PHD2 Guiding problems, NEWBIE

[ROY MIXON]

Can you have a look at the Guide, debug logs.  Having issues.

I have ran several calibrations. My DEC seems out of whack?

[wave...@talktalk.net]

Hello mypat...,
While we await the return of the experts, I'll tell you what I think you should consider. I think you have several issues with the mount and the PHD2 setup. The fundamental problem you're causing for yourself is to continue guiding after getting a pretty poor calibration. It looks like the way it was setup caused a twentysix degree orthog. error and that's causing RA guide pulses to bleed into the Dec axis, so neither is well controlled.  I think you need to start afresh by using the new Calibration Wizard and to do exactly what it suggests before pressing on further. I noticed you ticked the box to 'Assume Axes are Othogonal', which I think is one reason the Dec control goes haywire. It's best leave all the setup boxes at their defaults until you learn more about their purpose/effects. The RA has a far bit of periodic error which needs to be taken account of in setting up. I suspect your Polar Alignment may also be bit out, but PHD2 should handle it OK, once you get a good Calibration and use appropriate settings. After getting an acceptable Calibration, run the Guiding Assistant for a couple of worm cycles or so. This will provide some numbers to help you, like Dec backlash and PA error. All this stuff is covered in the various user guides available on the PHD2 home page. They really are worth checking out.
Hope this helps a bit.
Cheers,
- Jack T

[ROY MIXON]

Jack

Thanks for the report.

I was hoping that I would hear from PHD2 team as well.

I will certainly take your advice and regroup.

I’m new and learning with all this.

Roy

On Apr 9, 2024, at 08:06, 'wave...@talktalk.net' via Open PHD Guiding <open-phd...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Hello mypat...,

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[ROY MIXON]

Just fyi

My PA with NINA  lately has been great

00” 00’ 09”

Roy

On Apr 9, 2024, at 10:39, ROY MIXON <mypat...@gmail.com> wrote:

Jack

[Bruce Waddington]

Hi Roy.  I think there are a number of problems with your setup but we don't have enough information to get a clear view of what's going on.  But I would say you aren't ready to be imaging with this setup and will need to do some dedicated testing and measurement to isolate and correct problems.  As Jack said, you shouldn't be enabling the option to "assume orthogonal" during calibration.  That's only there as a workaround for mounts that simply can't produce a reasonable calibration for reasons like huge periodic error.  It's better at this point to see the raw performance of your setup, warts and all, to understand how to move forward.

I think there are a few things that are already clear.  It looks to me like your guide camera isn't well-focused because your star-sizes are very large.  You need to carefully focus the guide camera using some tool that provides quantitative feedback on focus.  You can use the HFD measurement in the Star Profile tool or you can use a different app to refine focus.  It also looks to me like you are having the all-too-common problems with tiny pixels on a tiny finder-scope.  There are several places where the guide star makes a huge excursion in RA and it seems unlikely to me that such large apparent errors are caused by the mount.  A more likely cause is movement of the guiding assembly - a mounting mechanism that isn't rigid enough, something loose, cables pull on the guide camera, etc.  In your case, a 10 arc-sec image-ruining excursion can be caused by a 10 micron movement of the guiding assembly, roughly 1/5 the thickness of a human hair.

There is some evidence of stiction on the RA axis which is leading to a slow response to guide commands followed by an over-shoot.  But since you don't have a calibration without the "assume orthogonal" option set, we can't be sure if this behavior is real. 

In addition to these ponts, I think you need to invest time to get clean calibrations (always with the Calibration Assistant) with no artificial "adjustment" and some long Guiding Assistant runs on both sides of the meridian.  You should also let the GA measure your declination reversal delay.  The goal here is to characterize the mount performance and identify areas that need to be improved.  There's a reference here for doing one of these measurement baselines although you probably don't need to create a new profile.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zrf0au7jaisvt85/How%20to%20create%20a%20baseline%20for%20guiding%20results%20using%20OpenPHD2.pdf?dl=0

Good luck,

Bruce

[mypat...@gmail.com]

Hello Bruce,

Thanks for getting back to me. Wow! This is more than I expected.  Huge learning curve with an overwhelming load of info!  I’m up for the challenge.

 

First,  I have disabled option, “assume orthogonal” during calibration in the advance settings tab: Guiding > Calibration> unticked ASSUME DEC ORTHOGONAL TO RA.  Done!

 

During my next night out, permitted clear skies,   I will carefully refocus my guide scope.  However, My guide scope is rigid, mounting assy on the OTA with guide rail, nothing moving, cords and cables are routed properly, no tugs or pull on them when mount is slewing. I double checked everything in that regard.

 

I run another Calibration and Guiding assistant based on your recommendations below.

 

Thanks for your input !

 

Clear skies!

Roy Mixon

 

EQMount: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 from Explore Scientific

Scopes: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT/650mm, Explore Scientific First Light 70mm refractor 640mm

10” Trust Rod DOB,  Svbony 70mm ED Refractor FL=420 mm.

Software: ASCOM, ASCOMPOTH, ASCOMPAD, SharpCap Pro, Cartes Du Ciel, ASTAP, PHD2, Gimp, Registax6, AutoStakkert!3, iphone SkySafari PRO 7

Computer: HP LAPTOP Windows 11/64bit

Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC PRO/COOLING FAN, ASI120MC-S, Svbony Guide Scope 160mm & 206 MM w/Svbony Mini Cam./ DSLR: Nikon D40

Location: New Caney, Texas

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/21c9fb4d-cb9a-43e8-8aa7-910d13644bf6n%40googlegroups.com.

[ROY MIXON]

Bruce

Questions:

Is it totally necessary to build a dark library during the initial PHD2 set up?

I have another camera besides the mini Svbony SV905c that I currently use.

I haven’t set up dark library for.

I have a ZWO ASI120mc-s, would this camera suffice as a guide camera as well?

My guide scope is a svbony SV198

206mm with helical focus. I’m using the SV905c mini camera for now.

Next clear night I plan to fine focus the guide scope according to your advice.

Thanks for feedback on this soon

Roy

On Apr 9, 2024, at 16:29, mypat...@gmail.com wrote:



[bw_m...@earthlink.net]

You should create a separate PHD2 profile for each guide camera using the new-profile-wizard.  You can build a dark library whenever you want using the ‘Darks’ menu – but you should create one for each guide camera.  I don’t know anything about the ZWO camera but as a general rule, color cameras are less desirable.  That said, many people use them – it all comes down to sensitivity, sensor size, and how many guide stars they can acquire.  You also need to consider the image scale you’ll be guiding with which is a function of the camera pixel size, binning, and guide scope focal length.

 

Bruce

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[ROY MIXON]

Bruce

Is it necessary or not to create darks for guiding. If not, then I will not create them.

My questions really remains, will the darks enhance the guiding performance?

Roy

On Apr 11, 2024, at 16:39, bw_m...@earthlink.net wrote:



To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/002001da8c58%24a756b860%24f6042920%24%40earthlink.net.

[Brian Valente]

Roy

You should create darks. It will help avoid guiding on hot pixels and improve snr

Why would you not want to make darks? It's a one time event

Brian 

Brian Valente

astronomy portfolio https://www.astrobin.com/users/bvalente/ 

nature portfolio brianvalentephotography.com 

other astronomy https://www.brianvalentephotography.com/astrophotography/ 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/0AD99F20-EECA-4DAC-BA5E-AF8D5D5C0AA3%40gmail.com.

[ROY MIXON]

Brian

I’m new with all this stuff.

That’s why I’m asking.

I have watched numerous YouTube videos as well. Mixed information!

Thank you kindly for helping me out!

Roy

On Apr 11, 2024, at 17:28, Brian Valente <bval...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/CAJa45i62v9dTyxBTFPeT3gS6FZay5OpgRbV7%3DjQ_qLA-ssdRWA%40mail.gmail.com.

[bw_m...@earthlink.net]

Yes, you need a dark library because it helps to avoid locking on a hot pixel instead of a guide star.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/0AD99F20-EECA-4DAC-BA5E-AF8D5D5C0AA3%40gmail.com.

[ROY MIXON]

Well noted! Thank you for clarifying

Roy

On Apr 11, 2024, at 17:48, bw_m...@earthlink.net wrote:



To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/004101da8c62%24556818a0%24003849e0%24%40earthlink.net.

[ROY MIXON]

Bruce 

Trying to shoot darks in PHD2

The dark library drop down is gray out

It will not let me select?

Roy

On Apr 11, 2024, at 17:49, ROY MIXON <mypat...@gmail.com> wrote:

Well noted! Thank you for clarifying

[bw_m...@earthlink.net]

Stop taking guide camera exposures – click on ‘stop’ then the Darks menu will be enabled.  The dark library process needs control of the guide camera.

 

From: open-phd...@googlegroups.com <open-phd...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of ROY MIXON
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2024 7:44 PM
To: open-phd...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [open-phd-guiding] Re: PHD2 Guiding problems, NEWBIE

 

Bruce 

Trying to shoot darks in PHD2

The dark library drop down is gray out

It will not let me select?

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/E792ACCF-BAB9-4767-AC2C-AFABD65BA02D%40gmail.com.

[ROY MIXON]

Ok, that makes sense! Duh me!!!!

Sorry to bother asking stupid questions 

Roy

On Apr 11, 2024, at 21:47, bw_m...@earthlink.net wrote:



Stop taking guide camera exposures – click on ‘stop’ then the Darks menu will be enabled.  The dark library process needs control of the guide camera.

 

From: open-phd...@googlegroups.com <open-phd...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of ROY MIXON
Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2024 7:44 PM
To: open-phd...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [open-phd-guiding] Re: PHD2 Guiding problems, NEWBIE

 

Bruce 

Trying to shoot darks in PHD2

The dark library drop down is gray out

It will not let me select?

<image001.jpg>

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/004f01da8c83%24c7b80020%2457280060%24%40earthlink.net.

[mypat...@gmail.com]

Hello Bruce –

I followed your guidelines as noted last night. Again, My apologies for responding to the wrong email thread.

 

Can you have a look at the attached Guide, debug logs?

 

First, I PA in NINA,  I managed – 00 deg  00’  07”

 

Second – I fine focused the Guide scope using Sharpcap and PHD2,  Star profile: HFD 3.48 / 13.08”

 

Third – I created a Dark Library

 

Fourth – Ran the Calibration Assistance,  no error messages, completed well, it started to guide.

 

Fifth -  I turned off Guiding and opened the Guiding Assistance. I let it run approx. 2min.

See attached Screen shot and mount review calibration –

 

Note:   I made sure there are no cables binding, pulling nor obstructions. The mount is free to move in both RA/DEC directions. The mount is fulling balanced both RA/DEC.

 

 

Your comments please.  Thank you!

 

 

 

Clear skies!

Roy Mixon

 

EQMount: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 from Explore Scientific

Scopes: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT/650mm, Explore Scientific First Light 70mm refractor 640mm

10” Trust Rod DOB,  Svbony 70mm ED Refractor FL=420 mm.

Software: ASCOM, ASCOMPOTH, ASCOMPAD, SharpCap Pro, Cartes Du Ciel, ASTAP, NINA, PHD2, Gimp, Registax6, AutoStakkert!3,  Siril, iphone SkySafari PRO 7

Computer: HP LAPTOP Windows 11/64bit

Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC PRO/COOLING FAN, ASI120MC-S, Svbony Guide Scope 160mm & 206 MM w/Svbony Mini Cam./ DSLR: Nikon D40

Location: New Caney, Texas

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/002001da8c58%24a756b860%24f6042920%24%40earthlink.net.

[mypat...@gmail.com]

Bruce

Sorry, I attached same pic twice,  see Guiding asst. screen shot

 

Clear skies!

Roy Mixon

 

EQMount: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 from Explore Scientific

Scopes: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT/650mm, Explore Scientific First Light 70mm refractor 640mm

10” Trust Rod DOB,  Svbony 70mm ED Refractor FL=420 mm.

Software: ASCOM, ASCOMPOTH, ASCOMPAD, SharpCap Pro, Cartes Du Ciel, ASTAP, PHD2, Gimp, Registax6, AutoStakkert!3, iphone SkySafari PRO 7

Computer: HP LAPTOP Windows 11/64bit

Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC PRO/COOLING FAN, ASI120MC-S, Svbony Guide Scope 160mm & 206 MM w/Svbony Mini Cam./ DSLR: Nikon D40

Location: New Caney, Texas

 

From: mypat...@gmail.com <mypat...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2024 9:23 PM
To: open-phd...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [open-phd-guiding] Re: PHD2 Guiding problems, NEWBIE

 

Hello Bruce –

I followed your guidelines as noted last night. Again, My apologies for responding to the wrong email thread.

 

Can you have a look at the attached Guide, debug logs?

 

First, I PA in NINA,  I managed – 00 deg  00’  07”

 

Second – I fine focused the Guide scope using Sharpcap and PHD2,  Star profile: HFD 3.48 / 13.08”

 

Third – I created a Dark Library

 

Fourth – Ran the Calibration Assistance,  no error messages, completed well, it started to guide.

 

Fifth -  I turned off Guiding and opened the Guiding Assistance. I let it run approx. 2min.

See attached Screen shot and mount review calibration –

 

Note:   I made sure there are no cables binding, pulling nor obstructions. The mount is free to move in both RA/DEC directions. The mount is fulling balanced both RA/DEC.

 

 

Your comments please.  Thank you!

 

 

[ROY MIXON]

Bruce

Have you received this yet?

Roy

On Apr 13, 2024, at 00:41, mypat...@gmail.com wrote:



Bruce

Sorry, I attached same pic twice,  see Guiding asst. screen shot

<image002.jpg>

 

Clear skies!

Roy Mixon

 

EQMount: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 from Explore Scientific

Scopes: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT/650mm, Explore Scientific First Light 70mm refractor 640mm

10” Trust Rod DOB,  Svbony 70mm ED Refractor FL=420 mm.

Software: ASCOM, ASCOMPOTH, ASCOMPAD, SharpCap Pro, Cartes Du Ciel, ASTAP, PHD2, Gimp, Registax6, AutoStakkert!3, iphone SkySafari PRO 7

Computer: HP LAPTOP Windows 11/64bit

Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC PRO/COOLING FAN, ASI120MC-S, Svbony Guide Scope 160mm & 206 MM w/Svbony Mini Cam./ DSLR: Nikon D40

Location: New Caney, Texas

 

From: mypat...@gmail.com <mypat...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2024 9:23 PM
To: open-phd...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [open-phd-guiding] Re: PHD2 Guiding problems, NEWBIE

 

Hello Bruce –

I followed your guidelines as noted last night. Again, My apologies for responding to the wrong email thread.

 

Can you have a look at the attached Guide, debug logs?

 

First, I PA in NINA,  I managed – 00 deg  00’  07”

 

Second – I fine focused the Guide scope using Sharpcap and PHD2,  Star profile: HFD 3.48 / 13.08”

 

Third – I created a Dark Library

 

Fourth – Ran the Calibration Assistance,  no error messages, completed well, it started to guide.

 

Fifth -  I turned off Guiding and opened the Guiding Assistance. I let it run approx. 2min.

See attached Screen shot and mount review calibration –

 

Note:   I made sure there are no cables binding, pulling nor obstructions. The mount is free to move in both RA/DEC directions. The mount is fulling balanced both RA/DEC.

 

 

Your comments please.  Thank you!

 

<image003.jpg>

 

<image003.jpg>

[Bruce Waddington]

The mount tracking still seems quite poor.  Please send a photo showing your full setup: mount, tripod, imaging scope, guide scope, and cables.  Also please send a link to the exact model of mount you have.  Don't post more than a couple of pics or you will be likely to run into spam filtering.

Bruce

[ROY MIXON]

Bruce,

Here you go!

https://www.explorescientific.com/products/iexos-100-2-pmc-eight-equatorial-tracker-system

Roy

On Apr 14, 2024, at 10:47, Bruce Waddington <bw_m...@earthlink.net> wrote:



To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/e72036ed-b754-44a9-b0eb-59a590b4e746n%40googlegroups.com.

[ROY MIXON]

Bruce

Did you successfully receive this with both images and the mount product link?

Roy

On Apr 14, 2024, at 18:17, ROY MIXON <mypat...@gmail.com> wrote:



Bruce,

Here you go!

https://www.explorescientific.com/products/iexos-100-2-pmc-eight-equatorial-tracker-system

<image0.jpeg>

[Bruce Waddington]

Yes, if you see the messages posted on the web forum, we have gotten them.  I see quite a bit not to like about this setup.  To start, can you measure and report the total weight of all the gear riding on top of the mount, not including counter-weights -  all cameras, mount fixtures, adapters, power gizmos, dew controllers, everything.

[ROY MIXON]

What do you mean, you see a lot that you don’t like about this set up?

It only weighs 10 lbs 4.8 OZ. / 4.671 kgs

The max payload of the mount is 19lbs!

What is there not to like about the set up?

I have already completed several successful imaging sessions, only with the guiding issues I have provided.

See weight scale photo below.

Roy

On Apr 14, 2024, at 21:44, Bruce Waddington <bw_m...@earthlink.net> wrote:

Yes, if you see the messages posted on the web forum, we have gotten them.  I see quite a bit not to like about this setup.  To start, can you measure and report the total weight of all the gear riding on top of the mount, not including counter-weights -  all cameras, mount fixtures, adapters, power gizmos, dew controllers, everything.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/83845d65-2d1a-4f76-af9f-c1289c1d42f7n%40googlegroups.com.

[Brian Valente]

Hi Roy,

There's a lot going on with your rig that could cause guiding and tracking issues. The cabling can be cleaned up, the counterweights can be reorganized so as much as possible is closer to the center of gravity, etc.

One thing that sticks out is the rings that hold the guidescope in place: This type of mounting can introduce small shifts and movements and generally isn't recommended. 

A solid direct mount setup is preferred, such as a clamshell or mounting rings without screws.

  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/62FF1044-B1C3-4B37-8C07-3300D9C83AB7%40gmail.com.

--

[ROY MIXON]

Brian

Those are the mounting rings that came with the scope.

They are snug/tight. No movement what so ever.

As for the cables, there are no binding nor pull when scope is slewing.

I have no other way to route them than the way they are now.

Roy

On Apr 14, 2024, at 22:28, Brian Valente <bval...@gmail.com> wrote:



Hi Roy,

There's a lot going on with your rig that could cause guiding and tracking issues. The cabling can be cleaned up, the counterweights can be reorganized so as much as possible is closer to the center of gravity, etc.

One thing that sticks out is the rings that hold the guidescope in place: This type of mounting can introduce small shifts and movements and generally isn't recommended. 

A solid direct mount setup is preferred, such as a clamshell or mounting rings without screws.

  

On Sun, Apr 14, 2024 at 8:24 PM ROY MIXON <mypat...@gmail.com> wrote:

What do you mean, you see a lot that you don’t like about this set up?

It only weighs 10 lbs 4.8 OZ. / 4.671 kgs

The max payload of the mount is 19lbs!

What is there not to like about the set up?

I have already completed several successful imaging sessions, only with the guiding issues I have provided.

See weight scale photo below.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/CAJa45i7oVXT1%3D1pg_qB-NKKutxKUgfrw%2Bwy4jQ%3D-vJJT2tCU_w%40mail.gmail.com.

[ROY MIXON]

Here is a pic

I moved the counter weights closer together 

And the Dec clutch is dis engaged.

It is balanced.

Don’t pay attention to cables.

I have unplugged the USB and wrapped for now just for weight balancing demo

Roy

On Apr 14, 2024, at 22:34, ROY MIXON <mypat...@gmail.com> wrote:

Brian

[Brian Valente]

Roy

This is what I mean by minimizing the inertia in your counterweight setup. It's not about getting them closer, it's about moving most of the mass to the center. More weight higher up the shaft is better. 

https://www.astro-physics.info/tech_support/accessories/mounting_acc/balance-to-optimize-guiding.pdf

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/0E1DD4BF-863B-4C4E-8913-D5BF65FA76FC%40gmail.com.

[Bruce Waddington]

Well, the native tracking behavior of the mount looks fairly poor so I suspected it was overloaded - and it is.  The rated equipment capacity per the manufacturer is only 9 pounds and those ratings are typically overly optimistic.  That doesn't make it a bad product, it is what it is - an inexpensive tracking mount that is intended for very lightweight use, like unguided images with a DSLR.  No offense intended but I think you need to limit your expectations - it isn't going to produce results like more typical imaging mounts that cost 5-10x as much.  And it's guiding that's going to put all the pressure on the performance of the mount, it's always guiding that casts a spotlight on the warts.  Beyond that, the setup has some other shortcomings.  Mounting rings with thumbnail screws are always a weak point and it looks like you've got cable runs hanging all over the place.  Perhaps more important, there's a large physical distance between the optical axis of the guide scope and the RA axis - it's what I call a "tall boy" configuration.  The problem with this comes back to basic mechanics - you have a huge lever arm that magnifies whatever small tracking errors are part of the mount drive system.  A tiny angular error in mount RA tracking becomes a large apparent error up at the distance where the guide camera is located.

Obviously, this is all just my opinion, maybe you can find a way to make it all work after all.

Bruce

[Brian Valente]

Roy

I appreciate your enthusiasm for those rings, but they invariably shift. Remember we are talking about distances that are fractions of the width of a human hair, and your mount is not in one position: it is constantly moving and weight is shifting through the night. 

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/4ECB3628-C075-4315-A612-46F108C7BF1F%40gmail.com.

[ROY MIXON]

Ok, I understand 

When I move them high up the shaft it’s not counter balanced. I have most of the weight condensed on the shaft so it doesn’t flop left or right.

Roy

On Apr 14, 2024, at 22:46, Brian Valente <bval...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/CAJa45i5A8kMaU%2BOC-g3%2BRAWfLTJ74G7a75ujW_FOzCtw3N1bcA%40mail.gmail.com.

[ROY MIXON]

Bruce

The total weight is only a pound difference

From the max capacity of 9 lbs.

Thank you all for your recommendation and expertise.

I will figure this all out on my own.

Thank you kindly!

Roy

On Apr 14, 2024, at 22:55, ROY MIXON <mypat...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ok, I understand 

[Brian Valente]

>>> When I move them high up the shaft it’s not counter balanced.

that usually means you don't have enough counterweight

These aren't hard and fast rules, just feedback based on experience. As you encounter issues these are things to keep in mind

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/89A74386-D28D-4E50-9416-B047CE8B64EE%40gmail.com.

[mypat...@gmail.com]

This my help some, I removed the red stepup rail which brought the guide scope down 1-1/4 in.

 

I will run more calibration and guide assistance later when clear skies permitted.

 

There is not much more I can do with the cable routing.   With this configuration, there are no pull nor snags when I move the scope around.

 

The power cable that leads to the back of my ZWO cam. Hangs down and has sufficient slack that will not cause binding nor pulling.

 

The cable that leads from my ZWO focuser goes straight to the ZWO camera

 

The cable that leads from my guide scope has been secured and allowed enough slack for focusing, no pull nor snags.

 

The red cable running from the back of the ZWO camera has been secured with Velcro and leads up and around the OTA to a USB hub, which that Hub is fed to another USB hub on the Tripod.  That cable too, has sufficient slack, no binding nor pulling.

 

The Tripod hub HAS the mount serial cable running to it as well. The serial cable is rolled up and Velcro on the bottom tripod tray.  The Tripod HUB line feeds directly into my Laptop serial port.

 

Hope this all makes since?

 

With additional notes,  I plan on purchasing in the near future a Pegasus Astro Pocket powerbox Advance Gen2 so that will allow me to re route all my cables direct to the box. That may solve more of my cable routing issues.

 

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

Clear skies!

Roy Mixon

 

EQMount: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 from Explore Scientific

Scopes: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT/650mm, Explore Scientific First Light 70mm refractor 640mm

10” Trust Rod DOB,  Svbony 70mm ED Refractor FL=420 mm.

Software: ASCOM, ASCOMPOTH, ASCOMPAD, SharpCap Pro, Cartes Du Ciel, ASTAP, PHD2, Gimp, Registax6, AutoStakkert!3, iphone SkySafari PRO 7

Computer: HP LAPTOP Windows 11/64bit

Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC PRO/COOLING FAN, ASI120MC-S, Svbony Guide Scope 160mm & 206 MM w/Svbony Mini Cam./ DSLR: Nikon D40

Location: New Caney, Texas

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/CAJa45i6T2cZ5ptVe42aeZ_4k5h0T41-s_KBhVW0vG31XWcsVtw%40mail.gmail.com.

[mypat...@gmail.com]

Bruce,

 

Google wouldn’t allow over 8mb files, just in case you didn’t receive,  see link drop box for debug/guide logs,  and word doc screen shots of last night guiding.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/u4dq96gbrdouzxrbrisqe/ANsiOpppevDX-seQnyUqPdY?rlkey=ynvz43yv4s3qeovz3qt684pup&st=hmmgvj5z&dl=0

 

 

Clear skies!

Roy Mixon

 

EQMount: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 from Explore Scientific

Scopes: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT/650mm, Explore Scientific First Light 70mm refractor 640mm

10” Trust Rod DOB,  Svbony 70mm ED Refractor FL=420 mm.

Software: ASCOM, ASCOMPOTH, ASCOMPAD, SharpCap Pro, Cartes Du Ciel, ASTAP, PHD2, Gimp, Registax6, AutoStakkert!3, iphone SkySafari PRO 7

Computer: HP LAPTOP Windows 11/64bit

Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC PRO/COOLING FAN, ASI120MC-S, Svbony Guide Scope 160mm & 206 MM w/Svbony Mini Cam./ DSLR: Nikon D40

Location: New Caney, Texas

 

From: mypat...@gmail.com <mypat...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 11:28 AM
To: open-phd...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [open-phd-guiding] Re: PHD2 Guiding problems, NEWBIE

 

Hello Bruce

This is a follow up –

 

Dithering is off, Multi star on.  

 

Last night was a clear night, So I set my  rig up, PA in NINA, which I achieved = 00 00 03”  ( screen shot ) attached –

 

See other screen shots attached in word doc.   Guide and bug log attached.

 

I managed to fine tune, fine focus my guide scope.  Ran the Calibration Asst. After that,  Guide Assit. Ran  400 sec.

 

With Dec. backlash as shown in the screen shot log -  PA error 17.9 arc min /  even though I managed a good PA in NINA,  why is the PA error 17.9 arc. Min.?

 

I also applied the recommendations that Guiding asst. recommended.

 

I started guiding using 1.5sec. – I would assume you can see the results in the guide logs ?

 

At one point I even dropped the exp. Down to 0.2 sec,  RMS =  1.81”, however the RMA was fluctuating the entire time as I was guiding only.

 

Another time, I raised the exp. To 1.5s, the RMS fluctuating 2.53” down to 2.02”

 

I’m confused, know little to nothing about what’s going on.  I’m trying follow the guidelines and your recommendations.

 

Your feedback much appreciated sir !

 

 

 

Thanks

 

Clear skies!

Roy Mixon

 

EQMount: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 from Explore Scientific

Scopes: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT/650mm, Explore Scientific First Light 70mm refractor 640mm

10” Trust Rod DOB,  Svbony 70mm ED Refractor FL=420 mm.

Software: ASCOM, ASCOMPOTH, ASCOMPAD, SharpCap Pro, Cartes Du Ciel, ASTAP, PHD2, Gimp, Registax6, AutoStakkert!3, iphone SkySafari PRO 7

Computer: HP LAPTOP Windows 11/64bit

Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC PRO/COOLING FAN, ASI120MC-S, Svbony Guide Scope 160mm & 206 MM w/Svbony Mini Cam./ DSLR: Nikon D40

Location: New Caney, Texas

 

 

 

Clear skies!

Roy Mixon

 

EQMount: iEXOS-100 PMC-8 from Explore Scientific

Scopes: Celestron NexStar 130 SLT/650mm, Explore Scientific First Light 70mm refractor 640mm

10” Trust Rod DOB,  Svbony 70mm ED Refractor FL=420 mm.

Software: ASCOM, ASCOMPOTH, ASCOMPAD, SharpCap Pro, Cartes Du Ciel, ASTAP, PHD2, Gimp, Registax6, AutoStakkert!3, iphone SkySafari PRO 7

Computer: HP LAPTOP Windows 11/64bit

Cameras: ZWO ASI533MC PRO/COOLING FAN, ASI120MC-S, Svbony Guide Scope 160mm & 206 MM w/Svbony Mini Cam./ DSLR: Nikon D40

Location: New Caney, Texas

 

From: open-phd...@googlegroups.com <open-phd...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Bruce Waddington
Sent: Sunday, April 14, 2024 10:46 PM
To: Open PHD Guiding <open-phd...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [open-phd-guiding] Re: PHD2 Guiding problems, NEWBIE

 

Well, the native tracking behavior of the mount looks fairly poor so I suspected it was overloaded - and it is.  The rated equipment capacity per the manufacturer is only 9 pounds and those ratings are typically overly optimistic.  That doesn't make it a bad product, it is what it is - an inexpensive tracking mount that is intended for very lightweight use, like unguided images with a DSLR.  No offense intended but I think you need to limit your expectations - it isn't going to produce results like more typical imaging mounts that cost 5-10x as much.  And it's guiding that's going to put all the pressure on the performance of the mount, it's always guiding that casts a spotlight on the warts.  Beyond that, the setup has some other shortcomings.  Mounting rings with thumbnail screws are always a weak point and it looks like you've got cable runs hanging all over the place.  Perhaps more important, there's a large physical distance between the optical axis of the guide scope and the RA axis - it's what I call a "tall boy" configuration.  The problem with this comes back to basic mechanics - you have a huge lever arm that magnifies whatever small tracking errors are part of the mount drive system.  A tiny angular error in mount RA tracking becomes a large apparent error up at the distance where the guide camera is located.

 

Obviously, this is all just my opinion, maybe you can find a way to make it all work after all.

 

Bruce

 

On Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 8:24:37 PM UTC-7 mypat...@gmail.com wrote:

What do you mean, you see a lot that you don’t like about this set up?

 

It only weighs 10 lbs 4.8 OZ. / 4.671 kgs

The max payload of the mount is 19lbs!

 

What is there not to like about the set up?

 

I have already completed several successful imaging sessions, only with the guiding issues I have provided.

 

See weight scale photo below.

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/62829568-f2a1-428f-a70d-448a6097e84cn%40googlegroups.com.

[Bryan]

Roy

In the future, it's a whole lot easier to use the Build-in PHD2 log uploader.   Because the files are stored on a PHD2 server, you are not limited by Google.  See How to Get Help at the top of the group Home page.

Bryan

[Bruce Waddington]

I don't see anything in the most recent log that tells me anything different than my response on 4/14.  The native RA tracking of the mount is quite poor and I think the mount is not up to the job you're asking it to do.  I don't think there's anything else I can tell you.

Bruce

[mypat...@gmail.com]

Figures,  thanks anyway…..  Please remove me from the forum email distribution. I no longer wish to receive any emails going forward.

 

Thanks for your time.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/9332717a-283a-4bb0-be29-ff97bcf2ed5fn%40googlegroups.com.

[bw_m...@earthlink.net]

You control forum notifications yourself, it’s in the left-hand column of tabs on the web forum UI – ‘My membership settings’.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/open-phd-guiding/000c01da978a%24afe80370%240fb80a50%24%40gmail.com.