Sharpcap tracking and slew failure

[tomdean]

Sharpcap Pro on Windows 11, iOptron CEM60EC. AC powered.

I had several instances of Sharpcap failing slew and tracking. When I select an object from the database and start to slew to it, I see failures, either setting the tracking or slewing to the object. The message appeared at the top of the window, below the tool bar. Sharpcap retried and finally failed.

I used iOptron Commander to slew to the same object, without fail.

I tried shutting down, power off and restart.

I connected only the mount and camera to the computer, an Intel NUC. Same results.

How do I troubleshoot this? I believe Sarpcap uses the iOptron driver, same as Commander.

I updated Ascom to 7.0 update 2. Same results.

Tom Dean

[admin]

Hi Tom,

further details of why things stopped working will almost certainly be stored in the SharpCap log file - these files are kept for about 30 days, so it's likely that you will be able to go back and find the files from the sessions that had a problem rather than waiting for it to happen again.

You can find the folder with the log files in by running SharpCap, selecting Help->Show Log, then pressing the 'Locate On Disk' button which will open the folder containing saved log files. Just say 'OK' to any warning that pops up telling you that your log won't be very interesting because you haven't opened a camera yet...

The log files are named based on the time when SharpCap was launched, while the 'Date modified' showing in the windows file explorer will be the time when that run of SharpCap finished. Large files are probably an indication that it was a longer session and more happened.

If you can find a file from the right session, or if you catch it happening again and grab that log file then feel free to share the log here and I will look to see what happens.

cheers,

Robin

[tomdean]

I did not see anything in the log file.

Some funny things were happening when the iOptron iAFS2 focuser was connected to the USB hub.
I replaced the USB hub with one that can supply up to 1.5A on each port.

Sharpcap can connect and seemingly control the mount, camera, and focuser. Maybe with the load, the power to the hub was on the verge of it working? iOptron Commander could get through? Strange.

When I connect the focuser, the iOptron 'driver' pops up. FWHM and click Positive starts some action, camera takes an image and, I think I hear the focuser move.

Two forest fires 40 miles WNW- no stars!

Tom Dean

[admin]

Hi Tom,

the USB hub replacement sounds like a good step - all sorts of strange behaviour can come up when there are issues with the USB communications for a device. Mind you, wireless devices are worse - they are often flaky with no good reason whatsoever).

Hope that the skies clear soon!

Robin