PHD2: Pulseguide command to mount failed

[adam chicago]

Hi All, hoping this is a common problem with a known fix:)

My PHD2 tracking works flawlessly for about 1-2 minutes (total error under 0.20) and then the Dec line goes to the top and holds, goes to the bottom and holds and then back to the top and so on, followed shortly by a message that pops up stating "Pulseguide command to mount has failed".  The online digging I've done so far speaks to this being either an ASCOM or EQMOD software bug of some sort but I have not been able to find a solution...any ideas?

Sky Watcher EQ6 mount using the USB connection

ZWO ASI 174 guide cam

Thanks for any guidance.

Adam

[Andy Galasso]

Hi Adam,

Please upload your log files from a session where you experienced the problem.  If we have the log files we can get some insight on what type of problem you are seeing and how to fix it or or diagnose it further.

Log file upload instructions: https://openphdguiding.org/getting-help/

Andy

[adam chicago]

Thanks for the reply Andy, below is the link to the log file from tonight.  I tried a few different USB ports directly on the attached PC (not USB hub), tried different baud rates and switching from USB to the lan-cable-to-USB-connection (forget name...maybe 232 or something).  The tripod was bubble leveled prior to attaching the EQ6 mount and then I polar aligned using Polemaster, so feel pretty good about the setup.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Using:

- Skywatcher EQ6

- Installed latest ASCOM platform

- Intalled latest EQMOD platform

- I may have also installed Skywatch EQ6 ASCOM drivers but not sure

https://openphdguiding.org/logs/dl/PHD2_logs_5NuR.zip

Thank you

Adam

[Andy Galasso]

Hi Adam, Thanks for the logs.

Could you check your EQMOD settings and see whether you have Dec backlash compensation enabled?

If this is set to a non-zero value it could explain the oscillation we see in the log.

Andy

[adam chicago]

Yes, I had it set all the way to the right!  I copied someone's setting's from somewhere but don't remember why.

We have partly cloudy skies in the forecast tonight so hopefully I'll be able to test this adjustment.

In the meantime I tested multiple USB and R232 cables, different USB ports, different port baud rates, uninstalled and reinstalled ASCOM and EQMOD as well as confirmed my balance was dead-on so hopefully the "dec backlash" adjustment will be the winner:)

[Andy Galasso]

On Tue, Jul 14, 2020 at 7:43 PM Adam wrote:

Yes, I had it set all the way to the right!

ouch. so yes, that certainly explains the problem you were seeing.

 

I copied someone's setting's from somewhere but don't remember why.

The EQMOD settings for PHD2 are here: https://github.com/OpenPHDGuiding/phd2/wiki/EQASCOM-Settings

[adam chicago]

Tested it last night and PHD2 was able to track like charm with a very nice 0.20 total error over a two hour period.

Thank you very much for your help!!!