ASI120MC Goes White During Guiding...?

[fatboy1271]

I posted this on the PHD2 Google Groups, but thought I'd also throw it up here:

I used to plug my ASI120MC into a USB hub; however, that seemed to create some issues so I plug that in all by itself now. I am still having an issue of the capture turning white during guiding. I have to disconnect and unplug the camera to get it back to normal. I did a search and saw that one other person posted something similar but there wasn't a final solution listed.

fat

[yobbo89]

Avoid using a usb hub, use 8bit instead of 16bit,select ascom driver instead of the zwo driver, tweak the usb bandwidth settings, I don't recall the screen going white in any of my recent guiding, it might be blinking due to lost star? Low snr?

[fatboy1271]

Avoid using a usb hub, use 8bit instead of 16bit,select ascom driver instead of the zwo driver, tweak the usb bandwidth settings, I don't recall the screen going white in any of my recent guiding, it might be blinking due to lost star? Low snr?

Hey yobbo89!

As for the Ascom driver which one do I use? It seems to go white when guiding is going well... I'll try to pay more attention but sometimes it happens when I'm away from my rig.

[yobbo89]

There should be two ascom camera options for dual camera support ectt, select any ie ascom1 and then it will load up and you pick the camera for it

[fatboy1271]

There should be two ascom camera options for dual camera support ectt, select any ie ascom1 and then it will load up and you pick the camera for it

Awesome, thanks!

[JayTee]

Hey Fat,

A quick question for you, does PHD2 lose the guidestar when your screen goes white? If you don't lose the guidestar I'm failing to see how this is a worrisome issue?

Just wondering,
JT

[fatboy1271]

Hey Fat,

A quick question for you, does PHD2 lose the guidestar when your screen goes white? If you don't lose the guidestar I'm failing to see how this is a worrisome issue?

Just wondering,
JT

Hey JT!

Yeah, everything goes wonky. I'll try to take a screenshot next time it happens. There were no clouds last night; yet, after waking up around 4:30AM I had to fight with the ASI to get a few more shots in...

fat

[JayTee]

I'm assuming that "wonky" means the guidestar is lost and PHD2 stops guiding.

Yes, that is a serious issue. BTW I saw your post on the Google group this morning. Hopefully they'll have an answer for you.

JT

[fatboy1271]

Sorry, I guess saying wonky didn't really answer your question Yes, I lose the guide star. It's as though the camera is pointed at a full moon! I leave it at 1.0s exposure so it's not overexposing.

[fatboy1271]

While looking at the PHD2 site I saw that 2.6.6dev1 has this:
ZWO cameras: update to SDK version 1.14.0227 (Windows, Mac, and Linux)

I updated to that version and I will try out the built-in ZWO ASI Camera once again next time I can image. I will try to document any issues so that I'm not blindly asking things...

[UlteriorModem]

I have seen this behavior with my ASI120. When it does not 'see' anything the display will grey out.

Usually means things are out of focus, and or the exposure duration is too short, passing clouds, or you left the lens cap on

What kind of exposure duration are you using now?

It's kind of weird. It will be all greyed out and you adjust the focus and all of a sudden... "Oh there are the stars"

[Ozypic]

If NASA can loose the odd billion dollar rocket here and there ,its funny that we expect perfection from a hundred dollar camera .... nothing seems to be faultless today. If its got a plug or a cable its going to give you grief.. my asi120mc has to be restarted at times in sharpcap , I dont even swear anymore. But good luck . Phill

[fatboy1271]

Hey UM,

I will check focus next outing; however, that wouldn't explain why it runs for hours and then just does this. Maybe I'm missing a stray cloud go over head and then it can't find a star once it clears up... I don't know

Exposure is 1.0s.

[fatboy1271]

Hi Phill… stop using logic!!! Haha, you are absolutely right! Heck, I get "mad" my Bortle 9 LP with a $3000 rig doesn't get the same images as people with Bortle 2 and $10,000-$20,000 rigs

[UlteriorModem]

Try running the exposure out to 1.5 or 2 seconds, see if that helps. Need time for the star signal to overcome the LP

[fatboy1271]

Try running the exposure out to 1.5 or 2 seconds, see if that helps. Need time for the star signal to overcome the LP

Will do!

[fatboy1271]

Hey, so dummy figured it out... I feel really stupid about it too

I kept thinking about the fact that I knew there was a "setting" that I should be looking for. Finally last night it hit me! The Screen gamma (brightness) slider... I must have the track pad on my laptop at some point and accidently moved it.

Anyway, thanks for all the attempts at helping me

[JayTee]

Wait, that was the problem? This is a great study in never assuming that somebody's ability to use software does not preclude them from checking something so basic. Fat, I thought for sure you would have checked that slider which is why I never suggested it.

I'm very glad you figured it out.

Cheers,
JT

[fatboy1271]

So even worse JT is that I "insult" people at work all the time for stupidity like this Yeah, I didn't want to admit it, but at least you know I have no pride... Haha!

[Juno16]

It’s all good. At least that will never happen again!

Thanks,
Jim