I just hooked up my CPC 1100 XLT to my computer and tried to run the Cartes du Ciel program. It asks whether I have Ascom Dome control, Generic Hub, pipe diagnostic tool, poth hub or simulator. Which do I use to show which telescope that I have? Any simple directions on how to use CdC? Thanks.
Jim
Cartes du Ciel
Started by
James Cunningham
, Aug 10 2010 05:25 PM
15 replies to this topic
#1
James Cunningham
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Posted 10 August 2010 - 05:25 PM
#2
mclewis1
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Posted 10 August 2010 - 05:37 PM
Jim, You should have already loaded the Celestron Unified driver (from the ASCOM site under Drivers, Telescope). When you open CdC, Telescope, Control Panel, Select, then you should see the option of the Celestron Scope driver in the list.
From there you set the correct Properities (comm port, scope type). Then you go back to the Telescope, Control Panel and this time you choose select at the bottom, it should turn green and the scope is now connected to CdC.
From there you set the correct Properities (comm port, scope type). Then you go back to the Telescope, Control Panel and this time you choose select at the bottom, it should turn green and the scope is now connected to CdC.
#3
James Cunningham
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Posted 10 August 2010 - 06:43 PM
I finally got it to show a Celestron driver and I picked the CPC 1100. However, I have two com ports com1 and com 3. I tried them both but the CdC program says "error, could not find Celestron scope at the com port. What do I do now?
#4
mclewis1
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Posted 10 August 2010 - 07:11 PM
Jim, Do you have a real Celestron serial HC cable (#93920) or a known good home made version? The Celestron cable is about 4' long, small RJ22 4pin plug on one end and a DB9 female connector on the other.
Is there anything else on your PC trying to use those comm ports (Palm pilot s/w for example)?
If the comm port is free for ASCOM to use, you've selected the right comm port #, the serial port h/w is working, the cable is good and plugged into the base of the HC then it should simply start talking once you press Select.
Is there anything else on your PC trying to use those comm ports (Palm pilot s/w for example)?
If the comm port is free for ASCOM to use, you've selected the right comm port #, the serial port h/w is working, the cable is good and plugged into the base of the HC then it should simply start talking once you press Select.
#5
James Cunningham
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Posted 10 August 2010 - 09:09 PM
Yes, I am using the cable that came with the scope. I can connect to the software that came with the computer (Next Remote) and get the scope to move with the computer generated hand controller so I assume that I have the right wiring. I connected the scope with com 3 so should I use com 1 for the other software? Thanks for any help.
Jim
Jim
#6
rmollise
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 07:11 AM
Yes, I am using the cable that came with the scope. I can connect to the software that came with the computer (Next Remote) and get the scope to move with the computer generated hand controller so I assume that I have the right wiring. I connected the scope with com 3 so should I use com 1 for the other software? Thanks for any help.
Jim
Are you trying to use CdC at the same time as NexRemote? If so, what you are doing will NOT work. What you have to do is set up a virtual port on NexRemote, say com 5, and then tell ASCOM/CdC "com 5."
#7
James Cunningham
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 07:41 AM
I am not running nextremote at the same time as CdC. I only have two com ports and Com 3 is being used by the RS232 connector. I tried both Com 1 and Com 3 but I still get the same message. Should the RS232 cord be attached to the hand controller or to the port on the scope listed for "PC"?
#8
James Cunningham
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 07:43 AM
How do you set up a virtual com port?
#9
mclewis1
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 08:44 AM
Jim,
I would hold off on that virtual port stuff until you get the other more basic stuff working.
So NexRemote works on com 3 right? Then ASCOM/CdC should also work on com 3 ... just not at the same time as Uncle Rod mentioned. The connection should be exactly the same - PC serial port, Celestron cable, connected to the base of the HC.
Is ASCOM via the Telescope selection in CdC also configured to use com 3?
I can run NexRemote and then shut it down and run CdC but perhaps you may need to reboot your PC in between?
If there are still problems I would remove ASCOM and CdC, and then reload ASCOM, the Celestron Unified driver and then CdC (you are using v3 right?), and then go through the config using com 3.
I would hold off on that virtual port stuff until you get the other more basic stuff working.
So NexRemote works on com 3 right? Then ASCOM/CdC should also work on com 3 ... just not at the same time as Uncle Rod mentioned. The connection should be exactly the same - PC serial port, Celestron cable, connected to the base of the HC.
Is ASCOM via the Telescope selection in CdC also configured to use com 3?
I can run NexRemote and then shut it down and run CdC but perhaps you may need to reboot your PC in between?
If there are still problems I would remove ASCOM and CdC, and then reload ASCOM, the Celestron Unified driver and then CdC (you are using v3 right?), and then go through the config using com 3.
#10
James Cunningham
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 10:25 AM
I only saw version 2.76 on their web page. Do you have a web page to download version 3?
#11
rmollise
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 10:38 AM
How do you set up a virtual com port?
On the settings screen of NexRemote, there are two pull-downs, one for the "real" com port, the com port with which you connect NexRemote to the scope. This is the actual hardware com port on your computer.
There's a second pulldown that allows you to set the virtual port. This can be anything but the number of a real hardware port on your computer.
In this configuration, CdC/Ascom will send commands to the scope over the same cable that connects Nexremote to the scope. Works great.
#12
rmollise
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 10:45 AM
I am not running nextremote at the same time as CdC. I only have two com ports and Com 3 is being used by the RS232 connector. I tried both Com 1 and Com 3 but I still get the same message. Should the RS232 cord be attached to the hand controller or to the port on the scope listed for "PC"?
Go to Control Panel on your computer. Open device manager. You'll see a "tree". In there is "com and LPT ports." Check that. That will give you the com port number. And be aware that plugging your usb-serial converter into a different usb port may change that number.
Connect from PC to the port on the bottom of the HC using a Celestron serial cable.
For more details on using CdC, see my sticky on this forum.
#13
mclewis1
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 11:05 AM
http://www.ap-i.net/skychart/index.phpI only saw version 2.76 on their web page. Do you have a web page to download version 3?
#14
James Cunningham
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 12:15 PM
Thank you. I download version 3 and now I can connect with my computer.
#15
mclewis1
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 12:33 PM
Jim,
That's great. Can you tell us a little about your PC?
That's great. Can you tell us a little about your PC?
#16
James Cunningham
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Posted 11 August 2010 - 02:43 PM
Its a computer I picked up at a computer show. Its got dual AMD athlon 64 processors with 2 gigabytes of memory ram. 32 bit processing running Windows Vista with NVDIA GeForce video adapter with a 150 gigabyte hard drive.
CNers have asked about a donation box for Cloudy Nights over the years, so here you go. Donation is not required by any means, so please enjoy your stay.
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