ASI6200MM disconnects after capturing image

FlyData

Hello, I am using the ASIImg program in the ASI suite to operate my camera. When I set up a series using autorun after a few images I'll get a camera unplugged warning and the camera will stop. I have tried a couple different USB cables and using different USB 3 ports on my computer but nothing changes. Also, I tried disconnecting the EFW and autoguider camera and binning 2x2 to reduce file size but the issue still occurs. I downloaded the latest drivers from the ZWO website. Any thoughts? Thanks.

PS- I am using Windows 11 and the 64bit ASI Suite program. I made sure to uncheck the "allow computer to turn off this device to save power" feature for the USB.

wvreeven

FlyData Do you power the camera with a 12V power source? If not, try that.

w7ay

FlyData I am using the ASIImg program in the ASI suite to operate my camera.

May I suggest a couple of controlled tests?

First, set the camera up indoors. Connect the 12V supply, but turn cooling off. Completely static (nothing moves - camera does not move, none of the connectors moves), and set up an autorun. Does it work or fail? If it fails, you might have a defective camera. But check to make sure the 12V connector is a high quality 5.5mm/2.1mm one, not a 5.5mm/2.5mm one. Another thing to try is a dumb USB hub in between the computer and the camera -- do not use a hub that has USB-PD (power delivery) support. If you have an oscilloscope, check for noise from the power supply -- even battery packs can have noisy buck/boost converters in the line -- so "batteries" can be be noisy too, unless you are going directly from a 12V SLA battery that is not connected to anything else.

If the above works, take the same setup outdoors in the cold. Keep the cooler off, but again keep the 12V supply on. Again, nothing is allowed to move. Use exactly the same cables and wiring that you used indoors. Does it work or does it fail? If it fails, you have a temperature dependency somewhere - power supply, connectors, the camera electronics...

If the above works, bring up the cooler to normal stress (but never more than 90%). Does it work or does it fail? If it has worked until now, but fails when you start cooling the camera, I would check the loaded voltage of the power supply, and the voltage drop in the power cable. It could be other things too, like vibration of the fan shaking the connectors.

If it still works, start the mount tracking (no need to autoguide). Does it still work? If not, your connectors could be loose.

Chen

FlyData

Yes, I meant to mention that. I have the camera powered. Thanks.

FlyData

Thanks, I am getting a new laptop delivered tomorrow and I will try testing on that. That is what I will use when I image. My new laptop will have Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports. I was thinking of getting a hub that plugs into those ports but still accepts the USB 3 connectors, but you mention not using a power delivery hub. Is that the same, since you can charge off of those ports? What's the reason not use that?

w7ay

FlyData My new laptop will have Thunderbolt 3 and 4 ports.

A Thunderbolt port may require you to use a USB hub to make use Thunderbolt (USB-C connector, but Thunderbolt protocol) with your camera . The USB port from a full Thunderbolt hub (with Ethernet, HDMI, etc) will work, but you can use a simpler USB-C to USB-3 hub too. I have been using this one with my MacBook Pro:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08X4LHP1B

This one has a USB-C "charging" port that you can supply power to the lap top.

Chen

FlyData

Thanks for the suggestion! I have solved my problem as well. I had mistakenly used the 12v adapter from my moonlite focuser with the ZWO camera, and the adapter I got from ZWO on the focuser. The focuser adapter has a max amperage of .42 vs. the 5 amps on the adapter for the camera. Since using the correct adapter I have not been able to replicate the issue. I am also able to operate the camera through SB's "The Sky" which I was not able to do before. So the immediate problem is resolved. I am now tagging the adapters to ensure I don't make that mistake again. 🙂 Thanks for the replies!