MarkS

Mike, I have downloaded all the latest documentation for my equipment from ASA, and the Sequence version is 2.1.1. You might consider installing that version. Send me a PM if you want to follow this up. Cheers, Mark

Mike, I am surprised that the "Readoutmode during focusing" line disappears when you set the dialog box to 0. I am using version 211 - maybe that's the difference? All my Sequence.ini files contain that line. Also, the CCD Dialog in 211 looks different from your screen shot - see enclosed screenshot. I never bothered with 212 or 213 because the changes didn't appear to be relevant to my setup. I also note that 211 is the version on my latest download from ASA of all the documentation relevant to my equipment. Also, if you haven't got the document Sequence200 you should download it and follow the instructions carefully to check you have everything correct. Mark

Tick the "Don't Use Readout Modes" box in CCD settings dialogue, Apply and Save - you must do both. Let us know how it goes. Mark

The following may be worth chasing up: I don't know if you are using Readout Modes, but in any event your Sequence.ini line "Readout Mode of CCD during Focusing = -1" (under [Autofocus Settings]) looks wrong. If you are not using readout modes the Readout Mode should be "0". "-1" makes no sense to me at all. Check your CCD Settings in Sequence. I hope this helps. Mark

As a late-comer to this thread, I don't understand the problem. I use three different focusers (AAF3/ACC, Microtouch, FLI Atlas) in my various set-ups, all of which use the standard ASA software system (Autoslew, Sequence, MaximDL). In these set-ups, MaximDL settings have no information whatever about focusers. Maxim gets its camera settings from whatever camera I'm using, and telescope data from Sequence (I'm not sure it needs it). The focuser is chosen in the Sequence settings as per the manual - and the directions in the Sequence prompts. I've never seen these error messages, and Sequence AF always works once the correct parameters are entered into the AF Settings boxes. Is it possible that the problems you are experiencing are due to some unwanted interactions between Maxim and Sequence introduced by the unneeded settings? Mark

If you bin using averaging, you do get an improvement - the read noise of the combined pixels will halve. That is, for a gain of 0, the effective read noise will be 1.75 eRMS, not 3.5. At 0.62"/px the resolution is very unlikely to ever result in undersampling of your images - unless you pick a great night in the Atacama! On the other hand, excessive oversampling does not make for better images. My Moravian camera using the same sensor as yours has hardware binning available. I am going to use it on my 2400mm focal length set-up. If I get any decent weather in the next dark cycle, I will be able to compare how the system performs. Cheers, Mark PS: MLPT is an absolute cornerstone of the ASA unguided tracking performance. Always use it!!!!!

Hi Sean, I forgot to mention that I think you should use X2 binning - there is no point in running 0.31arcsec resolution in Australia! Cheers, Mark

Hi Sean, I don't have an observatory, so I have all my gear set up on a rollabout (see picture). This saves a lot of time (and my back which needs special care!). I strongly recommend you consider doing this - I have built two of them, one for the DDM60/ASA10N, and one for my DDM85/OS RiDK setup which is far too heavy to assemble for each imaging session. All I do is roll the set-up out of the house onto a concrete platform, align it to true north/south, and jack it off the wheels so it is firmly fixed and levelled. This takes about 5 minutes. Then synchronising,focusing, and polar alignment take another 15-20 min. This can be done while the camera is cooling. Once I have PA within 2 arcmin on both axes, I use that 3-star config and proceed straight to Sequence Run with MLPT incorporated. This procedure is fast, and pointing is not always super accurate, but it's always OK if I allow for a little cropping of the images. If you prefer to make a multi-star pointing model each night, don't waste time on a 100-star model - around 10 stars will suffice if you always use MLPT. However, I never bother, unless I find I have time to kill before Astronomical twilight ends. Note that you can start on synchronising etc well before it gets truly dark, so you don't need to waste precious imaging time on setting up. At the end of a session, the rollabout can be inside within 5 minutes, but I always take longer because the camera warm-up should not be hurried.

If you download the latest Autoslew software (version 5428), and follow the instructions for mounts with incremental encoders you should have no problems. You should not need to set up any comports for the mount. Hope this helps Mark

Hi Patryn, Firstly, does your DDM60 have incremental or absolute encoders? You need to download the Autoslew Manual for the encoders your mount has fitted. If you follow the instructions carefully you should have no trouble. If you have already done this, and are still in trouble your best course is to contact ASA Support and request a remote session with Wolfgang Promper. Mark

Hi Moiz, The homefind icon is missing because you have a DDM 85A, which has absolute encoders. With absolute encoders you do not need to do a homefind. Make sure you have the Autoslew Software Manual for Mounts with Absolute Encoders. If you follow those instructions carefully you should be OK. Regards, Mark

Dave, The DDM100 is rather new. I suggest you ask Wolfgang Promper at ASA Support. He should be able to give you some guidance. Mark

Don't take any notice of the RS components catalog pictures: they're indicative only! The WSV 70 config is the one to get. Mark

Have a look at RS Components website: RS Stock No. 170-5671. The pin layout is WSV 70 (be careful here, there are two 7pin layouts) Hope this helps. Mark

Hi Dave, Try this: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7VuwIiNBZw2QzFtblFZVjVZaVk?resourcekey=0-Uagss_RIKjD3DBDsSJmWVg Good luck, and let me know if it works! Mark

Maybe you should organise a remote session with Wolfgang Promper at ASA Support. He can check your system and diagnose software problems on line. Mark

Yes - I have not bothered with a) for a long time. Mark

You should set New Home Position on the zenith as soon as homefind has completed. This is important, and you can change it later if you wish. You should only need to do this once. The GPS can be tricky - however it is worth getting it functioning as the mount will then know which hemisphere it is in, and the ini files will be set up automatically. I have found that using a 1 or 2 metre long heavily shielded cable between the GPS unit and the computer helped me. I just connected the GPS via the cable and took the laptop to a clear place in the yard and waited for the software to register 4 or more satellies. If it didn't I would move to another place and try until I did get a reading. Even then I found it needed a clear sky. Then with Sequence open as well as Autoslew, ensure the readings have transferred to Current Location and Hardware settings panel, Apply AND Save. You only have to do this once. The altitude is in metres, but you don't need to worry about inaccuracy of this reading - it's really not critical. When you fire up the system, you may get a notice asking if you want to change hemisphere. This should fix your problem - assuming all else is correct...... Hope this helps. Mark

I'm no expert on this, but if you set up your observatory as a local entity with its own computer, you can either run via Ethernet or Wi-Fi to another computer on your network using, for example, Teamviewer. This is how ASA support has accessed my set-up in Australia from Austria when I've had problems needing their hands-on assistance. Hope this helps. Mark

Here is the document. Hope it helps! Mark Sequence200.pdf

Jose, I do not know if you have Sequence Vers. 2.0.0 Manual. In that document, the procedures for setting Sequence up, including MLPT, and then starting an imaging run, are covered in detail. It is not clear to me what you mean by '....SENDING IT TO AUTOSLEW.' If Sequence, Autoslew, Focuser, and Maxim are all interconnected that happens automatically. Are the stars elongated in the first image, but not subsequent images, or are they all bad? Mark

Josch, Make sure that the permissions for Sequence and Autoslew are properly set. The switch to Windows 10 often loses these permissions. You need to set them in the Programs and Program Data. Permissions are set in Properties>Security. Mark

The DDM 85 basic is set up similarly to the DDM 60. That may be some help. Mark DDM60_ProductManual_E.pdf

Not sure if this is relevant in your case, but it is important that the permissions for reading/writing are allowed for Autoslew and Sequence Programs and Program Data. These are found in Windows>Program Files (x86)>Autoslew>Properties>Security; same for Sequence and same for Windows>Program Data>ASA>..... When I first changed from Windows 7 to 10 I had to set some of these permissions to 'Allow'. Mark

I agree with Robert...Could you describe the problems you are having? Mark