EQASCOM/EQMOD Problem

[centroid]

Head scratching time!!

I have new HEQ5 Pro Synscan, which functions fine with the hand controller.

However I am trying to operate it from the PC.

I have installed the latest ASCOM Platform, and EQMOD software, and drivers.

I'm using a cable with an FTDI chipset, and Device Manager confirms that it is working fine, as a USB to Serial converter, assigned to COM 4.

I can get the EQMOD control panel to display, showing the correct info back from the mount, but the mount will not respond to any instructions from the PC.

In Cart  du Ciel I can connect, and disconnect to the mount, but again the mount will not respond to any instructions, such as 'Slew' etc.

I sucessfully used EQMOD to control an NEQ6, via The Sky 6, for many years (pre 2014), but this is a real 'head scratcher.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

Edited September 16, 2021 by centroid
typo

[Cornelius Varley]

15 minutes ago, centroid said:

I'm using a cable with an FTDI chipset, and Device Manager confirms that it is working fine, as a USB to Serial converter, assigned to COM 4.

Is the cable a genuine EQDirect cable or just a cable with an FTDI chipset ?

[centroid]

Yes it is Peter. Its a Hitech Astro, so not a 'cheapie'.

[Dr_Ju_ju]

How are you connecting the PC to the mount, directly or via the handset ??  if via the handset, is it in PC control mode ?

[Budgie1]

It may be a daft question, but sometimes it's the simple thing, so:

You have clicked on the button in EQMOD to take the mount out of Park? Cartes Du Ceil will show a warning if it's still in park and you try to slew, so maybe not that.

Could you screenshot the EQMOD control panel with the settings?

[centroid]

10 hours ago, Dr_Ju_ju said:

How are you connecting the PC to the mount, directly or via the handset ??  if via the handset, is it in PC control mode ?

Directly to the PC, via am EQDirect cable.

[centroid]

9 hours ago, Budgie1 said:

It may be a daft question, but sometimes it's the simple thing, so:

You have clicked on the button in EQMOD to take the mount out of Park? Cartes Du Ceil will show a warning if it's still in park and you try to slew, so maybe not that.

Could you screenshot the EQMOD control panel with the settings?

Yep, all done correctly, but I have sorted it now, see my post below.

[centroid]

OK, all sorted now, thank you,

Uninstalled all the relevant software, and did a fresh install, including the FTDI driver, and now its all working. 👍

Which bit of software was the issue, I don't know, but it matters not, as it all up and running now.