ASI224MC-Cool and ASI1600MM-Cool issues (disconnection and reduced fps)

jesusnavas

Hello,
I use two cameras from ZWO: ASI224MC-Cool and ASI1600MM-Cool. I have tested them in several quite high-level laptops with USB3.0 (Clevo P150, Sony Vaio) or Thunderbolt 3 by an original adapter from Dell (Dell XPS 17 9700).
Both cameras (especially the ASI1600) tend to disconnect at the least movement of the cable and only reach a little more than the half of the maximum theoretical fps at 8 bits (at 16 bits, is slower too, but no so much). USB traffic is set at 100% as they do not lose any frame.
Is this normal? How can those issues be fixed? The problems with disconnections come from the very beginning I bought the cameras, but I am almost sure they have performed at the correct fps in some moment in the past.
I thought it could be due to the USB cable, but it is not: I changed them for other high-quality ones. I used last versions of ASIStudio, Firecapture and SharpCap.
Thank you.

Tech@ZWO

jesusnavas USB traffic is set at 100%

Hello,
Can you set low to try if there is any difference(start from 40)?

jesusnavas

Well, I am ashamed, I am sorry. I have just found a quite-hidden option in ASICap and Firecapture to make possible full fps. There is a box called "High speed". Now, I get the maximum fps. I do not delete the previous post. It could help others.

But the disconnection issue remains.

Thanks.

jesusnavas

@tech@zwo#52615 Thank you for your answer. No, I am afraid the disconnection issues remain because they happen even without having run the capturing programs. That is, I connect the camera and, even before running the programs, it is very easy to lose the connection (it sounds the W10 connection and disconnection sound) at the minimum movement. This does not happen always, either. But it is very frustrating when it happens when you are trying to focus, doing a goto, or trying to capture. It can spoil a job or make it impossible.

The reduced framerates were already solved. As I said in my previous message, they were only a matter of not having checked the High Speed box in the program (FC, AsiCap...).

Tech@ZWO

jesusnavas I connect the camera and, even before running the programs, it is very easy to lose the connection

Both cameras are old cameras which have been discontinued for a long time, so maybe this is a hardware issue which you can submit a ticket in https://support.astronomy-imaging-camera.com/ and ask for RMA(out of warranty).

Kring

Primary cause in my experience is bad USB cable is cause of disconnect, to eliminate this have you tried a different cable? A new high quality cable? Basic USB cables often are junk. It’s worth getting a new, good cable.

The other option is your contacts inside the port, those can get dirty and even the slightest amount can cause weak connectivity. Are you familiar with “Deoxit” ? Pick up a can and spray some in there, this stuff is a miracle in a can for any issues and it’s safe to spray on electronics, it cleans contact.

If these don’t work then in all likelihood there is an issue with the port that would need service

jesusnavas

Kring Thank you very much for your answer.

I will try to clean the contacts, as you suggest. I do not think the problem is in the cables, because both were changed for another better-quality ones.

If this does not fix the problem, then I will have to send the cameras to ZWO, as @tech@zwo has indicated.

jesusnavas

@tech@zwo#52696 Thanks you your answer. I think I am going to have to send ZWO the cameras, sooner or later.