PHD2 crashes mount and drops UPB connection
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:33 pm
I installed an Ultimate Powerbox last year, and I have not been able to run a successful astrophotography session since then. Because I could only test the conditions to create the issue out in the field under dark skies, it's taken me forever to figure out what's causing it.
I connect my UPB at the start of my session, start up EQMOD, start SGP, center on the target. Everything works fine. When I start a sequence and SGP calls up PHD2, I get a message that SGP has lost the connection to the mount. At that point, I'm not able to connect to the UPB with my computer, and the mount power has been powered down - it won't start up again unless I completely power down my system and reboot everything. My ZWO 1600mm camera still shows as being connected. This also happens if I start PHD2 before I start SGP.
What's curious is that this continues to happen even if I connect my auto guide camera, mount, and imaging camera directly to my computer (bypassing the powerbox) and run them like I did before I had the Powerbox. That is, my usual imaging sequence from before I installed the UPB now will not work either. It makes me wonder if the UPB inserted some new command or configuration in the background that is causing the breakdown.
I'm running Windows 10 on an Asus laptop. I have downloaded and installed the most recent UPB drivers and Unity Platform. I'm running SGP 4.1.0.832, PHD2 2.6.11, ASCOM 6.6.0.3444. Mount is EQ6R-Pro. Imaging camera is ZWO ASI1600mm and guide cam is ZWO ASI290 (I had the same issues with another guide camera from a different manufacturer - I bought the 290 in hopes it would solve the issue.) PHD2 has the 290 selected as a ZWO ASI Camera, SGP uses the ASI Camera driver.
Any ideas? I'm at my wits' end. Eighteen months without being able to image!!! I'm ready to throw out all my gear and take up a new hobby.
I connect my UPB at the start of my session, start up EQMOD, start SGP, center on the target. Everything works fine. When I start a sequence and SGP calls up PHD2, I get a message that SGP has lost the connection to the mount. At that point, I'm not able to connect to the UPB with my computer, and the mount power has been powered down - it won't start up again unless I completely power down my system and reboot everything. My ZWO 1600mm camera still shows as being connected. This also happens if I start PHD2 before I start SGP.
What's curious is that this continues to happen even if I connect my auto guide camera, mount, and imaging camera directly to my computer (bypassing the powerbox) and run them like I did before I had the Powerbox. That is, my usual imaging sequence from before I installed the UPB now will not work either. It makes me wonder if the UPB inserted some new command or configuration in the background that is causing the breakdown.
I'm running Windows 10 on an Asus laptop. I have downloaded and installed the most recent UPB drivers and Unity Platform. I'm running SGP 4.1.0.832, PHD2 2.6.11, ASCOM 6.6.0.3444. Mount is EQ6R-Pro. Imaging camera is ZWO ASI1600mm and guide cam is ZWO ASI290 (I had the same issues with another guide camera from a different manufacturer - I bought the 290 in hopes it would solve the issue.) PHD2 has the 290 selected as a ZWO ASI Camera, SGP uses the ASI Camera driver.
Any ideas? I'm at my wits' end. Eighteen months without being able to image!!! I'm ready to throw out all my gear and take up a new hobby.