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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Hitech Astro DC focuser problem

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Hi,

I'm having a problem with the Hitech Astro DC focuser from Ekos / Indi.
Setup is rpi running kstars/ekos/indi or rpi remote indi server depending on how I'm set up.
It connects no problem however, it intermittently moves the focuser when pressing in / out buttons from Indi control panel or via joystick control. It might move it once or twice then fails to move it thereafter. Also there is quite a lag between pressing the button and the focuser actually moving.
I also noticed that I can't change the value in the relative position tab - it's stuck on 100 with a red or yellow indicator.
Would be handy to get this fixed as it's invaluable for auto focus.

Connecting via windows and using the supplied utility works fine.

Log file attached:


Thanks - Martin
Last edit: 6 years 4 months ago by Martin Rumsam. Reason: Adding log file
6 years 4 months ago #20782
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After a bit of testing it seems to be on the RPi that the problem exists.
Running it off my Kubuntu desktop it seems to respond correctly (relative position count changes in indi control panel when focusing in or out).

RPI is running Ubuntu MATE.
6 years 4 months ago #20802

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I use a Usb_focus, not a Hitech but I get a similar problem on a slow computer.

For me the problem is the driver pooling the device too frequently, this make some random error with wrong position reading and sometime the focuser moving far from the requested position.
I solved the problem by increasing the value of POLLMS from 250 to 1000 in usbfocusv3.cpp, making the position to refresh only every seconds.

In hitecastrodcfocuser.cpp the value of POLLMS is 100. Maybe increasing this value can also help you.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Jasem Mutlaq, Caux
Last edit: 6 years 4 months ago by Patrick Chevalley.
6 years 4 months ago #20805

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Thanks! I changed them both to 500ms.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Martin Rumsam
6 years 4 months ago #20814

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Great thanks - I'll give it test when it's ready for update
6 years 4 months ago #20816

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Hi,

I can't seem to find the updated driver for the focuser.
sudo apt-get update then install doesn't seem to have any new versions available.
(I can't use the s/w updater from MATE on rpi as it complains about lack of disk space)

Thanks
6 years 4 months ago #20839

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Having almost given up running this from the rpi I've rebuild my desktop to run as the Indi server with Kstars and Ekos.
All running well apart from (you guessed it) the Hitec DC focuser. The driver crashes when started.

I've attached the log file.

Thanks in advance.

Martin
6 years 4 months ago #20880
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Hi there,
You can get rid off all older versions of downloaded packages with command : sudo apt-get autoclean to free up some space.

Br
/Markku
6 years 4 months ago #20881

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I found and fixed the issue, please update tomorrow and check.
6 years 4 months ago #20882

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Hi Jaseem, I guess the update hasn't worked it's way through yet as I haven't seen a fixed driver yet.
I have a workaround for now (on Kubuntu 16.04) which entailed deleting the config file and editing the default config and loading that manually each time I start INDI.

Thanks - Martin
6 years 3 months ago #21374

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No the fix made it long ago, are you sure you're using the latest stuff from the PPA?
6 years 3 months ago #21377

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Yes I believe so.

Did the usual sudo apt-get update, sudo apt-get-upgrade but nothing seemed to change

I did notice this while searching GitHub in relation to the hitecastro build - not sure if it's relevant.

master Do not call saveAllConfigItem(..) and handle case where all CONFIG_PROCESS switches are off

Commit a6fc9ad
Compare e30aac2..a6fc9ad
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JM Jasem Mutlaq avatar Jasem Mutlaq authored and committed


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6 years 3 months ago #21378

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