Hi the planner worked fine (even though I'm using AltAz and it's just squares).
For each pane the the go to worked fine, but started imaging immediately so the first shot in each job was ruined.
I did add a delay in the image session (see below) but it seems to be ignored.
<Delay>10</Delay>
Not a major issue just don't use the first frame, but might be worth a look.
Regards
Paul
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Hi Mark
This is AltAz mode as I’m going to dark sky site and wanted a quick setup to get a mosaic of the Milky Way.
I just did an hour tracking Vega and it stayed right in the middle.
Now Jasem has turned off the aux encoders this works a treat.
Means I can align accurately and use the EKOS mosaic function to capture the image.
I’m happy
Just looked at JWST first image WOW
Paul
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Please don’t give up.
Jasem that code worked.
I aligned on Vega released the clutches and put Vega on the centre and created a sync.
Then did a goto Deneb again centred on star and created a sync.
Then did a goto Vega right bang on the nose.
I’m taking 30 sec subs with round stars and have been spot on Vega for the last 10 mins.
I use Astroberry but to get these latest mods you will need to perform an INDI and Thirdparty updates (see earlier).
Thanks Jasem
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Hi
I have updated INDI (and third party) with Jasem's code.
Started indi to my mount in AltAz mode and received the warning message that Aux. Encoders have been found and have been turned off.
This is good news, so again during daylight (here in London), I carried out a test star alignment on Polaris
1) Goto Polaris
2) Release clutch and pretend to adjust the alignment
3) Sync
4) Goto Vega
5) Goto Polaris
Good news it went back to position 3 and not position 1 which was the previous case.
But before we pop the champagne I will try a real setup tonight (providing that the clouds stay away)
Paul
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Thanks Jasem
I don’t know what time zone you are in, seems you never stop.
You have done as much as you can hope for, I think it’s going to be clear tonight so I will give a full test.
Paul
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Hi Jasem
First the aux. encoders are used for "Freedom Find" (look it up). This allows the scope clutches to be released and the mount moved retaining the scope's position (by another set of encoders on the shaft). This will STOP the aligning processes and so needs to be turned off.
I use Synscan Pro app for my AtlAz and my AZEQ5-GT in EQ mode, in both cases I use the app to turn off the aux. encoders and get great tracking (and sub arc second guiding).
As you know in Indi/Ekos the AZGTi has 2 drivers, one in AltAz mode which is a very old integrated driver called (skywatcherAltAzSimple), this driver look very much like the ASCOM definitions and does not support aux. encoders.
The AZGTi in EQ mode uses the eqmod driver and is completely different (added as third party).
Now I believe this is the driver you use and so cannot be compared it to the AltAzSimple driver.
Now you say you mount works so I checked the driver and found this code and this would explain why your system works.
In eqmodbase.cpp
if (mount->HasAuxEncoders())
{
defineProperty(AuxEncoderSP);
defineProperty(AuxEncoderNP);
LOG_INFO("Mount has auxiliary encoders. Turning them off.");
mount->TurnRAEncoder(false);
mount->TurnDEEncoder(false);
}
So there are 2 options add a comment in Ekos to say AltAz mounts with "Freedom find" are not supported, or add this comment and develop a new driver in the same approach as the eqmod format.
I know how complicated the maths is to track on AltAz mount, because in this type of mount the target and observation position with the time determines the speed and direction of the motors. Unlike in EQ the tracking value is a constant.
Paul
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Hi Jasem
Agreed.
The aux. encoder position must be stored in the mount?
What I need this setup for is, I'm going to a dark site in Sept and want to create a mosaic of the Milky Way. So the plan was to quick setup, and use Ekos mosaic to action.
OK I will experiment with plate solving (I assume the index files will fit in a 32GB card)?
Thanks Paul
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Hi Jaseem
Yes found it
if (mount->HasAuxEncoders())
{
if (AuxEncoderSP && strcmp(name, AuxEncoderSP->name) == 0)
{
IUUpdateSwitch(AuxEncoderSP, states, names, n);
if (AuxEncoderSP->sp[1].s == ISS_ON)
{
AuxEncoderSP->s = IPS_OK;
LOG_DEBUG("Turning auxiliary encoders on.");
mount->TurnRAEncoder(true);
mount->TurnDEEncoder(true);
}
else
{
AuxEncoderSP->s = IPS_IDLE;
LOG_DEBUG("Turning auxiliary encoders off.");
mount->TurnRAEncoder(false);
mount->TurnDEEncoder(false);
}
IDSetSwitch(AuxEncoderSP, nullptr);
}
}
My mount does have aux encoders (as does the AZGti), and as I say the Synscan app supports this for my mount and turns them off.
The issue is
1 switch on mount
2 connect in Ekos
3 Issue goto star
4 But the mount will not actually point at the star, so using either the arrows key of slip the clutches point at star
5 Sync
But the mount slews back to position at step 2, it remembered this I tried 'clear model' but still creeps back to position at 2.
As I say don't worry there aren't many people using an Alt/Az mount in Alt/Az mode for imaging...
Thanks
Paul
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Hi Jasem
From my angle I've reached the end of the line with Star Discovery mount and indi.
The SkyWatcherAltAzSimple code does not have an option for disabling the aux. encoders (seems skywatcher api it uses is about 10 years old and the telescope model does not have an option).
The AzGti mount does report on the aux. encoders but does not seem to have an option to disable (so struggle to work out how you would carry out an initial align)!
The official Skywatcher synscan pro app does have an option and the default setting is disabled!
I would agree that without some major investment in time attempting to support this mount is not practical.
Don't worry I still think Indi and Ekos are great and will continue to use them on my main setup, but not with my AltAz mount
Regards
Paul
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Sorry bit slow this morning, there is a way
Suppose I want to align on Vega
1 goto Vega
2 Press clear model button
3 use arrow keys to align on Vega
4 press sync button
Sorry no testing tonight outside speaker at Astro Society
Regards
Paul
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Hi guys
Done some testing and without an option to disable the auxiliary encoders, I can’t think of a way to perform the initial telescope align
Any ideas welcome
Paul
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Good morning
Managed to get some testing time. Did get an issue with tracking;
1 issue goto
2 loosen clutches point to target
3 sync
4 tracking speed increases and moves back to 1
I think this is because my mount has auxiliary encoders and I cannot see any option to disable them?
Any ideas?
By the way love the mosaic option in EKOS
Paul
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Big problem
I setup the mount with my Canon 650D and tried to connect, indi driver for Canon crashed (also tried Ghoto).
I have attached a log.
I can go back to a backed up version, but I'm concerned that someone else has built this version
Regards
Paul
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Unfortunately as I stated I’m not using the AZ/GTi I’m using the Skywatcher Sky Discovery (big mistake).
Thanks for the help, the error message on connecting has been removed
Regards
Paul
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