FCUSB and SGP

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KKKeithBC
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FCUSB and SGP

Post by KKKeithBC » Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:48 pm

Sequence Generator Pro does not support DC focusers, and gives an error message when I try to connect it to the FCUSB. Yet I have seen statements such as this in connection with the FCUSB: "I used the new 'absolute' mode that tricks the software into thinking your DC motor is a stepper".

I have version 1.3.0 of the FCUSB driver and FocusPal. Is there really an "absolute" mode (understanding that it is only approximately absolute), and how can I enable it?

Thanks

dpanderson
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by dpanderson » Tue Oct 07, 2014 8:14 pm

There is a version of the FCUSB ASCOM driver that I have not yet released. You can install it from:
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/do ... 0Setup.exe

Give that a try and let me know if that helps.

Thanks.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

KKKeithBC
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by KKKeithBC » Wed Oct 08, 2014 6:11 am

Thanks. I installed it and SGP was able to connect to it in absolute mode. Yay! Now to wait for a clear night to try it out...

Thanks again!
Keith

aarong
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by aarong » Tue Jan 06, 2015 4:57 pm

I have a similar issue, but I'm using the FCUSB2. I tried installing the driver above, but it didn't seem to work. Is there a driver available for the FCUSB2?

All the best for the new year,

Aaron

dpanderson
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by dpanderson » Tue Jan 06, 2015 6:52 pm

Aaron,

I am working on an update of the ASCOM driver that will include the FCUSB2. Please send an email to doug@shoestringastronomy.com and I will include you as a beta tester.

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

aarong
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by aarong » Wed Jan 07, 2015 6:38 pm

Thanks! I have sent you an email.

All the best,
Aaron

rwillits
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by rwillits » Thu Jun 04, 2015 7:53 am

I downloaded this , "http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/do ... 0Setup.exe", and installed it. It showed up as a drop-down in SGPro. , " FCUSB Combination Focuser Driver". I selected it, and when I tried to connect the focuser, I would receive the same message. " SGPro does not support Relative focus controllers". What have I done wrong ? Do you have any suggestions.

When I installed it, there was no place to choose which "mode". If there is a place to choose. Where is it ?

PS. The focus motor is a JMI using a Shoestring controller and works fine with FocusPal

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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by dpanderson » Thu Jun 04, 2015 8:00 pm

I can't see the entire URL for the ASCOM driver that you downloaded, so let's first be sure that you have our latest released driver:
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/do ... _Setup.exe

Then in SGPro after you select the focuser, go into the Focuser Setup and set the Focuser Type to Absolute
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
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rwillits
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by rwillits » Fri Jun 05, 2015 5:45 am

I followed your instructions and SGPro connected to the focuser. Thank you for your time.
Richard

Astroman2
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by Astroman2 » Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:08 pm

Hi,

I have been using FCUSB successfully in relative mode for sometime, and I finally decided to try the absolute mode with SGPro.

I can get the focuser to connect in absolute mode and respond to the movement in and out commands, however I need some help sorting out the absolute position.

When FCUSB is first connected to SGP, SPG reports the position as "zero". This is irrespective of the "absolute position" in the properties box of FCUSB. As the focuser cannot move to negative positions, I want to set the initial position (which corresponds to the last focus point) as a non zero value, say 10000.

For example, If I set the property position to 10000, SGPro reports this as zero. If SGPro is then requested to "go to" the position "zero", the focuser moves 10000 steps and SGPro reports an error with an absolute error of -10000 and stops functioning correctly.

************** Exception Text **************
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: Value of '-10000' is not valid for 'Value'. 'Value' should be between 'Minimum' and 'Maximum'.
Parameter name: Value
at System.Windows.Forms.NumericUpDown.set_Value(Decimal value)
at SequenceGenerator.ControlPanel.FocuserGoto()


If I set the property position to zero, SGPro reports as zero. If SGPro is requested to move to "10000", then the focuser moves to 10000 correctly.

Any ideas appreciated.

I have attached links to the logs:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ao1xzk1ap9fpe ... 7.txt?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/n84eys3rhil5m ... 0.txt?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vhfjzjfxr84bz ... 0.txt?dl=0

Regards

Scott

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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by dpanderson » Thu Jun 11, 2015 9:46 pm

Scott,

Thank you for reporting this. Using the ASCOM POTH Hub (I don't have SGPro), I am able to duplicate the behavior you found.

It appears that the FCUSB driver does not properly report the position from what is in the Properties back to the application when first Connecting to the driver. I will have to look into the code to see why this is.

For now, I think this process will work, at least with POTH. Before connecting to the FCUSB, specify the current absolute position in the app. Then, go to the FCUSB driver Properties page and set the same absolute position. Then connect to the FCUSB.

I will let you know when I find and fix the error in the driver code.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by dpanderson » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:52 pm

Scott,

I think I found the bug and have this fixed now. Please uninstall your current FCUSB driver and try this one:
http://store.shoestringastronomy.com/do ... up_6p1.exe

Let me know if it works or not, and any other bugs you might find.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
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Astroman2
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by Astroman2 » Sat Jun 27, 2015 8:04 pm

Doug,

The new driver seems to work properly in a daylight test. It is passing the initial position through to SGPro and allowing the autofocus sequence to run. I will try a full test when I get a clear sky.

Thanks for the fix.

Scott

Astroman2
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by Astroman2 » Sun Jun 28, 2015 7:35 am

Doug,

The driver works properly with SGPro in the night sky. Initial trials show a reasonable autofocus v curve, albeit I am faking the absolute focus function. I will now experiment more wth SGPro settings to optimise.

Thanks for your help.

Scott

dpanderson
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Re: FCUSB and SGP

Post by dpanderson » Mon Jun 29, 2015 5:56 pm

Thanks for testing it out and letting me know.
Doug Anderson
Shoestring Astronomy
http://www.ShoestringAstronomy.com

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