PHD2 and Altair GP224C probs
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Mark Dean
Apr 8, 2017, 5:14:40 PM4/8/17
to Open PHD Guiding
I recently got a new Altair Astro GP224C to use for guiding.
I am running PHD2 v.2.6.3 on Win7 Pro 64 Bit, the GP Cam (GP224) is connected to a powered D-link USB Hub
Have copied the altaircam.dll file to the PHD2 directory as instructed and can connect using the x86 driver, the x64 driver caused PHD2 to crash straight away.
I'm locking onto a guide star but PHD2 keeps saying after random intervals that the GPCam has not completed an exposure and has been shut down. I've changed the GPCAm USB lead, tried a different port, installed and re installed PHD 2 and the Altair driver. Even changed the GP Cam itself for a new one. Still get the same problem.
I've increased the values as directed but it still fails intermittently but more often than not.
Any ideas?
I'm locking onto a guide star but PHD2 keeps saying after random intervals that the GPCam has not completed an exposure and has been shut down. I've changed the GPCAm USB lead, tried a different port, installed and re installed PHD 2 and the Altair driver. Even changed the GP Cam itself for a new one. Still get the same problem.
I've increased the values as directed but it still fails intermittently but more often than not.
Any ideas?
Andy Galasso
Apr 9, 2017, 1:04:00 AM4/9/17
to Open PHD Guiding
On Sat, Apr 8, 2017 at 5:27 PM, Mark Dean <mjdno...@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm locking onto a guide star but PHD2 keeps saying after random intervals that the GPCam has not completed an exposure and has been shut down. I've changed the GPCAm USB lead, tried a different port, installed and re installed PHD 2 and the Altair driver. Even changed the GP Cam itself for a new one. Still get the same problem.
I've increased the values as directed but it still fails intermittently but more often than not.
Any ideas?
It sounds like you have ruled out hardware problems by trying a different cable and different port (and camera!), so it seems more likely to be a driver or altaircam.dll issue. Have you tried using the Altair camera ASCOM driver to connect to the camera? Does the camera work with AltairCapture and/or SharpCap?
Andy
Mark Dean
Apr 9, 2017, 6:00:36 AM4/9/17
to Open PHD Guiding
Works with SharpCap and Altair Capture, had those on loops for a while with no drop outs or problems.
PHD2 v 2.6.3 gives exposure error message in both Altair ASCOM and Altair camera selections after a while. last 4 logs attached for both ASCOM and standard Altair camera connections
Mark Dean
Apr 9, 2017, 6:59:11 AM4/9/17
to Open PHD Guiding
Update: have moved the GPCam off the Powered D-Link USB Hub and connected GPCam direct to PC USB port - so far - after 45 mins - PHD2 has no error or exposure tripping errors. Will monitor though and see how it performs guiding tonight whilst connected to EQMOD.
On Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:14:40 PM UTC+1, Mark Dean wrote:
Mark Dean
Apr 12, 2017, 4:38:58 AM4/12/17
to Open PHD Guiding
Well.. here's the latest.
The old observatory PC was getting a bit tired so I got a lovely shiney new one, plenty of CPU and RAM and storage.
Fresh Win 7 Pro install
All software re installed to latest versions and updates done.
New USB Leads, connected direct to the PC where possible avoiding connection to the D-Link Powered USB Hub.
Ran up, Sequence Generator Pro, MountHub Pro, EQMOD and PHD2..
Ran a test with PHD connected to GPCAM just looping dark frames at 1.0s intervals. Ran for a while but then......... "after 15s the camera has not completed a 1.0s exposure......" message yet again.....
FRUSTRATED!
The old observatory PC was getting a bit tired so I got a lovely shiney new one, plenty of CPU and RAM and storage.
Fresh Win 7 Pro install
All software re installed to latest versions and updates done.
New USB Leads, connected direct to the PC where possible avoiding connection to the D-Link Powered USB Hub.
Ran up, Sequence Generator Pro, MountHub Pro, EQMOD and PHD2..
Ran a test with PHD connected to GPCAM just looping dark frames at 1.0s intervals. Ran for a while but then......... "after 15s the camera has not completed a 1.0s exposure......" message yet again.....
FRUSTRATED!
On Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:14:40 PM UTC+1, Mark Dean wrote:
Andy Galasso
Apr 12, 2017, 4:52:01 AM4/12/17
to Open PHD Guiding
Mark,
Have you checked to see if the problem occurs with other programs like AltairCapture and SharpCap? Or does it just happen with PHD2?
Andy
Mark Dean
Apr 12, 2017, 5:05:55 AM4/12/17
to Open PHD Guiding
Hi Andy - yes, I mentioned this in a few posts earlier. SharpCap and Altair Capture seem to work fine and not trip out.
Mark Dean
Apr 12, 2017, 11:51:19 AM4/12/17
to Open PHD Guiding
No rhyme or reason - GPcam has been playing nice for a few hours now. Not had an error message from PHD . Nothing has changed.
Ive tried loading up various software all at the same time in case theres a conflict - nothing..... did a fresh reboot - tried again - no problem.. Left PHD2 looping 5 sec exposures with the lens cap on, see if anything trips in the next few hours.
Strange......
Ive tried loading up various software all at the same time in case theres a conflict - nothing..... did a fresh reboot - tried again - no problem.. Left PHD2 looping 5 sec exposures with the lens cap on, see if anything trips in the next few hours.
Strange......
Mark Dean
Apr 16, 2017, 7:03:10 AM4/16/17
to Open PHD Guiding
Dont ask me why ----- its working again.... ran for hours with no disconnects but hasn't yet been tested guiding under load - will report back.........
On Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:14:40 PM UTC+1, Mark Dean wrote:
On Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:14:40 PM UTC+1, Mark Dean wrote:
On Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 10:14:40 PM UTC+1, Mark Dean wrote:
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