Mount and SC Time Sync

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kaymann
Posts: 215
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2022 2:59 pm
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Mount and SC Time Sync

#1

Post by kaymann »

When SC connects to my mount occasionally I will get a yellow warning that the mount time and SC are not in sync by XX minutes/seconds (thankfully never by hours :) ). I really like this feature and appreciate the heads-up.

However, I do own a Celestron CGEM DX mount and use a Celestron Telescope Driver. So when SC asks if I want to sync the time I click yes and get an error message that it failed (not a SC issue instead a Celestron issue).

Beyond CWPI (which I do not like because of the Handheld "Bootloader" lockout) is there a Celestron Telescope Driver that you know of that will allow the syncing of the time either manually or by SC? I know this is more of a Celestron question and not a SC bug or problem, but I thought you might know.

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
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admin
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Re: Mount and SC Time Sync

#2

Post by admin »

Hi,

I suppose there might be third party (open source?) drivers for the Celestron mounts in the same way that EQMOD on GreenSwampServer are third part drivers for the Skywatcher mounts that are often better than the manufacturer provided ones. I can't say that I've ever noticed coming across such a thing though... Maybe they exist?

Looking at the Celestron Telescope Driver, I can see that there is an ASCOM setting visible in ASCOM Profile Explorer of 'SetTimeWhenAligned' which defaults to false - there is no way to change this in the setup UI for the Celestron driver, but I suppose you could in theory edit it in ASCOM Profile Explorer. I am guessing though that it is set to false for a good reason - probably changing the mount time when alignment is already present will spoil the alignment? It might be that you can set the time by connecting from SharpCap before aligning the mount? It also looks as though the ability to set the time depends on the handset model and (in some cases) firmware version.

cheers,

Robin
kaymann
Posts: 215
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2022 2:59 pm
Location: https://azkayfes.blogspot.com/

Re: Mount and SC Time Sync

#3

Post by kaymann »

I tell you what I will edit the ASCOM profile and let you know what happens - I will play with it during full moon :)
kaymann
Posts: 215
Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2022 2:59 pm
Location: https://azkayfes.blogspot.com/

Re: Mount and SC Time Sync

#4

Post by kaymann »

admin wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 10:06 am Hi,
...

Looking at the Celestron Telescope Driver, I can see that there is an ASCOM setting visible in ASCOM Profile Explorer of 'SetTimeWhenAligned' which defaults to false - there is no way to change this in the setup UI for the Celestron driver, but I suppose you could in theory edit it in ASCOM Profile Explorer.
...
cheers,

Robin
So I have done some experimenting with the Profile Explorer 7.0 with the following results:

UsePCTime = True
Results in total crash of the ASCOM controller

SetTimeWhenAligned = True
I believe the time did get synced with the PC and Alignment was shoved over in the same amount of time but a new plate solve solved the misalignment as the there was no time change so two plate solves and success. However I really want to put this through the ringer with some large time errors like moving to a new location could do. This would show me if it went crazy some how with a bad or failed PS I will let you know.

I am curious to see how UseDriverSync = True affects time and other aspects.

I know this solution is only for geeky astro photographers but for those of us who hate setting the time on the HC will at least get an alternative that Celestron did not make easy to get to.
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