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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Experiences Using SM Beta on RPi 4, 4GB

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  • Thank you received: 31
Some observations after a weekend (about 12 hours of imaging) using SM Beta on the the new RPI 4, 4GB in Hotspot mode:
(I'm using the Vilros complete kit with heatsinks and fan: www.amazon.com/Vilros-Raspberry-Complete...4%2Caps%2C283&sr=8-9)
Stability has been excellent, no crashes.
My Powered USB hub does not appear to be compatible, nothing is recognized when it's plugged in. However, it also does not appear to be needed anymore as my Canon T3i, QHY-5-II-M guide cam and iOptron iEQ45 Pro mount ran flawlessly plugged directly into the RPi. I thnk the compatibility is with the RPi, not SM.
Offline plate solving works flawlessly.
Guiding works flawlessly.
Focusing works flawlessly.
The only real problem I've found so far is wireless 802.11ac does not work, only wireless N, which I believe is a Ubuntu Mate issue, not Stellarmate. Gigabit Ethernet works flawlessly too.
Overall, I'm finding the entire user experience VASTLY improved with the beefier RPi 4. It's working REALLY well for me!
I'd be VERY interested to hear other user's experiences with the RPi 4...
The following user(s) said Thank You: Jasem Mutlaq
Last edit: 4 years 7 months ago by Tom Bardenwerper.
4 years 7 months ago #42499

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I built my own Pi4 based system using Ubuntu Server 18.04 with Mate UI and it works great too.
Alex
4 years 7 months ago #42505

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Yes I too use this same system now, and find it superb, not that I got it to work in 4K mode with and without a monitor attached and via VNC..
My only issue is that I can’t get a direct rpi4 Ethernet to PC connection to work, only rpi4 to router...but hotspot in 5ghz is excellent for now.. :)
4 years 7 months ago #42514

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I'm fairly new to Linux, Kstars and Rasberry. I have been using APT for all my imaging up to now. I bought a RPi3 around the same time as the 4 got released. Had lots of issues with the 3. Took a lot of indoor testing to try and get everything to work and learn Kstars. My last session with the RPi3 ended with download issues from my ASI1600. Around the same time SM was released for the RPi4. So I bought a 4gb version and installed on that. Bought one of those acrylic cases with a fan for the RPi4 to help cooling. It's been brilliant. Downloads are quick, platesolving is rapid. My last 2 sessions have been planned on the scheduler. Everything went as planned until a meridian flip. It cleared my PHD2 calibration and the ASI1600 hung as well. I'll unpick the ootion to clear calibration next time out and see if the image plan continues as normal. Apart from that, I'm very pleased. It's great being able to control everything via VNC viewer on my phone or laptop.
4 years 7 months ago #42515

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I have found two bugs.:
My ASI120mini is detected but it does not capture any pictures, I've tried both the USB 2 and 3 port. USB firmware has been updated as described here: www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php...0&p=1490467#p1490467
It's not possible to offset time if you use a GPS.

Otherwise it seems to be working ok, very fast which is fantastic.
I've added heatsinks and a fan to keep the temperature at an acceptable level.
4 years 7 months ago #42523

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Hello,
Got an RPI 4 with 4Gb. Installed SM 1.4.3 beta.
All is working except:
the "stellarmate" hotspot is extremely flaky.
It's there but only sometimes I am able to connect to it (android phone, android tablet, windows PC).
It just refuses to be connected to. When it connects it tries to go to Ekos Live sign-in page.
The biggest problem for me is that my mount needs to connect to the hotspot to function.

I was only able to make it work like two times out of 50 tries.

Any clue anyone?
Thanks!
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Craig
Last edit: 4 years 6 months ago by maxthebuilder.
4 years 6 months ago #42864

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I don't believe many (if any) reported issues with the hotspot stability with RPi4. So this might be something in your environment perhaps that affecting the signal.. you can VNC in and try to change some of the hotspot parameters like selecting specific channels or specific frequency (2.4 vs 5ghz) and then seeing which one is stable.
4 years 6 months ago #42868

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Jasem,
Good to know that there's no problem with the hotspot in general.
I certainly will play with the settings.
I can VNC over the wired connection reliably.
I did restore RPI3 kstars/ekos settings backup over to RPI4 - maybe this is causing my problem?
Maybe I should do a fresh install/config.
Thanks!
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
4 years 6 months ago #42869

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Jasem,
This is not RPI4-related...

Now I remember - I had exactly the same issue when I upgraded to SM 1.4.2 from SM 13.x on RPI3.
Reported here: www.indilib.org/forum/mounts/3482-skywat...html?start=156#40666
Hotspot behaves normally in 1.3 and not normally with 1.4

Today I spent some more time with RPI4 with SM 1.4.3.
-- most often the "stellarmate" hotspot refuses to be connected to
-- sometimes, instead of direct connection, it opens connectivitycheck.gstatic.com with Ekos Live login page and then connects.
-- rarely it connects as it should but after a few minutes it drops the connection

Any idea on what might be going on?
Can it be related to the changes made for the new StellarMate App?

Thanks!
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
Last edit: 4 years 6 months ago by maxthebuilder.
4 years 6 months ago #42931

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Jasem/All,
Hopefully, I found the culprit - the power supply.
I re-flashed SM 1.4.3. At first, everything was fine and the hotspot was stable - I could connect to it from phone, tablet, PC and the mount.
However, after about 3 hours the hotspot dropped the connection and I couldn't connect to it any more.
Reboot didn't help.
What helped was - to shut RPI4 down and wait for some prolonged time and then boot it up.
So I thought - it's either overheating or underpower.

I was powering RPI from a charging port of a USB hub. It's only 2.1A.
Switched to an official 3A adapter - the hotspot has been stable and operational for more than 24 hours since then.

Question. The hub has 2 dedicated charging ports. 2.1A each. If I use both of them (in parallel) to power RPI, will this give me 4.2A total?

Thanks!
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
Last edit: 4 years 6 months ago by maxthebuilder.
4 years 6 months ago #43134

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I don't think it works this way... you need a minimum of 3A+ power supply. I think for RPi4, they even say 3.1+
The following user(s) said Thank You: AstroNerd, Craig
4 years 6 months ago #43136

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Well.. They say it's 2 x 2.1A independent ports.
I ordered a y-splitter USB cable - will see if it works.
Also ordered a 5A 12V to 5.1V converter - this one should work for sure.

But speaking of the hotspot stability... When powered with an official 3A+ power supply - no problems. Stable.
Just shot a 2-hour-long sequence without a trouble.

Thanks!
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
Last edit: 4 years 6 months ago by maxthebuilder.
4 years 6 months ago #43137

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