Hi v,

You don't specify TTL or open collector, all the encoders that use A-B type square wave output work with SiTech.

Don W

Hi Don,

You have been very kind, and I appreciate it.

Besides, I think you have already helped to isolate the problem. A bug that is unique to the Linux version will be much easier to fix -- for anyone with access to the source code and knowledge of C#, that is. Perhaps Dan could be induced to take a look when his schedule clears a little.

Mark

[Edited Message Follows]

Begging your forgiveness for starting a new thread. But with the increasing popularity of single board computers to control telescopes, I'm hoping this may be useful.

SiTechExe.exe will run under Mono on Linux. In my case this version worked with the port set properly: http://siderealtechnology.com/SiTechExe095jLinux_.zip

However, this version has some problems: The principal problem is that once tracking has been initialized using the "goto" button in SiTechExe or using the handpad will send the Az motor into fibrillation, and the virtual handpad rotates in only one azimuth direction. This, of course, renders the scope well nigh useless. And if you have any sense, you will surely go grab a cheap MS Windows laptop.

OK, suppose you persist. Then you can do the following (and perhaps more).
   1. Turn the controller on and start SiTechExe.exe on your Linux computer: $ mono sitechexe.exe
   2. Use the handpad to point your scope at a named star, and put the handpad gently away.
   3. Enter this star in the gotoSync tab of SiTechExe and press the "sync" button and OK in the sync screen. You should be tracking the star now.
   4. Now the challenge: Suppose you want to point the scope towards RA, Dec coordinates (x,y) without restarting. You can do this first by transforming into Alt, Az coordinates for the given sidereal time, then scale to ticks for your scope and execute an XXR command in the terminal window (in the "Controller Stuff" window in the "Features" tab of SiTechExe.

Speaking of the terminal window, if you happen to fall into fibrillation mode, you can reboot the controller with the XQ command without having to power cycle the controller and restart SiTechExe. Terminal commands are documented in the operations manual.
--------------------------------------
A little bit of a setback here.

I did write a simple C++ program to compute Alt/Az coordinates for given RA/Dec, location and time. That's reinventing the wheel somewhat but I couldn't find exactly what I wanted elsewhere even though Dan references (but does not use) an INDI routine for finding the Julian date. I used a formula for finding the Julian date, but, really, it should just be a look-up table.

But that seems to be as far as I can get right now because the terminal window in SiTechExe does not provide the direct connection to the controller I expected.

For example, the ASCI + binary command "XXS" does not get any response from the controller as it should.

It is possible to activate the servo motors with the "X" and "Y" terminal commands, but *only* if the target tick number is followed by an "S" (speed) qualifier. And *only* if SiTechExe has not been initialized. Which is to say I am back where I started: After one star has been initialized, it is not possible to move the telescope without falling into fibrillation mode.

I guess it's all a bit quixotic, eh?

Hi Russell,

I'm unsure whether I tested Tick Management. Maybe not but as soon as possible I will do that.
But who knows what happens if "Track Only Sidereal (No PXP)" has been clicked?

The text box say: “This option will disable Offset Tracking Rates, and Pulse Guide ASCOM methods.”

Are scope encoders offline at that mode? Do sidereal rate comes only from motor encoder in that case?

 

Joerg

Hello to all,

Being a newcomer to this group, just hope you will forgive these first steps towards reaching optimal parameters for my new Planewave 200hr mount using the SiTech controler. I also have further questions pertaining to optimal settings, but first things first!
Purchased a hand pad (was missing, but that's another story!) from SiTech, and proceeded forward.
After downloading and installing SiTech and related Planewave stuff , I launched the controler. The controler went in the INITIALIZING mode, but after 4 or 5 seconds, it came up with a NOT INITIALIZED response. Problem surely lies in front of the screen here! Must have missed something...
PLS disregard CONTROLER INFO/PAN commands, as this printscreen was taken afterwards!
In any case, your take on this will assure that I'm going in the right direction ;-) this being the first of a couple of issues (later!).

Best regards to everyone.

Roger Venne
Frontenac Qc. Canada

Hi Nigel,

Go To your Servo Configuration (not SiTech.exe) and on the first screen find
where it says Azimuth/RA YBits and just below that find Invert Motor Encoder and
Invert motor and just click on both blue boxes. It should change the direction
of your RA drive.

cheers
Gary

On 8/14/2021 5:40 AM, Nigel wrote:
> Hello, I have just replaced my Servo II Controller. The problem I am having is
> if I press the Left button on the handpad or the onscreen panel the mount slews
> right. I believe the mount is also tracking in the wrong direction.
> Any help would be appreciated.
> Nigel
>

Thanks Joshua, for the detailed reply and pictures. I originally thought it might have been built by Losmandy, but my googling would indicate it was Celestron's first attempt after reselling/rebranding the G11. The mount is free to me - a fellow is giving me a long unused C-700 + C14 from the mid 90s. I expect it really is not beefy enough for a C14, except for visual use. I'm also getting a couple of what looks like un-used Meade Pictor CCD cameras :-).

Dave

ps. I see you have one of the rare Kendrick Premier Power Controllers - that was my design. I never did get one myself. He did not sell many of them based on the royalties that I received!