Problems with FCUSB and ascom

Questions about hardware and software obtained directly from Shoestring Astronomy
Post Reply
sraney
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:34 am

Problems with FCUSB and ascom

Post by sraney » Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:56 pm

I love using the FCUSB and FocusPal, but for some reason I can not connect to my FCUSB with Ascom.

Following things I've tested and know that work.
  • 1) FCUSB with FocusPal. Please correct me if I am wrong, but when I use FocusPal, the light turns green when activated.
    2) Ascom control of my mounts. My Atlas, and SkyView Pro work great along with the Starry Night and other software. Also the GPUSB works great.
Following things I've tried to get FCUSB working with my Ascom drivers.
  • 1) Direclty attempting to control the FCUSB using the Ascom-POTH handset application.
    2) Using Starry Nights focus control system.
    3) Downgrading Ascom 5.0 to 4.1. Still the same problem. Everything else still works. LOL
What still has me scratching my head and has me guesing its my Ascom configuration is fact I can control the FCUSB with FocusPal.

My system configuration is:
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: INTELR
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.66GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 342MB used, 3601MB available

dpanderson
Site Admin
Posts: 1047
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
Location: central Iowa
Contact:

Post by dpanderson » Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:32 pm

I don't think you can control a focuser from POTH, only telescopes.

I do not have access to Starry Nights, so I won't be able to help much with that. I do know that it works fine with other programs such as MaximDL.

You might try posting to the Yahoo ASCOM group:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCOM-Talk/
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

sraney
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:34 am

Post by sraney » Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:28 pm

There is, I find the POTH a nice tool to test out my ASCOM drivers. If you have ascom. To enable it, there is a setting under the Telescope settings. Click Setup and it's off to the right.

Even under MaximDL, when I try manual adjustments to the focus control, the little light stays red and does not turn green as if nothing was sent.

dpanderson wrote:I don't think you can control a focuser from POTH, only telescopes.

I do not have access to Starry Nights, so I won't be able to help much with that. I do know that it works fine with other programs such as MaximDL.

You might try posting to the Yahoo ASCOM group:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCOM-Talk/

dpanderson
Site Admin
Posts: 1047
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
Location: central Iowa
Contact:

Post by dpanderson » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:42 am

ASCOM has several classes of drivers:
http://ascom-standards.org/Standards/index.htm

POTH only works with Telescope drivers (unless there is a new version of POTH that I am not aware of). The FCUSB uses a Focuser driver.

I'll see if I can get a copy of Starry Nights and try to figure out what is going on here.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

sraney
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:34 am

Post by sraney » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:42 am

What driver should I be using with Maxim DL? I thought Ascom. I see the same problem with it.

I am sure its my Ascom, and not the unit. I just rebuilt the system this morning and I am still seeing the same problems.

- Shane
dpanderson wrote:ASCOM has several classes of drivers:
http://ascom-standards.org/Standards/index.htm

POTH only works with Telescope drivers (unless there is a new version of POTH that I am not aware of). The FCUSB uses a Focuser driver.

I'll see if I can get a copy of Starry Nights and try to figure out what is going on here.

dpanderson
Site Admin
Posts: 1047
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
Location: central Iowa
Contact:

Post by dpanderson » Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:47 pm

Shane,

What version of Starry Nights are you using? Is it the Astrophoto Suite?
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

sraney
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:34 am

Post by sraney » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:16 pm

Yes, it is, how did you guess. My MaxIm I am using is not from it though. It's MaxIM DSLR.

I was a good boy last year and recieved two very nice Christmas gifts last year; StaryNights AstroPhoto, and MaxIM DSLR.

- Shane

dpanderson wrote:Shane,

What version of Starry Nights are you using? Is it the Astrophoto Suite?

dpanderson
Site Admin
Posts: 1047
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
Location: central Iowa
Contact:

Post by dpanderson » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:51 pm

I think the Astrophoto Suite is the only one that might allow focuser control, so it was a semi-educated guess.

I have MaximDL, so not sure if MaximDSLR works the same. From the View menu, select Telescope Control Window. In this window, click on the Setup tab, then under Focuser, Shoestring FCUSB should appear on the drop-dwon menu.

I will see if I can get a copy of Starry Nights to try out.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

sraney
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:34 am

Post by sraney » Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:15 pm

yes, I do see it in the list of drop downs. And when I attempt to use this and manaul controls offered by MaximDSLR, I do not see any action on the scope or a Green light on the FCUSB.

I have tried the auto focus a few times and watched Maxim DSLR go through about 200 steps trying to set the focus. It states it is moving to POSITION XXX but never moves the scope and I still do not see a green light on the FCUSB when it says its sending a command to it.

I do not think the box has a fault, as it works with FocusPal. And I believe its my Ascom configuration.

One other check would be if anyone in the San Jose, CA area with a working version of FCUSB could test mine. I'll buy lunch.

- Shane


dpanderson wrote:I think the Astrophoto Suite is the only one that might allow focuser control, so it was a semi-educated guess.

I have MaximDL, so not sure if MaximDSLR works the same. From the View menu, select Telescope Control Window. In this window, click on the Setup tab, then under Focuser, Shoestring FCUSB should appear on the drop-dwon menu.

I will see if I can get a copy of Starry Nights to try out.

Iver
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:23 pm

Post by Iver » Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:48 pm

Hi, there is an FCUSB and FCUSB2 ASCOM driver, could you inadvertently have installed the wrong driver?
Just a thought,

-Iver

dpanderson
Site Admin
Posts: 1047
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
Location: central Iowa
Contact:

Post by dpanderson » Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:20 pm

Good thought, Iver. Thanks.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

dpanderson
Site Admin
Posts: 1047
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:34 pm
Location: central Iowa
Contact:

Post by dpanderson » Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:28 pm

Shane,

I received my copy of Starry Nights Astrophoto Suite, installed it, and had no problem getting an FCUSB to work with it.

From the View menu, click Show Telescope Panel. Go to the Focuser tab, click the Configure button. This brings up the ASCOM Focuser Chooser. Click the drop-down list of focusers, and Shoestring FCUSB should be on the list. Select it and click OK. Then back to the Focuser section of the Telescope panel, click Connect. If the FCUSB is plugged into a USB port, it should connect. Then go down to Incremental, type in 500 in the # Steps box. Then click the + or - buttons, and the motor should run in or out for 1/2 second each time you click.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

sraney
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:34 am

All Fixed! Orion Telescope exchanged FCUSB's with me.

Post by sraney » Fri Mar 07, 2008 2:00 pm

It turns out the FCUSB I had was damaged or such, and something was wrong with it. Orion Telescope worked directly with me to test mine, and one they had in stock. After verifying mine was having 'problems' they swapped FCUSBs with me.

I've used the exchanged one with with no problems since.


Again, thank you for all the support and suggestions folks.

- Shane

dpanderson wrote:Shane,

I received my copy of Starry Nights Astrophoto Suite, installed it, and had no problem getting an FCUSB to work with it.

From the View menu, click Show Telescope Panel. Go to the Focuser tab, click the Configure button. This brings up the ASCOM Focuser Chooser. Click the drop-down list of focusers, and Shoestring FCUSB should be on the list. Select it and click OK. Then back to the Focuser section of the Telescope panel, click Connect. If the FCUSB is plugged into a USB port, it should connect. Then go down to Incremental, type in 500 in the # Steps box. Then click the + or - buttons, and the motor should run in or out for 1/2 second each time you click.

Post Reply