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Goal Reached
Apr 11, 2018 13:16:22   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
I have had a goal to reduce the number of cables to two - a data cable for the laptop (outside) and a power cable, either DC or AC. That operation is complete. I finished this project for both pier kits adding Rigrunner Power strip (made new cables with powerpoles as plugs) and 10 slot USB3 powered hub.

....and if, if, all holds - I may have three days of skies with only 15 percent clouds! We shall see!


(Download)


(Download)

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Apr 11, 2018 15:22:09   #
Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM
 
And this is why I haven’t jumped into auto guiding yet.
Looks really clean Ed.
Jim

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Apr 11, 2018 16:35:35   #
CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.
 
nikonshooter wrote:
I have had a goal to reduce the number of cables to two - a data cable for the laptop (outside) and a power cable, either DC or AC. That operation is complete. I finished this project for both pier kits adding Rigrunner Power strip (made new cables with powerpoles as plugs) and 10 slot USB3 powered hub.

....and if, if, all holds - I may have three days of skies with only 15 percent clouds! We shall see!

Very well done Ed. It's going to be a lot better for all the cables you would have hanging around the computer.
Craig

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Apr 11, 2018 16:38:59   #
CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.
 
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
And this is why I haven’t jumped into auto guiding yet.
Looks really clean Ed.
Jim

Hey Jim, theoretically you would only have 2 cables from scope to computer, camera and guide scope. That's all I have anyway.
Craig

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Apr 11, 2018 17:35:37   #
Albuqshutterbug Loc: Albuquerque NM
 
CraigFair wrote:
Hey Jim, theoretically you would only have 2 cables from scope to computer, camera and guide scope. That's all I have anyway.
Craig


Soon I hope.
Jim

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Apr 11, 2018 23:50:09   #
Europa Loc: West Hills, CA
 
I like the idea of the powerpole, just can’t make the leap to cutting the existing power cords.

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Apr 12, 2018 09:43:06   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
Europa wrote:
I like the idea of the powerpole, just can’t make the leap to cutting the existing power cords.


Easy Peasy! I made new cables for everything but the Atlas Pro. I used 14 gage wire replacing 22 and up. My next step is to eliminate the outside laptop and add a INTEL COMPUTE stick. I am reading through the reviews now. They run Windows 10 and since I save my images to a Drop Box folder no hard drive is needed. With that addition - I will only have a power chord running from the mount. If anyone has had any experience with these sticks and have a recommendation - help help help!

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Apr 12, 2018 10:07:06   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
Great Ed! Big progress X2.

I'm at 3 cables myself. 1- USB, 1- Power to the AVX, 1- Power to everything else.
My mount gave me two complete Motor Drive failures. I will never trust Chinese electronics again, they make crap components. Powering it with my 12V AGM battery has kept it working now for years.
So the mount gets a power wire, and there is another that powers my hub, cameras, focuser, everything else.
Putting my Star Tech USB hub on the telescope assembly, then buying shorter cables, tidy'd up that end.

It's a satisfying victory to beat the wire wrap crap.

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Apr 12, 2018 10:52:13   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
nikonshooter wrote:
Easy Peasy! I made new cables for everything but the Atlas Pro. I used 14 gage wire replacing 22 and up. My next step is to eliminate the outside laptop and add a INTEL COMPUTE stick. I am reading through the reviews now. They run Windows 10 and since I save my images to a Drop Box folder no hard drive is needed. With that addition - I will only have a power chord running from the mount. If anyone has had any experience with these sticks and have a recommendation - help help help!


Yeah, my advice is don't, Ed.
I've been there, done that. The Intel Compute stick is for close proximity Bluetooth and WiFi use, on a TV. It was miserable for me. Wireless my butt!
When I got my Baby Dell 2 in 1, I got back to reliable computer control.
The most important thing missing with the Compute Stick (besides performance) was no visual at the mount. I'd have to walk back and forth during start-up and alignment. Then, of course, the WiFi would drop out and have to be reconnected. I bought a special external antennae for it. I got a WiFi extender. I got a new dual frequency WiFi hub.
I got disgusted.

A 2 in 1 gives you everything you need at the mount end to operate and SEE a screen. Then reliably WiFi to your indoors computer through your WiFi network.
The stick computer is also lacking in storage. The 2 in 1 has a mini SD slot for a card. I use a 64G SanDisc Ultra there and all my image files are tucked away in night to night folders.

Save yourself the expense and frustration. Stay with your laptop and a single USB cable, or get a dedicated 2 in 1 for your mount. You'll have sight and sound and control at the mount. With a powerful WiFi built in.


Since my mount stays on site, so does my big battery. I cover my battery box with one of those storage containers turned upside down. When I set up, I bring the storage container up on my table on it's side. Then I set my Baby Dell in it. Protected from dew, the container makes a great shield. Once I'm aligned and operational (A short hop), I retire to the inside and connect with Tight Vnc and have complete virtual control from the comfort of indoors (and a 32" Samsung display).

The only drawback I've found is not seeing the clouds. The other night I kept losing my guiding. I finally went outside and discovered I had my own personal cloud bank closing me out. End of the evening, the bar is closed.
Now, if I got a weather camera, for my weather station, I could see that without getting off my butt.

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Apr 12, 2018 11:35:10   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
SonnyE wrote:
Yeah, my advice is don't, Ed.
I've been there, done that. The Intel Compute stick is for close proximity Bluetooth and WiFi use, on a TV. It was miserable for me. Wireless my butt!
When I got my Baby Dell 2 in 1, I got back to reliable computer control.
The most important thing missing with the Compute Stick (besides performance) was no visual at the mount. I'd have to walk back and forth during start-up and alignment. Then, of course, the WiFi would drop out and have to be reconnected. I bought a special external antennae for it. I got a WiFi extender. I got a new dual frequency WiFi hub.
I got disgusted.

A 2 in 1 gives you everything you need at the mount end to operate and SEE a screen. Then reliably WiFi to your indoors computer through your WiFi network.
The stick computer is also lacking in storage. The 2 in 1 has a mini SD slot for a card. I use a 64G SanDisc Ultra there and all my image files are tucked away in night to night folders.

Save yourself the expense and frustration. Stay with your laptop and a single USB cable, or get a dedicated 2 in 1 for your mount. You'll have sight and sound and control at the mount. With a powerful WiFi built in.


Since my mount stays on site, so does my big battery. I cover my battery box with one of those storage containers turned upside down. When I set up, I bring the storage container up on my table on it's side. Then I set my Baby Dell in it. Protected from dew, the container makes a great shield. Once I'm aligned and operational (A short hop), I retire to the inside and connect with Tight Vnc and have complete virtual control from the comfort of indoors (and a 32" Samsung display).

The only drawback I've found is not seeing the clouds. The other night I kept losing my guiding. I finally went outside and discovered I had my own personal cloud bank closing me out. End of the evening, the bar is closed.
Now, if I got a weather camera, for my weather station, I could see that without getting off my butt.
Yeah, my advice is don't, Ed. br I've been there, ... (show quote)


That will be my issue - I use extenders on my laptops to boost wifi to my home but not sure how I would manage that on a stick! You are right about "wireless working." Actually my driving force was not to eliminate one more cable but to protect the computer from one of South Carolina's unexpected thunderstorms - one that comes from no where - last for 5 minutes - and is gone.

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Apr 12, 2018 11:48:57   #
Menkaure Loc: Michigan
 
I thought about buying that kind of rig but I bought a house instead!

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Apr 12, 2018 12:01:07   #
CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.
 
Menkaure wrote:
I thought about buying that kind of rig but I bought a house instead!

Menkaure, you surely have not caught the bug yet. Hahaha

Craig

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Apr 12, 2018 13:37:41   #
bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada
 
Menkaure wrote:
I thought about buying that kind of rig but I bought a house instead!



bwa

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Apr 13, 2018 14:16:29   #
nikonshooter Loc: Spartanburg, South Carolina
 
Menkaure wrote:
I thought about buying that kind of rig but I bought a house instead!


Like my daddy said, "fool and money will soon part."

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Apr 16, 2018 11:50:46   #
SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA
 
nikonshooter wrote:
That will be my issue - I use extenders on my laptops to boost wifi to my home but not sure how I would manage that on a stick! You are right about "wireless working." Actually my driving force was not to eliminate one more cable but to protect the computer from one of South Carolina's unexpected thunderstorms - one that comes from no where - last for 5 minutes - and is gone.


As permanent as you are with your piers, maybe wired would be your best avenue?
Lots of advantages over fiddling with wireless. Besides, you can bring the Ethernet in, then connect it into your router and go wireless from there. You'd have the speed and reliability of wired between your house and the telescopes.


But I found trying to use the compute stick one of the bigger PITA's I've tried. Like I said, they are designed for folks that want to turn their TV into a computer display, and use a wireless keyboard on the couch or easy chair, in the same room. Not across the yard and through walls of a home.

Maybe discussing the situation with a networking firm would be a good idea.
If you are concerned about NC thunderstorms, you better get raincoats for those telescopes.

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