QSI black download screen

[Fay]

About 5/10 times I use QSI I am getting a black download sub. I have to reset all the power to get it working.

I had it two nights ago & also last night. Hope someone knows what it could be.

Last night:

SXM7 = guider, QSI imaging. AstroArt 5

extension cable with mount, QSI, mount and  laptop plugged into an anti surge plug.

SX into battery.

Both camera;s downloaded black subs.

Transferred SX to PHD, worked normal. transferred QSI to Maxim.....black sub.
Redone QSI connections.....worked ok, in AA

A while ago I posted problem on Yahoo groups, got following reply


Static hits or improper voltage can sometimes reset a DAC that controls some
> internal voltages. Power cycling the camera will clear it. If there's too
> much power draw on your power circuit, especially if it's being shared with
> a motor, you might be getting power surges/fades that could cause problems.
> Additional details on the power requirements of QSI 500 Series cameras can
> be found in this Knowledge Base article:

Thanks

[mickw]

Are you connecting your cameras direct to the USB on the laptop or are either of them connected to your USB hub ?
Is your USB hub powered ? Do the appropriate lights come on ?

I would have thought connecting cameras directly to the PC and all the other poop via the USB hub would be the right thing to do.

[Fay]

I am plugging in directly again

[Mike]

Sounds like your hub is not providing enough amps for the cameras.

[JohnP]

Fay why don't you try this experiment in the light of day......

Disconnect everything from laptop & just plug in camera & start taking darks (say 1min subs) - do you still get same problem - I am assuming when you get a rogue frame it is totally black (not even hot pixels showing)... If you still get problem then it points to either driver/ software issues or as Mike says maybe current issues etc. (although if this was problem I am sure other users would have seen it unless it is a problem with your PC).

John

[Rocket Pooch]

Blimey,

Fay on a QSI there is a light and an audiable alarm for low voltage on the camera, look at the back of the camera and you will see the light.  Check the manual I think Green is ok.

It's not amps on USB with this camera, but I would suggest pluging the camera into the laptop directly.

Just out of interest, if you have a guide cam, QSI and your using your handset what else would you need to plug into a hub?  Surely if your imaging with the QSI and a Guide cam you only need two USB ports, you laptop had three I think.


Plus the camera into the laptop with the power form the mains and then take a series of subs as John suggested and leave it running, in fact a set of flats wold be ideal because any black frames will be obvious.

Chris

[Fay]

Chris,

I had the QSI, SX & GPUSB directly into the laptop. No hub used
Plugged into the power was, QSI, laptop & mount. The SX also downloaded blank black subs, until it was plugged into PHD

[Fay]

I have not noticed irregular flashing of lights, but will be alert.

[mickw]

I think you'll find it's a loose connection on the camera end of the USB cable.  Try a different cable

[Fay]

Cables ok Mick. Done a lot of testing & I was wondering, if some camera's are exposed in daylight, can they show a black screen instead of white?

For example, my Atik downloaded a white sub 2x2 but black 1x1

[Mike]

Cover the end with cardboard apart from a pinhole in the centre and see what you get.

[RobertM]

Cables ok Mick. Done a lot of testing & I was wondering, if some camera's are exposed in daylight, can they show a black screen instead of white?

For example, my Atik downloaded a white sub 2x2 but black 1x1

Fay,

All the pixels will be at saturation point for the QSI as the mechanical shutter can't operate fast enough.  In this situation, MaximDL for instance, will display the image as black because the range of the pixel values is zero.  It'll be the same for any mono astro camera, my FLI and Lodestar behave the same way.  Try your SX with a 1 second exposure during the day and it'll be the same.

Try Mikes suggestion.

Robert

[Fay]

well Robert that is good news at the moment!!!!!!

I may postpone my mental breakdown

Just have to suss the nighttime behavious now

Seems not a good time to test, in daylight

[Fay]

Oh my last post did not download, regarding all my testing today