PHD2 Ascom Camera Error

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John Kulin

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Jan 25, 2021, 3:47:46 PM1/25/21
to Open PHD Guiding
Hi,

I've been using PHD2 for quite a number of years and had no problems previously.

So I have set up a new rig that is running outside of my observatory running iOptron CEM40EC, Esprit 100, Loadstar X2 Binned x2, OAG, Altair 26c.

First time using it I had no problems and it was guiding really OK, then since then I have had non stop but errors
.

I have tried re-installing the Ascom 6.5 SP1, reinstalled the Lodestar drivers, re-installed PHD2 2.6.9 rev.2 and the 2.6.9

It starts off OK and then reports it Ascom Error cannot start exposure with given parameters. See attached imageAscom Error.PNG

I have my main imaging Camera on its own USB Cable and all the other connections are via Pegasus UPBv1 which has behaved faultless, I'm using high quality chromo gold USB cables and have even swopped them over.

This is doing me in as I think my parameters are correct but would bow to your superior knowledge.

Any thoughts or assistance woudl be most appreciated.

Many Thanks,

John

Brian Valente

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Jan 25, 2021, 4:29:27 PM1/25/21
to Open PHD Guiding
Hi John

The error isn't related to your parameters, but rather the camera is crashed (you can see camera in error as part of that message)

you can learn more about camera connection issues in the troubleshooting section of the documentation:


having personally had this issue with lodestar and lodestar x2 cameras, i find i have to find and fix the problem by unplug/ re-plugin the lodestar camera, change the USB port, plug it in directly to the computer if it is going through a hub, and as a last ditch effort, restart the computer and camera.

hth

Brian

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Brian Valente

John Kulin

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Jan 25, 2021, 5:14:57 PM1/25/21
to Open PHD Guiding
Thanks Brian, you advice is much appreciated.

I have two Lodestar X2 and tried them both thinking it was either the camera or the software.

Your advice seems to prompt me towards the USB 2.0 connection, I'm running it at 6m, it didn't like the active USB 2.0 cable and was better with a non active cable.

The problem is that I am providing the feed from a spare laptop inside my dome observatory and I didn't want to cut the fibreglass to give it a feed, in addition, I had to move the mount far enough away from the observatory to clear Polaris.

Esprit100_40EC_4.jpg

Tried a different Active Cable with same result, so I thought I have a new 5m USB 2.0 Micro B cable that I could try it with a 1m extension and give it a direct feed instead of via the Pegasus UPB and that seems to have fixed the issue, well the first sub is down.

Thanks for your help pointing me in the right direction,

Clear Skies

Regards,

John
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