Equipment Failure and Replacement

Equipment
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Mossyback avatar
Mossyback avatar

The weather at my location (like many others) has been terrible all winter. I now have some equipment problems that I can hopefully solve before some clear nights arrive.

Problem #1: My MeLe mini computer in the observatory has started to do weird stuff - not connecting off and on using RDT. Also it doesn’t show any Ethernet connectability so I can’t establish a connection that way. When it does run it’s very slow and sometimes doesn’t respond for over a minute. It’s about 3 or 4 years old. I’m thinking of replacing it with the latest MeLe version. Are there any other options that I should be considering?

Problem #2: My Pegasus Focuser Cube has also quit working and I need suggestions for a replacement. My current setup is an Esprit 120mm scope, Starlight Xpress FW and ZWO533 mono camera.

Hank

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andrea tasselli avatar
andrea tasselli avatar
Problem #1: cheaper to get a more recent unit with better thermal management.
Problem #2: Gemini Pro focuser
Rostokko avatar
Rostokko avatar

Humidity is your enemy; sounds like you need to keep it under control in your observatory at least during prolonged bad weather periods.

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SonnyE avatar
SonnyE avatar

Before you give up on your MeLe, can you do a reset on it and take it back to out-of-the-box configuration? That sweeps all bad data out so you can determine if it is connection troubles, or the MeLe itself that is the fault.

Your focus Cube can also be simply corrosion of the USB and/or power connections. Exercising your cord connectors by unplugging and reinserting them can often reconnect the sliding contacts.

These are routine maintenance many fail to realize can reconnect your equipment. Connections, especially USB types are not “forever” connections. They often get contaminated over time. Especially where moisture can be a factor. Folks in Great Britian have it the worst with their location and the weather.

So try some general maintenance first before you start throwing money at the problem.

One of my circuit pieces that seems to fail often is my USB hubs. So I keep spares on hand for when it happens. Hubs, as well as most USB connected items are particularly prone to connection degradations. My mount and laptop are easily reset, failing cables easily substituted.

But a couple of code bangers accused me of using a hammer to fix problems with their mistakes. So be it. I simply go back to before they poured Apple butter on working code written for Windows. ASTAP was one. When Han K. discovered what one had done, he wrote a cleaned version that works. I keep a download for when ASTAP acts up. So I can remove a corrupted version (HATE updates!) and go back to a working install.

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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar

I would try updating the OS in the Mele, if that doesn’t restore things then it’s time to replace it.