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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Polar Alignment is not working right - no refresh

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Hello,
I am still new to this.
I tried Polar Alignment before while using just a DSLR. It was very slow but kind of working.
Now I added a guider scope with a CCD to my setup and it's much faster.

When I run the Polar Alignment routine - it does its things - rotates, takes pictures, solves - all works great.
But when it comes to the actual alignment, when one selects a bright star to bring it to the cross...
I hit the "refresh" (every 1 sec) button and it refreshes once and stalls saying "cannot capture while CCD is acquiring".
Sometimes, after a minute or two it starts working again but after several frames stalls again, eventually forever.
Is there something in the settings I miss? How to get around this?
Thanks!
Max
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
Last edit: 5 years 2 months ago by maxthebuilder.
5 years 2 months ago #33556

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What camera? Please edit your signature and add your equipment so it's easier to provide support in the future.
5 years 2 months ago #33561

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Just guessing but It sounds like you have a very slow connection to the camera. If you are using wifi and are too far you can get very slow response that will cause that.
5 years 2 months ago #33563

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Sorry.
Added the info.
Nikon DSLR and ASI120MC-S. AZ-GTi mount.

INDI server was running on RPI.
Mount wifi-connected to RPI
Cameras usb-connected to RPI.
No hub.
RPI wire-connected to home router.

KStars/Ekos on Windows 7 desktop (with answr). Tried both 2.9.8 and 3.0.0.
Tried KStars/Ekos (3.0.0) directly on RPI.
Same result.

ASI Live View works (10-11 FPS)
I was using it unbinned (in Align module) since plate-solving was failing often with 2x2 binning

Thanks!
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
Last edit: 5 years 2 months ago by maxthebuilder.
5 years 2 months ago #33586

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I was not far and it was a wired connection.
CCD's Live View works fine with 10-11 FPS rate.
Thanks!
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
5 years 2 months ago #33587

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Ok will check if I can reproduce this somehow.
5 years 2 months ago #33612

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Hi Jasem,
Tried two more times with the same result.
Yesterday - two cameras and AZ-GTi mount. Nikon DSLR and ASI120MC-S. ASI was used for mount alignments.
Today - just the ASI and AZ-GTi mount.
Attaching the log (polar alignments start at 22:29:45) and a screenshot.

Symptoms:
-- start polar alignment
-- three rotations go as supposed to
-- in the end, when I hit "Refresh" I get one image (sometimes two) and then the procedure stalls saying "cannot capture while CCD is acquiring".

Thanks for looking into this!

File Attachment:

File Name: log_22-25-46.txt
File Size:1,868 KB
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
Last edit: 5 years 2 months ago by maxthebuilder.
5 years 2 months ago #33981
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  • Thank you received: 86
Jasem/All,
Sorry. I have to bump this post...
I assume that the polar alignment procedure is working for everyone else.
Why it doesn't for me? Must be something in INDI settings or something.
Really strange. When I hit "refresh" in the end of the procedure, I am given one, sometimes two or three frames and then - no "refresh" anymore. Sometimes, if I wait long enough, it gives me a few more frames...
?
Thanks!
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
Last edit: 5 years 2 months ago by maxthebuilder.
5 years 2 months ago #34067

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Hi, that seems to be a symptom of USB bandwidth. The camera is hanging downloading the images.
That's why it giving the message "cannot capture while CCD is acquiring". This is very common with ASI cameras, specially the 120 model.
Please check on ASI120 INDI settings if the value is higher than 40.
This also happened to me some time ago but guiding. The ASI 120 doesn't "like" values above 40 on some USB chipsets.
Also, are you using it with an HUB or directly connected? You have the "S" version (USB3), try to connect it on an USB2 port.
Last edit: 5 years 2 months ago by nMAC.
5 years 2 months ago #34068

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Try binning 2x2 - cuts the bandwidth requirement. I think someone pointed out that this will give a lot more dependable results.
The following user(s) said Thank You: nMAC
5 years 2 months ago #34074

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Good suggestion, I use it too, and it seems also more stable on 2x2 bin.
5 years 2 months ago #34076

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Thank you guys!
I did try binning 2x2 - no change.
Will try to adjust the bandwidth.
The camera works fine in Live View mode - no hiccups.
-- Max S
ZWO AM5. RST-135. AZ-GTI. HEQ5. iOptron SkyTracker.
TPO RC6. FRA400. Rokinon 135 and other lenses.
ZWO ASI2600MC. D5500 modified with UVIR clip-in filter.
ZWO ASI120MM Mini x 2. ZWO 30F4 guider. Orion 50mm guider.
ZWO EAF x 2.
5 years 2 months ago #34198

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