intermittent, but consistent dropped focuser connections (N.B. may not be specific to N.I.N.A.)

[Former user]

I'm posting here my further observations after some additional time with the Celestron SCT motor focuser and a number of client applications N.I.N.A is included in the list

Device connections: Celestron SCT motor focuser > usb >scope computer Celestron SCT motor focuser > dedicated 12V power source Celestron SCT motor CGX mount > usb > scope computer Celestron CGX mount and Celestron SCT motor focuser are connecting on COM13 and COM15 Celestron CPWI mount control application started and connected

Observations so far:

Application: N.I.N.A. () (version 1.9-b7) Behaviours: N.I.N.A. connects to focuser (via Celestron USB Focuser driver) Focus in/out moves complete as expected. Focus moves will compete over short periods of time (typically 5 or so minutes), before the focuser connection drops N.I.N.A. logs show focuser connection exceptions (see N.I.N.A. log extract attached) Eventually the focuser connection will drop completely over the course of an imaging session Attempts to set up focus backlash via N.I.N.A or an autofocus V curve function will fail (intermittently) as dropped focuser connections occur The N.I.N.A logs attached show a period where connections to the focus where initiated in succession The focuser does connect and then allow in/out moves but on each connection attempt an exception occurs as shown in the log

Application: Sharpcap version (3.2.598) (64 bit) Sharpcap connects to focuser (via Celestron USB Focuser driver)

Behaviours: NB: Sharpcap logs do not appear to log the actual focuser move events, but the focuser moves as expected and the Sharpcap UI reports the focus position as expected As yet, not tested further with any rigour with this application

Application: Sequence Generator Pro (SGP) (version 3.0.3.169) SGP log extract

Behaviours: SGP connects to focuser (via Celestron USB Focuser driver) focus in/out moves complete as expected SGP logs do however show some focus connection exceptions (see SGP log extract attached) As yet, not tested further with any rigour with this application

Application: Astro Photography Tool (APT) (version 3.63)

Behaviours: APT connects to focuser (via Celestron USB Focuser driver) Focus in/out moves complete as expected. Logging does not show any focuser disconnect events As yet, not tested further with any rigour with this application

Application: Celestron focus utility (CFU) (version 1.0) Behaviours: CFU connects to focuser (via Celestron USB Focuser driver?) Focus in/out moves complete as expected. Question: where are the logs maintained for this utility?

Application: ASCOM conformance checker (ACC) (version 6.4.64.0) Behaviours: ACC connects to focuser (via Celestron USB Focuser driver) ASCOM conformance check along with focus in/out moves complete as expected with no reported conformance errors ASCOM conformance check log attached

logs: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pndivtpzirstksw/N.I.N.A.%20logs.txt?dl=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/n8dgl95q5qxf0m4/ASCOM%20conformance%20check%20log.txt?dl=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/si767wafp8w144d/SGP%20logs%20August%203%202019.txt?dl=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/imnsxe87o3zcgc7/SharpCap-Log_2019-08-03T11_55_26-5848.log?dl=1 https://www.dropbox.com/s/awkbfeijofpimuk/SharpCap-Log_2019-08-03T12_11_08-14152.log?dl=1

[Stefan B]

This is a driver issue. Please reach out to the vendor.