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Re: AP 1200 won't unpark via APCC
Steve Reilly
Dan,
I’m in the same boat and have, for now, edited my startup script to not start APCC. I also had issues with ACP which Bob and I have worked on. I think Tim Long addressed an issue as well with ACP. Not sure where the issue lies but I think it may be a common event in both. One of Bob’s problems was with security levels when sending ACO email notifications. I also had a lockup when changing filters on a run. When it went to switch from blue to luminous it crashed instead of taking the pointing exposure, or was waiting but regardless I could only abort by means of the Task Manager which puts Scheduler in simulator mode when it restarts. Something is amiss but I haven’t been able to do much testing with the weather, clouds and rain, and it appears that Monday may be my next chance if forecast holds.
This is basically saying I have no idea what this issue is but I know of at least 3 others having it. With APCC not running I can operate, at least unpark and run.
-Steve
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dan Simpson
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 5:53 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] AP 1200 won't unpark via APCC
I've been enjoying good results using my older AP1200 (ser. # 1200410) for a year or so now. I upgraded last year to a CP4. I generally use ACP for automation and am using APCC and the V2 driver. The problem reared up starting last week while using ACP as I began to have trouble with plate-solving errors. The scope/mount wasn't pointing anywhere near where it should have been. First thing I did was to simplify and take out all of the complications so all of my recent troubleshooting has been manual, no ACP.
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Re: AP 1200 won't unpark via APCC
Ray Gralak
Dan,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Some strange things: The driver show NO firmware version, and ascom park status shows "Parking". Because of the multiple mount types and versions that APCC and the driver must handle having NO firmware version can cause weird behavior. To isolate the problem: 1) Uncheck Auto-connect in the APV2 driver section of APCC. 2) Disconnect the AP V2 driver from APCC and all ASCOM client applications so it shuts down. 3) Open the AP V2 ASCOM driver setup and make sure the correct mount type (AP1200) and GTOCP4 are selected. 4) Start APCC separately first instead of having the driver start APCC. 5) Make sure you are running VCP4-P01-13 or later version of firmware in your CP4. If not, upgrade to it. 6) Start the AP Jog program and use it to connect to the driver and don't connect anything else to the driver. 7) Confirm the correct firmware version shows in the driver. 8) Perform your park/unpark tests again. -Ray Gralak Author of APCC (Astro-Physics Command Center): https://www.astro-physics.com/apcc-pro Author of PEMPro V3: https://www.ccdware.com Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: https://www.siriusimaging.com/apdriver
-----Original Message-----
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Re: 1600GTO worm cycle
George
Mike,
Worm Cycle for Mach1, 900, 1100, 1200 and 1600 (225 tooth worm wheel) 382.95151347 seconds 6.382525 minutes
Regards,
George
George Whitney Astro-Physics, Inc. Phone: 815-282-1513 Email: george@...
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Mike Shade
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 4:20 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] 1600GTO worm cycle
Curious what the worm cycle is in seconds for a 1600GTO...I want to say 385" sticks in my mind from somewhere....but...?
Thanks...
Mike J. Shade Mike J. Shade Photography:
In War: Resolution In Defeat: Defiance In Victory: Magnanimity In Peace: Goodwill Sir Winston Churchill Already, in the gathering dusk, a few of the stars are turning on their lights. Vega, the brightest one, is now dropping towards the west. Can it be half a year since I watched her April rising in the east? Low in the southwest Antares blinks a sad farwell to fall... Leslie Peltier, Starlight Nights
International Dark Sky Association: www.darksky.org
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AP 1200 won't unpark via APCC
Dan Simpson
I've been enjoying good results using my older AP1200 (ser. # 1200410) for a year or so now. I upgraded last year to a CP4. I generally use ACP for automation and am using APCC and the V2 driver. The problem reared up starting last week while using ACP as I began to have trouble with plate-solving errors. The scope/mount wasn't pointing anywhere near where it should have been. First thing I did was to simplify and take out all of the complications so all of my recent troubleshooting has been manual, no ACP.
I think I'm up to date with both APCC (Ver. 1.8.0.9) and AP V2 ASCOM 5.30.09. The problem shows up on startup. I power up the mount and then open and connect APCC & AP V2 without problem. But when I click the Unpark button the scope using APCC the APCC screen does not show the scope as Unparked. The Park button remains grayed out and the Unpark button remains active - but no matter how many times I click on the Unpark nothing changes. The weird thing is the scope is indeed tracking, it is visibly moving at a tracking speed. Also, the bar across the bottom shows the scope is tracking at sidereal and the yellow tracking/parked/stopped info display in the Telescope Position section shows as Tracking. However, I can't get the scope to move using the APCC buttons in the Move Scope section. I've pasted a screen shot of APCC and V2 at that point. One other piece of information is that the keypad continues to function. I'm able to Unpark and Park as well as do Goto's to objects in the the keypad catalog. I did find I can use V2 to send the scope to all Park locations (but not using APCC) however the scope does not actually Park as it then continues to track out of the Park location. I know I'm forgetting some details, I was up all night working on this. I am certainly open to any all suggestions. Thanks in advance, Dan 
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1600GTO worm cycle
Mike Shade
Curious what the worm cycle is in seconds for a 1600GTO...I want to say 385" sticks in my mind from somewhere....but...?
Thanks...
Mike J. Shade Mike J. Shade Photography:
In War: Resolution In Defeat: Defiance In Victory: Magnanimity In Peace: Goodwill Sir Winston Churchill Already, in the gathering dusk, a few of the stars are turning on their lights. Vega, the brightest one, is now dropping towards the west. Can it be half a year since I watched her April rising in the east? Low in the southwest Antares blinks a sad farwell to fall... Leslie Peltier, Starlight Nights
International Dark Sky Association: www.darksky.org
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Re: Mount weight (was Re: [ap-gto] Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway)
The 400GTO was a super little mount. I have friend that used an AP Traveler with a SBIG ST-8 on an AP400 nearly 20 years ago. It was a nice portable setup.
-- Dean Jacobsen http://astrophoto.net/wp/ Image Gallery - http://astrophoto.net/wp/image-gallery/ Astrobin - https://www.astrobin.com/users/deanjacobsen/
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
Dominique Durand
On Fri, Apr 24, 2020 at 04:37 PM, Richard O'Neill <syzygy42@...> wrote:
" Maybe we need to go back to making a newer version of the 400 for use with more modern short focus imaging refractors and the smaller (8 inch) SCTs." To which we effectively add an encoder for RA and on which the RAPAS is installed. If she weighs around 20 lbs (without CP bar) and she carries 30 lbs it would be great. It should be remembered that the Mach1 with these 29 lbs is indicated to carry 65 Lbs.
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Re: Mount weight (was Re: [ap-gto] Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway)
Chris Patrick
I've got an AP40GTO for my travel setup. All I can say is, "It sure is a nice mount!" The AP literature says it can handle a 5" refractor, I've got a 4" refractor on it. I read somewhere it has a payload of 18#, which seems a little light. I have 28# on it all set up ready to go, and it acts like there is nothing on it! Love it!!!
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
Richard O'Neill <syzygy42@earthlink.net> <syzygy42@...>
" Maybe we need to go back to making a newer version of the 400 for use with more modern short focus imaging refractors and the smaller (8 inch) SCTs."
I must confess, you have an astonishingly good idea there, Mr. Roland.
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
Roland Christen
Our machinists would quit if I made them machine titanium. No, really they are doing fine, they are all home enjoying their "vacation" thanks to a tiny creature smaller by 1000 than a spec of dust.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Hambrick via groups.io <mike.hambrick@...> To: main <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Apr 23, 2020 9:44 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway Your machinists would not thank you if
you started making your mounts out of titanium. VERY tough to machine,
and your cutting tool budget would probably triple.
How are your machinists doing during the stay at home orders. I hope they are doing OK. Your machinists are geniuses and I sure hope that you are able to keep them when this is all over. Best Regards Michael Hambrick ARLANXEO TSR Global Manufacturing Support PO Box 2000 Orange, TX 77631-2000 Phone: +1 (409) 882-2799 email: mike.hambrick@...
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Re: AP1100 CP4 pier crash
Bill Long
I know someone that had an 1100 crash into a step ladder during a slew. Motors are fine, step ladder is fine as well.
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> on behalf of uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011@...>
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2020 7:19 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash Won't the motor trip a fault and stop if it hits with the clutch tight? Yes.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Thompson via groups.io <cthomp97@...> To: main <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Apr 23, 2020 8:43 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash Won't the motor trip a fault and stop if it hits with the clutch tight? I think I remember that happening to me once when my meridian flip time was off a little bit.
Thanks,
Charles
Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message --------
From: Rick Darden <rick@...>
Date: 4/23/20 7:58 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash
Good to hear. But my clutches are snug tight with a key. I am getting in tonight to see what the fall out is if any.
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: "uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io" <chris1011@...>
Date: 4/23/20 8:49 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash
Did I do any damage? Probably not. Especially if your clutches were not super tight.
I left my Mach2 running all night last night, forgot to turn off power. This morning the scope was up against the pier. Nothing damaged except my self esteem. ;^(
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Darden <rick@...> To: main <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Apr 23, 2020 7:20 pm Subject: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash Hi All,
It happened while I was sleeping and it was tracking on its target. I think it crashed maybe 5-10 min before I intervened. Did I do any damage? It scope is at a remote observatory 2100 miles away and can't get there to investigate.
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Re: AP1100 CP4 pier crash
Roland Christen
Won't the motor trip a fault and stop if it hits with the clutch tight? Yes.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Charles Thompson via groups.io <cthomp97@...> To: main <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Apr 23, 2020 8:43 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash Won't the motor trip a fault and stop if it hits with the clutch tight? I think I remember that happening to me once when my meridian flip time was off a little bit.
Thanks,
Charles
Sent from mobile device.
-------- Original message --------
From: Rick Darden <rick@...>
Date: 4/23/20 7:58 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash
Good to hear. But my clutches are snug tight with a key. I am getting in tonight to see what the fall out is if any.
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: "uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io" <chris1011@...>
Date: 4/23/20 8:49 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash
Did I do any damage? Probably not. Especially if your clutches were not super tight.
I left my Mach2 running all night last night, forgot to turn off power. This morning the scope was up against the pier. Nothing damaged except my self esteem. ;^(
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Darden <rick@...> To: main <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Apr 23, 2020 7:20 pm Subject: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash Hi All,
It happened while I was sleeping and it was tracking on its target. I think it crashed maybe 5-10 min before I intervened. Did I do any damage? It scope is at a remote observatory 2100 miles away and can't get there to investigate.
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Re: AP1100 CP4 pier crash
Roland Christen
In that case the motor probably stalled and the controller would then cut power.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Darden <rick@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Apr 23, 2020 7:58 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash Good to hear. But my clutches are snug tight with a key. I am getting in tonight to see what the fall out is if any.
Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
-------- Original message --------
From: "uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io" <chris1011@...>
Date: 4/23/20 8:49 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash
Did I do any damage? Probably not. Especially if your clutches were not super tight.
I left my Mach2 running all night last night, forgot to turn off power. This morning the scope was up against the pier. Nothing damaged except my self esteem. ;^(
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Darden <rick@...> To: main <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Apr 23, 2020 7:20 pm Subject: [ap-gto] AP1100 CP4 pier crash Hi All,
It happened while I was sleeping and it was tracking on its target. I think it crashed maybe 5-10 min before I intervened. Did I do any damage? It scope is at a remote observatory 2100 miles away and can't get there to investigate.
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
Terri Zittritsch
On Thu, Apr 23, 2020 at 05:23 PM, Christopher Erickson wrote:
Personally, I believe that we should...I would agree with your comments above, maybe with an additional option that I took. And this is to donate it a scope to your local library for checking out. Now it all depends on the size and dedication of the staff at your local library as well as the complexity of the scope. I recently purchased a 4.5" Star-Blast and performed some modifications as defined by, I think a Canadian club, and donated it to our library. I trained some of the staff at an outreach event. Until covid-19 hit, it was being checked out continuously. The only problem is that we had one overly-inquisitive person take apart the zoom eyepiece and put a big silver fingerprint on an internal lens, which required me to take it apart and clean it. Other than this, it's gone well. Not sure this kind of program could apply to something as complex as an A-P equatorial mount and scope. Terri
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Use of Dielectric Grease for Mount Connections
I have read a lot of posts where corrosion in the various cabling connections has been mentioned. Given the possibility of heavy moisture accumulation on the equipment from dew, what is the conventional wisdom on using dielectric grease on the connections on the mounts; specifically for the motors and keypad, and (if used), the RigRunner connections. This material is widely used on the various electrical plugs under the hood of your car, and it seems to be pretty effective. Any specific recommendations from the A-P folks or other forum members would be appreciated.
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
Joe Zeglinski
Hi Michael,
Yes, I’m Canadian. Although long- retired, I never
was a scout, but for the past 17 years, I did help a senior, who volunteered as
Editor, in the Polish Scouts organization. It was fun to help with photo editing
and PC support, in publishing their semi-annual magazine. I sometimes suggested
to her, that the boys and girls, scouts, who contributed articles, should
get more involved in actually producing their magazine, to earn an “Editing
Badge” for their hard work. Maybe it could lead them into Journalism some day.
But, I was informed that “creating any new badge”, requires permissions of the
International level “Baden Powell” organization, in London (?), so it is rarely
done. I hadn’t heard that there even is an Astronomy badge. Perhaps those here
didn’t either. But, I’ll pass this on, in case they aren’t aware of it
either.
However, I am very glad to read that there is a badge
for Astronomy. The tasks you outlined are impressive.
Thinking about having scopes, and earning badges, in such organizations,
reminds me of the quote: “ The mind is not a Vessel to be filled, but rather a
Torch to be lit ”.
And so it would be for the kids becoming interested in
Astronomy and other science & maths skills.
These are the new generations, for whom ... “Outward Bound”, may have an
entirely new meaning some day.
Joe Z.
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
Yeah until Elon Musk ruins it with Starlink! Don Anderson
On Thursday, April 23, 2020, 12:21:34 p.m. MDT, uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
That is EXACTLY how I got my first scope! Brilliant minds think alike!
By the way, a scope and mount could launch another amateur astronomer, a hobby that is getting more and more grey. Ant it would get a kid off of those damnable twitter phones for a while, to enjoy one of nature's most beautiful reality shows.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher Erickson <christopher.k.erickson@...> To: main <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Thu, Apr 23, 2020 1:02 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway That is EXACTLY how I got my first scope!
A Sears 60mm refractor on an Alt-Az mount. 50 years ago I mowed their lawn for an entire summer to get that scope.
On Thu, Apr 23, 2020 at 7:57 AM uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
I did the same thing! TASCO 60mm refractor on a wood tripod in 1965. Still have it  Don Anderson
On Thursday, April 23, 2020, 12:02:17 p.m. MDT, Christopher Erickson <christopher.k.erickson@...> wrote:
That is EXACTLY how I got my first scope! A Sears 60mm refractor on an Alt-Az mount. 50 years ago I mowed their lawn for an entire summer to get that scope. On Thu, Apr 23, 2020 at 7:57 AM uncarollo2 <chris1011@...> via groups.io <chris1011=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
Michael Hambrick <mike.hambrick@...>
Your machinists would not thank you if
you started making your mounts out of titanium. VERY tough to machine,
and your cutting tool budget would probably triple.
How are your machinists doing during the stay at home orders. I hope they are doing OK. Your machinists are geniuses and I sure hope that you are able to keep them when this is all over. Best Regards Michael Hambrick ARLANXEO TSR Global Manufacturing Support PO Box 2000 Orange, TX 77631-2000 Phone: +1 (409) 882-2799 email: mike.hambrick@...
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Re: Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway
Michael Hambrick <mike.hambrick@...>
Good Points Joe.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Are you Canadian ? I ask because you mentioned Scouting International. Anyway, the Boy Scouts of America offers an Astronomy merit badge that the scouts usually take at the summer camps. The requirements are pretty comprehensive. To name a few they must:
Unfortunately, many of the summer scout camps are nothing more than merit badge mills, and even more unfortunately most of the counselors that the camps hire for the summer are just college kids looking for summer jobs, and they know little or nothing about the merit badge classes they are teaching. This is where the adult leaders (i.e scout's parents) come into the picture. The Boy Scouts have always tried to get the parents of the scouts engaged in the activities of their children's scouting activities, but unfortunately again there are far too few parents who will do this. Most just drop their kids off at the scout meetings and go out for a dinner. They see the week long summer and winter camps as an opportunity to take a vacation away from the kids. It is really sad. Some of the scout camps get some extremely generous donations. At the first summer camp my son (an Eagle Scout by the way) attended they had two complete Celestron telescopes, a C8 and a C11 ! Unfortunately, the counselors had no idea how to set up and operate the scopes. Luckily I was there for the week and I was able to help them out, and I think the kids had a really good time on their observing nights. For the other seven weeks of camp sessions, the camp might have been lucky enough to get help from a knowledgeable adult leader for maybe one or two of the sessions at best. Scouting has gotten a really bad rap in recent years. Some of it is deserved, but it is getting harder and harder for Boy Scouts to compete with the other things that kids are into. I think that a lot of this is the parents fault. Sorry, but I kind of rambled on with this. Best Regards Michael Hambrick ARLANXEO TSR Global Manufacturing Support PO Box 2000 Orange, TX 77631-2000 Phone: +1 (409) 882-2799 email: mike.hambrick@... From: "Joe Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...> To: <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Date: 2020-04-23 04:44 PM Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway Sent by: main@ap-gto.groups.io Very well said, Chris, I never thought of it, but you are right-on. Besides, an excellent scope and mount, like those from AP, will eventually pass from hand to hand – as teachers retire, or the kids move on to more advanced equipment as it comes along. In the same vein, wouldn’t it be grand if Scouting International, established a special ASTRONOMY Badge, rather than something just relating to “outdoors and camping”. Maybe in the future they might concentrate less on finding their way through the forest – probably just streets, when we run out of woods - than on travelling on pathways through the skies, as man’s journey inevitably reaches even farther afield, for our next generations. Joe Z.
From: Christopher Erickson
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2020 5:23 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Which to Choose; Absolute Encoders or 92 mm Stowaway Personally, I believe that we should... NEVER GIVE TELESCOPES TO SCHOOLS. GIVE TELESCOPES TO TEACHERS OR STUDENTS INSTEAD. If you give it to a school, it inevitably ends up being controlled by school middle-management bureaucrats and spends the rest of its life in the back of a crowded supply closet, never to be seen by kids ever again. The tax write-off for giving it to a school will end up being next-to-nothing anyway. If you give it to a dedicated teacher, that person is much more likely to learn how to use it properly and take it with them throughout their teaching career. If you give it to a dedicated student, that person's life will be changed forever. If it is a big, expensive, complicated telescope, consider selling it to another astro-nut who will love it, or work to establish an NPO in a local community to operate it, put it in an observatory, and perform outreach. On Thu, Apr 23, 2020 at 8:27 AM Michael Hambrick via groups.io [groups.io] <mike.hambrick@...> wrote: That is a great suggestion. I have also thought about donating it to a local school. Only bad thing is I kept the pier to use with my 1100 mount. Best Regards Michael Hambrick ARLANXEO TSR Global Manufacturing Support PO Box 2000 Orange, TX 77631-2000 Phone: +1 (409) 882-2799 email: mike.hambrick@...
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