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Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Jeffc
 

Fwiw, the config described is what I have been doing...
On the OTA is a Pegasus UPBV2 which does usb 3 , usb 2, and 12v distribution.
I also use the UPBV2 for dew control and autofocus for one of my OTA configurations.
If I’m using the AP130 OTA, I’ll also put a SI-EFS on top.

A single USB and Powerpole come off the OTA , USB3 to the computer on the pier.
The computer has 4 USB ports ... and they are all used...
- UPBV2
- Polemaster
- AP control box
- astromi.ch MGPBox

TBH, adding a scope ontop of the main OTA is already a nonstarter as this other gear is already there.. my desire on adding a small computer to the OTA is to reduce the imaging cable runs even further. But I’ve yet to find a “reasonably” priced NUC-like computer for the OTA.

I also always “remote into” the pier computer, even if I take the setup to a remote site. For “remote” access I use an M1 MacBookAir which has incredible battery life, plus I can do post-acquisition image processing on the MBA (after simply copying the files from the pier computer). A small WiFi router also lives under the mount for access. No wires from the mount to the laptop has been very nice. At home I can also remote-in with the desktop machine which has a 27” 5k display.

-jeff

On Jul 12, 2021, at 6:05 PM, Dale Ghent <daleg@elemental.org> wrote:


On Jul 12, 2021, at 16:09, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@gmail.com> wrote:

****I have eliminated the clutch knobs and most of what could cause a snag, usually not an issue. Wires have been enclosed in a mesh material used for vehicle wiring bundles.*****

2) Gosh, that's a lot of POS (plain old serial)

My own instinct and from working with mounts that have both thru-mount cableways and not, is to minimize that run of cables to the telescope and not run individual cables for each device up there.

****My concern about mounting the NUC on the telescope is balancing. While it does help a good deal on the length of run and the rotation, it still may limit the use of say a piggyback scope, think my Stowaway, on the RC. My wiring solution was to wrap the wires in several bundles depending on where they needed to go. The USB and Serial cables are in conduit to the control room now, at the mount they are in smaller bundles depending is they rotate or are stationary.*****
My suggestion still keeps the NUC on the pier. I presume you would mount it as far up the pier as you can on the south side of it so it doesn't pose as much of a collision hazard. You would just be running 1x 12V and 1x USB to hubs for each on the telescope. The powerpole and StarTech USB hubs are small enough in dimension that you can attach them pretty much anywhere on the RC12's primary box. 3M DualLoc works wonders here. If your 12.5" RC is the RCOS model, I think they have flanges you can get for mounting accessories on the rear of the primary box if you want to get fancy.


****Not sure about those USB to Serial adapters as I've heard of many causing issues or simply not working. For power I've been using an IP addressable power switch which allows me to power only those devices as needed. For instance I don't keep power on the flat panel unless it's being used. With the STL-11000 I've had issues where I needed to cycle power to the camera due to a filter wheel issue. If I start the camera and get the error message usually just a disconnect and reconnect or power cycle will clear it. Never found the cause of that issue but easily resolved.****
USB to serial had a bad rap in the early days, but adapters that use FTDI or Prolific PL23xx USB to serial bridge chips are quite fine and quite ubiquitous. Most astro vendors have used these as drop-in replacements for DB9 RS232 serial ports on their equipment to gain a USB connector. For example, the CP4's USB connector is just a USB port that directly feeds to a FTDI USB to serial bridge internally.

In fact, your StarTech 4 port USB to serial box uses 4x of the FTDI FT232RL chips inside of it, so it's essentially 4 USB to serial adapters inside 1 box. In fact you can use a second one of these boxes on top of your telescope if you don't want to do individual USB to serial adapters.


*****With the 1 USB and all data....these new CMOS chips send a ton of data for each frame so I'd be concerned with a single USB port handling all the USB traffic. What keeps it from bottlenecking? I haven't tested the serial device for multiple devices at this pint so not sure how that will handle the traffic as well****
It really doesn't work that way. You might be surprised to know that unless you're streaming data constantly (and I mean continuously like a video feed) off your main camera, you will find that our USB busses are relatively quiet places in terms of traffic. There are periodic bursts of traffic and small bulk chatter, but these things are by no means taxed. You can even do USB2 between your telescope-mounted USB hub and the NUC and still be fine.

I run a QHY600 and my guide cam is a ZWO ASI290MM-mini. Even with PHD2 looping 1s exposures on the guide cam and SharpCap streaming ~2 fps off the QHY600, with a Pegasus UPBv2 and Nitecrawler, my single USB 3 run that goes from the top of my telescope, through my Mach1, and into my OnLogic NUC on the pier is fine. Use quality cables, keep them no longer than is necessary, and secure cables near the connectors to keep them from wiggling, and you'll be fine.

***The only reason for keyboard and mouse would be needed tests while at the mount, monitor as well. Most all other needs can indeed be done remotely with Remote Desktop or Team Viewer****
Yep. I remote in to mine even if I'm standing right next to it. I only mention having the small keyboard/mouse/monitor handy in case you're having a problem with Windows or the box and you want to get on its console without having to disconnect everything from it and take it off your pier or something annoying like that.
Re: Imaging on grass

Don Anderson
 

Ha Ha! Might make for creative imaging😚


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad

On Monday, July 12, 2021, 3:05 PM, dvjbaja <jpgleasonid@...> wrote:

You know when I first read the subject line of this post, I thought this was about smoking the "devils lettuce" while imaging.  Guess I was mistaken.  ;-?

jg
Re: Computer max ambient temperature

Joe Zeglinski
 

John,
 
    Hope you do have a read through.
 
    Forgot to mention that the heater doesn’t usually cycle itself on,  in the daytime, since the sun warms up the tarp’s air pocket enough by itself,  to keep any moisture absorbed in its environment – relative humidity %  based on tarp  inside temperature.
 
    However, if it is pouring rain all day, getting really humid, it might cycle up, for 20 minutes or so. The BROAN Humidistat used in my “UNDewer”,  has something like a +/- 10% “Dead band” (design) , so it will heat upto reaching a slightly higher RH, and let the tarp cool down to below the set point, so it doesn’t keep cycling on & off too often,  between retriggers.
 
    The scope optics, electronics,  and even my AP-1200’s “dew attracting” cold steel counterweights,  have been dry for almost a decade of operation –  exposed under the tarp,  right outdoors.
 
    Hope it helps,
Joe Z.
 

From: John Jennings
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 4:05 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Computer max ambient temperature
 
Joe,

Ohh Ohh Ohh....... got to check it out..

Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Dale Ghent
 

On Jul 12, 2021, at 16:09, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@gmail.com> wrote:

****I have eliminated the clutch knobs and most of what could cause a snag, usually not an issue. Wires have been enclosed in a mesh material used for vehicle wiring bundles.*****

2) Gosh, that's a lot of POS (plain old serial)

My own instinct and from working with mounts that have both thru-mount cableways and not, is to minimize that run of cables to the telescope and not run individual cables for each device up there.

****My concern about mounting the NUC on the telescope is balancing. While it does help a good deal on the length of run and the rotation, it still may limit the use of say a piggyback scope, think my Stowaway, on the RC. My wiring solution was to wrap the wires in several bundles depending on where they needed to go. The USB and Serial cables are in conduit to the control room now, at the mount they are in smaller bundles depending is they rotate or are stationary.*****
My suggestion still keeps the NUC on the pier. I presume you would mount it as far up the pier as you can on the south side of it so it doesn't pose as much of a collision hazard. You would just be running 1x 12V and 1x USB to hubs for each on the telescope. The powerpole and StarTech USB hubs are small enough in dimension that you can attach them pretty much anywhere on the RC12's primary box. 3M DualLoc works wonders here. If your 12.5" RC is the RCOS model, I think they have flanges you can get for mounting accessories on the rear of the primary box if you want to get fancy.


****Not sure about those USB to Serial adapters as I've heard of many causing issues or simply not working. For power I've been using an IP addressable power switch which allows me to power only those devices as needed. For instance I don't keep power on the flat panel unless it's being used. With the STL-11000 I've had issues where I needed to cycle power to the camera due to a filter wheel issue. If I start the camera and get the error message usually just a disconnect and reconnect or power cycle will clear it. Never found the cause of that issue but easily resolved.****
USB to serial had a bad rap in the early days, but adapters that use FTDI or Prolific PL23xx USB to serial bridge chips are quite fine and quite ubiquitous. Most astro vendors have used these as drop-in replacements for DB9 RS232 serial ports on their equipment to gain a USB connector. For example, the CP4's USB connector is just a USB port that directly feeds to a FTDI USB to serial bridge internally.

In fact, your StarTech 4 port USB to serial box uses 4x of the FTDI FT232RL chips inside of it, so it's essentially 4 USB to serial adapters inside 1 box. In fact you can use a second one of these boxes on top of your telescope if you don't want to do individual USB to serial adapters.


*****With the 1 USB and all data....these new CMOS chips send a ton of data for each frame so I'd be concerned with a single USB port handling all the USB traffic. What keeps it from bottlenecking? I haven't tested the serial device for multiple devices at this pint so not sure how that will handle the traffic as well****
It really doesn't work that way. You might be surprised to know that unless you're streaming data constantly (and I mean continuously like a video feed) off your main camera, you will find that our USB busses are relatively quiet places in terms of traffic. There are periodic bursts of traffic and small bulk chatter, but these things are by no means taxed. You can even do USB2 between your telescope-mounted USB hub and the NUC and still be fine.

I run a QHY600 and my guide cam is a ZWO ASI290MM-mini. Even with PHD2 looping 1s exposures on the guide cam and SharpCap streaming ~2 fps off the QHY600, with a Pegasus UPBv2 and Nitecrawler, my single USB 3 run that goes from the top of my telescope, through my Mach1, and into my OnLogic NUC on the pier is fine. Use quality cables, keep them no longer than is necessary, and secure cables near the connectors to keep them from wiggling, and you'll be fine.

***The only reason for keyboard and mouse would be needed tests while at the mount, monitor as well. Most all other needs can indeed be done remotely with Remote Desktop or Team Viewer****
Yep. I remote in to mine even if I'm standing right next to it. I only mention having the small keyboard/mouse/monitor handy in case you're having a problem with Windows or the box and you want to get on its console without having to disconnect everything from it and take it off your pier or something annoying like that.
Re: Imaging on grass

dvjbaja
 

You know when I first read the subject line of this post, I thought this was about smoking the "devils lettuce" while imaging.  Guess I was mistaken.  ;-?

jg
Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Brian Valente
 

>>> ***The only reason for keyboard and mouse would be needed tests while at the mount, monitor as well. Most all other needs can indeed be done remotely with Remote Desktop or Team Viewer****

you can also just bring a laptop and remote in while next to the NUC. that's why I do all the time

i don't have extra keyboards and HDMI monitors laying around :)

On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 1:10 PM Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
Thanks for the reply Dale. Replies in between the message below:

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 2:14 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer


Two things pop out at me:

1) You have a 1200GTO which lacks the through-mount cabling, which means any cables coming off your telescope will be suspended in air for some portion and would present snag hazards and each be subjected to repeated flexing and wear for some portion of their length.

****I have eliminated the clutch knobs and most of what could cause a snag, usually not an issue. Wires have been enclosed in a mesh material used for vehicle wiring bundles.*****

2) Gosh, that's a lot of POS (plain old serial)

My own instinct and from working with mounts that have both thru-mount cableways and not, is to minimize that run of cables to the telescope and not run individual cables for each device up there.

****My concern about mounting the NUC on the telescope is balancing. While it does help a good deal on the length of run and the rotation, it still may limit the use of say a piggyback scope, think my Stowaway, on the RC. My wiring solution was to wrap the wires in several bundles depending on where they needed to go. The USB and Serial cables are in conduit to the control room now, at the mount they are in smaller bundles depending is they rotate or are stationary.*****

On top of the scope, I would place a power pole hub and USB hub such as a StarTech 7-port model. I would run only one 12V and one USB cable from the NUC up to those devices. The powerpole hub would distribute power, and the USB hub would connect your USB devices and, for your devices which have only RS232 interfaces, USB to serial adapters for each. This the lightens the cable harness that comes off the telescope. Because you would use discrete USB to serial adaptors for your RS232 devices, you don't need to worry about having enough RS232 ports.

****Not sure about those USB to Serial adapters as I've heard of many causing issues or simply not working. For power I've been using an IP addressable power switch which allows me to power only those devices as needed. For instance I don't keep power on the flat panel unless it's being used. With the STL-11000 I've had issues where I needed to cycle power to the camera due to a filter wheel issue. If I start the camera and get the error message usually just a disconnect and reconnect or power cycle will clear it. Never found the cause of that issue but easily resolved.****

With all data devices on your telescope occupying only one USB port on your NUC, you can use a second USB port for the 4-port StarTech ICUSB23241. That can connect the dome, boltwood, CP backup, and flat panel. You'll then have USB ports to spare.

*****With the 1 USB and all data....these new CMOS chips send a ton of data for each frame so I'd be concerned with a single USB port handling all the USB traffic. What keeps it from bottlenecking? I haven't tested the serial  device for multiple devices at this pint so not sure how that will handle the traffic as well****

I would not bother with trying to pipe the NUC's keyboard+mouse and HDMI video over to your warm room. It's already on a 1Gb network, so just use MS Remote Desktop to remote in from a laptop of desktop PC on the network. Your wired LAN and also have a WAP so you don't even need a hardwire network connection for your latop and can also use tablet PCs or iPads to remote into your NUC to run sessions.

***The only reason for keyboard and mouse would be needed tests while at the mount, monitor as well. Most all other needs can indeed be done remotely with Remote Desktop or Team Viewer****


If you want to at the pier, you can keep a small keyboard and mouse to plug in to the NUC when you need to. Keep a small and cheap HDMI monitor on hand to use with them.


> On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:33, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
>
> I would guess sit on the pier.
>
> -Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 1:26 PM
> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer
>
>
> Just to be clear, is this NUC going to ride on top of your telescope on the mount, or sit on/close to the pier?
>
>> On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:11, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hey Gang,
>>
>> In the process of setting up a 12’ Astro Haven dome and moving my 12.5” RC and AP1200 mount from the ROR to the dome. In the process I’m contemplating replacing the observatory computer with a NUC to both shorten the cabling and have a more compact unit. I counted the ports as the computer is now configured and have the following needs:
>>
>> Serial ports=7 I have a StarTech ICUSB23241 4 Port Industrial USB to RS232 Serial Hub but that still leaves 3 needed ports (focuser, rotator, AP1200 backup, Dew Heater Controller, Flat Panel, Boltwood, and dome controls)
>>
>> USB ports = 4 including the one for the Serial Hub, Guider camera, Main Camera, mouse and keyboard
>>
>> Network minimum=1 then use the 8 port Gigabit switch I have ( 1 AP1200, 1 Computer network,  onsite pan cameras (3), etc.)
>>
>> Display port=1 HDMI or DVI
>>
>> Anticipating fiber optic internet connections in the next month or so I also ran Cat6 cabling for network switch and mount.
>>
>> So with that in mind the ports, mainly serial are what have me second guessing the NUC. I have, almost ready to ship out, a OnLogic NUC for a friends SRO system but that’s way more then I care to spend although it has all the necessary ports to hook everything up directly with hubs and so on. So based on this what would be a reasonable budget for what I’m looking for in a quality, reliable NUC? Even if I use the existing desktop computer I have now it will be without all the extender cables I’m using now as the computer is in the warm room 20’ away but the idea of a sealed fanless computer really appeals to me for this type of usage. Hence I’m looking for ideas to explore while this project continues, in of course, the hottest time of the year.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>














--
Brian 



Brian Valente
Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Steve Reilly
 

Thanks for the reply Dale. Replies in between the message below:

-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 2:14 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer


Two things pop out at me:

1) You have a 1200GTO which lacks the through-mount cabling, which means any cables coming off your telescope will be suspended in air for some portion and would present snag hazards and each be subjected to repeated flexing and wear for some portion of their length.

****I have eliminated the clutch knobs and most of what could cause a snag, usually not an issue. Wires have been enclosed in a mesh material used for vehicle wiring bundles.*****

2) Gosh, that's a lot of POS (plain old serial)

My own instinct and from working with mounts that have both thru-mount cableways and not, is to minimize that run of cables to the telescope and not run individual cables for each device up there.

****My concern about mounting the NUC on the telescope is balancing. While it does help a good deal on the length of run and the rotation, it still may limit the use of say a piggyback scope, think my Stowaway, on the RC. My wiring solution was to wrap the wires in several bundles depending on where they needed to go. The USB and Serial cables are in conduit to the control room now, at the mount they are in smaller bundles depending is they rotate or are stationary.*****

On top of the scope, I would place a power pole hub and USB hub such as a StarTech 7-port model. I would run only one 12V and one USB cable from the NUC up to those devices. The powerpole hub would distribute power, and the USB hub would connect your USB devices and, for your devices which have only RS232 interfaces, USB to serial adapters for each. This the lightens the cable harness that comes off the telescope. Because you would use discrete USB to serial adaptors for your RS232 devices, you don't need to worry about having enough RS232 ports.

****Not sure about those USB to Serial adapters as I've heard of many causing issues or simply not working. For power I've been using an IP addressable power switch which allows me to power only those devices as needed. For instance I don't keep power on the flat panel unless it's being used. With the STL-11000 I've had issues where I needed to cycle power to the camera due to a filter wheel issue. If I start the camera and get the error message usually just a disconnect and reconnect or power cycle will clear it. Never found the cause of that issue but easily resolved.****

With all data devices on your telescope occupying only one USB port on your NUC, you can use a second USB port for the 4-port StarTech ICUSB23241. That can connect the dome, boltwood, CP backup, and flat panel. You'll then have USB ports to spare.

*****With the 1 USB and all data....these new CMOS chips send a ton of data for each frame so I'd be concerned with a single USB port handling all the USB traffic. What keeps it from bottlenecking? I haven't tested the serial device for multiple devices at this pint so not sure how that will handle the traffic as well****

I would not bother with trying to pipe the NUC's keyboard+mouse and HDMI video over to your warm room. It's already on a 1Gb network, so just use MS Remote Desktop to remote in from a laptop of desktop PC on the network. Your wired LAN and also have a WAP so you don't even need a hardwire network connection for your latop and can also use tablet PCs or iPads to remote into your NUC to run sessions.

***The only reason for keyboard and mouse would be needed tests while at the mount, monitor as well. Most all other needs can indeed be done remotely with Remote Desktop or Team Viewer****


If you want to at the pier, you can keep a small keyboard and mouse to plug in to the NUC when you need to. Keep a small and cheap HDMI monitor on hand to use with them.


On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:33, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@gmail.com> wrote:

I would guess sit on the pier.

-Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 1:26 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer


Just to be clear, is this NUC going to ride on top of your telescope on the mount, or sit on/close to the pier?

On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:11, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey Gang,

In the process of setting up a 12’ Astro Haven dome and moving my 12.5” RC and AP1200 mount from the ROR to the dome. In the process I’m contemplating replacing the observatory computer with a NUC to both shorten the cabling and have a more compact unit. I counted the ports as the computer is now configured and have the following needs:

Serial ports=7 I have a StarTech ICUSB23241 4 Port Industrial USB to RS232 Serial Hub but that still leaves 3 needed ports (focuser, rotator, AP1200 backup, Dew Heater Controller, Flat Panel, Boltwood, and dome controls)

USB ports = 4 including the one for the Serial Hub, Guider camera, Main Camera, mouse and keyboard

Network minimum=1 then use the 8 port Gigabit switch I have ( 1 AP1200, 1 Computer network, onsite pan cameras (3), etc.)

Display port=1 HDMI or DVI

Anticipating fiber optic internet connections in the next month or so I also ran Cat6 cabling for network switch and mount.

So with that in mind the ports, mainly serial are what have me second guessing the NUC. I have, almost ready to ship out, a OnLogic NUC for a friends SRO system but that’s way more then I care to spend although it has all the necessary ports to hook everything up directly with hubs and so on. So based on this what would be a reasonable budget for what I’m looking for in a quality, reliable NUC? Even if I use the existing desktop computer I have now it will be without all the extender cables I’m using now as the computer is in the warm room 20’ away but the idea of a sealed fanless computer really appeals to me for this type of usage. Hence I’m looking for ideas to explore while this project continues, in of course, the hottest time of the year.

Thanks,

Steve
Re: Computer max ambient temperature

John Jennings
 

Joe,

Ohh Ohh Ohh....... got to check it out..
Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Steve Reilly
 

Interesting option Eric but I like the NUC idea as it isn’t that much more, I think, then the ICRON Ranger. But it’s good to have options.

 

-Steve

 

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Eric Weiner
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 2:04 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer

 

Just a different possible solution. I was just able to pick up an ICRON Ranger 3104 for a good price. It works fantastically over 100’ of cat6 and is rated for ~300’. It took some troubleshooting to get it working (USB controller resets and serial port configs), but I’m running the following through a single cat6 over 100’ now with zero bottlenecks or upsests:

 

-QHY268M into UPBv2

-QHY5III guide camera into UPBv2

-Flip Flat into UPBv2

-MBox into UPBv2

-Optec focuser into UPBv2

-UPBv2 through my Mach2 to the 3104 Rex

-2x serial to USB from CP5 to 3104 Rex

3104 Rex to 3104 Lex over cat6 to my home office PC. 

 

It has LAN pass through as well. 

 

I’m not certain about your HDMI link, but the 3104 is designed to pass teleconferencing data. 

 

I’m fairly confident that several serial over USB devices connected to a hub will work through a singe USB 3 port on the 3104. I can test this with mine if you like. 

 

In the process I was able to optimize USB speed settings in the ASCOM drivers such that my download speeds are faster now than they were using a local laptop for data acquisition. Each box is 24VDC which works out nice for Mach2 owners. 

 

Just thought I’d share my recent experience as a potential option. 

 

Cheers,

Eric 

 

 



On Jul 12, 2021, at 11:43, Brian Valente <bvalente@...> wrote:



Hi Steve

 

I pretty much only use nuc-style computers (and by this I mean headless computers that I access remotely). 

 

i have a few here that work just fine: Intel NUC, Lenovo has some good ones. They are reasonably priced, though most have fans. I have also picked up many of them coming off lease, well equipped and with windows 10 pro for around $200-250. 

 

When we looked at NUCs for our remote obs in chile, the main reason we went with fanless was not better cooling, but minimizing points of failure. The technicians there said if and when something on the computer fails, it's almost always the fan (environment, dust, etc.) so fanless was a way to eliminate that. 

 

If you feel your environment and risk factors would lead you to a fanless design, I do like OnLogic. They have added some smaller NUC style computers more recently, so you might either message them or browse their catalog. They were a little tricky for me to find

 

 

 

On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 10:33 AM Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:

I would guess sit on the pier.

-Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 1:26 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer


Just to be clear, is this NUC going to ride on top of your telescope on the mount, or sit on/close to the pier?

> On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:11, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Gang,
>
> In the process of setting up a 12’ Astro Haven dome and moving my 12.5” RC and AP1200 mount from the ROR to the dome. In the process I’m contemplating replacing the observatory computer with a NUC to both shorten the cabling and have a more compact unit. I counted the ports as the computer is now configured and have the following needs:
>
> Serial ports=7 I have a StarTech ICUSB23241 4 Port Industrial USB to RS232 Serial Hub but that still leaves 3 needed ports (focuser, rotator, AP1200 backup, Dew Heater Controller, Flat Panel, Boltwood, and dome controls)
>
> USB ports = 4 including the one for the Serial Hub, Guider camera, Main Camera, mouse and keyboard
>
> Network minimum=1 then use the 8 port Gigabit switch I have ( 1 AP1200, 1 Computer network,  onsite pan cameras (3), etc.)
>
> Display port=1 HDMI or DVI
>
> Anticipating fiber optic internet connections in the next month or so I also ran Cat6 cabling for network switch and mount.
>
> So with that in mind the ports, mainly serial are what have me second guessing the NUC. I have, almost ready to ship out, a OnLogic NUC for a friends SRO system but that’s way more then I care to spend although it has all the necessary ports to hook everything up directly with hubs and so on. So based on this what would be a reasonable budget for what I’m looking for in a quality, reliable NUC? Even if I use the existing desktop computer I have now it will be without all the extender cables I’m using now as the computer is in the warm room 20’ away but the idea of a sealed fanless computer really appeals to me for this type of usage. Hence I’m looking for ideas to explore while this project continues, in of course, the hottest time of the year.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
>












 

--

Brian 

 

 

 

Brian Valente
Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Steve Reilly
 

Thanks for the reply Brian. The OnLogic computer for SRO, a NUVO-7002LP, has 4 RS232 ports and 8 USB along with 2 LAN. That will work fine with that system but it also cost just over $3K with taxes, like $2,800. I did add a secondary drive. Not being familiar with these units I’m not sure what I can add on my own. I’ve built desktop systems for observatories for quit a few years and usually add StarTech expansion cards for the serial and USB if needed. I avoided adapters as much as possible. The SRO unit hasn’t gone out yet as I have a number of projects going on and wanted to test here at home prior to sending it out.

 

-Steve

 

From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Brian Valente
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 1:43 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer

 

Hi Steve

 

I pretty much only use nuc-style computers (and by this I mean headless computers that I access remotely). 

 

i have a few here that work just fine: Intel NUC, Lenovo has some good ones. They are reasonably priced, though most have fans. I have also picked up many of them coming off lease, well equipped and with windows 10 pro for around $200-250. 

 

When we looked at NUCs for our remote obs in chile, the main reason we went with fanless was not better cooling, but minimizing points of failure. The technicians there said if and when something on the computer fails, it's almost always the fan (environment, dust, etc.) so fanless was a way to eliminate that. 

 

If you feel your environment and risk factors would lead you to a fanless design, I do like OnLogic. They have added some smaller NUC style computers more recently, so you might either message them or browse their catalog. They were a little tricky for me to find

 

 

 

On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 10:33 AM Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:

I would guess sit on the pier.

-Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 1:26 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer


Just to be clear, is this NUC going to ride on top of your telescope on the mount, or sit on/close to the pier?

> On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:11, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Gang,
>
> In the process of setting up a 12’ Astro Haven dome and moving my 12.5” RC and AP1200 mount from the ROR to the dome. In the process I’m contemplating replacing the observatory computer with a NUC to both shorten the cabling and have a more compact unit. I counted the ports as the computer is now configured and have the following needs:
>
> Serial ports=7 I have a StarTech ICUSB23241 4 Port Industrial USB to RS232 Serial Hub but that still leaves 3 needed ports (focuser, rotator, AP1200 backup, Dew Heater Controller, Flat Panel, Boltwood, and dome controls)
>
> USB ports = 4 including the one for the Serial Hub, Guider camera, Main Camera, mouse and keyboard
>
> Network minimum=1 then use the 8 port Gigabit switch I have ( 1 AP1200, 1 Computer network,  onsite pan cameras (3), etc.)
>
> Display port=1 HDMI or DVI
>
> Anticipating fiber optic internet connections in the next month or so I also ran Cat6 cabling for network switch and mount.
>
> So with that in mind the ports, mainly serial are what have me second guessing the NUC. I have, almost ready to ship out, a OnLogic NUC for a friends SRO system but that’s way more then I care to spend although it has all the necessary ports to hook everything up directly with hubs and so on. So based on this what would be a reasonable budget for what I’m looking for in a quality, reliable NUC? Even if I use the existing desktop computer I have now it will be without all the extender cables I’m using now as the computer is in the warm room 20’ away but the idea of a sealed fanless computer really appeals to me for this type of usage. Hence I’m looking for ideas to explore while this project continues, in of course, the hottest time of the year.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
>












 

--

Brian 

 

 

 

Brian Valente
Re: OT - anyone at this total solar in 1991

Barry Megdal
 

Don’t recall the hotel name, but we were in Cabo.  The hotel was the southernmost one on Baja, with beaches on both sides of the peninsula.  A great experience.

 

I tried to see the next Saros 136 eclipse (almost as long as the ‘91 eclipse) in Shanghai in 2009, but all we saw was a thunderstorm….there will not be a longer one until 2078, which I don’t expect to be around to see.

 

-        Barry

 

Dr. Barry Megdal

 

President

Shb Instruments, Inc.

19215 Parthenia St.  Suite A

Northridge, CA 91324

www.shbinstruments.com

(818) 773-2000  (818)773-2005 fax

bmegdal@...

 

Faculty (retired)

Dept. of Electrical Engineering

Caltech

 
Re: OT - anyone at this total solar in 1991

Fisanotti, John
 

I watched the eclipse from a beach south of La Paz in Baja.  It was my first total solar eclipse.  Later, I bought a 16” x 20 “ print of the eclipse, sold by Sky & Telescope.  It is Roland’s picture.  I still have the print.

 

John Fisanotti



Scanned by McAfee and confirmed virus-free.
Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Mark Striebeck
 

Just a few comments from my experience;

I have been using NUC's on my telescopes for several years now. They sit at the pier/tripod and run one USB cable up to the scope where I have a powered USB hub to connect to all devices. I'm using Chrome Remote to login to the NUC's.
  • It's overall a very stable setup. Having a dedicated computer for each telescope means I only install stuff that that telescope needs and don't create any random dependencies or side effects of processing software or such.
  • My scopes are outside (covered during the day). That means that NUC's are exposed to the elements (not directly usually). But the wear (hot sunlight, dew/rain...) takes a toll. Once a year or so I have to take them apart to clean them - and every now and then I have to wait to power them on if they are too hot or too wet. Today, I would definitively buy fanless/rugged ones (NUC has a new line NUC Elements)
  • You want to have a keyboard/mouse/monitor at hand. Every now and then something breaks and any remoting doesn't work (network configuration, bios settings...) I bought a mini HDMI monitor that I always carry to start parties that I can just plug in to get remoting work again.
  • I use Google Drive for data transfer - my imaging directories are mapped to Google Drive directories. That way I a) automatically create backups, but b) have all the images on my local computer in the morning. It's super convenient!
  • Even though the NUC's are supposed to work with any voltage between 12 and 19V, I found that every now and then I seem to have issues that went away when I added a DC-to-DC converter that supplies 19V to the NUC's.
  • I use fixed IP addresses for the NUC's, so when I take the telescopes to a star party I don't have to worry about different addresses.
Overall, I find it totally worth having NUC's (or any such small computers) on the scopes.

     Mark

On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 11:13 AM Dale Ghent <daleg@...> wrote:

Two things pop out at me:

1) You have a 1200GTO which lacks the through-mount cabling, which means any cables coming off your telescope will be suspended in air for some portion and would present snag hazards and each be subjected to repeated flexing and wear for some portion of their length.

2) Gosh, that's a lot of POS (plain old serial)

My own instinct and from working with mounts that have both thru-mount cableways and not, is to minimize that run of cables to the telescope and not run individual cables for each device up there.

On top of the scope, I would place a power pole hub and USB hub such as a StarTech 7-port model. I would run only one 12V and one USB cable from the NUC up to those devices. The powerpole hub would distribute power, and the USB hub would connect your USB devices and, for your devices which have only RS232 interfaces, USB to serial adapters for each. This the lightens the cable harness that comes off the telescope. Because you would use discrete USB to serial adaptors for your RS232 devices, you don't need to worry about having enough RS232 ports.

With all data devices on your telescope occupying only one USB port on your NUC, you can use a second USB port for the 4-port StarTech ICUSB23241. That can connect the dome, boltwood, CP backup, and flat panel. You'll then have USB ports to spare.

I would not bother with trying to pipe the NUC's keyboard+mouse and HDMI video over to your warm room. It's already on a 1Gb network, so just use MS Remote Desktop to remote in from a laptop of desktop PC on the network. Your wired LAN and also have a WAP so you don't even need a hardwire network connection for your latop and can also use tablet PCs or iPads to remote into your NUC to run sessions.

If you want to at the pier, you can keep a small keyboard and mouse to plug in to the NUC when you need to. Keep a small and cheap HDMI monitor on hand to use with them.


> On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:33, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
>
> I would guess sit on the pier.
>
> -Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
> Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 1:26 PM
> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer
>
>
> Just to be clear, is this NUC going to ride on top of your telescope on the mount, or sit on/close to the pier?
>
>> On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:11, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
>>
>> Hey Gang,
>>
>> In the process of setting up a 12’ Astro Haven dome and moving my 12.5” RC and AP1200 mount from the ROR to the dome. In the process I’m contemplating replacing the observatory computer with a NUC to both shorten the cabling and have a more compact unit. I counted the ports as the computer is now configured and have the following needs:
>>
>> Serial ports=7 I have a StarTech ICUSB23241 4 Port Industrial USB to RS232 Serial Hub but that still leaves 3 needed ports (focuser, rotator, AP1200 backup, Dew Heater Controller, Flat Panel, Boltwood, and dome controls)
>>
>> USB ports = 4 including the one for the Serial Hub, Guider camera, Main Camera, mouse and keyboard
>>
>> Network minimum=1 then use the 8 port Gigabit switch I have ( 1 AP1200, 1 Computer network,  onsite pan cameras (3), etc.)
>>
>> Display port=1 HDMI or DVI
>>
>> Anticipating fiber optic internet connections in the next month or so I also ran Cat6 cabling for network switch and mount.
>>
>> So with that in mind the ports, mainly serial are what have me second guessing the NUC. I have, almost ready to ship out, a OnLogic NUC for a friends SRO system but that’s way more then I care to spend although it has all the necessary ports to hook everything up directly with hubs and so on. So based on this what would be a reasonable budget for what I’m looking for in a quality, reliable NUC? Even if I use the existing desktop computer I have now it will be without all the extender cables I’m using now as the computer is in the warm room 20’ away but the idea of a sealed fanless computer really appeals to me for this type of usage. Hence I’m looking for ideas to explore while this project continues, in of course, the hottest time of the year.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>






Re: Imaging on grass

fl.lusen
 

Tom,

I was finally able to locate it.  Nice job.  Did you form the tire mounts yourself or obtain them already bent for the tires?

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Blahovici <tom.va2fsq@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jul 12, 2021 1:03 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Imaging on grass

First post

Re: Imaging on grass

fl.lusen
 

Tom,

I apparently never got that one.  Can you send me the photo?  I am currently configuring a wheelie bar for my 1100 and would like to see what you have done.

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Blahovici <tom.va2fsq@...>
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Sent: Mon, Jul 12, 2021 1:03 pm
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Imaging on grass

First post

Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Frank Widmann
 

I have a side by side configuration mounted on an AP 1600 and the two main scopes each have a piggyback scope. All scopes have cameras and electronic focusers and there are two filter wheels. I have two USB 3.0 cables running through the mount and connected to two Startech 7-port hubs that work flawlessly. At the other end the USB cables connect to a fanless Kingdel mini computer in a waterproof cabinet near the pier. The Kingdel has serial ports, and I use one to connect a cable to the RS 232 port on the GTOCP4. I have a field monitor, keypad and mouse in the cabinet, but I normally run the Kingdel headless using Remote Desktop. Even my control and image processing computers are NUCs or mini computers. I have three 12 volt power lines running through the mount. One is on its own power supply and feeds the dew controller. Two go to Rigrunner 8-port power distribution units and are connected to a regulated power supply. The mount has its own power supply. All the power supplies are in the cabinet and main power is controlled by a Digital Loggers wireless switching unit also in the cabinet. I also built a USB controlled relay box installed on the mount to turn older devices like Apogee cameras on and off so they can be discovered. This approach allows for very short wire runs to the equipment and eliminates snagging. The through the mount cabling is simple and easy to manage, and connections to stationary devices like the mount controller and the monitor stay off the rotating system.

Frank
Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Dale Ghent
 

Two things pop out at me:

1) You have a 1200GTO which lacks the through-mount cabling, which means any cables coming off your telescope will be suspended in air for some portion and would present snag hazards and each be subjected to repeated flexing and wear for some portion of their length.

2) Gosh, that's a lot of POS (plain old serial)

My own instinct and from working with mounts that have both thru-mount cableways and not, is to minimize that run of cables to the telescope and not run individual cables for each device up there.

On top of the scope, I would place a power pole hub and USB hub such as a StarTech 7-port model. I would run only one 12V and one USB cable from the NUC up to those devices. The powerpole hub would distribute power, and the USB hub would connect your USB devices and, for your devices which have only RS232 interfaces, USB to serial adapters for each. This the lightens the cable harness that comes off the telescope. Because you would use discrete USB to serial adaptors for your RS232 devices, you don't need to worry about having enough RS232 ports.

With all data devices on your telescope occupying only one USB port on your NUC, you can use a second USB port for the 4-port StarTech ICUSB23241. That can connect the dome, boltwood, CP backup, and flat panel. You'll then have USB ports to spare.

I would not bother with trying to pipe the NUC's keyboard+mouse and HDMI video over to your warm room. It's already on a 1Gb network, so just use MS Remote Desktop to remote in from a laptop of desktop PC on the network. Your wired LAN and also have a WAP so you don't even need a hardwire network connection for your latop and can also use tablet PCs or iPads to remote into your NUC to run sessions.

If you want to at the pier, you can keep a small keyboard and mouse to plug in to the NUC when you need to. Keep a small and cheap HDMI monitor on hand to use with them.

On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:33, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@gmail.com> wrote:

I would guess sit on the pier.

-Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 1:26 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer


Just to be clear, is this NUC going to ride on top of your telescope on the mount, or sit on/close to the pier?

On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:11, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey Gang,

In the process of setting up a 12’ Astro Haven dome and moving my 12.5” RC and AP1200 mount from the ROR to the dome. In the process I’m contemplating replacing the observatory computer with a NUC to both shorten the cabling and have a more compact unit. I counted the ports as the computer is now configured and have the following needs:

Serial ports=7 I have a StarTech ICUSB23241 4 Port Industrial USB to RS232 Serial Hub but that still leaves 3 needed ports (focuser, rotator, AP1200 backup, Dew Heater Controller, Flat Panel, Boltwood, and dome controls)

USB ports = 4 including the one for the Serial Hub, Guider camera, Main Camera, mouse and keyboard

Network minimum=1 then use the 8 port Gigabit switch I have ( 1 AP1200, 1 Computer network, onsite pan cameras (3), etc.)

Display port=1 HDMI or DVI

Anticipating fiber optic internet connections in the next month or so I also ran Cat6 cabling for network switch and mount.

So with that in mind the ports, mainly serial are what have me second guessing the NUC. I have, almost ready to ship out, a OnLogic NUC for a friends SRO system but that’s way more then I care to spend although it has all the necessary ports to hook everything up directly with hubs and so on. So based on this what would be a reasonable budget for what I’m looking for in a quality, reliable NUC? Even if I use the existing desktop computer I have now it will be without all the extender cables I’m using now as the computer is in the warm room 20’ away but the idea of a sealed fanless computer really appeals to me for this type of usage. Hence I’m looking for ideas to explore while this project continues, in of course, the hottest time of the year.

Thanks,

Steve
Re: Off Topic-NUC Computer

Eric Weiner
 

Just a different possible solution. I was just able to pick up an ICRON Ranger 3104 for a good price. It works fantastically over 100’ of cat6 and is rated for ~300’. It took some troubleshooting to get it working (USB controller resets and serial port configs), but I’m running the following through a single cat6 over 100’ now with zero bottlenecks or upsests:

-QHY268M into UPBv2
-QHY5III guide camera into UPBv2
-Flip Flat into UPBv2
-MBox into UPBv2
-Optec focuser into UPBv2
-UPBv2 through my Mach2 to the 3104 Rex
-2x serial to USB from CP5 to 3104 Rex
3104 Rex to 3104 Lex over cat6 to my home office PC. 

It has LAN pass through as well. 

I’m not certain about your HDMI link, but the 3104 is designed to pass teleconferencing data. 

I’m fairly confident that several serial over USB devices connected to a hub will work through a singe USB 3 port on the 3104. I can test this with mine if you like. 

In the process I was able to optimize USB speed settings in the ASCOM drivers such that my download speeds are faster now than they were using a local laptop for data acquisition. Each box is 24VDC which works out nice for Mach2 owners. 

Just thought I’d share my recent experience as a potential option. 

Cheers,
Eric 



On Jul 12, 2021, at 11:43, Brian Valente <bvalente@...> wrote:


Hi Steve

I pretty much only use nuc-style computers (and by this I mean headless computers that I access remotely). 

i have a few here that work just fine: Intel NUC, Lenovo has some good ones. They are reasonably priced, though most have fans. I have also picked up many of them coming off lease, well equipped and with windows 10 pro for around $200-250. 

When we looked at NUCs for our remote obs in chile, the main reason we went with fanless was not better cooling, but minimizing points of failure. The technicians there said if and when something on the computer fails, it's almost always the fan (environment, dust, etc.) so fanless was a way to eliminate that. 

If you feel your environment and risk factors would lead you to a fanless design, I do like OnLogic. They have added some smaller NUC style computers more recently, so you might either message them or browse their catalog. They were a little tricky for me to find



On Mon, Jul 12, 2021 at 10:33 AM Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
I would guess sit on the pier.

-Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> On Behalf Of Dale Ghent
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 1:26 PM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Off Topic-NUC Computer


Just to be clear, is this NUC going to ride on top of your telescope on the mount, or sit on/close to the pier?

> On Jul 12, 2021, at 13:11, Steve Reilly <sreilly24590@...> wrote:
>
> Hey Gang,
>
> In the process of setting up a 12’ Astro Haven dome and moving my 12.5” RC and AP1200 mount from the ROR to the dome. In the process I’m contemplating replacing the observatory computer with a NUC to both shorten the cabling and have a more compact unit. I counted the ports as the computer is now configured and have the following needs:
>
> Serial ports=7 I have a StarTech ICUSB23241 4 Port Industrial USB to RS232 Serial Hub but that still leaves 3 needed ports (focuser, rotator, AP1200 backup, Dew Heater Controller, Flat Panel, Boltwood, and dome controls)
>
> USB ports = 4 including the one for the Serial Hub, Guider camera, Main Camera, mouse and keyboard
>
> Network minimum=1 then use the 8 port Gigabit switch I have ( 1 AP1200, 1 Computer network,  onsite pan cameras (3), etc.)
>
> Display port=1 HDMI or DVI
>
> Anticipating fiber optic internet connections in the next month or so I also ran Cat6 cabling for network switch and mount.
>
> So with that in mind the ports, mainly serial are what have me second guessing the NUC. I have, almost ready to ship out, a OnLogic NUC for a friends SRO system but that’s way more then I care to spend although it has all the necessary ports to hook everything up directly with hubs and so on. So based on this what would be a reasonable budget for what I’m looking for in a quality, reliable NUC? Even if I use the existing desktop computer I have now it will be without all the extender cables I’m using now as the computer is in the warm room 20’ away but the idea of a sealed fanless computer really appeals to me for this type of usage. Hence I’m looking for ideas to explore while this project continues, in of course, the hottest time of the year.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
>














--
Brian 



Brian Valente
Re: Imaging on grass

Tom Blahovici
 

First post
Re: Computer max ambient temperature

Jeffc
 

I don’t have exact numbers on this but just a side note on cooling the computer during the hot day…  a simple house fan blowing air across the computer might help. 

I have a MacMini 2012 i5 w/ SSD attached to the eagle tripod pier.  No observatory ; I use a telegizmos tripod cover, and OTA cover. 
The main reason for the cover is to keep dirt off that part of the gear , and also dew.  

At night I open the telegizmos cover a bit for cooling.   During the day if the computer is on it will eventually shut down do to the fan/cooler not designed for such heat.  I think it might have shut down when it was hit by direct sunlight. 

Anyhow for doing solar imaging this was a bit of problem… so I just put a 12” house fan blowing on the MacMini. 
Problem solved. 




On Jul 12, 2021, at 1:29 PM, Joe Zeglinski <J.Zeglinski@...> wrote:


Hi John,
 
    No need to “WASTE ... power and computer lifetime” keeping your computers and heater running, as well as having to  keep track of “humidity readings” yourself.
 
    Have a look in this group’s   AP-GTO Files section, for my home-made DIY controller -
 
“ An - Un-Dewer - Keeping Dome and Scope Dry.pdf   Update... with The UN-DEWER Parts List and Construction Diagram
 
    Even without an observatory shelter, I have it automated to heat the AP-1200 & RC-14 scope “trapped air pocket” to prevent dewing,  under my very light, (almost parachute weight)  nylon TARP,  constantly dry, at my RH% level,  dial-set humidity percentage – in all seasons and weather – operating entirely unattended. Even strong gusts of wind, flapping the tarp’s skirt, losing some air, doesn’t affect it for long. It quickly recovers.
 
    Just choose a “suitable” heating device ...  such as  my 900 watt “LITTLE BUDDY”,  car & truck cab heater/blower, which can handle western Canada cold  for long haul truckers ... you even use a simple “incandescent”  lamp bank/bathroom fixture.
I just flip the controller’s power switch off, during any observing sessions.

 

    Zerostart 2600900 Interior Car Warmer Compact Plug-in Electric Portable Heater, 3,000 BTU | 120 Volts | 900 Watts

 
    Mine has now been been providing CYCLIC  heating to dispel “potential dew” back into the surrounding air,  24/7/365 since January, 2013 – under direct sun & in severe storms,  in summer heat and northern winters.
Only had to replace the “cab-heater” device, once, due to a dead fan, in all those 8 years.
 
Joe Z.
 
From: John Jennings
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2021 11:45 AM
To: main@ap-gto.groups.io
Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Computer max ambient temperature
 
I have several telescopes with different mini pc's attached that stay outside in the weather under multiple layer covers 24x7x365. I pretty much leave the computers running 24x7 during the cold and wet winters, but during the summer I generally shut everything down during the day as ambient temps get over 100 degrees in Allen Texas. I use dedicated Intel NUC and Beelink mini PC's attached to each telescope. I've been doing this for 2 years now with no issues whatsoever.
 I do watch the humidity and keep the computers running and a 40 watt droplight under the covers to control the humidity during rainy or humid weather.
 
     I use the Pegasus Ultimate V2 to monitor the environment. I have an AP155, AP130 and Mewlon 300 on AP mounts outside. I've kept remote telescopes in the deserts for years and have become pretty amazed of how rugged good systems can be.

I use Core Temp to monitor the CPU core temps on the mini PCs. It is an awesome freeware program that can send alerts and even shut down the PC as defined by the user. I've had my cores reach 190 degrees without any issues. I don't normally run the computers that hot. The program generally shows that my intel processors have a max core temp limit of 221F degrees.  Core Temp is a really neat tool.

https://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

John

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