ChristerS

Hi, Ok strange, I attach it again and also as zipped. Note is that I'm running on Windows 10, perhaps not a problem with older versions. howto_recover_usb_driver.zip howto_recover_usb_driver.pdf If you are andy with a computer here is a link to one way to fool windows to think the older FTDI driver ASA installs is the newest http://www.rei-labs.net/fixing-the-ftdi-drivers-prevent-auto-updates/ Have not tested yet, perhaps to wait for a solution from ASA BR, //Christer

Hi! Last night I could not connect to my DDM85 using Autoslew, clear sky's of-cause . Everything worked OK except I got the "Could not connect to controller!" error when starting Autoslew. I contacted ASA and got a guide how to fix the problem, they have notices the problem some day ago. Se the attached guide. The guide solved the problem partly, the guide shows how to downgrade to FTDI driver to version 2.8.14, so followed the guide, mount starts up ok. Then I try restart Autoslew still works. Then I power off and on mount the problem appears again! Solution is to reinstall with CDM20814_Setup.exe again (see guide). So it looks like windows reinstalls the newer driver, ver 2.12, when I power off/on but it still shows ver. 2.8.14 in device manager. When I reboot the computer device manager shows the new FDDI ver 2.12. The FTDI is the USB-serial driver Autoslew uses to communicate with the mount. So how do we(ASA) prevent windows from reinstalling driver?? I will google to see what I can find out, let me know if anyone find a solution. I also think this is urgent info for all ASA customer I hope ASA communicate out this information. The final solution is for ASA to add support for the new FTDI 2.12 release. Clear skies! // Christer

Hi! Made some timeflex measurements with logging with current enabled and got some OverCurrent Errors (Curr > 5A) and the 20 min session had a current curve with sawtooth characteristics, see plot below. Then I made a normal tracking at the same location for 40 min with the following current plot (current max 2.5A) Have no overcurrent error when doing normal tracking. Has anyone else had this behavior? I can make goood 10min subs but no longer without mlpt. Using George's excelent excel charts for current plot, thanks George! Running DDM85/ASA12N AS 5.2.1.8 Seq 2.0.9 //Christer

Hi, I could not connect TheSkyX direct to Astrooptik Server Telescope, but I foud out there was an update to TeSkyX to fix this problem, now it works ok. I run Windows 8.1 and all program as admin with no problem. I will soon update to Win 10 and see what happens, thanks for the non admin tip! /Christer

Hi, When I first got my DDM85 I had it mounted on a tripod, it also gave humming sounds passing the meridian, I had no connection lost though. I then fixed a solid custom pier and the humming sound was gone, so I recomend you try to make your pier more solid if that could be a indirect course of the problem. Later I had USB connection lost problem using a USB Ranger(fiber) wich I had not expected, changing the USB cables fixed that problem. BR, /Christer

Hi, Nice to hear you make progress. I noticed the currency is a bit high for the DEC axis nearly 2A, I have about 1A, this is probably equipment dependent so it is probably normal. I helped a DDM60 user who had forgot to loosen the DEX axis lock screw, so double check it is not too tight. About the USB cable length I have had the revers experience, I first run with a USB Ranger (fiber) and got sometime connection problems, switch then to 10m Deltaco cables, for the 2 mount connections, and the problems went away. The rest om my USB devices run through the USB Ranger. /Christer

Hi, Finally made progress regarding good collimation with the Glatter laser and tublug. One important issue is the glitch in the 2" focuser cylinder, the Glatter laser is NOT tight against the cylinder 2" wall and the laser dot dance around depending how I place it, the lock screws are not tighten. The solution was to use some scotch tape inside the 2” cylinder wall, this made the Glatter laser fit perfect with no glitch, the same goes for the tublub also fit like a glove Second I use the tip from Jason in the link below to make a template for the tublug to make it easier to center the triangle around the hole in the tublug. I like Pelle have presumed astigmatism in the system which have made the collimation effort hard and confusing, my ASA12N is shipping next week to ASA for service. When the tube return I will give Catseye tools a go for final tuning. With the Reducer 0.73 the collimation is more demanding than ever, with a fully working 12N OTA I hope it will run smoothly. Looking forward to a fully working OTA http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/319863-my-howie-glatter-laser-collimator-experience/?do=findComment&comment=4096883 BR, /Christer

Hi, Thanks for the tip, I might be interested. I asked the fee and got the answer.. "The Monthly fee is about 250 euros per month, Including some services, quality and high performance of facilities for hosting." /Christer

Hi, I have an elongated star effect with my ASA 12N and the Wynne 0.95 I have made some test, by moving focus inside-outside good focus, and start to suspect there could be astigmatism in the system (out of focus elongated stars with 90 degree difference). Have anyone else notices this behavior? I will switch to the 0.73 reducer, when weather allows, and see how it behaves. All images 2 sec exposure Atik 490EX good collimation according to Glatter laser and tublug Regards,

Hi, I also have big problem get good collimation with the 12N tube, 0.73 and 0.95 corrector. Using Glatter laser (inkl. tublug), Infinity XLS and Telecat. Now I have used up all the collimation tools, looks perfect through the InfinityXLS but still small elongated (egg shaped) stars. All collimation made at original focus distance using 3" extended tubes from ASA. And the extremely annoying glitch in the 2" focus holder where the Glatter laser and Inifinity is not fixed but move around, I DONT tighten the two lock screws instead push the tools with light force against the 2" focus opening, is this the way to do it? (Howie told me I should tighten the screws but I don’t agree, the laser dot then moves around depending which screed I tighten first). I have read some of you make final collimation with stars, can someone explain the best way to do this? Is it a trial and error process, change one of the main mirror screw a bit take an image inspect, move it again and so on. On my LX200 I used the airy disk of a star in focus with high magnification and good seeing, what is the deal for the 12N tubes? It would be great if a collimation guide is presented here in the forum or at ASA website, If I get it right I will make a guide Regards, /Christer

Hi! Nice image Antonio! What special cleaning liquid soap did you use? I need to clean in the near future. And what tools for collimation? I have had problem getting good collimation in one corner of the field, I use the Glatter laser for the secondary mirror and Catseye InfinityX for the primary, placed at the OTA focus plane using 3" extensions rings on the OK3 fokuser. I dont see so much discussion about collimation in the forum, is it not a big issue or is it just me who cant get it perfect Regards, /Christer

Hi Daniel! I run camera and fw through the mount with no problem using the same power supply as the mount runs on, I also asked ASA about this and they told me there should be no problem. /Christer

Hi Mark, Thanks for the tips. My backfocus is not optimal at least 0.5mm off (ASA support told med it was not a problem), I will modify it a wait for darknes as white nights are starting now where I live in north of Sweden. Best Regards, //Christer

Hi, I have an issue with my 3KORRR / 3 inch Reducer factor x0.73 Corrector (on my ASA12N), I start to suspect it could be defect, I always get star trails in the top-left direction in the image after a lot of calibration atempts with glatter laser and Catseye tools. See attached image Left image: corrector at my default mount position[/font][/size] Right image: corrector rotated about 45 degree while the CCD camera is held in the same position (the images showing the top-left part of the whole image – exposure time 3 sec) Anyone else have hade similar problems? I awaits answer from ASA support Regards, //Christer

Hi Christian, I also have a ASA12" and share your frustration. I can not get a good collimation with the glatter laser and tublug (glattter laser making a small cone when rotating it so I tried to collimate it but I dont think I got it perfect, need to send it to Howie), now waiting a catseye infinity kit from Jim to see what it can do. My mirror was lose in the cell so the collimation changed i different directions, tighten the plastic screws in the cell so now that solved. But collimation still bad. When the pull and push srews are tighten I can press on the backside of the mirror and notised it is not stiff it has a spring resistance I asume this is normal. Thanks for the collimation tips, have you made any progress in collimation efforts sins last? I will update on my progress later. Regards, Christer

Nice work Ron!

Hi Nigel, I hade some connection problem when connecting the DDM85 hub to Another hub (USB Ranger) and from that to the PC. I now use one cable from the DDM85 hub direct to the PC with no problems. I use these high quality Supra cables http://www.jenving.com/ //Christer

Hi! I tighten the 6 plastic screws with a paper sheet inbetween the screws and the mirror cell and now the mirror is fixed. //Christer

Hi Daniel, Thanks a lot for your input, I will give it a try if I dont hear something from ASA support. //Christer

Hi, I have a ASA 12N I have trouble collimating. The problem seems to be that the mirror can move sideways about 1 mm. When I moved the OTA from vertical +/- 45 degree a "cluts" sound appeared like something was loose. I removed the back cover and found out that I could move the mirror sideways a bit, like the mirror cell diameter is a bit to large for the mirror size, this movement make my collimation change. Has anyone notised this? I asume this is not normal, is there something I can do or should I Contact ASA? I tryed to attached some foam (blue Arrows), se image, to keep the mirror from moving sideways, but that is not a permament solution. I have notised that the 12N OTA have the mirror not glued to the cell. Best regards, //Christer

Hi! I fixed one problem that the telescope marker is not following, it is just to uncheck "Quiet scope" in POTH. But still cant get TSX to run with Astrooptik telescope. Best Regards, //Christer

Hi! I cant connect directly to Astrootik teleskope in TSX I get some ASCOM error dialogs and TSK crash, it only works through the POTH. I tried the steps Michael suggested. I'm running WIndows 7 64-bit and Win 8.1-64 could that be the problem? The reason I want to try direct connection is that the yellow telescope marker is not following the telescope when I move the tube with the red buttons in AS, it only follows when I slew, a bit annoing. In Carte du ciel software the telescope marker is following. Any ideas? Best Regards, //Christer

Hi! Before I use sequence I want to make a manually 3-star pointing file, I use 3 start with about the same declination, I asume this is the way to go to avoid collimation errors contribute to errors. I start bu slew to a known star and sync it in TheSkyX, the I start making a new pointing file and get a strange dialoge saying its recomended to re-sync the scope before continuing, continue anyway, why is this dialogue? I just make a sync in TheSky or are I doing something wrong? Best Regards, Christer

Hi! I have not read in the DDM 60 manual what happens if I slew so the OTA equipment hits i.e. the tripod, will the mount motors have some build in max current load watch and stop the motors or what happens? Can I damage the motors? Best Regards, //Christer

Hi! Just starting up with my DDM60 mount with support for doing tilt type azimuth adjustment, the is new to me with the base plate not being level. Is there any drawback (i.e. accuracy) to use the tilt type azimuth adjustment instead of fixing the mount plate with horizontal azimuth adjustment like the DDM85? Best Regards, //Christer