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Re: PlateSolve2 vs. TheSkyX Image Link for APPM Point Mapping
Ray Gralak
Hi Dean,
Was SGPro controlling the camera, or SkyX? For consistent plate solving SGPro usually needs to be connected to the mount to get the RA/Dec value. Did you happen to install a new version of SGPro? I can't even get it to do a plate solve here at home now using the test button on APPM after several tries ofDid you check the PlateSolve catalog folder setting to make sure it is correct? Did you try using the NASA Sky View? If you do, make sure SGPro is connected to the mount and have SGPro select the ASCOM camera simulator for the camera. For those who have tried both, do you find that TheSkyX's Image Link works well with APPM?Yes, it works, and I believe ImageLink is more accurate. -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: PlateSolve2 vs. TheSkyX Image Link for APPM Point Mapping
Joseph Beyer
Interesting, I’ve used SGP/Platesolve2 with APPM about a dozen times and it’s worked without a hitch. Last week I set up, started the sequence, it solved a about 8-10 images then failed. Same equipment, same profile used in all previous runs. SGP v3.1.0.479 Windows 10 Home v1909 APCC-Pro v1.8.2.1 I restarted a couple times after double checking all the parameters but at some point(s) during the run, even late in the run after solving 40 or so points PlateSolve2 would stop doing immediate solves and enter a spiral search mode. APPM also indicated AllSky plate solver had been activated several times but I’m not sure if it was concurrent with the PS2 spiral searches. It seems likely though. After restarting several times I just let the process continue however long it took. On several occasions when PlateSolve2 was still in spiral search mode, APPM would register a successful solve and move to the next point. I finally got the point map completed but it took a long time. Joe
On Jun 28, 2020, at 8:32 AM, Dean Jacobsen <deanjacobsen@...> wrote:
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PlateSolve2 vs. TheSkyX Image Link for APPM Point Mapping
After three sessions of working without a hitch, PlateSolve2 stopped plate solving for me when I was trying to do an APPM point mapping run.
In retrospect it was probably because I didn't open up the correct SGP profile which I created when going through Ray's setup instructions in the APPM documentation. I remember selecting and loading one of my preexisting narrowband profiles at some point. The control panel did show PlateSolve2 as the plate solver for the profile that I had loaded. I got a couple of good plate solves and then nothing... after an hour of trying in the dark, I gave up and got out the guide scope.. I can't even get it to do a plate solve here at home now using the test button on APPM after several tries of deleting SGP profiles and re-doing the setup as per the APPM documentation. PlateSolve2 worked great... when it worked. Maybe there is a better way which doesn't involve SGP and PS2. I have TheSkyX... For those who have tried both, do you find that TheSkyX's Image Link works well with APPM? So, the last image of this month was via guiding. As usual, the Mach2 guides great. Here is a link to a wide field image of the Sharpless 2-101 area in h-alpha: https://www.astrobin.com/full/5szx79/0/ All of those pesky foreground field stars block all of the nice stuff going on in the background. Here is a link to a starless version hich shows the emission nebula and the several dark nebula in the background: https://www.astrobin.com/full/5szx79/B/ -- 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: Mach1 - regreasing
Dale Ghent
Yep. I stuffed towel around the area to catch any drips when applying and it’s all going to sit for a day to let it all evaporate. The next night for imaging and make g a new PEC isn’t until Thursday at this point so there is no need to rush.
On Jun 28, 2020, at 09:27, Michael Hambrick via groups.io <mike.hambrick@...> wrote:
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Re: Mach2 Keypad
Michael Hambrick <mike.hambrick@...>
Hi Joe
I believe Roland's response was yes on the keypads, and that we would also need to load new software into the CP4, but that it was easy to do. I am currently running version 4.19.2 on my keypad, and I am not sure which version is in the CP4. The CP4 manual that came with the mount is dated November, 2016. I think there are new software versions for both. I should probably practice loading the current versions now so that I will be better prepared to do so when this next one comes out. 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: Mach1 - regreasing
Michael Hambrick <mike.hambrick@...>
Hi Dale
Just make sure that you get rid of all traces of the mineral spirits and alcohol before you re-grease anything. As a former auto mechanic I used to re-pack a lot of front wheel bearings. I have repeatedly seen where a very tiny amount of solvent left in the bearings when they are re-greased is enough to turn the fresh grease into a liquid after just a few day's driving. Granted, the worm and wheel on a equatorial mount do not operate under anywhere close to the same conditions as the front wheels of a car, but it is a good illustration of what a little bit of residual solvent can do to the properties of the grease. 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: Mach1 - regreasing
Dale Ghent
I spent today cleaning out my 2008 edition Mach1GTO in preparation for re-greasing. A lot of grease on the worm gears was old and really caked into the teeth and towels and rags were't really effective.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Wanting to get that old grease out, I followed the instructions and very lightly used mineral spirits on a toothbrush (as the instructions advised not to use your own toothbrush, so I used my wife's) and very gently massaged it into the teeth to dissolve and rough up the stubborn grease. Cleaning that mixture out was still an issue, as towels and rags alone could not reach down into the valley between the teeth to get that slurry out. I grabbed a box of flat toothpicks, put 2 layers of T-shirt material around the flat end of it, dipped it in denatured alcohol (methylated spirits for you blokes) and gently scooped the gunk out of the teeth one by one. It worked well, with the wood being soft as to not damage the teeth. You'll go through a bunch of toothpicks, though. Pretty clean in the end: https://imgur.com/a/xS3jzJf /dale
On Jun 27, 2020, at 9:57 AM, Fernando Proietti <fernandoaproietti@...> wrote:
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Re: Error log window off screen in APCC
Jim Fakatselis <jfakatse@...>
Yes, thanks again
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
On Jun 27, 2020, at 12:32 PM, Ray Gralak <groups3@...> wrote:
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Re: Mach2 Keypad
Joe Zeglinski
Thanks Marj,
Looking forward to your plans on, hopefully,
retrofitting older Keypads.
Joe
From: Marj
Christen
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2020 2:04 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 Keypad Hello Joe,
We will have more information when we are ready to release the new software.
Clear Skies,
Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Rd Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com
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Re: Mach2 Keypad
Hello Joe,
We will have more information when we are ready to release the new software.
Clear Skies,
Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Rd Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of Joe Zeglinski
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2020 10:05 AM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 Keypad
Hi Michael,
Did you get any answer from AP on how existing Keypads can be upgraded, off list perhaps? Silence - Not a further word from them here so far.
Like you, I have also been wondering if AP had come up with a plan for “upgrading” older Keypads with the new firmware, perhaps requiring some internal component upgrades. I would like to upgrade my AP-900 and AP-1200 keypads, to get the new capabilities, but no way I was going to toss them out, just to buy their more advanced features.
Joe Z.
From: Michael Hambrick via groups.io Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 8:11 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 Keypad
Is it safe to assume that if we currently own a Keypad and CP4 that we will be able to download the new software to our existing Keypads ?
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Re: Open for Product Pick Up
Hello Carl,
Yes, we have both items in stock. At this time, we are not allowing visitors into our office or showroom. Please understand that if you wish to pick up any items, we will offer curbside service. All transactions must be completed with our office staff ahead of time. Please call the office at the number below after 9am on Monday to make the arrangements. Remember that if you pick up, we must add IL sales tax.
Safe travels.
Clear Skies,
Marj Christen Astro-Physics, Inc 11250 Forest Hills Rd Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io]
On Behalf Of carlburton2001
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2020 12:09 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Open for Product Pick Up
Hi I need the 1200rpa and the 1612FSA (Flat Surface Adapter) for my 1200GTO mount. Is this in stock and can I pick it up at you office or must I order and wait to ship?
Sorry to ask here but if I can do pick up I can get a early start Monday.
Thanks
Carl Burton
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Open for Product Pick Up
carlburton2001
Hi
I need the 1200rpa and the 1612FSA (Flat Surface Adapter) for my 1200GTO mount. Is this in stock and can I pick it up at you office or must I order and wait to ship? Sorry to ask here but if I can do pick up I can get a early start Monday. Thanks Carl Burton
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Re: Error log window off screen in APCC
Ray Gralak
Jim,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
You may have "Save Window Positions" enabled in APCC's settings menu. Disabling that option will allow the window to default to display over the APCC window. You might also want to disable "Keep APCC on top" in APCC's Program Operations group box on the Setup tab. -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: Mach2 Keypad
Joe Zeglinski
Hi Michael,
Did you get any answer from AP on how existing Keypads
can be upgraded, off list perhaps?
Silence - Not a further word from them here so far.
Like you, I have also been wondering if AP had come up
with a plan for “upgrading” older Keypads with the new firmware, perhaps
requiring some internal component upgrades. I would like to upgrade my
AP-900 and AP-1200 keypads, to get the new capabilities, but no way I was going
to toss them out, just to buy their more advanced features.
Joe Z.
From: Michael Hambrick via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 8:11 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Mach2 Keypad Is it safe to assume that if we currently own a Keypad
and CP4 that we will be able to download the new software to our existing
Keypads ? 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: Mach1 - regreasing
Fernando Proietti
Thanks so much!!!! Regards, Fernando.
On Sat, Jun 27, 2020, 12:39 AM <fd@...> wrote: Here is a video for the 1200GTO. But this gives you a good idea of what to do.
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Re: Error log window off screen in APCC
Jim Fakatselis
Hi Ray, Thanks I did that several times, no result. It was Somehow off the screen. I googled how to restore window off screen To desktop and followed that procedure. That worked so I withdrew post. Thank you for your response though. Jim
On Jun 27, 2020, at 9:28 AM, Ray Gralak <groups3@...> wrote:
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Re: Error log window off screen in APCC
Ray Gralak
Hi Jim,
You can get to the Error Logs window from APCC's tool menu as shown in this screen shot:
-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----- > From: main@ap-gto.groups.io [mailto:main@ap-gto.groups.io] On Behalf Of Jim Fakatselis > Sent: Friday, June 26, 2020 7:50 PM > To: main@ap-gto.groups.io > Subject: [ap-gto] Error log window off screen in APCC > > In APCC somehow my error log window is hidden or possibly off screen and I can not clear errors that are being > reported. > How do I get it back and clear errors? > > Thanks in advance, > Jim
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Re: AP1200 DEC Stiffness
Hi Eric
There are a lot of other posts on the forum about removing stuck clutch plugs. It would be a good idea to research these before you try to remove yours. Just do a search on the forum for "clutch plugs"
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Re: Mach1 - regreasing
Thank you Thank you so very much for the photos and comments of the Mach 1 GTO regrease. They are invaluable! Thank you again, Phillip
On Fri, Jun 26, 2020 at 8:39 PM <fd@...> wrote: Here is a video for the 1200GTO. But this gives you a good idea of what to do.
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Re: Mach1 - regreasing
fd@...
Here is a video for the 1200GTO. But this gives you a good idea of what to do.
I greased the RA gears on my Mach1GTO last weekend. It was very easy to do. The grease kit that AP sells has two different greases. You can't use just any old grease. The grease kit from AP has VERY detailed instructions on how to take the motor box off, clean, grease, and reassemble the mount. I was very impressed. The job took about 90 minutes to do the RA box, I suspect the DEC will take 30 minutes because now I know what I am doing. Here are some photos. https://imgur.com/a/f2ab2pY -- Mach1GTO and GTOCP4 on permanent pier
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