Psy1280 Does anyone know what the cable is called that connects the AM5 to the ASIAIR?
The mount end is a USB 2.0 Type-B Male. The computer end is a USB 2.0 Type-A Male.
They are often called "Printer Cables" at places like Amazon.
Be sure not to get one with a USB 3.0 Type-B male. It will not plug into a USB 2.0 female jack.
Try to find one that is just long enough for your needs so that you don't have to coil them or fold them over.
There are plenty to choose from at Amazon, all of which have better quality that the cables that ZWO includes in their boxes; you can also try more reputable places like Mouser or Digi-Key, or even directly from USB cable purveyors like L-com, Cables-To-Go, etc. Or even your local Best Buy (although they are probably no better than Amazon ones anyway, and you might as well get it shipped if you have Amazon Prime).
The root of the problem is actually not in the cables (your ZWO cable might even work connecting a printer with a well designed USB interface to a computer with a well designed USB interface), but the ZWO USB interfaces are not designed with proper engineering margins. A poorer cable just exacerbates the problem. Any change in temperature or humidity that can affect the interface or the cables themselves can throw the USB data packets off.
My usual recommendation is to immediately trash any cables (including power cables) that ZWO ships "free" in their boxes. This way, you will not be tempted to use them. The worst are the flat ribbon USB cables.
That being said, you should have less problem with USB 2.0, which have more relaxed design margins. Most problems come with USB 3.0 connections (for example to the cameras).
One way to debug things is to slowly, one by one, connect devices to the ASIAIR. Make sure to start with nothing (no DC power, no USB connection) connected to the ASIAIR (except for the LAN port). Then one by one, plug a new device into the ASIAIR and test it thoroughly to make sure it works. Quite often, the ASIAIR will start dropping other devices when a bad device is plugged in (bad software) -- but that might pinpoint the weakest link.
Not all Amazon cables are that great either (they are just typically better than ZWOs). Just last week, I had a USB-C to USB-A extension cable that was exposed to moisture (one rain) and was dropping devices like they were flies (cameras drop, EAF dropped randomly). The moist cable jacket (one of these "braided" kinds instead of a one with a PVC jacket) probably caused the problem.
Oh, also route any USB cables (especially USB 3 cables) away from any WiFi antenna.
Chen
