Falcon Rotator keeps rotating backwards and forwards 180 degrees

Sequence Generator Equipment Compatibility
1

Hi
I have a Pegasus Astro Falcon rotator but have been having issues with frame and centre. For example I have a target (B33) framed up but after plate solving and slew to reference frame the rotator moves to 288 degrees. Then takes a validation frame, plates solves and moves rotator to 108 degrees. Then takes a validation frame and moves the rotator to 288 degrees before failing!:weary: I must have a setting set incorrectly or a check box checked or unchecked. I do notice in target options I have Slew, centre on location checked as well as Rotate or validate. Also in Target Settings I’ve tried with Camera rotation checked - it actually states rotate camera 108 degrees +/- 180 degrees using sky angles. A hint I hope?
I assumed that those numbers were generated by SGP when I selected and framed the target - so SGP would take an image, plate solve to determine the sky angle and target centre then move the rotator to match my framing.
Any tips or a solution would be most welcome as I’ve wasted about 10 nights trying to solve this!

2

I had this problem and found that depending on how you connect your equipment, you may need to set the Falcon Rotator to ‘reverse’
You can select ‘reverse’ in the Unity Platform

3

Ah OK - many thanks.
I did see that option but dismissed it not thinking it was the issue. But will check that box and see!
Thanks for the tip!:grin:

4

Well I clicked on reverse and suddenly it all seems to be working now - many thanks for the tip! That ends about 3 weeks of frustration. Who would have thought I need to run the rotator backwards? Being way down South needs it perhaps??

5

Actually, it depends more upon which side of the rotator you mount your camera.

6

Ah OK - yep that makes sense - sort of. I expected the rotator to calibrate itself after the platesolving but can see if the rotator was flipped it would need to rotate the other way. I purchased the OTA, rotator etc all assembled so it as it was. Not even sure if the camera can be installed on the other side. Will check though out of curiosity!
Thanks for the comment!

7

My rotators, one a Falcon and one an Optec only center set on mechanical, not set on sky.

Peter

8

Hi Peter
That’s interesting. Again I don’t understand what is happening behind the scenes with the firmware and software - so that could have worked for me too. I did not consider trying mechanical angle because like the reverse rotation direction option I could not see why it should make a difference - but probably should have!:roll_eyes:
Thanks for the response!
John