stash_old

IMO you could Just get a 0.9 degree Stepper ,1.2amp and use 1:2 Microstepping as a compromise. 🙂  Plenty of fine control  ,especially if direct connection via shaft , and its not going to get that hot.

Maybe on SGL some person has written up he/her project with maths and data to support all the different methods in a real situation - but then life is too short. 🙂

Bottom line you can always change it - as no doubt most of us do LOL.

Most "hot" steppers are caused by having Microstepping which requires current to "hold" the position otherwise the Stepper will "snap" to a detent position. Unless you have set he current wrong - quote from REPRAP site "Rule of thumb, if you can put your hand on the motor but have to remove it, it's hot but not too hot. If you can't touch it without being burned... probably a bit too hot, back off on the current. If you can keep your hand on it... you're fine."

In the end if it works with your kit its right decision - geared or not. 🙂

11 hours ago, Stickfarm8 said:

Stash - I see what you mean  on the exposure time/star count. I had some images in that preview folder taken at 10 seconds/1600 iso. The star count when solving was ~550 objects. Solved in 26 seconds. Then ran the image of the shot I took right after polar alignment , and one that included Jupiter to see what that would do. Both  solved in less than 30 sec.  My scope has Jupiter about 1/4 of an inch, and was curious what that would do.  It solved just fine.

Three images solved - I'm ready, and anxious, for clear weather so I can finally try the whole package together. This will make finding and centering Triangulum (M33) a WHOLE lot easier so I can finish getting those subs. 

Thanks again all of you for the help. It is most appreciated.

Rich

No problem glad to help !

ok some slight mods to settings and I got Astrotortilla v.7 to solve your JPG image.    Platesolve2,via APT, also solves the image in under 4 secs. Both were using the EQMOD simulator and loading Astrotortilla manually (so not called via BYEOS) - you can do test runs with an image during the day this way. See attached screen prints hope that helps!

1. You dont need 30 sec exposures for Platesolving - try and keep the number of stars found down to around 500 - change ISO and expo length plus "down scaling" to achieve the magic 500. This speeds up solving.

2. Make sure Eqmod,BackYard and Astrotortilla are using JNOW or J2000 Epoch - can see Astrotortilla is set for JNOW. And you have checked them once!

3. Are you sure your FOV and Focal Length are correct and that you have downloaded the correct files +5% either side of the "correct" FOV indexes.

4. What is your timeout on Astrotortilla ?

5. Have you tried Web service Astronemtry.net to solve the same image - what info does it provide.

6. Post your image on here.

Not used Astrotortilla for a few years now but attached is my settings that did work with my Canon 100D. Only the "downscaling" needs changing as stated above.

there is room in that box for a remote dew controller -LOL.

Well done - next project.

There might be another idea (long shot 🙂 ) but only if the problems occurs AFTER DSS processing.

I dont not use DSS directly but it is called as part of Astrotoaster - now and again I get weird output (from Astrotoaster via DSS) - now in Astrotoaster I can clear DSS "temp" files (via a button) and rebuild Dark Master and re-stack the images. This normally cures my problem. Sorry I haven't used DSS directly for a good while so cant remember if you can delete DSS temp files via a "button" but suspect not.

Also I am still using the "old" version of DSS (3.4 or something) not 4.

files are here The temporary files can require up to 100GB of space or more depending on the number of images in the set. This destination is selected under Settings > Stacking Settings > Temporary Files Folder.

As stated above plus azeq6gt  🙂

Live stacks via Astrotoaster and using CCDciel Sequencer. No guiding C9.25 F10 and Canon 100d.

ok finally got o test with changes to settings in platesolving - decided to use ANSVR as it will blind solve as well it seems. 

Set up Sequencer to take images of M31/2 and also loaded Astroaoster to stack live images. With platesolving to check position inside the Sequence Plan.

It worked - forget the image quality as this was a test of platesolving in the Sequencer.

Pretty satisfied.

So to summarise - camera connected via Indi, CCDciel running on Windows, Mount and Focuser connected to Linux but they are used in Windows Ascom via Ser2net and Virtual com software. Quite pleased with DSLR downloading time in CCDciel - VERY pleased with CCDciel Sequencer - sorry i loved APT but with the Sequencer CCDciel rules - still early days but looking promising.

3 hours ago, WanderingEye said:

Stellarmate is already out on rpi4, on Ubuntu mate and or KDE...both work very well....

In beta form only ! and its no 100% - looking at the comments on Indilib plus comment above "Still needs a few bugs ironed out".

3 hours ago, WanderingEye said:

64 bit raspbian is out  now.

Last time I looked it wasn't - officially - just someone's attempt.  Raspex ,which is 64bit, has been out for a while but still has problems.

Have enough lost clear skies time as is 🙂

At this moment in time Astroberry does not run on RPI 4 but RK is currently working on it I believe 🙂   Think you need to visit Indi forum and dig and question 🙂

My 2bits - After adding ssd adapter (if not using USB3) ,fan,case,power, different HDMI plug then the cost is very close to more mainsream and straight forward set ups - Gigabyte Brix 2807. All of which run latest Ubuntu Mate 19.04 , Kstars/Indi etc(so simple updates possible) and in 64bit mode so not limited to 3.9GB memory .  

If you can bear to go 2nd hand (I do)  then there are some real (fleabay) bargain Intel I5-7, 8-16mb small form PC's that again will run Ubuntu Mate NOW and are not much bigger than a RPI4 plus Attached SSD card.

If you can wait and are not IT literate (or dont want the hassle) then @DR_JU_JU is 100% correct hold out until Ubuntu Mate appears officially or hope Jasem or others create a better updating mechanism for Buster (i.e. not recompiling each time).

Plus there are other alternatives to Kstars/Ekos that still use Indi server drivers (and in fact can use Ascom drivers at the same time) - e.g. CCDciel/CDC which  run on Windows or Macos or Linux. Even we poor DSLR cousin's can still attach the DSLR but access/conrol them across the network (NOT VNC).

Lots of options 🙂

Plus RPI5 will be out in less than a year LOL.

You could try :-

If you look thru SGL you will see the check list with CDC - one important issue is to make sure that Epoch (base date pointers) is the same in each piece of the software - e.g. j2000 in EQMOD then CDC must be j2000 (except it called something slightly different)  - and any software such as APT which has a mount interface (e.g. Ascom EQMOD).

Plus check the advance development settings in EQMOD has the "Secondary encoders" is disabled. Again search SGL to find exactly what.

🙂

1 hour ago, Astro-Geek said:

Not only that, but even when stepping "fast", it takes ages to complete one revolution,  good for precision, I realise, but surely the 27:1 is far too much, even with a direct coupling ?

I would tend to agree and so you dont need Microstepping with 27:1 gear set up IMO  - depending on what your focuser is.  But you may need to "play" with Robert options (which there are many - the man's over active LOL !) to see if you can speed up the movements or even drop him a line he is very open to questions.

 I dont use Roberts exact code any more (just his protocol - 01 mean "this" etc) as I use Accelstepper library which IMO give better control of Speed,Acceleration and is simpler (needed for my brain) to use.

It depends on the kit you are hanging off the focuser. I have used both the cheap 5v and the more expensive Nema 12,14,17 with gears as shown by Julian. All have worked well with my DSLR (Canon 100d so lighter than many I guess).

However (there always is) the "quality" of the 5v gears are not very high and I have one or 2 break (gears only) - possible me when I tried to move the focuser manually. Julians example gets high torque AND when the motor is off (which ,If I remember Roberts code, allow) then you can move your focuser manually if required.

Also ,IMO. with the more "main stream" steppers you can do Micro stepping without problems, are more accuate over repeated long moves and can move faster if required - e.g. DIY filter wheel.

You can run the little 5v from the drivers you mentioned (never done it myself) just google it - think it involved removing 1 wire. The beauty of DIY is you can find out for yourself.

1 hour ago, Astro-Geek said:

£11.58 for

Or even less if you are prepared to wait for China 🙂

I built one of these but modified it to use cheap 5v stepper (turns the POT) and Arduino/Python software for remote working - been working for nearly 3 yrs now.  If only I knew how to replace the mech POT with a programmable one .

https://www.blackwaterskies.co.uk/2013/05/a-cheap-multi-channel-dew-heater-controller/

9 minutes ago, Astro-Geek said:

Thanks again for head's up about Robert's myFocuserPro2 project.

You will be doing his wireless (NO COM PORT either 🙂 ) next just wish Ascom would follow suite - forget Ascom Alpaca and just do this for most of the devices  and get rid of COM ports !  

Glad you got sorted - enjoy clear skies AND warm rooms LOL

15 minutes ago, han59 said:

If you get solving in 4-6 seconds there is not much to improve.

Totally agree just need CCDciel to call PS2 and do it as fast or even slower - just do it - its on the same PC. Will get there in the end !

Plus make sure you dont have any illegal characters in the filename else Windows wont save the file - stick to A-Z,0-9 to be 100% safe

A few comments/personal opinions:

1. ASPS is mainly used for "Blind" platesolving but of course giving more precise RA/DEC it will behave as for example Platesolve2 - the later ,in my experience, is faster but only when the object is close.

2. I have the similar set up as JamesF (PC wise) and was bought second hand but I have never has 2-3 sec platesolve on Windows or Linux -  6 secs as it does depend on other factors - set up parameters for example,Scope FOV so maybe 2-3sec platesolve would happen if I had the same Scope,camera etc . So what would you be happy with ?

3. Your FOV will determine what Index's are needed and therefore your resolve time. As already stated some are very large. But you must be aware of that already as you use ASPS. 

4. On my old kit - Using 9.25 CPC plus DSLR and compaq laptop dual core 2.2 ghz with 4gb and SSD/Normal hard drive i was regularly under 60 secs for blind solving and nearer 30 secs for Platesolve2 near solving to give you an idea.

However having said all that I agree totally that  getting a used high spec,presumably Desktop, that has high spec SSD,High memory(8gb+), I5/I7 Processor,USB3 (if your image devices are USB3) and for Windows 64bit OS else the 8GB is not used (limited to 3.9gb on 32bit) will give you the best prospect of decent short platesolve times. Taking it too the extreme you could install 2 SSD - one used for the OS and the other where you keep your Index's but I dont know how much that would lower the resolve times - so would it be worth it - not sure (£20 for 120SSD)

Buying used for Astro is all about usability not cosmetics. £200 or less should get a very fast I5/I7 16mb SSD Windows 10 64bit OS Desktop

Plus a long time saying in "Computing" is "you are only as fast as your slowest component"

@HAN59  Thanks - Yep already hard set my settings manually and I have found out that ,as you say, the FITS header is where the RA/DEC details are retrieved. Which is a pain if you have some CR2 converted files that haven't carried the RA/DEC in the conversion as APT allows you to input RA/DEC manually if required. PC say'she may change CCDCiel to ask for RA/DEC if no co-ords exist in the FITS header. Fine so long as you are not using the Plan Editor in auto mode LOL.

As for " For DSLR camera set downsampling to 2 " this depends on the number of extracted stars (in Platesolve2 and Indi   anyway) and setting "down sampling" to higher values to achieve around 3-400 stars improves the speed in solving. In Platesolve2 (not blind software) I get 4-6secs solve time on most images with a reasonable close RA/DEC coords.

Sorry I just cant on with ASTAP's interface although I must confess I haven't tried it directly from CCDCiel - I am too simple 🙂 Fine software that it is Hans.

Still waiting for clear sky and no moon.:-) 

13 hours ago, shirva said:

heq5 to stop me bending all the time

I know exactly what you mean - no joke.

13 hours ago, shirva said:

canon 600d with meikie pro grip holding double batteries

I know your a "Alec" but I hope you are "decent" camera batteries - I bought some pretty crap ones in my time 😞

13 hours ago, shirva said:

Ed80 with 0.85 sw Focal reducer/flatner,, canon 600d with meikie pro grip holding double batteries,, cables to laptop running byeos and astrotoaster,, probably take the star adventurer and second canon 600d for some fun

The key word being "fun" - enjoy yourself and have great number of clear night skies !

8 hours ago, shirva said:

Big choice,, can't decide what kit to take lol😁

You be needing a lorry to carry your kit then 🙂  Hope you enjoy it and the weather is kind.

Actually there is another MacOS route - using Free CCDciel it runs on more OS's (windows,Linux and Mac os)  but can interface with Ascom , Indi  and Indigo in any combination https://www.ap-i.net/ccdciel/en/documentation/start

However like all great ideas there is a negative side - CCDciel is in Beta but it is as stable as Kstars/Ekos and is written by the author of CDC Skycharts. Maybe worth a try on Mac OS.

Indigo is more a Mac OS oriented software,IMHO, in the sense that http://cloudmakers.eu seem to produce a good amount of Mac OS (and IOS I believe)  software - cant verify it as I dont use Apple for Astro. But you can use Linux to front end the Cloudmakers Mac software - if want too and Cloudmakers software is NOT free.

I dont care about Windows bashing - they deserve it in many cases.