stash Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 (edited) FAO - None EQ mounts - i.e. AZ goto I have installed a Ascom driver from a Brazillian outfit which can be used to drive AZ GoTo's (NOT EQ although they do EQ driver as well , why I don't know). I have tested this out,using AScom driver, on CA2 and CDC using the Synscan handset in Direct PC Mode - it seems to work ok. First test so don't know if its accurate etc plus not all the functionality of a "Real EQ" mount. Next test will be to talk directly to the AZ mount without the SYNSCAN - so cable from PC thru USB to RS232 and then to RS232 to TTL converter and into the mount. They have done this to and sell the cable. They have shown it running a Virtuoso but say its also works for Allview and GoTo Dobs. Of course they have then put the AZ on a simple EQ platform and say it works exactly as a EQ Mount with nearly a fork. Also there is an Android App and has been used via Sky Safari Plus. Obviously wont be of interest to the EQ "Big Boys" but others with Skywatcher AZ ,Allview etc might be interested. Excuse the English I have been reading translated Portuguese as the docs are not in english. Interested in any comments pointing out the obvious things I have missed ( I am a NOOBIE). Edited February 16, 2015 by stash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 update test report - Direct connection fo mount port (No Hand set in site) works with CDC and C2A via network and Raspberry Pi. Speed is ok but there is a slight delay due to the "packet effect" of TCP/IP. Next test distance - thought aboy 30m (longest Cat5 cable I have got and perhaps wireless but the later will add latency. Left it tracking for 1 hr and no problems - sounding like the mount was moving or there is a clock inside the mount Note still need to prove it tracks but there was a lot of traffic and the lights flashed a lot on the TTL converter. So no USB/Windows version driver problems - Linux see's the USB connection by default (/dev/ttyUSB0), no distance problems(maybe) , cheap £54 for cable/conveter and PI. AND simple to install. Will also try cheap Chinese USB/TTl converter (£5) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted February 18, 2015 Author Share Posted February 18, 2015 Cheap FDTI USB to Serial converter worked(so far - running as I type) and I was wrong it was £1.99 inc postage and delivered from the UK in 2 working days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted February 19, 2015 Author Share Posted February 19, 2015 Update - Ran a test (indoors) track using CDC. Marked the AZ/Alt on the mount and started the test for 2 hrs - seemed to run ok mount moved and looked as expected after 2 hr.CDC worked ok and according to the info coming back(if true) was working ok. I am going to run a full "real world" test subject to clear skies to see how it tracks Jupiter in real time. Also going to rig up a simple Eq Platform and run the EQ driver(currently using the Ascom AZ driver) from the same outfit to see if that works and really does convert the AZ into an acceptable(and low cost) remote controlled EQ outfit for small scopes/AP etc. If nothing else it will give everyone something to laugh about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 (edited) created a quick and dirty eq platform and install sw goto mount top from Astroboot. see pictures of black box containing Raspberry pi , connectors to rs232 to TTL convertor, ethernet etc Just need to run test totally outside - who knows it may even work - note won't be perfect as my drilling was all by hand as my drill mount and drill an't compatible - but this is mark uno not a handset in sight https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVekVvZkVqOHE4V00/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVcTgwVTA4am9SdDg/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVOXhtRXFEUnFJRWc/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVc05XSGw3U1FablE/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVSkd2M1hnOVB6Rnc/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVSWV3R0FJbVdwTWs/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVQm16TVFyTnQ4S1U/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVbHNwTTU2N25ISm8/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVNGpUUDZzT0NOSHc/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVMkpCYUxZS2ZLUUE/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVLTNjbzh4TG1PTUk/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVdFV6ZTZGVmtOdXc/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVdm1DVGJMZ0VSOUU/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVYm1qN19oMDBCb00/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9aHac2P5RgVT2RjdDgxZFN6amc/view?usp=sharing Edited February 28, 2015 by stash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 That looks amazing. I don't know what tolerance you needed, but hand drilling is usually somewhere near, like you say a proper run at night will be the acid test for it. Fingers crossed Clive, it looks like that took a few hours work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xanthic Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Nice one. Looking forward to your next report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 Well ran the test outside last night using the Ascom GOTO EQ driver using the EQ Platform (Wedge). Used C2a,CDC and Stellarium (and you have to use Stellarium Scope ) software. Results not good but perhaps not surprising 1. All the electrics worked a treat but I need a master switch to kill battery connection instead of spanner route 2. Network was ok on wireless but flawless on cable - ran 20-30 feet from office to grass area outside(cable a lot longer though !) - nice being warm and still able to view camera and record on DVR . Biggest problem using wireless was the 7 inch Windows 8.1 tablet fingers are too big and the pointer stick is hit and miss else it worked ok - In the end gave up and connected to Desktop via cable - aaaah the mouse and keyboard. 3. The Ascom GOTO EQ driver did some weird things like insisting to go in a circle (315 degrees) instead of just moving 45 degrees the other but this mean't that it clashed with mount (not good) . Mainly when I tried to "Synch" but I think I have seen this is "real" eq mounts even when Slewing ????? In the end I gave up and decided to read what instructions there were ( i was in IT for 40+ yrs we never read manuals ) The biggest problem appears to be alignment as there is no handset and no software functions to adjust and on SW AZ GOTO mount there is no "unlock" clutch bolts except for the one hidden behind the camera mount and the "cup" bolt but this is very unsatisfactory. There is an APP which drives Safari Plus and has software controlled movement to help align star in camera(tele) view but this doesn't work on my phone and SafariPlus 4 works on my Android table (v4) but the App doesn't So where does this leave the test 1. The AZ GoTo driver from the same outfit seams to work well and you can still run without a handset - and no EQ Wedge/platform 2. Without sorting the weird movements the EQ GoTo driver looks dead in the water but I will try and talk to the Developer ( Goole Translate Portuguese ) 3. May think about upgrading the Phone/tablet to run Safari 4 plus and App to get alignment control. 4. Read the instructions again. Still some good things - Electrics,Remote Mount comms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xanthic Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Sounds like you are getting there Not sure how you sync the scope in Stellarium but in Carte du Ciel its a doddle. Point the scope at a bright star and click sync and you're done. Rinse and repeat for more accuracy. It might be worth setting up the limits in ASCOM to stop the gear crashing into the mount. I'm wondering if it is slewing the long way around to avoid the meridian? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 In Stellarium you sync by Selecting "Sync" from drop down menu as Scope adds Cancel and Sync to Slew - its talks via 3 ports numbers one for each action. Don't like it a bit messy. As you say Leigh CDC and C2a right click and Sync - but there is no "Point" mechanism and manual changes just aren't feasible with a SW AZ Synscan mount. I.e. No equivalent,as I know of, up,down,left and right arrows as per SynScan handset - the hand controller window in C2A doesn't work for this Ascom driver and I no way in CDC of doing the movements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xanthic Posted March 5, 2015 Share Posted March 5, 2015 Have you tried using AstroTortilla? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stash Posted March 5, 2015 Author Share Posted March 5, 2015 That relies on a camera and doesn't provide the simple solution I am looking for(yet) - but thanks for the link Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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