Pulling my hair out: Random mount and guide scope disconnects

[900SL]

Gone through the hoops on this one.

Asi Air pro, Vixen SXD2/Starbook 10, 533MC Pro main, 178MM guide

When taking a sequence of guided light frames, I will get random disconnects (maybe two per session) of BOTH mount and guide camera. No warning. No alert. Guide graph just stops, main camera will continue shooting. Mount (I think) keeps tracking separately

Both mount AND guide scope will be greyed out in the AAP app and I have to flip the screen toggles back on. Guide camera usually shows up as 'none'. Usually have to re-select the 178MM although sometimes it isn't there (no option but none)

 

So...... I can get that a USB or camera issue could cause a dropped connection, but what would cause both mount and guide camera to disconnect simultaneously?

AAP is connected to a 750 Slate router by shielded LAN. LAN connection to SB10.  There is a 5GHz Wifi connection from tablet to router.

I've changed all the original USB cables to good quality aftermarket ones, all bundled and secured. I have separate 13.6V supplies to mount, AAP, and 533MC camera so I'm pretty sure it's not power or voltage related. I've even added a Pegasus Powerbox Micro to take the load off the ASI Air Bus but no change...

 

Really baffled as to what could be causing this.

[Elp]

Are you using 5.5 x 2.1mm 12v cables? I noticed with my pro when using 2.5mm cables that there was lateral movement around the centre pin, it never did happen when imaging but if I moved the cable manually near the 12v in port, it'd cause the asiair to restart.

The latest firmware version of the asiair has also caused me many frustrated sessions enough for me to revert to an old app version and old firmware version (pre v2.0 app version and pre 10.46 firmware version).

Edited April 17 by Elp

[M40]

This has happened to me only once where the mount just disconnected and the aa+ locked up. Moving between two targets a neighbours house rudely jumped into the way and the whole lot just stopped. To reset it was power down goto home and start again, carefully avoiding said neighbours house. It may have been coincidence for me, but, did you by any chance cross something that blocked your telescopes view? If not, it would at least rule it out. All the best.

[wongataa]

I would be trying a computer to run the cameras & mount instead of the ASI Air to see it the issue stops or not.  If it doesn't appear when the ASI Air is removed then it is likely the problem is with that.  If it doesn't disappear then further investigation is required.

[900SL]

On 17/04/2023 at 20:49, Elp said:

Are you using 5.5 x 2.1mm 12v cables? I noticed with my pro when using 2.5mm cables that there was lateral movement around the centre pin, it never did happen when imaging but if I moved the cable manually near the 12v in port, it'd cause the asiair to restart.

The latest firmware version of the asiair has also caused me many frustrated sessions enough for me to revert to an old app version and old firmware version (pre v2.0 app version and pre 10.46 firmware version).

Yes, and I've tried changing cables to no avail. I'm sure its not a power disconnect, that would drop the main camera too. The Asi Air is not restarting, I just loose the mount and guide cam connection.

[900SL]

On 18/04/2023 at 13:41, M40 said:

This has happened to me only once where the mount just disconnected and the aa+ locked up. Moving between two targets a neighbours house rudely jumped into the way and the whole lot just stopped. To reset it was power down goto home and start again, carefully avoiding said neighbours house. It may have been coincidence for me, but, did you by any chance cross something that blocked your telescopes view? If not, it would at least rule it out. All the best.

Cheers, no. I was out last night and it dropped the mount and guide cam three times in a three hour session. No pattern to the disconnect as far as i can tell

[900SL]

On 18/04/2023 at 14:03, wongataa said:

I would be trying a computer to run the cameras & mount instead of the ASI Air to see it the issue stops or not.  If it doesn't appear when the ASI Air is removed then it is likely the problem is with that.  If it doesn't disappear then further investigation is required.

I'm heading towards a mini PC Nina set up. In the meantime I'll try pulling a cable or two in sequence to see if I can trigger the same disconnects

[Elp]

Has it ever worked?