hgastro
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Posts posted by hgastro
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> Thanks for the feedback. I dont have SG-Pro so it would be difficult for me to test. I'll have a more detailed look at the trace files. Which version were you using previously with SG-Pro?<
I believe it was AAF2 V2.3.0 (I found a downloaded file from March 7, 2015).
Not that I want to increase your work-load: SG-Pro allows a free test for 30 days...
Best,
Helmar
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Hello Dave,
Thanks for mentioning the improvements. I am aware of them , but have not used any temperature sensor, yet.
I am currently using an Arduino Uno, because I had some USB (FTDI-chip?) problem (serial driver?) in the beginning with a different version. The UNO worked right away (sometimes you get what you pay for...).
During my current testing I still have problems with "manual mode" changes to the focuser position from my control program (Sequence Generator Pro := SG-Pro).
Here are my "experiments":
I switched on the "Trace" button in the Ascom window for the AAF2 driver. Using your "AAF2Focus" all works well, e.g. I can use the "coarse" and the "fine" button, the trace files demonstrate the proper functioning very nicely. I attached the AAF2... and Driver... files, see the xxx184815,txt versions below.
When I do the same experiment from within SG-Pro, things do not go well for V2.4 (it worked for the old version). I have the feeling the communication gets confused, see the attached files xxx185108.txt
I am hoping you will be able to look at these and figure out what is wrong, or what has changed compared to the former version.
Also I am wondering if anybody else has reported similar problems.
Thanks in advance,
Helmar
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Hello Dave (tekkydave),
This is my first post on this forum (and you could add me as another successful user of your focuser).
First of all a BIG THANK YOU! for your efforts! I have been using your focuser and software for quite a while in my observatory (LX200 8" classic with custom-modified belt-driven Meade-focuser). I am observing variable stars (member of AAVSO), and I use your driver in an ASCOM 6.1 environment. I use Sequence-Generator Pro ("SG-Pro") for my observing control, and it works well with AAF2 .
Lately I "upgraded" my PC to a newer version with Win8.1 as the OS (not recommended, but it was a cheap deal...). I have been battling the "safety" features of Win8.1 since (but successfully).
Here is why I finally post (additional to my "thank you"):
1) Your last update (V2.4) worked perfectly in regard to installation and registering (Win8.1, 64-bit)!!
[ I uninstalled the former version first, then also updated my Arduino version to the newest, installed the needed libraries in the Arduino IDE, uploaded the new "ino"-file and ran your new AAF2 windows driver installer (no manual install/registering anymore, yaeehh...).]
2) AAF2Test and AAF2Focus work flawlessly.
3) But now the big test: How would everything work with SG-Pro? SG-Pro has several ways to operate the focuser (also autofocusing!): Additional to the programmatic control (could not test, yet, due to unsupportive weather), SG-Pro allows manual control through a "Control Panel" with fine and coarse relative movements, and a "Go To" with absolute positioning. Here is something different now: Whereas the "Go to" appears to work fine, the "fine" and "coarse" controls do not show any updated positioning (but the focuser seem to move correctly).
I am not sure what you have changed in the new code(s), but all worked in the former version. I had no time, yet, to compare the ino-files.
I am sure it is only a small problem that can be solved without a big effort (famous words...).
In any case: Thank you again for this great effort (you are one of my heroes)!
Cheers,
Helmar
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Arduino Ascom focuser Mark2
in DIY Astronomer
Posted
Hello Dave,
I am (almost) afraid to ask: Did you have a chance/time to look at the trace files I had sent earlier? There appear to be some "halt" commands and "isMoving" replies in the case of SG-Pro operation that do not appear in the trace files from your own code(s).
I still have the same problems - controlling the focuser from SG-Pro does not seem to work reliably. I think that I observed that in the beginning the focuser moves, but then SG-Pro does not even display the poition anymore (it stays stuck in the first position it had read when initializing).
Is there something I could do on my end to help you figuring out what is going on/wrong (for example a simple test for focuser movement in a) FocusAAF2 and in SG-Pro)? I tried to understand the ASCOM driver (developer) part, but I got lost in the many details of the code.
I really would like to get AAF2 working together with SG-Pro (again, since it used to work fine a few weeks ago before the AAF2 upgrades from V2.3 to 2.4), because then I can just choose a filter, and SG-Pro would adjust the focuser position automatically. Also autofocusing, even with temperature compensation would be possible.
Please let me know how I could help!
Thanks in advance,
Helmar