Exposure Failure on ASIAIR Plus - Forums

Topic starter

Aug 6, 2023 · Edited: Aug 6, 2023

Im curious what equipment people are powering through their ASIAIR?

I bought an ASIAIR Plus and set it up with my AM5/2600MC Pro and 270mm guide camera.

I was getting Exposure failure messages on ASIAIR and I could here the fan knocking on and off (indicative of a power supply problem).

I've bought plenty of kit from ZWO and I'm disappointed that their cables don't appear to be able to work reliably with my 2600mc pro.

I swapped out the USB 3 cable with one I bought and it works perfect.

My ASIAIR Plus wasn't drawing any more than 3 amps and as far as I'm aware it will draw up to 6amps without any issues.

The vendor I bought from have asked me to look at powering the mount separately and see if this helps? 🧐

To things spring to mind:

1. We shouldn't have to buy additional cables to make ZWO products work reliably.

2. It somewhat seems to defeat the purpose of using an ASIAIR if you can't connect/control /power all of your ZWO kit reliably.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Engaging

Joon Ren

Aug 6, 2023

Hi Robert, I use the ASIAir Plus to power the following:
1) Main camera (ZWO 2600MC Pro)
2) Guide camera (ZWO 120mm mini)
3) SVBony dew heater

(1) is powered by one of the DC power outlets while (2) and (3) are USB powered. I did try to use the ASI AIR Plus to power an EQ6-R mount but it just couldn't handle it (intermittent power failures).

I believe the AM5 uses a standard DC power cable which is easier to find compared to SkyWatcher power cables.

I swapped out the USB 3 cable with one I bought and it works perfect.

Did you power the 2600MC through a separate power cable? When I only use the USB3, the camera will lose power intermittently and with cooling turn on, it will completely disconnect. Using a separate DC power cable connected to the ASI Air Plus DC outlet or the power source resolves the problem for me.

Maybe you could try to power both the AM5 and 2600MC through the AISAir's DC outlets first. If that fails, power the AM5 separately. I use a battery and everything is connected to it whether through the AIS Air or not so its not that big of a difference.

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Dave Rust

Aug 6, 2023 · Edited: Aug 6, 2023

Sorry to hear you're having troubles.

I power my mount (iOptron CEM40) with separate supply, as the Plus handles other duties. The ASIair drives a 2600MC (12V), two dew heaters (12V), the guidescope 120Mono (USB), and a wifi extender (12V). All with no issues. This is using a standard 5A power supply.

I've read that the current consumption is usually listed as peak (for example, when first powering on), and, in fact, regular 'scope duties draw significantly less. Some forum members say they drive their mount with everything else just fine.

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wsg

Aug 6, 2023 · Edited: Aug 6, 2023

I have five (5) ZWO Pro's and Pluses and have never had a single problem with any of them or the generous number of cables that came with them.
I power my mount, dew heaters and guide camera with the AIR's.
Below is the link to the ZWO asiAIR 2600MC web page.
The big take away I think is that the 2600MC Pro needs it's own separate power supply and should not be powered by the AIR.

scott

https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asi2600mc-pro-color/

Helpful

George Hatfield

Aug 6, 2023

I had a similar problem after I installed a new ASI533MC camera on my ASIAirPlus system. To make a long story short, I reported it to ZWO and did receive some suggestions from them. I made several suggested changes (including a new cable), and no problems were identified. Then the problem disappeared a few weeks after it started. This is what I reported to ZWO.

I had problems with "failed exposure" with my newly purchased ASI 533mc camera again last night. I was able to get things going again by rebooting my iPad, the ASIAirPlus, and turning the camera off and then on. I also switched the USB3 ports on the ASIAirPlus. From then on, not a single issue. I've ordered a new USB 3 cable to see if that is an issue, although it does not seem to be the case. I will send Agena Astro a copy of this email.

I do run separate power supplies to the mount and the ASIAirPlus, but I'm not sure I was doing that when I had the problem.

George

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Quinn Groessl

IOTD Staff

Aug 6, 2023 · Edited: Aug 6, 2023

Is the 2600 able to be powered with just USB? All their other cooled cameras (that I know of) need DC power.

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George Hatfield

Aug 6, 2023 · Edited: Aug 6, 2023

For my setup, I ended up with two ZWO 12-volt power supplies (5amp) and a Celestron 10amp. One 5amp goes to the ASIAirPlus, the other to the camera. The 10amp goes to the mount. Too many wires, but no power issues and no failed exposures. Was power an issue when I had the problem? Can't say.

George

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Tom Boyd

Aug 6, 2023

I've had no problems with power through my ASIAIR Plus. I power the ASIAIR through a 12-volt power supply and run by main camera (2600mc, through USB-3 and separate power cable), my guide camera (290mm), EAF, and EFW with no problems. I run my mount (eq6r) through a separate 12-volt power supply.

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Patrick Graham

Aug 6, 2023

I, too, power my mounts from a separate power source. That allows my ASIAir-Pro to power the main and guide camera, filter wheel if used and dew heaters (rarely used since I image in Southern/central Arizona).

I don't use the supplied USB cables shipped with ZWO products. I bought high quality USB3 cables from DeLock on Amazon. They're a little pricecy but worh it as they save a lot of frustration and download images quicklly. These cables come in 3 foot and 6 foot lengths and have Type A to Type B male connectors. Very compatible with ZWO products.

If you have an AC power source, either portable or direct outlet, consider getting the AC adaptor compatible for your mount.

Clear Skies and successful imaging!!

Patrick

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Patrick Graham

Aug 6, 2023

Is the 2600 able to be powered with just USB? All their other cooled cameras (that I know of) need DC power.

Nope......I use mine with the ASIAir-Pro. I run a DC power cable from the camera to one of the DC ports on the ASI air. Make sure it's turn on through your ASI Air app or you'll be pulling your hair out as to why it's not working.

Patrick

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IrishAstro4484

Topic starter

Aug 7, 2023

I have five (5) ZWO Pro's and Pluses and have never had a single problem with any of them or the generous number of cables that came with them.
I power my mount, dew heaters and guide camera with the AIR's.
Below is the link to the ZWO asiAIR 2600MC web page.
The big take away I think is that the 2600MC Pro needs it's own separate power supply and should not be powered by the AIR.

scott

https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asi2600mc-pro-color/

Helpful

wsg

Aug 7, 2023 · Edited: Aug 7, 2023

wsg:
I have five (5) ZWO Pro's and Pluses and have never had a single problem with any of them or the generous number of cables that came with them.
I power my mount, dew heaters and guide camera with the AIR's.
Below is the link to the ZWO asiAIR 2600MC web page.
The big take away I think is that the 2600MC Pro needs it's own separate power supply and should not be powered by the AIR.

scott

https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asi2600mc-pro-color/

*** It doesn't actually say that it can't be powered by the ASIAIR plus and I think there is a bit of confusion over this: " external power supply".

The ASIAIR can supply up to 6amps at 12 volts in total and each port can provide up to 3 amps at 12 volts individually.

The 2600 needs an 12V 3amp power supply to the camera in addition to the USB3 connection.

When I swapped out the USB cable, I can cool down the camera to minus 10 degrees from ambient (about 80% of the cooler capacity) and power the mount and guide camera without any issues. I'll be adding in the auto focuser and dew heater and I'll bet it's still within capacity.

if it's a power capacity issue then a simple cable swap shouldn't be able to fix it.

You said " Any thoughts would be much appreciated."

I simply explained my positive experience with the exact same gear as you used in a different configuration which included 2 separate power supply's, which also seems to be the consensus here so far.

If you were able to solve your problem by swapping a cable then good for you.

scott

Helpful

IrishAstro4484

Topic starter

Aug 7, 2023

wsg:
I have five (5) ZWO Pro's and Pluses and have never had a single problem with any of them or the generous number of cables that came with them.
I power my mount, dew heaters and guide camera with the AIR's.
Below is the link to the ZWO asiAIR 2600MC web page.
The big take away I think is that the 2600MC Pro needs it's own separate power supply and should not be powered by the AIR.

scott

https://astronomy-imaging-camera.com/product/asi2600mc-pro-color/

*** It doesn't actually say that it can't be powered by the ASIAIR plus and I think there is a bit of confusion over this: " external power supply".

The ASIAIR can supply up to 6amps at 12 volts in total and each port can provide up to 3 amps at 12 volts individually.

The 2600 needs an 12V 3amp power supply to the camera in addition to the USB3 connection.

When I swapped out the USB cable, I can cool down the camera to minus 10 degrees from ambient (about 80% of the cooler capacity) and power the mount and guide camera without any issues. I'll be adding in the auto focuser and dew heater and I'll bet it's still within capacity.

if it's a power capacity issue then a simple cable swap shouldn't be able to fix it.

You said " Any thoughts would be much appreciated."

I simply explained my positive experience with the exact same gear as you used in a different configuration which included 2 separate power supply's, which also seems to be the consensus here so far.

If you were able to solve your problem by swapping a cable then good for you.

scott

*** And thank you, your reply was much appreciated.

My point in raising this is that we shouldn't need work arounds or have to buy our own cablss to make ZWO kit work properly.

I've heard a number of people raise issues with cables so there is some sort of quality control issue.

***