SX 814 bin1 issue - Forums

Topic starter

Feb 2, 2025

Hi guys,

I've been running my SX 814 Pro a couple of years but after a short break I've been having issues with the bin1 data from the camera. Also the bin2 data looks weird.
The bin1 data is completely black, zero histogram and not even any sensor noise. The bin2 data does have some data in it and does show a histogram. But the image itself looks awfull. Shown here:

Tried multiple things to resolve the issue:
- reinstalled drivers
- different usb cable
- different power cables
- different laptop
- different power supply

Both coolers do kick in and the green light lits up after plugging in the power.

Now on the bench during the day the weird thing is that if I unplug any power and download bin2 data the histogram does show some data in the histogram with or without power. The bin1 doesn't change and stays black. It's like the sensor isn't getting any power passed on from the main board during bin1 operation.

Does anyone recognise this issue?

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Lynn K

Feb 2, 2025

I suggest you take dark frames and email them to Terry Platt of Starlight Xpress. He can tell you what the issue is. Tell him the drivers you are using and what program.

I have a Sx-814 and SX-694.

Haven't had any issues with either of them, but did have issue's with my SX-46 using SX drivers. Went over to ASCOM drivers and the problem went away. I was using the SX drivers in MaximDL v6. I didn't have the issue when using ASCOM drivers in Scequence Generator Pro. When I started using the ASCOM driver in Maxim, the issue went away there also.

Lynn K.

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Maarten Rolefes

Topic starter

Feb 11, 2025

Lynn K:
I suggest you take dark frames and email them to Terry Platt of Starlight Xpress. He can tell you what the issue is. Tell him the drivers you are using and what program.

I have a Sx-814 and SX-694.

Haven't had any issues with either of them, but did have issue's with my SX-46 using SX drivers. Went over to ASCOM drivers and the problem went away. I was using the SX drivers in MaximDL v6. I didn't have the issue when using ASCOM drivers in Scequence Generator Pro. When I started using the ASCOM driver in Maxim, the issue went away there also.

Lynn K.

Hi Lynn,

Thanks allot for your reply and help.

Indeed, I've been in contact with Terry. First we tried to reflash the firmware via a windows program which showed some promising results since it showed some data in bin1 again. However, under the stars the data was still very poor as is shown in the bin2 data.

Terry suggested the head amplifier might be faulty which needed replacement. I've had the oppertunity to swap the main board of the camera with another working 814, which resulted in a good image. Suggesting the fault indeed lies in the main board where the head amplifier rests.

We're now in the process of replacing this component. I'll keep you up to date.

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