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Unable to Connect LX 200 Classic to SN 6.4.3

Langquest123

May 30, 2017 17:24

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Hi,

I recently upgraded my MacBook Pro (~2010 model) to OS 10.12.4 (Sierra)

Starry Night works fine except that I can no longer connect SN to the telescope - an LX200 Classic

I have a Prolific USB to serial converter and have  installed the latest driver.  The converter shows up in the CONFIGURE  in the Communication Port as usbserial. I choose Meade LX200 from the Telescope Type pull down menu.

When I try to connect, I get a Communication Error in the Connection Status. I have also tried using LX 200 Compatible from the Telescope Type pull down menu with the same negative result.

Before upgrading I had no problem connecting with the telescope. I am using the same cables as before. 

Do you have any idea why I am unable to connect?

Thanks for your assistance.

Jim

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6 comments

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith May 30, 2017 18:12

  Hi Jim,

  1. Is your LX-200 star aligned before trying to connect?
  2. Are you using a Meade-specific RS232 cable?
  3. Are you plugging the RS232 into the bottom of the LX-200 hand controller?

  Thanks!

• 0
  
  Langquest123 May 30, 2017 18:41

  Hi Keiron,

  Thanks for the prompt reply!

  1. No, the LX-200 is not star aligned before trying to connect

  2. Yes, the cable was purchased from Meade. As I indicated, this same cable (along with the same USB-Serial Cable) used to connect successfully to the scope. I did have to install the driver after upgrading the new OS 10.12 system.

  3. No, I am plugging the cable into the RS232 port on the front panel of the telescope.

  Regards,

   

  Jim

   

   

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith May 30, 2017 19:11

  Hi Jim,

  Please star-align first.  And, also plug it into the hand controller.  Please let me know if that resolves the issue.

  Thanks!

• 0
  
  Langquest123 May 30, 2017 20:46

  Thanks.

  Looks like it will be cloudy for the next two nights. I give it a try later this week.

  Thanks for you help. I'll let you know how it turns out.

  Jim

• 0
  
  Keiron Smith May 30, 2017 20:59

  Hi Jim,

  You can do a fake star-align, for testing.  Just confirm the stars as though they were really there.

• 0
  
  Langquest123 June 07, 2017 17:14

  Sorry, I was away for a few days.

  I tried a fake star align - but no luck. Still the same error of a Communications Error.

  There is no way to connect the computer to the hand controller unless you mean to unplug the hand controller cable and insert the computer cable. I am a bit worried about "hot unplugging"  the cable. There is only one connector to the hand controller. Later Meade hand controllers do have two ports on the hand controller - but not the classic.

  Jim