a dome and it is pouring rain
here - can't open the dome to get in - remote computer shut itself
down - sigh).

Please ensure that you have the updated helper2.dll installed from
the ASCOM site. This is required as the old version had a bug in it.

Ajai

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com, "Chuck
Faranda" <mail_lists2@...>
wrote:
>
> FYI: Ajai is investigating the issue and will report ASAP.
>
> Regards,
> Chuck Faranda
> http://ccdastro. <http://ccdastro.net> net
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> I am running the latest driver for AP GTO mounts (4.1.25)
> >> under ASCOM 4. My mount is a Mach1.
> >> The reported site information is incorrect: after a Get
> >> Lat/Long is done, I get a correct value for Latitude, but
> >> Longitude is wrong:
> >> it reports
> >> E 4 10.00
> >> instead of
> >> E 5 50.00
> >> I checked the AP keypad: it's OK there.
> >> So I suspect a wrong conversion... possibly for all of us
> >> sitting E of Greenwich...
>

__________ NOD32 2724 (20071214) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset. <http://www.eset.com> com









__________ NOD32 2724 (20071214) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com
Re: Broken clutch knob

Dean S
 

I would take it to a shop that can do bolt extractions. I use a guy that has a wire EDM (??) machine I think it is called and he burns them out. But this is with steel cutter heads so not sure if doing this in alum is ok but they would know. I would not want to risk screwing up my mount doing it myself.

You might also try to see if it by chance is a already loose by gluing something to it and see if it will turn.

Good luck.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Santangeli" <peter@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 5:13 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Broken clutch knob



Indeed the problem is bad... that part I'm holding is supposed to be
at least 3/4 of an inch long. The rest is in the mount.

Pete

--- In ap-gto@..., "Rick K" <JunkMailGoesHere@...> wrote:

I am totally confused. If this is the problem, toss it in the garbage
and order a new one from AP on Monday.

I thought you were talking about the mount having a problem with a
broken off threaded section in the mount itself. That is serious and
is what a picture of would be worth a 1000 words.

Rick.


--- In ap-gto@..., "Peter Santangeli" <peter@> wrote:


Maybe a picture is indeed worth 1000 words... Here is a shot of the
broken knob:

http://www.santangeli.net/knob.jpg

As you can see, the device is actually a hollow threaded aluminum tube
with the knob part screwed into it. The walls of the tube are not that
thick, but should take quite a bit of torque without breaking. All I
can assume is that the knob got banged longitudinally somehow, and the
tube broke.

The rest of the tube (with the "outer" thread) is unfortunately still
in the mount.

Pete


--- In ap-gto@..., Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@> wrote:

My experience using Eazy Outs on exhaust studs on cylinder heads
has
not been good. I know that the telescope situation is different.
What is the diameter of screw? As long as you are sure that screw
isn't cross-threaded, you should be alright but every-time I've
used
one, I have gone in with the assumption that I will have to take
the
head to a machine shop to drill out the stud and the broken,
hardened
steel Easy Out.
Good luck.
Greg
On Dec 15, 2007, at 2:01, Peter Santangeli wrote:


Good suggestion. I was thinking about something like this.

Pete

--- In ap-gto@..., kawasaki99@ wrote:

Hello Strong Man,
Local hardware store ought to sell an (easy-out)
which is a
sort of a left hand thread tap and the proper size pilot drill
for the
easy-out. If it's only hand tight to ought to come out. Have an
assistant hold a
vacuum cleaner hose close to broken screw while drilling the
pilot
hole to
capture any small chips. A small center drill or sharp prick
punch
may be necessary
to ensure the pilot drill puts the hole close to the true
center of
the
broken screw. Sounds like a lot but it's generally easy.



**************************************See AOL's top rated
recipes
(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)








To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list
see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gto
Yahoo! Groups Links





--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.17.2/1185 - Release Date: 12/15/2007 12:00 PM
Re: Broken clutch knob

Peter Santangeli
 

Indeed the problem is bad... that part I'm holding is supposed to be
at least 3/4 of an inch long. The rest is in the mount.

Pete

--- In ap-gto@..., "Rick K" <JunkMailGoesHere@...> wrote:

I am totally confused. If this is the problem, toss it in the garbage
and order a new one from AP on Monday.

I thought you were talking about the mount having a problem with a
broken off threaded section in the mount itself. That is serious and
is what a picture of would be worth a 1000 words.

Rick.


--- In ap-gto@..., "Peter Santangeli" <peter@> wrote:


Maybe a picture is indeed worth 1000 words... Here is a shot of the
broken knob:

http://www.santangeli.net/knob.jpg

As you can see, the device is actually a hollow threaded aluminum tube
with the knob part screwed into it. The walls of the tube are not that
thick, but should take quite a bit of torque without breaking. All I
can assume is that the knob got banged longitudinally somehow, and the
tube broke.

The rest of the tube (with the "outer" thread) is unfortunately still
in the mount.

Pete


--- In ap-gto@..., Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@> wrote:

My experience using Eazy Outs on exhaust studs on cylinder heads
has
not been good. I know that the telescope situation is different.
What is the diameter of screw? As long as you are sure that screw
isn't cross-threaded, you should be alright but every-time I've
used
one, I have gone in with the assumption that I will have to take
the
head to a machine shop to drill out the stud and the broken,
hardened
steel Easy Out.
Good luck.
Greg
On Dec 15, 2007, at 2:01, Peter Santangeli wrote:


Good suggestion. I was thinking about something like this.

Pete

--- In ap-gto@..., kawasaki99@ wrote:

Hello Strong Man,
Local hardware store ought to sell an (easy-out)
which is a
sort of a left hand thread tap and the proper size pilot drill
for the
easy-out. If it's only hand tight to ought to come out. Have an
assistant hold a
vacuum cleaner hose close to broken screw while drilling the
pilot
hole to
capture any small chips. A small center drill or sharp prick
punch
may be necessary
to ensure the pilot drill puts the hole close to the true
center of
the
broken screw. Sounds like a lot but it's generally easy.



**************************************See AOL's top rated
recipes
(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Error in AP driver

Ajai Sehgal
 

Yup. If you have a CP1 or CP2 controller, never use the Horizon Check. It
is broken in the firmware.

Ajai

_____

From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of
yves laroche
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 11:48 AM
To: ap-gto@...
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver



Hi Ajai,

I've got plenty of synchronization problem last summer until i decided to
uncheck the Use Horizon Check feature in your driver. I was able to slew to
objects when they were on the same meridian side but when they passed the
meridian, the mount tried to go upside down at each try. I've got this
problem on several nights until i decided to investigate and found that the
Use Horizon Check feature was causing the behavior . This feature was
checked during the last winter without any problem but the problem appeared
after daylight saving change. I'm running AP ASCOM version 4.1.25 and
helper2.dll is installed.

Maybe it's related or not with this thread bot i prefer to let you
know...just in case.

Yves

----- Original Message -----
From: Ajai Sehgal
To: ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 1:23 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver

I have looked at the code and can't see anything that would cause
this. The code is common to all the drivers that I write and so far
no issues have been reported. Here is the code. If someone can spot
the error I am will certainly fix it:

'Get the longitude from the AP and convert it to degress
SiteLongitude = -m_Util.DMSToDegrees(CommandString("Gg"))

' Convert from AP 0-359 westward to ASCOM format +/- 180 +E
If SiteLongitude < -180# Then SiteLongitude = SiteLongitude + 360#

This is the entire AP documentation on the topic (leaves quite a bit
to be desired - as you can see is is VERY open to interpretation:

Command: :Gg#
Response: +DDD*MM# or +DDD*MM:SS# if long format
Gets the current longitude.

It would be helpful if you could send me a serial trace of what the
AP is reporting back when you query the longitude when east (I can't
get to my AP right now because it is in a dome and it is pouring rain
here - can't open the dome to get in - remote computer shut itself
down - sigh).

Please ensure that you have the updated helper2.dll installed from
the ASCOM site. This is required as the old version had a bug in it.

Ajai

--- In ap-gto@yahoogroups. <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> com, "Chuck
Faranda" <mail_lists2@...>
wrote:

FYI: Ajai is investigating the issue and will report ASAP.

Regards,
Chuck Faranda
http://ccdastro. <http://ccdastro.net> net

----- Original Message -----
I am running the latest driver for AP GTO mounts (4.1.25)
under ASCOM 4. My mount is a Mach1.
The reported site information is incorrect: after a Get
Lat/Long is done, I get a correct value for Latitude, but
Longitude is wrong:
it reports
E 4 10.00
instead of
E 5 50.00
I checked the AP keypad: it's OK there.
So I suspect a wrong conversion... possibly for all of us
sitting E of Greenwich...
__________ NOD32 2724 (20071214) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset. <http://www.eset.com> com
Re: what's the best software package to automate a remote observatory wi

Richard Crisp
 

thanks for the reply Paul

does it also control the aximuth for a dome?

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Mortfield
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 12:22 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re:what's the best software package to automate a remote observatory wi


Richard,
Maxim 4.x (or CCDSoft) + CCDAutoPilot3. Works flawlessly night
after night after night after night all from thousands of miles away.
Including darks, flats and opening/closing the roof. Multi-targets,
meridian flips, camera rotation, and focus. also integrates with the
Boltwood Cloud sensor. Perfect for setting up the run, and off to
sleep knowing its all getting done, and will be parked and closed
down in the morning.

For Comets and asteroids (long target list generated from TheSky
database), I use CCDCommander to grab these images for
photometry/astrometry work. Its easier to integrate a long target
list with this arrangement. also the fact that it'll grab latest
coords for these moving targets.

...paul.
Re: Error in AP driver

Chuck Faranda <mail_lists2@...>
 

http://www.astro-physics.com/tech_support/mounts/protocol-D.pdf

----- Original Message -----
From: Bryan Henry
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 4:37 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver


--- In ap-gto@..., "Chuck Faranda" <mail_lists2@...>
wrote:
>
> The command protocol docs state that there are known issues with
these commands in CP1 & 2. Here's the language in the doc: ' Note
for versions D, KD, E, KE, E1 and KE1: The horizon check command does
not work properly. It does work properly in versions C and KC.' I
haven't a clue to what 'doesn't work properly' means though.
However, this does implies it works with all versions of
CP3......but, I don't see a way to query for the CP model so there's
no way for the SW to be choosy that I can find. I suppose it is up
to the end user to determine if they can use this feature based on
the hardware they own.
>
> I don't think this is related to what you have reported with the
site longitude.
>
> Chuck

Which command protocol doc talks about the horizon check not working?
Mine does not work but I figured that out the hard way and ended up
implementing this function on my own.

Bryan
Re: Error in AP driver

planetary_hunter
 

--- In ap-gto@..., "Chuck Faranda" <mail_lists2@...>
wrote:

The command protocol docs state that there are known issues with
these commands in CP1 & 2. Here's the language in the doc: ' Note
for versions D, KD, E, KE, E1 and KE1: The horizon check command does
not work properly. It does work properly in versions C and KC.' I
haven't a clue to what 'doesn't work properly' means though.
However, this does implies it works with all versions of
CP3......but, I don't see a way to query for the CP model so there's
no way for the SW to be choosy that I can find. I suppose it is up
to the end user to determine if they can use this feature based on
the hardware they own.

I don't think this is related to what you have reported with the
site longitude.

Chuck
Which command protocol doc talks about the horizon check not working?
Mine does not work but I figured that out the hard way and ended up
implementing this function on my own.

Bryan
Re: Error in AP driver

Chuck Faranda <mail_lists2@...>
 

The command protocol docs state that there are known issues with these commands in CP1 & 2. Here's the language in the doc: ' Note for versions D, KD, E, KE, E1 and KE1: The horizon check command does not work properly. It does work properly in versions C and KC.' I haven't a clue to what 'doesn't work properly' means though. However, this does implies it works with all versions of CP3......but, I don't see a way to query for the CP model so there's no way for the SW to be choosy that I can find. I suppose it is up to the end user to determine if they can use this feature based on the hardware they own.

I don't think this is related to what you have reported with the site longitude.

Chuck

----- Original Message -----
From: yves laroche
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 2:47 PM
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver


Hi Ajai,

I've got plenty of synchronization problem last summer until i decided to uncheck the Use Horizon Check feature in your driver. I was able to slew to objects when they were on the same meridian side but when they passed the meridian, the mount tried to go upside down at each try. I've got this problem on several nights until i decided to investigate and found that the Use Horizon Check feature was causing the behavior . This feature was checked during the last winter without any problem but the problem appeared after daylight saving change. I'm running AP ASCOM version 4.1.25 and helper2.dll is installed.

Maybe it's related or not with this thread bot i prefer to let you know...just in case.

Yves

----- Original Message -----
From: Ajai Sehgal
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 1:23 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver

I have looked at the code and can't see anything that would cause
this. The code is common to all the drivers that I write and so far
no issues have been reported. Here is the code. If someone can spot
the error I am will certainly fix it:

'Get the longitude from the AP and convert it to degress
SiteLongitude = -m_Util.DMSToDegrees(CommandString("Gg"))

' Convert from AP 0-359 westward to ASCOM format +/- 180 +E
If SiteLongitude < -180# Then SiteLongitude = SiteLongitude + 360#

This is the entire AP documentation on the topic (leaves quite a bit
to be desired - as you can see is is VERY open to interpretation:

Command: :Gg#
Response: +DDD*MM# or +DDD*MM:SS# if long format
Gets the current longitude.

It would be helpful if you could send me a serial trace of what the
AP is reporting back when you query the longitude when east (I can't
get to my AP right now because it is in a dome and it is pouring rain
here - can't open the dome to get in - remote computer shut itself
down - sigh).

Please ensure that you have the updated helper2.dll installed from
the ASCOM site. This is required as the old version had a bug in it.

Ajai

--- In ap-gto@..., "Chuck Faranda" <mail_lists2@...>
wrote:
>
> FYI: Ajai is investigating the issue and will report ASAP.
>
> Regards,
> Chuck Faranda
> http://ccdastro.net
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> I am running the latest driver for AP GTO mounts (4.1.25)
> >> under ASCOM 4. My mount is a Mach1.
> >> The reported site information is incorrect: after a Get
> >> Lat/Long is done, I get a correct value for Latitude, but
> >> Longitude is wrong:
> >> it reports
> >> E 4 10.00
> >> instead of
> >> E 5 50.00
> >> I checked the AP keypad: it's OK there.
> >> So I suspect a wrong conversion... possibly for all of us
> >> sitting E of Greenwich...
>

__________ NOD32 2724 (20071214) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com
Re: what's the best software package to automate a remote observatory wi

Paul M
 

Richard,
Maxim 4.x (or CCDSoft) + CCDAutoPilot3. Works flawlessly night after night after night after night all from thousands of miles away. Including darks, flats and opening/closing the roof. Multi-targets, meridian flips, camera rotation, and focus. also integrates with the Boltwood Cloud sensor. Perfect for setting up the run, and off to sleep knowing its all getting done, and will be parked and closed down in the morning.

For Comets and asteroids (long target list generated from TheSky database), I use CCDCommander to grab these images for photometry/astrometry work. Its easier to integrate a long target list with this arrangement. also the fact that it'll grab latest coords for these moving targets.

...paul.
Re: Broken clutch knob

observe_m13
 

Stainless steel is notoriously difficult to drill. It will be hard,
and compared to the surrounding aluminum it will be extremely hard.
That is why an "easy-out" is anything but in this situation. Drilling
a small hole in the exact center of a small diameter stainless bolt
stub for a very small easy out is going to be extremely difficult and
require precise alignments, centering, and a great deal of care. If
this is the case, I would definitely leave it to the professionals.

Rick.

--- In ap-gto@..., "Bob Olson" <r.olson@...> wrote:

Hi Pete,

Be very careful that the pilot drill doesn't wander off the hard
clutch screw and into the soft aluminium casting. I believe the
clutch screw is stainless steel and it might work harden when it is
being drilled. You might want to consider having a machine shop do
the job.

I think that you can use the mount as it is, so you might want to
wait until the AP folks get back from their Christmas holidays, and
then check with them.

Bob

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Broken clutch knob

observe_m13
 

I am totally confused. If this is the problem, toss it in the garbage
and order a new one from AP on Monday.

I thought you were talking about the mount having a problem with a
broken off threaded section in the mount itself. That is serious and
is what a picture of would be worth a 1000 words.

Rick.


--- In ap-gto@..., "Peter Santangeli" <peter@...> wrote:


Maybe a picture is indeed worth 1000 words... Here is a shot of the
broken knob:

http://www.santangeli.net/knob.jpg

As you can see, the device is actually a hollow threaded aluminum tube
with the knob part screwed into it. The walls of the tube are not that
thick, but should take quite a bit of torque without breaking. All I
can assume is that the knob got banged longitudinally somehow, and the
tube broke.

The rest of the tube (with the "outer" thread) is unfortunately still
in the mount.

Pete


--- In ap-gto@..., Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@> wrote:

My experience using Eazy Outs on exhaust studs on cylinder heads has
not been good. I know that the telescope situation is different.
What is the diameter of screw? As long as you are sure that screw
isn't cross-threaded, you should be alright but every-time I've used
one, I have gone in with the assumption that I will have to take the
head to a machine shop to drill out the stud and the broken,
hardened
steel Easy Out.
Good luck.
Greg
On Dec 15, 2007, at 2:01, Peter Santangeli wrote:


Good suggestion. I was thinking about something like this.

Pete

--- In ap-gto@..., kawasaki99@ wrote:

Hello Strong Man,
Local hardware store ought to sell an (easy-out)
which is a
sort of a left hand thread tap and the proper size pilot drill
for the
easy-out. If it's only hand tight to ought to come out. Have an
assistant hold a
vacuum cleaner hose close to broken screw while drilling the pilot
hole to
capture any small chips. A small center drill or sharp prick punch
may be necessary
to ensure the pilot drill puts the hole close to the true
center of
the
broken screw. Sounds like a lot but it's generally easy.



**************************************See AOL's top rated recipes
(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Error in AP driver

Yves Laroche
 

Hi Ajai,

I've got plenty of synchronization problem last summer until i decided to uncheck the Use Horizon Check feature in your driver. I was able to slew to objects when they were on the same meridian side but when they passed the meridian, the mount tried to go upside down at each try. I've got this problem on several nights until i decided to investigate and found that the Use Horizon Check feature was causing the behavior . This feature was checked during the last winter without any problem but the problem appeared after daylight saving change. I'm running AP ASCOM version 4.1.25 and helper2.dll is installed.

Maybe it's related or not with this thread bot i prefer to let you know...just in case.

Yves

----- Original Message -----
From: Ajai Sehgal
To: ap-gto@...
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 1:23 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Error in AP driver


I have looked at the code and can't see anything that would cause
this. The code is common to all the drivers that I write and so far
no issues have been reported. Here is the code. If someone can spot
the error I am will certainly fix it:

'Get the longitude from the AP and convert it to degress
SiteLongitude = -m_Util.DMSToDegrees(CommandString("Gg"))

' Convert from AP 0-359 westward to ASCOM format +/- 180 +E
If SiteLongitude < -180# Then SiteLongitude = SiteLongitude + 360#

This is the entire AP documentation on the topic (leaves quite a bit
to be desired - as you can see is is VERY open to interpretation:

Command: :Gg#
Response: +DDD*MM# or +DDD*MM:SS# if long format
Gets the current longitude.

It would be helpful if you could send me a serial trace of what the
AP is reporting back when you query the longitude when east (I can't
get to my AP right now because it is in a dome and it is pouring rain
here - can't open the dome to get in - remote computer shut itself
down - sigh).

Please ensure that you have the updated helper2.dll installed from
the ASCOM site. This is required as the old version had a bug in it.

Ajai

--- In ap-gto@..., "Chuck Faranda" <mail_lists2@...>
wrote:
>
> FYI: Ajai is investigating the issue and will report ASAP.
>
> Regards,
> Chuck Faranda
> http://ccdastro.net
>
> > ----- Original Message -----
> >> I am running the latest driver for AP GTO mounts (4.1.25)
> >> under ASCOM 4. My mount is a Mach1.
> >> The reported site information is incorrect: after a Get
> >> Lat/Long is done, I get a correct value for Latitude, but
> >> Longitude is wrong:
> >> it reports
> >> E 4 10.00
> >> instead of
> >> E 5 50.00
> >> I checked the AP keypad: it's OK there.
> >> So I suspect a wrong conversion... possibly for all of us
> >> sitting E of Greenwich...
>





__________ NOD32 2724 (20071214) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.
http://www.eset.com
Re: Error in AP driver

Ajai Sehgal
 

I have looked at the code and can't see anything that would cause
this. The code is common to all the drivers that I write and so far
no issues have been reported. Here is the code. If someone can spot
the error I am will certainly fix it:

'Get the longitude from the AP and convert it to degress
SiteLongitude = -m_Util.DMSToDegrees(CommandString("Gg"))

' Convert from AP 0-359 westward to ASCOM format +/- 180 +E
If SiteLongitude < -180# Then SiteLongitude = SiteLongitude + 360#

This is the entire AP documentation on the topic (leaves quite a bit
to be desired - as you can see is is VERY open to interpretation:

Command: :Gg#
Response: +DDD*MM# or +DDD*MM:SS# if long format
Gets the current longitude.

It would be helpful if you could send me a serial trace of what the
AP is reporting back when you query the longitude when east (I can't
get to my AP right now because it is in a dome and it is pouring rain
here - can't open the dome to get in - remote computer shut itself
down - sigh).

Please ensure that you have the updated helper2.dll installed from
the ASCOM site. This is required as the old version had a bug in it.

Ajai

--- In ap-gto@..., "Chuck Faranda" <mail_lists2@...>
wrote:

FYI: Ajai is investigating the issue and will report ASAP.

Regards,
Chuck Faranda
http://ccdastro.net

----- Original Message -----
I am running the latest driver for AP GTO mounts (4.1.25)
under ASCOM 4. My mount is a Mach1.
The reported site information is incorrect: after a Get
Lat/Long is done, I get a correct value for Latitude, but
Longitude is wrong:
it reports
E 4 10.00
instead of
E 5 50.00
I checked the AP keypad: it's OK there.
So I suspect a wrong conversion... possibly for all of us
sitting E of Greenwich...
Re: Broken clutch knob

Joe Zeglinski
 

Hi Pete,

If you do decide trying a "screw extractor", to get the rest of it out, it
might be obvious, but I will state it here anyway.

Remove one of the other clutch screws, using a good one to determine how
much remains broken inside. That will give you the maximum depth you can go
with a pilot drill hole, for the extractor - obviously less depth is safer.

I suspect, that it will not take very much torque at all to ease out the
broken stub. Mere friction alone might almost ease it out since it wasn't
really screwed in tight.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Peter Santangeli" <peter@...>
To: <ap-gto@...>
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 12:27 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Broken clutch knob



Maybe a picture is indeed worth 1000 words... Here is a shot of the
broken knob:

http://www.santangeli.net/knob.jpg

As you can see, the device is actually a hollow threaded aluminum tube
with the knob part screwed into it. The walls of the tube are not that
thick, but should take quite a bit of torque without breaking. All I
can assume is that the knob got banged longitudinally somehow, and the
tube broke.

The rest of the tube (with the "outer" thread) is unfortunately still
in the mount.

Pete
Re: Broken clutch knob

Peter Santangeli
 

Maybe a picture is indeed worth 1000 words... Here is a shot of the
broken knob:

http://www.santangeli.net/knob.jpg

As you can see, the device is actually a hollow threaded aluminum tube
with the knob part screwed into it. The walls of the tube are not that
thick, but should take quite a bit of torque without breaking. All I
can assume is that the knob got banged longitudinally somehow, and the
tube broke.

The rest of the tube (with the "outer" thread) is unfortunately still
in the mount.

Pete

--- In ap-gto@..., Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@...> wrote:

My experience using Eazy Outs on exhaust studs on cylinder heads has
not been good. I know that the telescope situation is different.
What is the diameter of screw? As long as you are sure that screw
isn't cross-threaded, you should be alright but every-time I've used
one, I have gone in with the assumption that I will have to take the
head to a machine shop to drill out the stud and the broken, hardened
steel Easy Out.
Good luck.
Greg
On Dec 15, 2007, at 2:01, Peter Santangeli wrote:


Good suggestion. I was thinking about something like this.

Pete

--- In ap-gto@..., kawasaki99@ wrote:

Hello Strong Man,
Local hardware store ought to sell an (easy-out)
which is a
sort of a left hand thread tap and the proper size pilot drill
for the
easy-out. If it's only hand tight to ought to come out. Have an
assistant hold a
vacuum cleaner hose close to broken screw while drilling the pilot
hole to
capture any small chips. A small center drill or sharp prick punch
may be necessary
to ensure the pilot drill puts the hole close to the true center of
the
broken screw. Sounds like a lot but it's generally easy.



**************************************See AOL's top rated recipes
(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)
Fw: [SPAM] Fw: [ASCOM] Re: Error in AP driver

Chuck Faranda <mail_lists2@...>
 

FYI: Ajai is investigating the issue and will report ASAP.

Regards,
Chuck Faranda
http://ccdastro.net

----- Original Message -----
I am running the latest driver for AP GTO mounts (4.1.25)
under ASCOM 4. My mount is a Mach1.
The reported site information is incorrect: after a Get
Lat/Long is done, I get a correct value for Latitude, but
Longitude is wrong:
it reports
E 4 10.00
instead of
E 5 50.00
I checked the AP keypad: it's OK there.
So I suspect a wrong conversion... possibly for all of us
sitting E of Greenwich...
Re: Broken clutch knob

Bob Olson <r.olson@...>
 

Hi Pete,

Be very careful that the pilot drill doesn't wander off the hard clutch screw and into the soft aluminium casting. I believe the clutch screw is stainless steel and it might work harden when it is being drilled. You might want to consider having a machine shop do the job.

I think that you can use the mount as it is, so you might want to wait until the AP folks get back from their Christmas holidays, and then check with them.

Bob
Re: Broken clutch knob

Gregory Nottingham <gnpnotti@...>
 

My experience using Eazy Outs on exhaust studs on cylinder heads has
not been good. I know that the telescope situation is different.
What is the diameter of screw? As long as you are sure that screw
isn't cross-threaded, you should be alright but every-time I've used
one, I have gone in with the assumption that I will have to take the
head to a machine shop to drill out the stud and the broken, hardened
steel Easy Out.
Good luck.
Greg

On Dec 15, 2007, at 2:01, Peter Santangeli wrote:


Good suggestion. I was thinking about something like this.

Pete

--- In ap-gto@..., kawasaki99@... wrote:

Hello Strong Man,
Local hardware store ought to sell an (easy-out)
which is a
sort of a left hand thread tap and the proper size pilot drill
for the
easy-out. If it's only hand tight to ought to come out. Have an
assistant hold a
vacuum cleaner hose close to broken screw while drilling the pilot
hole to
capture any small chips. A small center drill or sharp prick punch
may be necessary
to ensure the pilot drill puts the hole close to the true center of
the
broken screw. Sounds like a lot but it's generally easy.



**************************************See AOL's top rated recipes
(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004)
66681 - 66700 of 86813