I just did that, so I'll throw out what I learned. 1. Disconnect the ST-4 cable from your guide camera to the mount. 2. In MaxIm's Guide tab -> Settings -> Control Via, choose ASCOM Direct. 3. Below t

_I_ don't change anything. Balancing heavy-east with the CW on the east side means the balance will be heavy-west when the CW is on the west side. But I'll take Howard's advice and balance neutral, so

Much appreciated, Howard. I will re balance, and I'll also move the CWs up the shaft, as A-P recommends for lowest inertial moment arm. How do I know if my AP1200, serial number 1200589, has such a ge

My AP1200 exhibits better autoguiding while pointing east of the meridian than it does while pointing west. I autoguide with MaxIm and a separate 60mm f/5 scope and ST-402 camera mounted on a dovetail

That's why I like the Edgeport box -- you can use a real RS-232 cable with connectors having screws. Also, I often use "amazing Goop" <http://eclecticproducts.com/amazing-goop-all-purpose.html> to sec

[ap-gto] wrote: I've had very good results with the FTDI chipset in astronomy as well as ham radio applications. How many serial ports do you need? I've also had extremely good results with an Edgepor

Ay-yi-yi! My Min Move was set to 0.5 seconds! I set it to 0.02 seconds, and my guiding is back to its normal 0.7 arcsec or lower RMS on both axes, typically 0.5 or 0.6 arcsec. And this is with a guide

It does not, and MAY not, since I use ACP automation software to control the mount. But ACP provides an ASCOM hub, and I believe other apps can connect to the mount via ASCOM using that hub. I'll ask

I'm still having problems guiding my AP1200 with an ST-402 guide camera and MaxIm. The guider calibrates fine, so it appears the mount is responding to movement commands from the camera. But the MaxIm

I think I discovered the problem -- M13's Dec in my ACP observing plan was seriously wrong. I just created a new plan with the ACP Plan Capture and Planner software, and the Dec in the plan is correct

[ap-gto] wrote: Sure: <http://astronomy.mdodd.com/files/ACP_settings.jpg> Everything is correct. Tonight should be clear again, so at 22:00 I'll tell ACP to slew to Alphecca, why SkyX shows to be just

wrote: I just checked everything, and here is a screen show showing the ASCOM driver: <http://astronomy.mdodd.com/files/Obs_PC_full_screen_with_ASCOM.jpg> Let me know if you see anything screwy. Quest

wrote: Lat/long, time and time zone in SkyX are set exactly the same on both PCs. At 13:00 today both showed exactly the same position and 13:14 DST transit time for the Sun. Thank you. I will take a

[ap-gto] wrote: I'll double-check that tonight. Next, did you send the scope to M13 via TheSkyX or through Through ACP directly. SkyX was not running on the observatory PC. I mainly use SkyX on my off

wrote: I never connect to the mount using SkyX -- only with ACP using ASCOM. I use SkyX ONLY to see what targets are visible, and then, almost always on my office PC. I rarely run SkyX on the observat

Sigh.... Things were working, now they're not. Last night I tried to image M13 with my AP1200 mount connected via ASCOM to ACP. TheSkyX told me it would transit at 23:54 DST in my Eastern time zone, w

You might consider three STRIPS of tape from one face of the CW through the hole to the other face. Be sure the strips clear the locking bolt. These would provide three sliding surfaces instead of one

I can suggest three ways: * Silicone spray * Canning wax from the grocery store (or candle wax) * E.F. Johnson furniture wax (rub on, let dry, rub off)

Congratulations! Sounds like a great testimonial for a print ad. How about posting it on CN? You're preaching to the choir here. :-)

christopher.k.erickson@... [ap-gto] wrote: You nailed it! I replaced the cable today, and the camera is guiding well again, even at Dec 2 degrees, where it failed miserably last week. I'm using