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Re: APCC Setup help request for new AP1100
dcraft34@comcast.net
Hi Ray,
Thanks for your replies. I thing this situation is now resolved, and I’m posting this for closure and maybe for information helping others. I listened when you mentioned that most ethernet connections occur via a switch and that my peer-to-peer direct connection was non-standard. Rather than bug Daleen and George, I simply purchsed an ethernet switch and inserted it in the ethernet path between my computer and my CP-4. I then had an operative ‘magnify glass’ button and selected the only available IP address. Then clicked ‘connect to APver2 Driver’ and got error message. I then clicked ‘connect to mount’ and was instantly connected to the mount. I had changed nothing else. Everything now seems functional and proper. All seems well. Clearly, there was somethinbg I had missed. I will have fun now. Thanks for your help. Dave
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Re: Balance: what happens at Meridian flip?
W Hilmo
On that subject, are you still planning on making the new gearboxes
with the disengagement lever available for older AP1100 and AP1600
mounts?
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
I'm currently doing declination balance for my scopes on the bench by configuring them exactly as they will be used, and then using a wooden dowel under the dovetail to find the balance point and marking it with some tape. When I mount the scope, I position the dovetail so that the tape is directly over the declination axis. I suspect that if I could disengage the worm, though, I could do better. Thanks, -Wade
On 8/9/21 8:48 AM, Roland Christen via
groups.io wrote:
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Re: Is the apcc license transferable when I sell my old mount with CP4?
Ray Gralak
Same thing with pempro. I am getting delivery of a ap1100 and they include the software.It is CCDWare's policy that PEMPro licenses purchased from the CCDWare site are not sellable/transferable. This is the case with most software these days. However, if you received a PEMPro license with an A-P mount, the PEMPro license goes with the mount if the mount is sold. The previous owner is no longer entitled to use that specific license. If the previous owner never registered the software, the new owner can register PEMPro for himself at no cost. If the previous owner had registered PEMPro, and the new owner wishes to use that PEMPro license, then there will be a transfer fee. -Ray -----Original Message-----
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Re: Is the apcc license transferable when I sell my old mount with CP4?
Tom Blahovici
Yes. You are right.
It would be good though to allow the sale of a complete mount and allow transfer of the license. Thanks Mark Best regards, Tom
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Re: Is the apcc license transferable when I sell my old mount with CP4?
The current license agreement does not allow transfer of any version of APCC. However, we are reviewing the policy and considering amending the license agreement to allow transfers with the sale of a mount.
I think what you are referring to is APAE, which is the Astro-Physics Absolute Encoder Utility. This is the software program that we provided to early users of the absolute encoders before APCC was updated to include control. The license agreement states: APAE: This Software Product may be transferred without charge along with the AstroPhysics mount on which the Absolute Encoders are installed. You must provide AstroPhysics with the name and address of the person to whom you are transferring the rights granted herein. The recipient must provide a bill of sale and agree in writing to all terms of this License Agreement in order to have the Software registered in their name.
I hope this clarifies the issue.
Clear Skies, Marj Christen Astro-Physics 11250 Forest Hills Road Machesney Park, IL 61115 Phone: 815-282-1513 www.astro-physics.com
From: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io>
On Behalf Of Tom Blahovici
Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2021 3:01 PM To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Subject: [ap-gto] Is the apcc license transferable when I sell my old mount with CP4?
Hi There is a mention of the pro version with encoders but not the standard in the license agreement.
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Re: Is the apcc license transferable when I sell my old mount with CP4?
Tom Blahovici
Same thing with pempro. I am getting delivery of a ap1100 and they include the software.
Thanks
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Is the apcc license transferable when I sell my old mount with CP4?
Tom Blahovici
Hi
There is a mention of the pro version with encoders but not the standard in the license agreement. Thanks, Tom
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Re: When does APPC/APPM model become invalid?
Roland Christen
I plan to do a grease job on the mount and possible redo the pempro curve. I imagine that these would require a new model but don't really know. Re-doing a PemPro curve will not affect the model. Modeling cannot compensate for periodic error, it can only compensate for global errors. Think of periodic error as being potholes in the road and modeling as being the self driving software that keeps you going straight or following a slowly curving road. The modeling will not adjust itself for the potholes. That's what PEM correction is for.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris White <chris.white@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, Aug 10, 2021 9:18 am Subject: Re: [ap-gto] When does APPC/APPM model become invalid? I'd be interested in the answer as well.
My mount is on a tripod in an observatory and I adjusted PA the other night. I didn't update my model and guiding remained at around 0.35" RMS error in phd2. So it seems that just a small tweak in PA didn't cause any issues. I plan to do a grease job on the mount and possible redo the pempro curve. I imagine that these would require a new model but don't really know. -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: APPC/APPM
Roland Christen
Tracking at the sidereal rate only works precisely at the zenith and only if the mount is precisely polar aligned. Everywhere else there will be drift. How much drift depends on your image scale and how far from the zenith you are and how well polar aligned you are. Modeling compensates for the drift to a high degree.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Bruce McMath <bruce.mcmath@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Tue, Aug 10, 2021 8:56 am Subject: [ap-gto] APPC/APPM three quick questions:
I have a 900 mount and take lots of unguided images for photometry - over a hundred thousand todate. A big factor in the quality of my data is tracking-related, costing me a lot of time filtering out the worst. I am in line for a Mach2 but who knows when that will become reality. I have been hesitant to buy the APPC given that it comes with the Mach2. Hate to pay for the same thing twice. :-) But, if it really works..... -- James (Bruce) McMath -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: APPC/APPM
Dale Ghent
Of your 3 questions, the 2nd one is the most pertinent and the answer to it informs the answers for the 1st and 3rd.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
We all live under one giant lens called the atmosphere. We all know it's dynamic with many layers and variations in density between not only those but also different regions of the visible sky. All of this affects how light from space reaches any given point on earth. Mapping the refractive variations of the atmosphere allows a mount to compensate for the effects of atmospheric refraction in any location in the sky that is modeled. The model itself can be adjusted based on measured changes to temperature, to an extent. Think of this mapping as making a PEC, but for the sky. We have PECs and encoders for compensating for the mechanical variances of the mount, and point mapping brings (broadly) the same concept to the sky. Point mapping can also compensate for non-mount mechanical variations such as any minute flexure of your OTA as it gets pulled by gravity differently when in different orientations (aka flexure). Functionally, APPM creates a model that APCC then uses to influence the mount with. Yes, you get pointing accuracy, but APCC will also interpolate any needed changes to tracking speed when traversing between mapped areas of the sky. Needless to say, a more dense point model will give more accurate results than a sparse one. So, with that, it's not a stretch to realize the benefits it has for tracking. A good model is essential for unguided imaging. How long you can go without noticing an excursion depends on your setup and optics, though.
On Aug 10, 2021, at 09:56, Bruce McMath <bruce.mcmath@gmail.com> wrote:
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Re: When does APPC/APPM model become invalid?
Chris White
I'd be interested in the answer as well.
My mount is on a tripod in an observatory and I adjusted PA the other night. I didn't update my model and guiding remained at around 0.35" RMS error in phd2. So it seems that just a small tweak in PA didn't cause any issues. I plan to do a grease job on the mount and possible redo the pempro curve. I imagine that these would require a new model but don't really know.
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APPC/APPM
three quick questions:
I have a 900 mount and take lots of unguided images for photometry - over a hundred thousand todate. A big factor in the quality of my data is tracking-related, costing me a lot of time filtering out the worst. I am in line for a Mach2 but who knows when that will become reality. I have been hesitant to buy the APPC given that it comes with the Mach2. Hate to pay for the same thing twice. :-) But, if it really works..... -- James (Bruce) McMath
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Re: When does APPC/APPM model become invalid?
Ray Gralak
Hi Brian,
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
As you know, I responded to you offline earlier. I will take a look at your logs and get back to you. -Ray
-----Original Message-----
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Re: Balance: what happens at Meridian flip?
Roland Christen
That still doesn't tell me what kind of motor mount it has.
In any case, how long have you had the mount - since 1998 perhaps?
Does it work for you?
If so, then what you are doing must be good.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 8:28 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? Sorry
Its an AP900GOTO purchased in May 2008.
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 04:58:02 p.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
Unfortunately doesn't tell me anything.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 5:19 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? Mine is a 2008 vintage S/N:900712
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 02:04:56 p.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
The 900/1200 mounts have spring action built into the motor mounting bracket. They require meshing the teeth properly in order to take advantage of the spring action. The very early and oldest mounts had fixed brackets with no spring, and they would require careful mesh. So, it depends what vintage mount you have.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 2:01 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? This true for the older 2008 900GOTO?
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 09:48:48 a.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
With our spring loaded mounts balance both axes, especially Dec.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Iversen <inoddy@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sun, Aug 8, 2021 7:21 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? What about dec balance? The manual says to balance camera heavy. I used to achieve counterweight heavy and camera heavy by balancing with the lens cap on. But after a while I figured that the lens cap was too heavy to do this and manual finessing was better.
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Balance: what happens at Meridian flip?
Sorry Its an AP900GOTO purchased in May 2008. Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 04:58:02 p.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
Unfortunately doesn't tell me anything.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 5:19 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? Mine is a 2008 vintage S/N:900712
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 02:04:56 p.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
The 900/1200 mounts have spring action built into the motor mounting bracket. They require meshing the teeth properly in order to take advantage of the spring action. The very early and oldest mounts had fixed brackets with no spring, and they would require careful mesh. So, it depends what vintage mount you have.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 2:01 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? This true for the older 2008 900GOTO?
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 09:48:48 a.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
With our spring loaded mounts balance both axes, especially Dec.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Iversen <inoddy@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sun, Aug 8, 2021 7:21 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? What about dec balance? The manual says to balance camera heavy. I used to achieve counterweight heavy and camera heavy by balancing with the lens cap on. But after a while I figured that the lens cap was too heavy to do this and manual finessing was better.
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Balance: what happens at Meridian flip?
Roland Christen
Unfortunately doesn't tell me anything.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 5:19 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? Mine is a 2008 vintage S/N:900712
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 02:04:56 p.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
The 900/1200 mounts have spring action built into the motor mounting bracket. They require meshing the teeth properly in order to take advantage of the spring action. The very early and oldest mounts had fixed brackets with no spring, and they would require careful mesh. So, it depends what vintage mount you have.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 2:01 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? This true for the older 2008 900GOTO?
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 09:48:48 a.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
With our spring loaded mounts balance both axes, especially Dec.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Iversen <inoddy@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sun, Aug 8, 2021 7:21 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? What about dec balance? The manual says to balance camera heavy. I used to achieve counterweight heavy and camera heavy by balancing with the lens cap on. But after a while I figured that the lens cap was too heavy to do this and manual finessing was better.
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Balance: what happens at Meridian flip?
Mine is a 2008 vintage S/N:900712 Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 02:04:56 p.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
The 900/1200 mounts have spring action built into the motor mounting bracket. They require meshing the teeth properly in order to take advantage of the spring action. The very early and oldest mounts had fixed brackets with no spring, and they would require careful mesh. So, it depends what vintage mount you have.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 2:01 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? This true for the older 2008 900GOTO?
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 09:48:48 a.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
With our spring loaded mounts balance both axes, especially Dec.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Iversen <inoddy@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sun, Aug 8, 2021 7:21 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? What about dec balance? The manual says to balance camera heavy. I used to achieve counterweight heavy and camera heavy by balancing with the lens cap on. But after a while I figured that the lens cap was too heavy to do this and manual finessing was better.
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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When does APPC/APPM model become invalid?
Hi folks, this one is probably for Ray - under what conditions does an APPM generated pointing model become invalid? I have been experiencing tracking/guiding issues, and when I turned off tracking corrections, the issues went away. Which leads me to believe i need to re-do APPM I'm just thinking through what may have caused this, and didn't have a clear picture on what types of conditions would cause this (e.g., re-meshing worm, etc.)
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Re: Balance: what happens at Meridian flip?
Roland Christen
The 900/1200 mounts have spring action built into the motor mounting bracket. They require meshing the teeth properly in order to take advantage of the spring action. The very early and oldest mounts had fixed brackets with no spring, and they would require careful mesh. So, it depends what vintage mount you have.
Rolando
-----Original Message-----
From: Don Anderson via groups.io <jockey_ca@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io <main@ap-gto.groups.io> Sent: Mon, Aug 9, 2021 2:01 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? This true for the older 2008 900GOTO?
Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 09:48:48 a.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
With our spring loaded mounts balance both axes, especially Dec.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Iversen <inoddy@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sun, Aug 8, 2021 7:21 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? What about dec balance? The manual says to balance camera heavy. I used to achieve counterweight heavy and camera heavy by balancing with the lens cap on. But after a while I figured that the lens cap was too heavy to do this and manual finessing was better.
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics -- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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Re: Balance: what happens at Meridian flip?
This true for the older 2008 900GOTO? Don Anderson
On Monday, August 9, 2021, 09:48:48 a.m. MDT, Roland Christen via groups.io <chris1011@...> wrote:
With our spring loaded mounts balance both axes, especially Dec.
Roland
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Iversen <inoddy@...> To: main@ap-gto.groups.io Sent: Sun, Aug 8, 2021 7:21 pm Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Balance: what happens at Meridian flip? What about dec balance? The manual says to balance camera heavy. I used to achieve counterweight heavy and camera heavy by balancing with the lens cap on. But after a while I figured that the lens cap was too heavy to do this and manual finessing was better.
-- Roland Christen Astro-Physics
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