QHY5L-II black screen - first time connect

[AlistairW]

Hello,

This is probably something simple, - I have connected my new QHY5L-II to my mount, but am only seeing a black screen when I start it up. I followed all the instructions to load the drivers first, but can't see why I can see no image. I am doing this in daylight so I imagine I should be able to see something on the screen, even if it is out of focus at this setup stage.

Any help appreciated. I all look like it has connected properly, and I have not left any lens caps on

Thanks

Alistair

[AlistairW]

realised i should have CMOS QHY5L-II Camera set as using ASCOM and PHD2. Still no joy though.

[jambouk]

Can you get the camera to work at all? Try downloading something simple like craterlet and see if you can get an image:

http://www.stark-labs.com/craterlet.html

James

[Scott]

in phd, after selecting camera/mount, did you click on the blue arrow icon (bottom left)?

[AlistairW]

Hello.

Yep I pressed the blue loop button at the bottom right. This just leads to a white screen with the caption "Star Lost". Jambouk I will try your suggestion later.

When I did the PHD2 install it goes through a small set up routine, and ask for a set of darks to be taken. Seems to go through that process ok, and I can't see any specific errors in the logs.

Thanks - Alistair

[AlistairW]

Downloaded Craterlet, and no idea how it works, - but if it is as simple as it suggests, then I should see something when I launch it ..... however still a black screen ... What is this telling me ?

[Viewmaster]

Try dragging that bottom slider to the right by left clicking and drag.

[Thalestris24]

Hi

Is this a qhy5l-ii mono? If so, they are tricky to use during the day cos they are so sensitive. You might try it with the qhy ezplanetary software and native driver which allows you to set millisecond exposures and low gain. Make sure you are using a good quality cable and dedicated usb 2.0 hi speed port

Louise

[AlistairW]

Tried the ezplanetary - adjusted the gain to 5% and the exposure time to 20ms, and saw a very white screen. However if I put my hand over the guider lens, you can see it darken. I have not focused the guider yet, but assumed this can only happen once I see an image. Am i fundamentally missing something here, is the sensitivity on these devices extremly high, unlike a camera sensor ? - Can this not be set up in day light, - like focusing a finderscope ? -(Newbee to autoguiding as you can tell).

Thanks

Alistair

[jambouk]

You should be able to focus the guide scope on something in the distance, but it's a balancing act of getting the exposure settings correct so it's not black or white, but in the middle, and getting the focus correct.

[Thalestris24]

Yeah, you won't see anything until you are close to focus. Remember also with PHD2 there is a tool button on the  connect screen. This allows you set the gain of the camera. I usually keep mine quite low - less than 20, I think (from memory!).

Louise

[AlistairW]

ok ... so it's not black or white - but somewhere in the middle and then try to focus .... go this now ....

I guess these proves it working ? - I hope so ... still not sure I understand what I am doing though .... all a learning curve

Thanks

Alistair

[jambouk]

Yes, the neighbours gutters need cleaning

[AlistairW]

well small steps forward - thanks everyone ...

i tried PHD2 again, but still see nothing there. should i be seeing the same thing ?

Thanks

[mikeobrien]

What have you got the exposure set to in phd

[mikeobrien]

You have pressed the loop button in PhD I presume?

[glowingturnip]

what choices do you have in the camera drop-down on that connect-equipment dialogue ?

Mine had about 3 different choices that mentioned QHY5L (can't remember what they are at the moment and don't have access to the scope).  There was an ASCOM one, the one you're using (which I think is an old driver), and another one as well, only the last one worked with my QHY5Liic.  Experiment with the different options and see which one shows you anything.  

Don't expect it to look like much in the daytime, PHD is optimised for dark, but you should at least be able to see it dim and brighten as you cover the end 

[ollypenrice]

CCDs will often give a black screen when over exposed. Sometimes getting them to come back from this requires giving them an absolutely light-free exposure.

Olly