2 ZWO EAF’s Dead in 4 days! - Forums

Hello all,
I just wanted to pick some of you guys brain here with an issue I have had and cannot figure out whats going on.I’ve been using the EAF’s now for a couple of years an absolutely love them. (I have 4 of them for different setup’s)
I recently put together a wider fov setup and I’m using 1 of my EAF v1 (that needs the power supply) and used it for a couple of imaging sessions. During an imaging session the EAF just litterly stopped working and when I tried to connect to it SharpCap said that it wasn’t found. I’ve done all the normal troubleshooting procedures, reinstalled ZWO drivers, updated Ascom platform, new cables, etc.. BTW the red light is on so its getting power. After going thru all that I decided ok the EAF died on me. So I switched out with another v1 EAF got thru 1 imaging session great, onto the 2nd session and the exact same things happened. Started the session working and all of a sudden EAF not found. Sure enough I checked it again and its dead, the computer doesn’t recognize it, in fact all 3 computers don’t recognize it! So in a weeks time I’ve had 2 EAF’s v1 die on me!

Has anyone had this same problem or know if this is a common issue with version 1? How can an EAF litterly start a session working and then part way thru just die?

I have another EAF v2 but I’m scared to put it on the focuser because I don’t want that one now to take a crap!Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also is there a way to fix these 2 that are now dead?

I have posted on ZWO’s website this and have not gotten any kind of response yet so I thought I’d reach out here.

The only think I can think of is I updated SharpCap to the latest version of 4.0 and then thats when I started with this issue if memory serves me right. Can software blow out the input somehow?

Thanks in advance!

Dale

The only time I had this happen with my old 12v EAF is when the firmware was too far outdated, not in the middle of a run though. Running the firmware upgrade fixed it for me.

CS
Sean

Sorry to hear this, Dale. It is not fun when equipment dies…

I'm not using EAF so I can only speculate. You said that an external power supply was needed, so maybe it is incompatible or bad. For example it produces too high voltage?

Best regards, Vitali

Vitali:
Sorry to hear this, Dale. It is not fun when equipment dies...

I'm not using EAF so I can only speculate. You said that an external power supply was needed, so maybe it is incompatible or bad. For example it produces too high voltage?

Best regards, Vitali

When I read this first , I thought maybe low voltage as it can cause higher amps , as Vitali suggested maybe check power source, was it the same one used for both EAF.
Such a shame …2 EAF’s …that would break my heart

What you don't have can't die on you, this being my motto. So no auto-focusers for me, no thanks (or at least not yet).

Sorry to hear that, Dale, that is a real bugger when you're realaying on a piece of hardware but I guess you can always focus by hand? The most likely cause would be an issue with the power supply although this tend to be causing lower voltages thus not likely to fry the boards. If I had the units I might attempt a serious electrical debugging by by-passing the control hardare and pilot the motor themselves. Then would check continuity and impedence across the electronics in the board. Then check capacitors and the operation and temperature of the stepper driver. All things I can do here but hard to do "by the wire", so to say.

Sean van Drogen:
The only time I had this happen with my old 12v EAF is when the firmware was too far outdated, not in the middle of a run though. Running the firmware upgrade fixed it for me.

CS
Sean

Thanks Sean for this info. I now have took the chance and installed my v2 EAF. BTW I did go thru and updated my ZWO drivers, SC updated, Ascom update, tried different cables and computers to rule out those items.

Dale

Vitali:
Sorry to hear this, Dale. It is not fun when equipment dies...

I'm not using EAF so I can only speculate. You said that an external power supply was needed, so maybe it is incompatible or bad. For example it produces too high voltage?

Best regards, Vitali

Thanks Vitali, yes very discouraging to say the least! I did replace it with my V2 so we will see. As far as the power supply that was the 1st thing I thought of but, I have been using the Talents power cells for a couple of years and am still using it on my main rig so I wouldn’t think that would cause the problem. As I stated above the only thing really that I did differently is update SharpCap to a 4.0 version and it seems thats when the issue started, but again I wouldn’t think the software would cause the issue?

Dale

Padraig Farrell:
Vitali:
Sorry to hear this, Dale. It is not fun when equipment dies...

I'm not using EAF so I can only speculate. You said that an external power supply was needed, so maybe it is incompatible or bad. For example it produces too high voltage?

Best regards, Vitali

When I read this first , I thought maybe low voltage as it can cause higher amps , as Vitali suggested maybe check power source, was it the same one used for both EAF.
Such a shame …2 EAF’s …that would break my heart

Yes it does for sure, especially now that I just purchased ANOTHER EAF V2 to replace the one I pulled off of another setup! I wish there was someone here in the US that knew how to fix these at a reasonable price. I just hate to through these out.

Dale

andrea tasselli:
What you don't have can't die on you, this being my motto. So no auto-focusers for me, no thanks (or at least not yet).

Sorry to hear that, Dale, that is a real bugger when you're realaying on a piece of hardware but I guess you can always focus by hand? The most likely cause would be an issue with the power supply although this tend to be causing lower voltages thus not likely to fry the boards. If I had the units I might attempt a serious electrical debugging by by-passing the control hardare and pilot the motor themselves. Then would check continuity and impedence across the electronics in the board. Then check capacitors and the operation and temperature of the stepper driver. All things I can do here but hard to do "by the wire", so to say.

Thanks Andrea,
I have 2 setups in my Observatory and they both run to my control room so its not an easy thing to manually focus 10-15’ away.
Andrea I just don’t have the knowledge in electronics to do what you mentioned let alone understand what I read! 🤣 Give me blueprint, sample part, machines along with the material and I can make it but when it comes to this electrical type of stuff I’m lost. I’m just a tool and die maker. I wish you were here in the States! I’d send these to you to see if you could diagnose that problem and possibly fix them!

Dale

Dale Penkala:
the only thing really that I did differently is update SharpCap to a 4.0 version and it seems thats when the issue started, but again I wouldn’t think the software would cause the issue?

Me too. Theoretically software could cause such problems: PC sends some sequence of commands and a bug in EAF firmware switches EAF into non working state. But it is very unlikely.

AFAIK SharpCap uses ASCOM to control the focuser. So the ASCOM driver talks to the EAF and SharpCap version should not matter.

Hopefully you'll get some answer from ZWO.

BTW, you said that "computer does not recognize it" when you connect the EAF via USB to the PC. Does a COM port appears in the device manager when you connnect EAF?

Vitali

Vitali:
Dale Penkala:
the only thing really that I did differently is update SharpCap to a 4.0 version and it seems thats when the issue started, but again I wouldn’t think the software would cause the issue?

Me too. Theoretically software could cause such problems: PC sends some sequence of commands and a bug in EAF firmware switches EAF into non working state. But it is very unlikely.

AFAIK SharpCap uses ASCOM to control the focuser. So the ASCOM driver talks to the EAF and SharpCap version should not matter.

Hopefully you'll get some answer from ZWO.

BTW, you said that "computer does not recognize it" when you connect the EAF via USB to the PC. Does a COM port appears in the device manager when you connnect EAF?

Vitali

When I connect the EAF I always heard da ding that something was connected to the PC. I don’t hear that now and the remote control doesn’t control it either.

Dale

Vitali:
Dale Penkala:
the only thing really that I did differently is update SharpCap to a 4.0 version and it seems thats when the issue started, but again I wouldn’t think the software would cause the issue?

Me too. Theoretically software could cause such problems: PC sends some sequence of commands and a bug in EAF firmware switches EAF into non working state. But it is very unlikely.

AFAIK SharpCap uses ASCOM to control the focuser. So the ASCOM driver talks to the EAF and SharpCap version should not matter.

Hopefully you'll get some answer from ZWO.

BTW, you said that "computer does not recognize it" when you connect the EAF via USB to the PC. Does a COM port appears in the device manager when you connnect EAF?

Vitali

I just checked and nothing pops up in Device manager which makes sense why SC doesn’t recognize an EAF

Dale

Have you tried connecting it directly to another PC and upgrading the firmware. I had the same issue with my V2 and that was how I ended up resolving it. If I remember correctly you can use a scan function in the firmware upgrade utility to find it if it doesn't show up in device manager.

[Update] I remembered somebody else had this problem also on this site: see the thread here: https://www.astrobin.com/forum/c/astrophotography/equipment/zwo-eaf-not-detected/

Andy Wray:
Have you tried connecting it directly to another PC and upgrading the firmware. I had the same issue with my V2 and that was how I ended up resolving it. If I remember correctly you can use a scan function in the firmware upgrade utility to find it if it doesn't show up in device manager.

Hello Andy,
Ok yes I have tryed it on 2 laptops and my PC. In the case of the 2 laptops yes all software and drivers were updated to the latest versions. I didn’t do that with my PC (my PC is what I use to process my data) but it still didn’t show up in the device manager.
I noticed on ZWO’s website they state that the EAF & EFW do not need a driver as they are USB based hardware. However the v1’s I’m not sure thats the whole case. Anyway I’m at a loss with everything I have done and was looking for a Holy Mary. For now I have ordered my 5th EAF and installed my v2 EAF and will wait to get the other items I need to tweak the setup and give it another try.

Don’t know what else to do.

Dale

Dale Penkala:
Andy Wray:
Have you tried connecting it directly to another PC and upgrading the firmware. I had the same issue with my V2 and that was how I ended up resolving it. If I remember correctly you can use a scan function in the firmware upgrade utility to find it if it doesn't show up in device manager.

Hello Andy,
Ok yes I have tryed it on 2 laptops and my PC. In the case of the 2 laptops yes all software and drivers were updated to the latest versions. I didn’t do that with my PC (my PC is what I use to process my data) but it still didn’t show up in the device manager.
I noticed on ZWO’s website they state that the EAF & EFW do not need a driver as they are USB based hardware. However the v1’s I’m not sure thats the whole case. Anyway I’m at a loss with everything I have done and was looking for a Holy Mary. For now I have ordered my 5th EAF and installed my v2 EAF and will wait to get the other items I need to tweak the setup and give it another try.

Don’t know what else to do.

Dale

Not sure if you saw my update above ... the EAFs can end up in firmware upgrade mode and not be seen in device manager. The only way to fix that is to use the ZWO firmware upgrade utility and to scan for the device.

Andy Wray:
Dale Penkala:
Andy Wray:
Have you tried connecting it directly to another PC and upgrading the firmware. I had the same issue with my V2 and that was how I ended up resolving it. If I remember correctly you can use a scan function in the firmware upgrade utility to find it if it doesn't show up in device manager.

Hello Andy,
Ok yes I have tryed it on 2 laptops and my PC. In the case of the 2 laptops yes all software and drivers were updated to the latest versions. I didn’t do that with my PC (my PC is what I use to process my data) but it still didn’t show up in the device manager.
I noticed on ZWO’s website they state that the EAF & EFW do not need a driver as they are USB based hardware. However the v1’s I’m not sure thats the whole case. Anyway I’m at a loss with everything I have done and was looking for a Holy Mary. For now I have ordered my 5th EAF and installed my v2 EAF and will wait to get the other items I need to tweak the setup and give it another try.

Don’t know what else to do.

Dale

Not sure if you saw my update above ... the EAFs can end up in firmware upgrade mode and not be seen in device manager. The only way to fix that is to use the ZWO firmware upgrade utility and to scan for the device.

Ok what firmware upgrade are you talking about Andy? I’ve upgraded and updated everything I’m using so are you referring to somthing I’m not using?

Dale

Dale Penkala:
Andy Wray:
Dale Penkala:
Andy Wray:
Have you tried connecting it directly to another PC and upgrading the firmware. I had the same issue with my V2 and that was how I ended up resolving it. If I remember correctly you can use a scan function in the firmware upgrade utility to find it if it doesn't show up in device manager.

Hello Andy,
Ok yes I have tryed it on 2 laptops and my PC. In the case of the 2 laptops yes all software and drivers were updated to the latest versions. I didn’t do that with my PC (my PC is what I use to process my data) but it still didn’t show up in the device manager.
I noticed on ZWO’s website they state that the EAF & EFW do not need a driver as they are USB based hardware. However the v1’s I’m not sure thats the whole case. Anyway I’m at a loss with everything I have done and was looking for a Holy Mary. For now I have ordered my 5th EAF and installed my v2 EAF and will wait to get the other items I need to tweak the setup and give it another try.

Don’t know what else to do.

Dale

Not sure if you saw my update above ... the EAFs can end up in firmware upgrade mode and not be seen in device manager. The only way to fix that is to use the ZWO firmware upgrade utility and to scan for the device.

Ok what firmware upgrade are you talking about Andy? I’ve upgraded and updated everything I’m using so are you referring to somthing I’m not using?

Dale

The ZWO EAF firmware upgrade utility on this page: https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/software-drivers You will also need to download the VS2008 SP1 redistributable package which they give you a link to.

The two key links are:

VS2008 redistributable: https://dl.zwoastro.com/software?app=WindowsVS2008SP1&platform=windows86&region=Overseas
FW update utility: https://dl.zwoastro.com/software?app=EafFirmwareUpdateTool&platform=windows86&region=Overseas

Hi Andy,

Ok I have done this but went ahead and did it again. Reinstalled them and attempted to update/upgrade the device. In both cases I was still unsuccessful in getting the EAF to be found. See screenshots that I have attached.

Am I missing something?

What is really baffleing is I've used these with absolutly NO issues what so ever and now this after updating SC. I even went back and installed the later version prior to the update and BOTH EAF's are not showing up.

Dale

Hello Andy,

Here is another weird issue I just noticed. I have my EAF plugged in with the power supply on and the red box is warm to the touch! NEVER have I had this before! Getting weirder by the minute!

Dale

There's not a lot inside an EAF, circuit board and stepper/gearbox. Easy to remove the screws to see what's inside. Maybe there's something with an obvious burn/temperature issue?

That is usually a sign that the stepper driver is overheating for some reasons, usually a short within itslef or around it. I'd suggest you open it and show us the innards. Also a infrared thermal probe help in diagnosing the issue.

There's not a lot inside an EAF, circuit board and stepper/gearbox. Easy to remove the screws to see what's inside. Maybe there's something with an obvious burn/temperature issue?

Hello,
I did take it apart just to look inside the unit and nothing obvious at least to me. I’m going to do what @andrea tasselli suggested and will post for you guys to look at it.
I found that the motor box gets warm to the touch totally by accident so I’d have to agree in the fact that something is causing the motor to over heat, but electronically I have know idea what I’d look for.

Will post pix soon!

Dale

andrea tasselli:
That is usually a sign that the stepper driver is overheating for some reasons, usually a short within itslef or around it. I'd suggest you open it and show us the innards. Also a infrared thermal probe help in diagnosing the issue.

Hello Andrea,
I appreciated you offering! Here are the pix for you to look at. When I look at the componants I do not see anything that looks like soot from something getting hot/burnt or shorted out, to me everything just looks normal.

I have an ohm meter, but not a temp probe that your describing.

Dale

Maybe a stupid question, but have you tried a different USB cable?

Hi Dale,

Does the board, especially the IC labelled A4979, gets hot to te touch when powered up? Here the game is to feel to the touch which of the ICs or components gets hot (not just warm) to the touch (typically scalding hot). This is an indication of the component being "fried".