PHD2ing

[Astroglide65]

Hello everybody,
I'm new here, just joined and I read over JayTee's article on using PHD2. I just got into PHD2 and have made the changes JayTee talked about and will give it a try tonight. Please look at my log and tell me how things are going and any suggestions I mat need to follow. I've only used PHD2 about 4 or 5 times. My mount is AVX and the camera is really a R2 Imager camera but PHD2 thinks it's OpenCVwebcam1. I'm using a 60mm Solomark guide scope.

Thnaks again!
Dano

PHD2_GuideLog_2019-09-23_200033.zip

I tried to attach a text file but it looks like I can only attach a .zip file.

(30.46 KiB) Downloaded 123 times

[Astroglide65]

How can I upload my PHD2 log here?

Thanks,
Dano

[fatboy1271]

Welcome to the forum Dano! It's an amazing community

I don't know how to read PHD2 logs, but wanted to say Hi!

[UlteriorModem]

Looks like you got it sorted out, posting the file that is.

I will try to have a look at it tonight when I am at my imaging computers.

In the meantime have a look at this handy program.

https://openphdguiding.org/phd2-log-viewer/

[Astroglide65]

Thanks I'll give it a shot. Last night it looked like the guide was doing very well but I still have a problem with measuring backlash and failing south moves.

Dano

[bobharmony]

Thanks I'll give it a shot. Last night it looked like the guide was doing very well but I still have a problem with measuring backlash and failing south moves.

Dano

Dano - you have discovered one of the "features" of the AVX, a lot of DEC backlash. We just had a discussion on that feature and potential fixes in in another thread. Take a look at this:

viewtopic.php?f=66&t=3334#p28102

The other option for resolving DEC backlash in the AVX is mechanical. Google "AVX backlash fix" and you will find a ton of articles on the subject and how to approach fixing it mechanically.

This is not an issue with PHD2, the software is just reporting the facts about AVX performance.

Bob

[Astroglide65]

Thanks Bob,
I already adjusted the slop out of the gears so I'll check out the link you sent me.

Thanks again,
Dano

[KenGS]

Looking at your calibration and guiding runs I can see frequent large movements simultaneously in both RA and Dec. That suggests that the mount was bumped or some instability in your setup.

[Astroglide65]

Dang the bad luck........I'm setup on my back porch and recently shored up underneath the area I set up my telescope. I sit in a chair facing North and try not to move while running calibration. I can run ASPA by reaching the Alt-Az knobs and watch the laptop. It seems like nothing moves when I lean back in my chair but looking at the GA results my PA is way out of range. I did watch a video today on doing the drift alignment but looks like it's going to be cloudy here for several days. Dang the bad luck......more time to read up more.
Thanks,
Dano

[UlteriorModem]

Is your back porch a wooden deck by any chance?

[Astroglide65]

Yes it's wooden but recently rebuilt. I shored up underneath where I set up to steady it. I have centered up a star in the cross hairs and yes if I get up and walk around the star will move but I sit down in my chair and if I sit still the star stays in the cross hairs. I'm beginning to think about moving down to the concrete around the pool, it's closed now and covered.

Thanks,
Dano

[UlteriorModem]

Yea wooden decks will always cause an issue regardless of how well they are shored up.

Solid concrete or even out on the lawn is better!

[yobbo89]

you'll be surprised what movement can be amplified in concrete while someone is 10-15 meters away while you're imaging at f 40

[Astroglide65]

So out in the yard is better?

[JayTee]

Out in the yard is always better than a vibration prone deck. At my old house, I would set up on the deck for visual but not for AP. For that, I needed solid ground.

Cheers,
JT

[UlteriorModem]

I put a set of square stone square 'pavers' down and put the mount on them. Does two things. Kind of a housekeeping pad, and I am able to repeat my location and pointing direction.

Here is a pretty clear pic. Flounder approved

IMG_1500 by Tom Whit, on Flickr

[Baskevo]

I put a set of square stone square 'pavers' down and put the mount on them. Does two things. Kind of a housekeeping pad, and I am able to repeat my location and pointing direction.

Brilliant!

[dritter]

Wow! That is the coolest cat tree I've ever seen!

[Astroglide65]

Yeah I'm considering something similar. My next question would be about storing my stuff outside. I've seen several different "deck boxes" and/or "gang boxes" online. They claim they are waterproof yadda, yadda, yadda....does anybody have one? Is your stuff safe from the rain, snow, heat....etc?

[UlteriorModem]

My rig stays outside 24-7 365 (Unless a hurricane is coming)

20170901_182306 by Tom Whit, on Flickr

First I hang a dessicant pack dehumidifier.

20170901_182402 by Tom Whit, on Flickr

Then I put a movers blanket over it.

20170901_182505 by Tom Whit, on Flickr

Then I put my telegizmo's 365 cover over it all.

http://www.telegizmos.com/365%20cover%2 ... %20new.htm