scotty38 Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Padraic M said: @scotty38 I'd completely overlooked the DSLR power port to drive the PC - excellent! Agree that the other 4x12V power outlets can be switched as one, unless there's an equipment fault. Like you, I have the mount, imaging cam and focuser powered from the 12V ports. EQDIR to the mount, focuser and main cam are all in the PPBA USB hub and working fine, but is there a benefit in putting those directly into the PC? I'm just getting to grips with the NINA advanced sequencer so will take a look at the Connector plugin and sequencing the PPBA switches. This is fun! I have all my usb connections going to the PPBA too other than the main one to the Quieter 2 of course. I haven't even tried them direct to the pc though but cannot see what benefit there would be unless you need multiple USB3 but not sure you would with astro kit. Edited January 9 by scotty38 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart1971 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 1 hour ago, david_taurus83 said: Thanks. I like the idea of being able to switch off the individual power ports. Also, I get the odd USB gremlin that needs them to be unplugged/plugged to cure it. Am I right that they Ultimate one can toggle those off individually as well? Yes you have full control over all power and USB and dew ports. Also there is an adjustable power outlet too, from between 3v and 12v, plus a focuser port, and 1 permanently on 12v port, ideal for your PC…so it can’t be turned off by accident… 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astropedro Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 Ok I bought a mini pc for £65 with a bit more memory and WiFi should I need it. Will either remote into it via WiFi or run a cat5 cable if needed. Will buy a cheap monitor and keyboard to leave in the observatory for those times when I want to sit in there or if I need to control the mini pc directly such as to install software when it arrives etc. I'll let you know how I get on guys and thanks for the advice. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart1971 Posted January 9 Share Posted January 9 1 minute ago, Astropedro said: Ok I bought a mini pc for £65 with a bit more memory and WiFi should I need it. Will either remote into it via WiFi or run a cat5 cable if needed. Will buy a cheap monitor and keyboard to leave in the observatory for those times when I want to sit in there or if I need to control the mini pc directly such as to install software when it arrives etc. I'll let you know how I get on guys and thanks for the advice. Pete If you do decide on Wi-Fi, don’t rely on the poor internal ones you get with Mini PC’s as it will cause headaches, I bought a USB 3.0 Wi-Fi dongle and it’s been rock solid, in fact it’s better than any power line plugs too….probably not quite on par with direct Ethernet, but at a solid 860mbps, it’s good, and never had an issue, which was more that could be said about the internal Intel NUC Wi-Fi… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astropedro Posted January 9 Author Share Posted January 9 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Stuart1971 said: If you do decide on Wi-Fi, don’t rely on the poor internal ones you get with Mini PC’s as it will cause headaches, I bought a USB 3.0 Wi-Fi dongle and it’s been rock solid, in fact it’s better than any power line plugs too….probably not quite on par with direct Ethernet, but at a solid 860mbps, it’s good, and never had an issue, which was more that could be said about the internal Intel NUC Wi-Fi… I hear you. The mini pc I bought doesn't have onboard WiFi but the seller is including a USB WiFi dongle which is very nice of him. I'll hold off on buying a 20 metre ethernet cable until I've tested it with the WiFi I think. I didn't ask if the dongle was usb3 but to be honest, I may need the usb3 ports for the 2 cameras as my guide camera may benefit from the usb3 as well as the imaging camera. Edited January 9 by Astropedro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart1971 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 (edited) On 08/01/2022 at 20:47, david_taurus83 said: Oops! I've had a bit of a scare tonight! Managed to blow 2 fuses in my 12v banana plug type distributor! I have something similar to this below, separate channels power everything, one channel for mount and another channel for camera, focuser, dew controller. With the Atik 460, even when PC is powered off, the fan still runs. So I've been disconnection the power cable to the Atik after every session before I cover up. Switched everything on this evening and connected the cable, it blew 2 fuses in the power strip! Luckily enough no damage to anything as I switched over to 2 of the spare channels and everything is ok. But its making me think about one of these Pegasus boxes. They really worth the investment? @Stuart1971 @david_taurus83Have you seen this ad for a Pegasus UPV V2 as new for sale on ABS… https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=182160 Edited January 10 by Stuart1971 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_taurus83 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 2 minutes ago, Stuart1971 said: @david_taurus83Have you seen this ad for a Pegasus UPV V2 as new for sale on ABS… https://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/propview.php?view=182160 I seen it on FB page but I've ordered from RVO this morning as I'd rather have full warranty given what it does! I can't believe how lucky I am not to have fried everything the other night! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart1971 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 1 hour ago, david_taurus83 said: I seen it on FB page but I've ordered from RVO this morning as I'd rather have full warranty given what it does! I can't believe how lucky I am not to have fried everything the other night! Just a heads up….. make sure when you start using, you know which is the adjustable power output and which is the always on 12v one, they are close to each other, as the way I have my UPB mounted I can’t see the labels, and nearly got them wrong once and plugged an RPI4 into the 12v always on power instead of the adjustable one set at 5v…. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty38 Posted January 10 Share Posted January 10 5 minutes ago, Stuart1971 said: Just a heads up….. make sure when you start using, you know which is the adjustable power output and which is the always on 12v one, they are close to each other, as the way I have my UPB mounted I can’t see the labels, and nearly got them wrong once and plugged an RPI4 into the 12v always on power instead of the adjustable one set at 5v…. I put a label on mine that I still cannot see 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_eyes Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 My variation: Pegasus USB Control Hub Powerpole distribution block Hitec Astro - 4-channel dew band controller All mounted on the main scope (Esprit 120). Mini-PC mounted on the pier. 1 x 12V supply up through the mount to the scope. 1 x USB3 ditto. PC linked into my home network with ethernet. Access to the whole rig from PC in warm room, PC in office, or sometimes iPad from sofa or in bed. I could simplify it with a more sophisticated Pegasus box, but I had the dew band controller and distribution block already and wanted to replace a dumb USB3 hub with something where each port is switchable (fewer trips into the cold to reconnect a camera that is misbehaving). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_taurus83 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 @Stuart1971 Yes! It works! Stating the obvious, I know, but I run a CAT5 ethernet cable from the pier to the mini PC in the shed via a Startech USB2 hub. I was concerned this may flag up a USB issue with the UPB but after some testing down the shed it works a treat. Even with all USB2 devices in the UPB USB3 hub. Well impressed with it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart1971 Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, david_taurus83 said: @Stuart1971 Yes! It works! Stating the obvious, I know, but I run a CAT5 ethernet cable from the pier to the mini PC in the shed via a Startech USB2 hub. I was concerned this may flag up a USB issue with the UPB but after some testing down the shed it works a treat. Even with all USB2 devices in the UPB USB3 hub. Well impressed with it! Good, glad to hear it….best thing you will have ever bought… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now