malc-c Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Lee, Do those adapter require power? If not, or only at one end only then this could be ideal as it removes the need to have a remote PC of some description. I'm off to measure up the distance from my PC here in the lounge to the patio at the top of the garden where the scope is... Hopefully it's round about the same... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 no neither adaptor requires power. however i'd suggest you plug it into a highpower usb port on your pc and with no other devices using up any usb power.i have had it running all day with only 1 or 2 errors its been running at 30fps not sure what better for us when we will be observing/imaging?1000secs dropped 1 frame out of 30,000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Is this using the adapters in the post above, or did you acquire similar. can you provide a link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 yes the ones in the link malc.ordered 1pm with first class upgrade came next daywhat are you doing about focusing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Sounds good... I've not got that far yet... but seeing the price of those units in the post above it will be something simple... I have a lot of RC gear in my hobby box so may use servos to drive the focuser... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted February 13, 2011 Author Share Posted February 13, 2011 shoestring astro can't beat it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted February 18, 2011 Author Share Posted February 18, 2011 any play time yet Malc?flo have announced should soon have @£65 roughly usb ascom driver device for the skywatcher focuser. seen it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Lee, not had a chance, we're running a major project at work and I've not had time. I've seen the SW focuser that's hand held, but not one that can be remote controlled. At £65 it's hardly worth going down the DIY route IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted February 19, 2011 Author Share Posted February 19, 2011 £65 is for the pc control, then you need the sw focuser too so another £45ish?i've posted in the equip flo/sw thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 amid power volt drop concerns at the scope this is my train of thought currently.this setup saves buying the second cat5 to usb adapters and second cat5 cable run plus should give the needed power scope end.only thing to test is that goto and focuser commands dont infringe on the bandwidth the camera is needing.there maybe a cost saving buy selling the goto handcontroller and getting the eqmod (still investigating that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc-c Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Looks interesting... I'm no expert, but I would still run two cables, especially if doing a permanent installation as 1) it's redundancy should the original fail, and 2) if you do suffer bandwidth issues when imaging and driving and focusing you have the option of using the second cable purely for the camera Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 good point if buring cables malc. very little cost in the second cable run tbf.and you can still have the powered usb hub should you need extra usb power there.i'll keep updated with my tests either way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 will this project work with stellarium to control a eq5 goto with no hand controlller?EQDIRECTedit: aha seems there are 2 methods of connection! confirmation?1 is serial or usb to 9 pin which presumably connects directly to the mount motors connection ( eq5 i think not ? )2 is serial or usb to rj45 which connects to the power controller usually mounted on the tripod ( or built into the mount on HEQ5's ? )?so which to go for ? the power controller on the tripod is only needed if you want to guide also?hmm that project has some errors me thinks? as how can you get power to the eq5 mount if power controller omitted! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikey Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 How about, get a cheap laptop with wifi capability, install Stellarium on it to control the scope so you no longer need the hand controller. Install the webcam and capture software to the same laptop and interface these as normal with the scope.Run the entire lot of an inverter and control the laptop over RDP from the comfort of your chair via another laptop or home PC. You could transfer the files over to your more powerful PC for processing via the same wifi link.I haven't figured out how to get the focuser working but if it can be controlled from the same remote laptop then jobs a good 'un.Cat5 cable will probably degrade if you leave it outside in the sun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 this seems correct ? http://www.terrapins.co.za/images/EQDirect%20DIY%20Adapter.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 Hi, spikey, yes that is one feasible way but not how i want to yes the focuser is controllable via pc and sharp cap cable will only be rolled out when imaging Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikey Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 You could probably pick up a Panasonic toughbook for about £99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 You could probably pick up a Panasonic toughbook for about £99 you'd need to spend more than that on power requirements Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenewtoastro Posted March 15, 2011 Author Share Posted March 15, 2011 edit. answer found Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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