Powering on mount

Sequence Generator
1

Hi all,

I am quite new in using SGP and searching advice for the following:

I would like to start my picture session by powering on my mount and wait 1mn until it is up and running and only then connect the mount, camera, focuser, … and start the imaging. I thought about using a first sequence called “MountPower” having no equipments and one unique event with a pre event script that powers the mount (mgpbox pulse command). For the 1mn waiting I dont know if SGP can handle waiting time but i probably can add a wait command in the .bat file.

The issue is that when i run this sequence the app still looks for a camera, and mount which is unlogical (at least to me) as i said no camera, no mount.

How are those of you that start with powering on their mount (in my case it takes 1mn until my 10micron gets an IP address from my network) setting up the system?

  1. power on mount wait 1mn (only then can the mount be connected in sgp)
  2. then and only then start with connecting mount, camera, etc…

Thanks a lot, Marc

2

Hi Marc

I use a script which calls WOL for my 10 Micron mounts. I do this outside of SGP. There are other options, for example using MountWizard (the 10 Micron modelling app) you can again call WOL. I power my mounts using an ascom compliant power switch - the Dragonfly from Lunatico Astronomia - so you can use the relay toggle to send a 2s pulse to the mount instead of WOL.

So when I log into the PC controlling the mount, I run the script which closes the mount power relay, pauses, then calls WOL (or sends a 2s pulse to the relay switch), and then checks to see if the mount is powered and logged into the network. The Dragonfly log reports back the mount is connected (the script also powers on the other devices on the rig). I can then simply click ‘Connect All’ on SGP and away I go.

The Devs are planning to incorporate ascom compliant power switches in the future so the process may yet be streamlined but I find scripting works well to control two remote 10 Micron rigs, plus if the weather is kind a third 10 Micron rig in my backyard observatory.

HTH

Barry

3

Hi Barry,

Thanks a lot for that information, I will check the wol option. How is your mount then connected? are you using a ethernet cable between your computer rj45 port and the rj45 port of the mount ?

Marc

4

Yes, the PC is connected to an ethernet hub by an ethernet cable and the mount is connected to the hub via an ethernet cable which is connected to the mount computer controller. The ethernet hub is connected to the network router and issues the IP address which is the same each time. To configure WOL you need the IP address of the mount computer plus the MAC address (you can read these off the handset, either directly or via the virtual handset).

I also have a jack lead connected to the remote switch port on the mount computer controller the other end of witch is connected to a relay on the Dragonfly. When this relay is closed for 2s or 2.5s the circuit (no power is needed just a completed circuit) the rocker switch on the mount computer controller is activated so the mount computer boots if it is powered (all of this is described in the manual) and this method mimics what you do manually when you rock the switch.

So there are two methods of remotely booting the mount: via WOL if you are using an ethernet connection or using the pulse method by sending a 2s or 2.5s pulse. The booting of the mount computer is of course separate to providing power to the mount.

The 10 Micron forum is very helpful for these 10 Micron specific queries rather than the SGP forum. You could always PM via this forum or the 10 Micron one if you need further help.

HTH.

Barry