Problem with my Astrophysics Mount - Forums

Topic starter

Sep 27, 2022

Hi all,

I have encountered a weird problem with my Astrophysics GTO 900 mount with the GTOCP2 control box. I am using the original v2 Driver.
The Problem I came across behaves like explained in the following.
For Imaging I use the newest Version of ASCOM, PHD2 and NINA and so I also tried to use the newest version of the ASCOM v2 driver. When guiding with PHD2, the calibration usually works fine, however when I start the guiding, the mount moves in the direction of the applied correction in PHD2 but keeps going afterwards. So after the first correction of PHD2 the mount just starts to drift indefinitely, even if I stop the guiding in PHD2, the mount still keeps going. To stop this drift, I have to stop the guiding and press the Stop button in the driver gui.
In trying to fix this problem, the idea came to mind to revert back to an older driver. Indeed I found that every driver listed under previous stable versions on the download page which is older than version 5.30.10 (so not including that one) works fine for guiding with PHD2 and everything should behave as it’s supposed to.
Where the problem gets complicated is when using an older version of the driver (which would be fine with me) with which the guiding works, the mount has connection issues with NINA. When connecting the mount to NINA, after a quick loading time NINA sends a message that the mount is successfully connected, however the mount gets disconnected immediately after and the disconnect button reverts back to a connect button. When activating the log file of the driver, it seems like the driver tries to connect to something 3 times and after the third time it says giving up and I suppose thats when NINA disconnects the mount automatically.
So in general I can either use one of the older drivers to guide while imaging, or I can use a newer driver, so that plate solving and features of NINA will work, but not both at the same time.

I would greatly appreciate some help with this problem, since I cannot find anything online and I don’t know what else I can try.

Best wishes and clear skies,
Martin Reh

Helpful

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Sep 27, 2022

Have you tried emailing AP directly with your query? And have you tried with an earlier version of NINA?

Well Written

Martin Reh

Topic starter

Sep 27, 2022

andrea tasselli:
Have you tried emailing AP directly with your query? And have you tried with an earlier version of NINA?

Yes I already contacted AP a while ago and tried to explain the problem, but I didn't get an answer so far...
I had this problem for a long time now and switched versions of NINA over time. Although I can try to use an even older version of NINA, I suspect the problem isn't really related to NINA.

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

Sep 27, 2022

Martin Reh:
Yes I already contacted AP a while ago and tried to explain the problem, but I didn't get an answer so far...
I had this problem for a long time now and switched versions of NINA over time. Although I can try to use an even older version of NINA, I suspect the problem isn't really related to NINA.

That's sad. But not totally unexpected. Obviously you can use the mount without NINA, is it not?

Dale Penkala

Sep 27, 2022 · Edited: Sep 27, 2022

Hello Martin,

You probably already know this but I’m going to mention it just because, but there is a new update to the AP Ascom driver now. I just seen this a few days ago when I had my laptop connected to the internet. The new version popped up when I went to connect my AP1200 to some software.

I had a similar issue with a different brand of mount to btw, but updating all the versions of software including drivers I was using fixed that problem. I hope you get it figured out.

Dale

Lynn K

Sep 27, 2022

Hi Martin, I too own a AP900. However I do not use N.I.N.A. I mostly use MaximDL v6. I've used PHD, but with Sequence Generator Pro. Sorry, I can't be any help with N.I.N.A./PHD drivers.

Are you aware thar the serial ports on the GPOCP2 are priortory?. The top one must always be used for mount connection.

I know the AP ASCOM driver will alow for CPO2, but I'm not sure how the new drivers work with it. I upgraded the AP600 GTOCP1 to GTOCP3, and with the latest EPROM microcontroller Ship with V2 firmware. I run the mount through a virtual port with Astro-Physics Command Control (APCC) software. I also connect that way with Sequence Generator Pro using PHD to guide. HOWEVER, that was done with a Mach1 GTOCP4. I have only used Maxim/APCC with the AP600. I did connect the Mach1/GTOCP4 through a virtual APCC port with N.I.N.A.

A note of interest. Ihave benn upgrading my mounts PEC. I have two Mach1s. The oldest PEC was +2.5/-2.6 with a PEC of 5.1 total. Not bad, but not great. The newest (2016) was +1.8/-1.8 with a PEC of 3.6 total. Pretty good. But get this! The AP600 was +.9/-.9 on one run and +.7/-.7 on a second run. That's a PEC of 1.8 to 1.4. With the GTOCP3, it will do anything the Mack1 s will do, except carry the weight.

The point of my comments is, the AP600 is worth upgrading, if it turns out the GTOCP2 has driver compatibility issues.

Give Astro-Physics a call. They'll tell you if there is a driver compatibility issue. However, they are promoting Sequence Generator Pro.

Lynn K.

Bob Lockwood

Sep 27, 2022 · Edited: Sep 27, 2022

Just a note that doesn't pertain to NINA, keep in mind that if you have a AP900 that came with the CP2 control box, the mount is pushing 20 years. Just by going to a CP3 control box will improve the guiding as with each version upgrade, you're probably currently seeing guiding in the .5 arcsec/pix range. My Mach-1 CP4 with a 30lb scope & camera and 40lb's of counterweights will typically guide with good seeing at .015 to .08 arcsec/pix. My AP1200 CP4 with a total running payload of about 100lb's guides at about .2 to .5. Once you get the NINA issue fixed, you may keep an eye out for a used CP3 control box, they do come up from time to time on astromart and CN.

Almost forgot, do not use the bottom serial port, use the top one. The bottom was intended for future upgrades and I believe is not even connected.

Helpful Insightful Respectful Engaging

Dale Penkala

Sep 27, 2022 · Edited: Sep 27, 2022

Bob Lockwood:
Just a note that doesn't pertain to NINA, keep in mind that if you have a AP900 that came with the CP2 control box, the mount is pushing 20 years. Just by going to a CP3 control box will improve the guiding as with each version upgrade, you're probably currently seeing guiding in the .5 arcsec/pix range. My Mach-1 CP4 with a 30lb scope & camera and 40lb's of counterweights will typically guide with good seeing at .015 to .08 arcsec/pix. My AP1200 CP4 with a total running payload of about 100lb's guides at about .2 to .5. Once you get the NINA issue fixed, you may keep an eye out for a used CP3 control box, they do come up from time to time on astromart and CN.

Almost forgot, do not use the bottom serial port, use the top one. The bottom was intended for future upgrades and I believe is not even connected.

Agree on all points here and ya I for got to mention about the top port is the one you need to use to connect mount to the software.

Martin Reh

Topic starter

Sep 28, 2022

Ok so at the moment it is cloudy where I live, so the next clear night I will go out and reinstall every software from scratch and with the newest version (I hope I overlooked something the last time). If it still does not work I will probably test some older driver version again. Maybe as Bob said the control box is just too old, but we'll see… If I can't fix the problem, I will likely upgrade the control box as you said.

And yes I am using the top serial port and I have also tried different serial to usb convertes.

Lynn K

Sep 28, 2022

Martin, does the GTOCP2 have "Meridian Delay". If it does, check to see if it is set to "0". The mount may be confused about which side of the meridian it is on. And checking pier flip, doesn't always work. Do you re-calibrate the mount each time you set up? Getting good mount calibration is very important. And if you do use "Meridian Delay" as I do, the mount must be calibrated after slew with Meridian Delay on on the east side, with counter weights up.

Even though the GTOCP2 is old, doesn't mean it shouldn't guide well. I bought a AP400, and the previous owner used CP2 and reported excellent guiding. Not sure what software he was using. I think it may have been SkyX. However, I upgraded the AP400 to CP3 with latest firmware so I can use APCC.

Lynn K.

Helpful

deanrowe

Sep 29, 2022

Martin Reh:
andrea tasselli:
Have you tried emailing AP directly with your query? And have you tried with an earlier version of NINA?

Yes I already contacted AP a while ago and tried to explain the problem, but I didn't get an answer so far...
I had this problem for a long time now and switched versions of NINA over time. Although I can try to use an even older version of NINA, I suspect the problem isn't really related to NINA.

Did you try posting to the AP GTO user group here : https://ap-gto.groups.io/g/main
Ray Gralak, the drivers author, responds to questions related to the driver.

As for NINA not connecting with older versions, 4.x and older versions only allowed 1 connection so if that's what you're using NINA won't be able to connect if PHD2 is connected and visa-versa. I think you would need something to work as a hub like TheSkyX (although I'm not sure if TheSkyX supports pulse guide).

Helpful Concise Supportive

Jiangtao Meng

Sep 29, 2022

Is the handpad connected to the mount? If so, check if the handpad is set to initialize the mount and if backlash setting is accidentally turned on in the handpad.

better yet, disconnect the handpad completely and use NINA to initialize the mount.

Helpful Concise

Related discussions

PHD2 problems with guiding

Hi there! I have been trying to get my mount set up with my computer for a really long time now. I just got a new EQDIR cable and the PC finally connects to the mount, so I am now able to slew it wherever I want. My equipment: NEQ6 ProGuidescope (50 ...

PHD2 problems with guiding — directly addresses mount setup and guiding issues.

Mar 15, 2024