SynScan V3 Connection Issues

[NeilDMunro]

Hi,

I have been attempting to update my SynScan V3 Hand Controller from V3.08 to latest version. Handset bootloader is V1.7.

Unfortunately I just get the message “Can not connect to SynScan hand control”. I have looked at numerous forums and tried everything that has been suggested (including older versions of firmware installer), but getting nowhere.

I am using a Skywatcher SynScan USB Adapter (purchased from Bristol Cameras) and installed the driver from the Skywatcher website. The adapter shows in the COM ports and says it is working properly.

I have tried different computers (Win10 and XP) with no joy.

Can anyone help, or is there anyone in North Aberdeenshire that has successfully updated their handset willing to give mine a go (once travel restrictions, etc ease)?

Thanks

[Merlin66]

Neil,

I updated my Synscan from V3 to V3.27 (that was good enough for me)

I use a Keyspan Serial> USB adaptor to allow the original SW Upgrade cable to be used with my laptop.

Connecting this to the hand controller and providing a 12V power supply to the hand controller allowed the Upgrade to go through.

Don't know what could be the issue with your set-up........

 

 

[barkis]

I was going to suggest to the OP that the controller has to have supply connected too, not just the usb. I'm sure he would know that though.

Ron.

[NeilDMunro]

Hi,

Thanks for feedback.

@Merlin66 - unfortunately purchased secondhand and no cable came with it. I did purchase one through FLO a couple of years ago, but could never get it to work either. Only realised a couple of weeks ago that the cable connector to the hand control unit was 4 pin RJ11 and not the required 6 pin RJ12. Thought that was why it wouldn’t work previously so thought I would try the USB adapter as it has the correct connections and I had a printer cable for the USB to USB-C.

Ron - yes, did have power supply connected and pressed 0 & 8 during power up. Also tried the different data settings (normal, Med and Lo) but still can’t get the laptop to ‘see’ the HC unit.

out of ideas at the moment, but would consider posting the hand control unit to someone if they would be willing to try!

[Cornelius Varley]

16 minutes ago, NeilDMunro said:

Only realised a couple of weeks ago that the cable connector to the hand control unit was 4 pin RJ11 and not the required 6 pin RJ12.

The serial data cable should be RJ11 6p6c

[NeilDMunro]

21 hours ago, Cornelius Varley said:

The serial data cable should be RJ11 6p6c

Ok, I’ll need to have another look at the one I got from FLO this weekend as it was specified as the correct one when I bought it. Thanks.

[Merlin66]

Neil,

aounds like you may have a EQDir cable, which is used by EQMod to communicate directly to the mount.

The cable you need is different.......

[Geoff Lister]

On 28/05/2020 at 15:52, Cornelius Varley said:

The serial data cable should be RJ11 6p6c

Having spent some of my working life designing telecomms equipment, I realise that the Registered Jack "RJ" connector series is a complete minefield. In theory, it should only be used, as defined by Bell Systems, but in the real world, it is used to define connector body size and the number of connector pins fitted in that body.

From my understanding, and a quick check on the web, "RJ11" is usually used for 6P4C, and "RJ12" is the same plastic body but 6P6C.

The "RS232" (another data standard, but modified, often heavily in terms of voltage range and circuit impedance, by the computer industry) cable supplied with my Skymax and Skyliner Synscan V3 handsets, has an "RJ12" 6P6C connector, and a 3-way cable [ RED - pin2, BLACK - pin3, WHITE - pin5], terminated by a moulded 9-way "D" female connector with connections:-

RJ12         9-way D

 2         -       2

 3         -       5

 5         -       3

 

Geoff

[NeilDMunro]

3 hours ago, Merlin66 said:

Neil,

aounds like you may have a EQDir cable, which is used by EQMod to communicate directly to the mount.

The cable you need is different.......

Hi Merlin66, I’ll check back on what I ordered as it is possible I didn’t appreciate at the time the different mount types and cable requirements. Why I hoped the USB adapter would solve my connection issues. Will persevere and hopefully get there some day. Thanks.

Edited May 30, 2020 by NeilDMunro

[NeilDMunro]

36 minutes ago, Geoff Lister said:

Having spent some of my working life designing telecomms equipment, I realise that the Registered Jack "RJ" connector series is a complete minefield. In theory, it should only be used, as defined by Bell Systems, but in the real world, it is used to define connector body size and the number of connector pins fitted in that body.

From my understanding, and a quick check on the web, "RJ11" is usually used for 6P4C, and "RJ12" is the same plastic body but 6P6C.

The "RS232" (another data standard, but modified, often heavily in terms of voltage range and circuit impedance, by the computer industry) cable supplied with my Skymax and Skyliner Synscan V3 handsets, has an "RJ12" 6P6C connector, and a 3-way cable [ RED - pin2, BLACK - pin3, WHITE - pin5], terminated by a moulded 9-way "D" female connector with connections:-

RJ12         9-way D

 2         -       2

 3         -       5

 5         -       3

 

Geoff

Hi Geoff, being more of a mechie the cabling side is a bit of a minefield for me. I’ll have a closer look at the old cable I bought and see if I can tell how it is wired up. Cheers.

[Geoff Lister]

1 hour ago, NeilDMunro said:

I’ll have a closer look at the old cable I bought and see if I can tell how it is wired up.

A Google of "RS12 pinout" and "RS232" should give you a good idea of pin locations within the connector bodies, particularly to identify "Pin 1" on the RJ12.