Problems using ASI174mm-Mini for Guiding with ASI183mm-Pro for Imaging

[Mark Lamb]

I am having problems using my ASI174mm-Mini guidecam w/ PHD2, while using my ASI183mm-Pro as my image camera using NINA using its Native Driver. NINA is connecting to the 183 without problem, but PHD2 cannot retrieve images from the 174 when the 183 is plugged in. Without the 183 plugged in, PHD2 works correctly and I performed the Setup Wizard with the 174 connecting through ASCOM. With the 183 still unplugged, PHD2 creates the Dark Library and can capture. But when I plug the 183 in, PHD2 (still connected to the 174) times out without loading an image. Here are some screenshots:

NINA does not have to be connected to the 183 for this problem. NINA is version 2.3, and PHD2 is the latest. I also installed the latest ZWO camera drivers.

I have tried various PHD2 connections: ASCOM 1, ASCOM 2, the ZWO ASI Camera at the bottom of the drop-down list, and all had the same problem. I have also tried a different laptop, again with no success.

I have no problems using the ASI174mm-Mini with my QHY268M, as well as using the ASI183mm-Pro with QHY-5L-II-M.

Any ideas on how to get the ASI174mm-Mini to work with the ASI183mm-Pro?

[wave...@talktalk.net]

Hello Mark,
I'll take a shot for you.
Not a PHD2 expert, but I note this ZWO guidecam and ZWO imaging camera problem is pretty common, so I'll tell you what I recall about fixing it. Firstly, ensure you've installed the very latest ZWO (ASCOM) and ZWO native camera drivers. Also the latest ASCOM Platform (now v6.6SP2) and PHD2 development snapshot v6.11.2dev6. All these are essential.
Next, ensure that PHD2 runs with the ZWO (ASCOM) driver, since both drivers will appear in the Connect Camera selector in the PHD2 Connect Equipment gui.
Connect the guide camera before you run the NINA/imaging app and the ZWO native driver .
I seem to remember it's better to connect the ASCOM guidecam, then disconnect, before connecting both cameras as described above.

I may not have remembered all this last bit exactly right, but the drivers info is accurate.

If you still need help. you'll be asked to upload the PHD2 logs with your query. See here for more: https://openphdguiding.org/getting-help/

Good luck.
- Jack T

[Mark Lamb]

I have been using the latest ZWO Drivers and PHD2, but my ASCOM has been 6.6SP1.  

Today, I changed to ASCOM 6.6SP2, but I still have the same problems, e.g. ASI174mm-Mini guide camera is connected, but does not load image (times out) if the ASI183mm-Pro is connected.  

[wave...@talktalk.net]

Are you selecting the ASI174 as guidecam in the ASCOM Camera Properties button (on the Connect Equipment gui)?

See Page 9 of the PHD2 User Guide.

[Mark Lamb]

Yes, 174 is connected.  Everything works until the 183 is plugged into USB.

[wave...@talktalk.net]

All I can suggest is you upload the PHD2 Logs for a session that inciudes the event.

The Debug log will record it in terms the experts can interpret. Use the standard Log Uploader in the Help menu.

Maybe open a new thread specifically asking for the log interpretation of the issue, it's above my paygrade I'm afraid..

[Ross Salinger]

Your problem is almost certainly a USB  problem and NOT a PHD problem. How exactly are all your devices connected to your computer?

Are you using a hub, etc.

Rgrds-Ross

[Mark Lamb]

The connection is the same as I have on my other mount, both cameras connect to a powered 4-port, Startech USB3 hub.  I have tried multiple USB cables, with no difference.  

I have never been able to get 2x ZWO cameras to work, though the last time I tried was more than 2 years ago, as the QHY268M has been my main camera since.

I ordered another QHY guidecam, 5-III-678M (ver 2) to avoid the problem, so I will 1x QHY and 1x ZWO.