Crispy5573

Hi I've just received an Astrodevices filter drawer and a tilt corrector for my RASA 8. These are 3D printed with carbon fibre re-enforcing. I believe they are no longer in production but there are a few left if you search. The drawer was designed (like yours) specifically for the RASA 8. Although they are out of production if you go to their website they have the drawings of the individual parts. I thought it may help with your project or give you an idea or two to develop yours further. Having said that you're making a great job of it so far. Well done.

It's a JTW Trident 75. Very like a Mesu friction drive .

Thought you might like to see what you've helped me fix.

Thanks Stuart that worked. After freezing for an hour I've come in smiling. The boxes have different serial numbers on the tabs but it would be better probably to name them after the scope they are controlling. All I need now is some clear sky, any advice on how to get that Thanks again much appreciated.

Yes the unity software does show both boxes, I'll try that with the gear icon thanks Stuart.

Hi all, I have a dual rig set up in my observatory which is controlled using NINA. I have 2 Pegasus PPB advance units (one for each scope for power distribution and USB 3 connectivity). If I power them both up and start NINA when I attempt to connect it fails and tells me to choose one. The problem is there is nowhere to actually choose. In the dropdown I see PPB advance but only one instance. I know I need to open two instances of NINA to get this to work properly. Just wondering if anyone has had the same problem and how they got around it.

Thank you all for the advice. I'm used to CMOS cameras and usually stack with darks (from dark library) flats and dark flats. In the SX manual it seems to be very much against Darks saying they can actually increase noise, particularly on subs of less than 10 mins, It does say flats and bias frames are sort of optional. Nothing about dark flats. It mentions using the SX software suite having filters to basically do what I'm used to doing with calibration frames and Pixinsight or PS. I think I'll start with an mixture of your advice and the manual and use bias, flats and dark flats then see how it turns out but I agree flats are a must particularly as I just bought a 31" monitor for the observatory wall to double up as a flat panel lol. My RC has secondary focusing and the stepper motor/gearbox sticks out of the end of the tube so I can't put a flat panel over it as I've done before but I have a flexible cover to do dark flats, it was either sky flats or the monitor. Thanks again everyone and any further advice/help is always much appreciated Ron

Hi Steve. It says darks are a definite no and can be detrimental for exposures under 10 mins and flats are only useful if you have dust motes on the sensor window in which case you should just clean it. Ron

Hi all, I've just bought a Starlight Express SVXRM-25C and quite out of character for me I read the manual. I've never used a CCD camera before just a couple of ZWO CMOS and a DRLR and I was surprised at the recommendation that you do not appear to need any calibration frames. Any experienced CCD folks out there can give me a few pointers please ? Also do I have to use the Starlight Express app for imaging and processing ? Sorry this all might sound like I'm a bit dumb but in this case I probably am

Thank you whipdry I'll take a look at that

The one I'm looking at is a Mk1 and the guy who's selling it say's as it's ascom the ASI Air should work with it but I've asked on Astronomy sites all over the world and no-one has come back to me saying they have even tried it. Sitech , Lucas Mesu and ZWO haven't answered but I suppose as I won't be buying from them their customers must take priority. The brief instruction manual I have seen reminds me of when I started and was using an EQMOD Vixen Polaris. Not exactly plug and play 🙂

Thanks Dan I have seen something about balancing by checking with a volt/amp meter until there is zero load. It seems like a bit of a fuss but I only change scopes a few times a year so once it's done apart from a quick check that should be it for a while.

Hi All, I'm considering buying a Mesu Mk1 with sitech 2 controller and have been reading as much as I can find in various forums, joining groups etc. The main concern I have which is making me hold back is how to balance the mount. Something else I would like to find out is if it is possible to control it using the ASI Air ? Has anyone even tried it ? Can anyone point me in the direction of a user manual ? At the moment I am using an iOptron CEM40-EC (which is for sale btw 😉) and the Air in my observatory. All I need to do is decide what I want to capture, balance if I change scopes do a few test subs then set the auto run going and come back in the house nice and warm then just check my tablet every so often. I really don't fancy going back to sitting out most of the night babysitting. I know the Mesu is a superb piece of kit which would allow me to use larger telescopes and have them tracking as close to perfect as can be done. Sorry for the ramble any advice gratefully received.

Thanks Nicolas, I've had quite a bit of advice and several different techniques have been shown to me. I'm planning on using bits of different methods ( some good advice in your thread thanks) to suit the equipment I already have. If this fails I intend to take it to someone who knows how to correct this properly. Ron

Thanks Steve I'll let you know if I find a solution. Ron