Laptop power issues

[cygnusx1]

I have been trying to get my autoguiding setup to work along with remote exposures from my laptop - unfortunately have hit a big snag.

I have 2 options for guide camera, a Logitech 4000 or Meade DSI.

I can run the Canon/PC cable and Canon/USB cable + the webcam no problems, but if I replace the webcam with the Meade i get a "device unrecognized, failed to start" and non of my USvB ports weant to respond.

After a little investigation it seems as if the laptop isn;t supply enough power to run the power hungry Meade

Any advice, or am i stuck with the webcam which is pretty useless at picking up faint stars to guide on!

Cheers

[MikeP]

Are you using a USB hub? I had to buy a powered one to meet the needs of all the bits I was plugging in.

Mike

[steppenwolf]

How about a powered hub?

[steppenwolf]

ooops, Mike beat me to it .....

[cygnusx1]

I've tried a hub, no go, as it connects directly to the laptop so is just drawing on its power.

[Jamie]

Another option Kevin would to be give Andy Ellis at Astronomiser a call

with respect to purchasing a modded B&W webcam for use as an auto guider.

[MikeP]

I think the spec for a USB port is that it supplies up to 5mA. If you use an un-powered hub and connect to the lappy, the whole hub shares the 5mA. If it is powered, each port in the hub can draw its own 5mA - the connection to the lappy just provides data communication.

Mike

PS I know b****r all about this really, but that is my understanding

[peeceeTal2M]

You need a powered hub kevin, one that has its own mains supply and doesn't draw power from the laptop, use that for the DSI, then run the rest from laptop. that should solve your problem.

Phill

[steppenwolf]

As Phill and I have said, it must be a POWERED hub so no draw is taken from the laptop itself.

[cygnusx1]

Funny, last night I did the following:

1. plugged in the DSI first, loaded up PHD, connected to DSI and capture started fine.

2. Then plugged the 350D USB cable in, followed by the Remote serial/usb cable. Switched camera on, EOS capture started fine. Loaded DSLR focus and connect ok!

Weird, as I was loading the camera cables 1st and then the DSi I got the USB hub errors.Doing it in reverse "seems" to solve the problem.

Explain that! :scratch:

[Kai]

A bit like the scene in Apollo 13 when they have to repower the spaceship without tripping the fuses