How to connect the new Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro to ASIAIR?: Page 6

How to connect the new Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro to ASIAIR?

BigBobD

So, I finally got the ASIAir Pro to recognize my Motherboards USB port with the Sticky here, however, after the update to the newer version, the device no longer saves any devices attached after a manual, turn off the switch shutdown. A Software restart or shutdown no longer works either, the device turns off all the attached devices, e.g. camera, guide camera etc... but the wifi is still running and the ASIAIR Pro does not shut off, nor reboots. The only indication beep is during start up.
If I restore from version 1.4 as per the restore link (google drive) then the ASIAIR remembers all the devices attached after reboot, shuts down and restarts correctly, however, it does not recognize the usb connected EQ-Mod Mount.

Is there a updated version to support the USB connection for the Skywatcher EQ-6 Pro anywhere?

Is there a config file or something I can copy over to the SD Card to make it work as designed?

Anything???

kscheben

I've had some occasional odd ASIAIR Pro symptoms relating mostly to connecting to the EQ6-R Pro mount. When you power down, are you first using the "Shut Down" option at the bottom of the "WiFi" screen of the AAP or are you simply turning the power switch off? It seems very strange that you would lose your configuration settings if you are doing a "soft" shutdown.

BigBobD

I am using the bottom of the wifi screen, both restart and shutdown produce the same results. The device DOES NOT power off, nor does it restart, instead it is still powered on, although it turns off all the connected devices, e.g. the camera shuts off, the guide scope shuts off, but wifi is still active. Meaning I can restart the APP on my tablet or phone and It is running without anything attached.

kscheben

It is normal for the power lights to remain on the AAP once you perform a soft shutdown from the WiFi menu. Then you turn off the power switch on the device to complete the power off process. But I've never seen it drop all of your attachments like that. They should all be present when you power back up. You might want to try a to refresh your microSD card again and then allow the software to run an update from 1.4 to the current version. It sounds like something in the software did not take correctly in the latest try.

BigBobD

kscheben I have tried several different SD Cards, the only way that it remembers the connections is with the standard img file, upgrading from version 1.4 to the current, but that img file is missing the USB kernel update for the EQ-6R Pro. This image has the correct kernel, but fails after being updated. I am currently updating the kernel manually, logging in with root. Although I am having a terrible time with the certificates since the repositories no longer exist.

kscheben

Ugh...it sounds like quite a slog. I've had to restart from scratch a few times myself so I know how you feel. BTW, I've also had my EQ6-R Pro motherboard fry on me twice in a 5 month period. Sky Watcher actually convinced me to lose the Jackery battery I was using for power at dark sky sites and replace it with an Ecoflow. They said the Jackery provided just under 12volts which was causing them a ton of repair problems. So far with the EcoFlow, no issues. But I have no way to prove that the Jackery battery was the issue. It was cheaper than selling and replacing my mount with something higher end.

BigBobD

kscheben I agree with you on the Jackery. I have two and a powerOak, I found this great write up on how to make my own DC DC booster (buck boost) and have it tuned in to 14.5V, so far this looks to be my best solution. If the Jackery drops voltage the booster doesn't care and my mount gets what it needs. Current isn't an issue since I don't get more of a draw than 1.5A from the mount 👍

BigBobD

To fix the problem, I essentially updated the original image following these instructions.
https://gist.github.com/timucingelici/217ac492bc2b127c6645ce033463d265
I am hoping that this will assist anyone else, essentially you download the original ZWO ASIAIR Pro image from this site (Version 1.4 appears to be the last image posted)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19VpbElWxGSCx_aB56cdLEPP-jaJM8D1N/view

and update the USB driver by doing a rpi-update, adding it to the ASIAIR Pro Kernel. A reboot and "TADA" it works.

If you don't know how to ssh into a Raspberry Pi (which is what the ASIAIR Pro is) please don't attempt to do this. You should have some background experience with linux commands and/or know how to use the Mac terminal. Whatever you do, make sure you have a good backup of your SD Card or are confident you can restore it in case something goes wrong 😀

kscheben

Happy to hear it worked for you! Clear skies!

redpine42

Just got my ASIAIR plus. I’m using an eq r6 pro mount. And can’t get any configuration to work. Previously was using indigo sky to control the mount through the usb connection wit no problems. Read this thread and what a nightmare. ASI needs to do better addressing these problems. It looks like it’s been over a year of several people struggling.

redpine42

So a unique solution.

I tried every possible combination of telescope and baud setting and nothing worked. Only options were serial and Ethernet, so I added a wifi dongle to the EQ 6R Pro, set the dongle in station mode. Set the dongle to a fixed IP. Went to the ASIAir Plus, used EQMod with SkySafari. Selected Ethernet, set the IP to the fixed ip that I set the wifi dongle too. Set the port to 11880/udp. And it now works.

astromoose

redpine42

ASI AIR+ and SkyWatcher EQ6-R (with USB port): connect EQ6-R USB-Port with one of the USB-Ports of the ASI (not the blue ones), using a printer cable.

Settings for ASI: EQMod, 115200Baud. DO NOT POWER the EQ6R via the ASIAIR! Use separate Powersupply with at least 12V/4A for the EQ6R.

Works fine.

astromoose

ASI AIR+ and SkyWatcher EQ6-R (with USB port): connect EQ6-R USB-Port with one of the USB-Ports of the ASI (not the blue ones), using a printer cable.

Settings for ASI: EQMod, 115200Baud. DO NOT POWER the EQ6R via the ASIAIR! Use separate Powersupply with at least 12V/4A for the EQ6R.

Works fine.

redpine42

astromoose
The USB now works after the beta patch today.

stooge75

redpine42 not for me it doesn’t

stooge75

redpine42 where is this patch?

w7ay

stooge75 where is this patch?

Beta 2.0.0.

With iOS devices, betas are released through Apple's TestFlight program.

You first need to download the Apple TestFlight app from the App Store into your iOS device.

You then go to https://testflight.apple.com/join/6uEyoSl3 from Safari.

Be mindful that Betas should only be used if you are already familiar around ASIAIR -- bugs that crop up in the Betas could be more confusing.

Also, make sure (if you are on the first two versions of the ASIAIR hardware) that you first make an archive of the existing firmware so you can go back to the old firmware again. Otherwise it is a real pain to try to go back to the released version of ASIAIR firmware.

If you have a Mac with Apple Silicon, you can also download TestFlight from the iOS App Store, and load the beta ASIAIR.

Remember -- make a copy your old firmware first, in case you need to go back to the old version of ASIAIR.

Chen

picchimoreno

les_b Yes

stooge75

a few people are having issues with stellarium and the developer is saying that the problem lies in something to do with ascom client but doesn’t quite know what. This had me thinking it’s maybe something to do with the newer chipset and software. Anyone know if this would have an effect on ascom client ?

HEX

I downloaded and installed that image (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MLd0TO7yzPsiqIzVpUVn743DaEnKzox9/view?usp=sharing) and udated the firmware after that. Seems to run fine, but I don't see an EQ6 or anything like it, and none of the Skywatcher mounts work with the USB connection work. So, no improvement ...

What am I missing? Thx!

franco

HEX

Did you try the EQMod driver at 115200 baud?

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