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Celestron driver update

  • Posts: 29
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Replied by Bruno Nilsson on topic Celestron driver update

Park problem!

With the mount initially pointed to Polaris the attached log-file was obtained after Connect
1) Parked at Current position
2) Unparked
3) Tracking sun
4) Park
5)Unpark
6) Parked at Default position
7) Unpark
8) Tracking sun. The scope now is way off, pointing well below horizon!
9) Disconnect

Bruno
9 years 1 week ago #3904
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Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic Celestron driver update

I don't see any parking in the log? what do you do to park exactly?
9 years 1 week ago #3906

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Replied by Bruno Nilsson on topic Celestron driver update

1) Selected Park Option Current and then hit Park. The log-file indicates Park at time 1687.879092
2) Hit UnPark. The log-file says Mount is unparked at time 1739.117462
3) Tracking sun at time 1780.124578
4) hit Park. The log-file indicates park at 1821.95644. The scope is again pointing at Polaris.
5) UnPark. unparked at 1835.5643
6) Selected Park Option Default, the hit Park. Log-file indicates park at time 1916.165887. I would be interested to know the definition of the Default Position.
7) Hit UnPark. The log-file indicates this occurred at 1930.436425
8) The log-file says tracking sun at time 1975.931795, but the scope is actually pointing in the wrong direction.

Hopefully this explains what I did, and what happened as a consequence.

Bruno
9 years 1 week ago #3908

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Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic Celestron driver update

The driver asked the mount to slew to ( 5:40:03,90:00:00) which is the default parking position. The default parking RA=LST (Local Sidereal Time) and DEC=90 (for northern hemisphere). But the mount reported that it stopped slewing @ ( 9:33:00,90:00:00), and then continued to (11:57:42,90:00:00) as the RA values quickly changes around DEC=90. However, the driver saves the parking position at ( 5:40:03,90:00:00) which it "syncs" to once the "unpark" command is issued and this is what I believe caused the mount have to "wrong" coordinates so to speak.

Perhaps it is better to define your own parking position. The default parking position is just something I chose arbitrary, if there is a better method to generate it, let me know.
9 years 1 week ago #3910

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Replied by Bruno Nilsson on topic Celestron driver update

At present the Park command fixes the scope in the RA/DEC reference frame, which means that the scope is still moving.

It would seem to me that it would be nice if there were an option where you could park the scope in the Az/Alt reference frame, which would really park the scope, and you would not need to worry about the scope/camera hitting something if you leave the setup unattended for an extended period of time.

Bruno
9 years 1 week ago #3914

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Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic Celestron driver update

It is possible to add Az/Alt but I am not sure how would this improve the parking. Guess I'll add it and let you guys test if it is a better way to park, this is all experimental and use at your own risk. Always be ready to abort the telescope in case something goes wrong.
9 years 3 days ago #3964

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Replied by Jasem Mutlaq on topic Celestron driver update

Driver updated to issue parking to specific Az/Alt. Please try and check if that's any better.
9 years 3 days ago #3967

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Replied by Dan Holler on topic Celestron driver update

This fixed allowing the user to input Park. However, the underlying problem for remote Celestron users is getting the initial Alt AZ and having KStars convert that position into a realtime position on the sky map. Then, using that new position for all syncs and moves. Code to do this has already been written and is GNU licensed.

Dan
Last edit: 9 years 2 days ago by Dan Holler.
9 years 2 days ago #3970

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Replied by Alexandru Barbovschi on topic Celestron driver update

I have CGE Pro and it stopped working - I get driver crashing on connection (after I updated an hour ago from PPA):
INFO	9.939813 sec	: Session log file /tmp/indi_celestron_gps_2015-04-16T15:06:49.log
DEBUG	16.192964 sec	: Initializing Celestron using Kx CMD...
DEBUG	16.197706 sec	: RES (x#)
INFO	16.197747 sec	: Telescope is online.
DEBUG	16.197971 sec	: Getting controller version...
DEBUG	16.197982 sec	: CMD (V)
DEBUG	16.202522 sec	: RES (04 15 23)
DEBUG	16.202573 sec	: Getting controller model...
DEBUG	16.202585 sec	: CMD (m)
DEBUG	16.215813 sec	: RES (0D 23)
DEBUG	16.215856 sec	: Getting GPS firmware version...
DEBUG	16.215869 sec	: CMD (50 01 10 FE 00 00 00 02)
DEBUG	16.238332 sec	: RES (06 11 23)
DEBUG	16.238363 sec	: Getting RA firmware version...
DEBUG	16.238372 sec	: CMD (50 01 10 FE 00 00 00 02)
DEBUG	16.261209 sec	: RES (06 11 23)
DEBUG	16.261253 sec	: Getting DE firmware version...
DEBUG	16.261263 sec	: CMD (50 01 11 FE 00 00 00 02)
DEBUG	16.281740 sec	: RES (06 11 23)
9 years 2 days ago #3972

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Replied by Dan Holler on topic Celestron driver update

Yes, I am also getting the crash. This move to Alt Az eventually will result in better driver, but, the rode is still a bit rough.

For those operating at their Celestron mounts with modern controllers, this seems like a step backwards. But, for those with older style mounts and controllers, this will eventually bring them into operation. Additionally, this will allow remote operations without an aligned mount.

Dan
9 years 2 days ago #3973

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Replied by Alexandru Barbovschi on topic Celestron driver update

- what do you mean here? Right now there is one BAD thing about Celestron - after powering up you MUST accomplish several steps with hand controller (switch position, time, choosing alignment). Do I understand you right that eventually we will be able to bypass this?
9 years 2 days ago #3974

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Replied by Dan Holler on topic Celestron driver update

Yes, this is correct. Thanks to some code graciously developed for the Xmtelremote project, I have remotely controlled my Celestron 11GPS for many years. The Celestron hand control does allow retrieval of Alt AZ values which can be converted into real time coordinates. Essentially, something similar to bringing a mount out of hibernation.

Dan
9 years 2 days ago #3975

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