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SkyFi can't connect to Panther TTS-160 mount

Bought a new SkyFi adapter because my Celestron WiFi adapter isn't compatible with my new Panther TTS-160 mount.

Aligned mount and put in Operations mode per instructions.

Turned on SkyFi (fully charged), connected to PC serial port, set for Meade LX-200 and AltAz goto per instructions.

iPhone7 saw the SkyFi and connected.

SkySafari6Plus saw the SkyFi access point but could not connect to it.  Tried with Autodetect SkyFi both ON and OFF.

Note: previously had no trouble using SkySafari with my Celestron CGEM mount.

See https://trackthestars.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/TTS-160-TTS-300-Skyfi-adapter-connection.pdf

 

Suggestions?

Date Votes

17 comments

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    Edward Thomas

    I am working with Markj57 on this.  I have an older SkyFi USB that has the same problem.  I have tried it with the TTS mount as well as a Celestron AVX (serial connection on hand controller with a serial to USB adapter and a direct serial connection) with the same result. 

  • 0
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    Markj57

    Update.  Was able to connect my iPhone 7Plus to SkyFi.  But it does not control the mount

    I spoke to the mount supplier who confirmed the TTS-160 does work with SkyFi if you set it to Meade LX-200 and AltAZ goto and leave it in 'operations' mode after aligning.  I did all that and the mount still doesn't respond to any commands from the SkyFi. It is a brand new SkyFi, brand new mount, brand new serial cable.  I have reset the SkyFi.  The TTS-160 aligns and tracks and finds objects it has in the database just fine.

    The mount is unusable without skysafari for me because I do public outreach and need to use custom lists of objects which are not in the mount's database (requires SkySafari).

    Any comment from Simulation Curriculum??

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Mark, 

    What error message are you getting from SkySafari?  Please include a screenshot here.

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Edward Thomas

    I have had this problem with two different mounts, one that use the standard Meade LX200 Classic driver and one that uses the Celestron AVX driver.  Mark has had this problem with the TTS160 which uses the Meade driver.  I have attached the screen shots from my setup.  I know other people who have used this same mount and settings without any trouble.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Ok, so...

    • You are connected from SkySafari to SkyFi
    • You are not connected from SkyFi to the TTS160.  You are physically connected, but data is being transferred.

    As per Mark's last reply he said the instructions from TTS160 support are to:

    ...set [the SkySafari settings] to Meade LX-200 and AltAZ goto and leave it in 'operations' mode after aligning.

    So, next question - have you star-aligned the scope, and left it in operation mode?

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Markj57

    Yes I have done all that and it still doesn't work.  What is supposed to happen (and happens with others) is once you connect, when you go to an object with Skysafari 6, the scope moves.  That does not happen. The scope is not controlled at all.

    Mark

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Mark, Edward, 

    There are two of you replying in this post, and it's not clear that you both have the same issue.  Please answer the question following your name below.

    To be clear, I need specificity in regards to where the issue originates.  So, just saying it doesn't work does not help with the troubleshooting.

    Mark,

    Do you get a connection to the scope?  If not, then you get an error message.  I asked previously what error message you are seeing.  If you don't see an error message, if you can connect, you get some functionality but still some functionality is not executing, then that is a different issue.  So, do you get an error message, or do you get any kind of scope connection with SkySafari?

    Edward, 

    • You are connected from SkySafari to SkyFi
    • You are not connected from SkyFi to the TTS160.  You are physically connected, but data is being transferred.

    As per Mark's (second) last reply he said the instructions from TTS160 support are to:

    ...set [the SkySafari settings] to Meade LX-200 and AltAZ goto and leave it in 'operations' mode after aligning.

    So, next question - have you star-aligned the scope, and left it in operation mode?

    Thanks!

  • 0
    Avatar
    Markj57

    Keiron,

    As noted before, I am not getting an error message. 

    1) I align the TTS-160 per normal instructions and put it in Operations mode. At this point I can use the attached hand controller to go to any object in its database.

    2) I turn on SKyFi 

    3) I connect SkyFi to the mount with the serial cable

    4) I open SkysafariPlus6 and find the SkyFi access point, and connect to it. So I see the app is connected to the AP, but there is no indication the mount 'sees' SkyFi (despite the physical cable connection)

    At this point, supposedly I can point to any object on the app and the scope will slew to it.  The supplier in Denmark says this works for him.  When I try it, nothing happens. It is as if the mount has no idea SkyFi is connected or enabled.  Additional information:

    SkyFi is fully charged, connected to mount's serial port, app is set for Meade LX-200 and AltAz goto per instructions.

    iPhone7 saw the SkyFi and connected.

    Note: previously had no trouble using SkySafari with my Celestron CGEM mount.

    See https://trackthestars.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/TTS-160-TTS-300-Skyfi-adapter-connection.pdf

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Mark, 

    On the main toolbar there is a "Scope" button, which you need to press, and then you are presented with the option to "Connect" to your scope.

    What happens when you press connect?

    Either SkySafari makes a chime sound (successful connection) or you get an error message.

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Markj57

    I thought I had done that but we have clear skies today so I will try that tonight. Any other advice?

    Mark

  • 0
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    Edward Thomas

    Mark and I are working together (he is my customer) with two different mounts and two different SkyFi (mine is an older SkyFi USB while his is a SkyFi III).  We are both using SkySafari 6, I with an iPad and he with an iPhone.

    I did not realize that Mark was not getting the same error message as me.

    My mount is powered up, aligned and tracking.  The error message comes up whenever I his the "connect" button in SkySafari.

    I was actually not able to get the SkyFi connected to a Celestron AVX.  Mark previously used the Celestron wifi dongle when connecting to his Celestron mount.

    Ed.

     

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Mark, 

    Let see what happens when you press "connect".

    Edward, 

    I need you to answer the question(s) I am asking.  Are you the mount supplier to which Mark refers when he says...

    "I spoke to the mount supplier who confirmed the TTS-160 does work with SkyFi if you set it to Meade LX-200 and AltAZ goto and leave it in 'operations' mode after aligning."

    And, next question for Edward, have you star-aligned the scope, and left it in operation mode?

    We all need to be on the same page.

    The details always absolutely matter.  I can not assume anything.

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Edward Thomas

    Mark is actually referring to the mount manufacturer with who I am working as well. 

    As I stated above, the mount is powered up, aligned and tracking (which starts after alignment).

    Ed.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Edward,

    What is operation mode?  Is it a setting?

  • 0
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    Edward Thomas

    I'm not quite sure what you mean by "operation mode."  The mount automatically works with the Meade LX200 Classic command set.  I don't know of anything called "operation mode" within the mount's control.  Is there some kind of setting in SkySafari called "operation mode?"

    Also, I am working with AC power rather than batteries.

    Ed.

  • 0
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    Edward Thomas

    Here are the instructions from the TTS manual:

     

    Control via PC, IPAD, Mobile device

    The TTS-160 mounting can be controlled from a connected PC.

    The interface is based on the LX2001 protocol that is supported

    by most planetarium software packages. ASCOM drivers for LX200

    can be used.

    Connecting the PC

    The mounting is connected to a RS/232 port on the PC.

    A USB to RS/232 adapter can be used if no RS/232 port

    is available on the PC.

    Connect the included interface cable to the RS/232

    port on the PC.

    Connect the cable to the PC interface on the mounting.

    Wifi adapter like SCi-Fi works equally well.

    Using the PC control

    The LX200 interface is always ready to use. Therefore it is only

    necessary to open the connection from the PC (Note that the

    mounting first must be aligned using the hand pad):

    When connected the relevant planetarium program is selected.

    The telescope interface is setup for LX200 protocol and the correct COM port

    is selected (follow the software manual)

    The communication must be setup with the following parameters:

    - Speed: 9600 baud

    - Data bits: 8

    - Parity: N

    - Stop bits: 1

    Open the connection to the telescope.

    This completes the setup of the connection. The telescope position

    can now be shown on the sky map and GOTO's can be made directly

    by picking objects from the software. The mounting hand pad can be

    used normally at the same time.

     

  • 0
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    Edward Thomas

    In addition to the above there is a support note somewhere in this forum from you that states the follow (which I did):

    First, please reset the SkyFi.

    Second, after the reset, please power cycle the SkyFi.

    Third, join the SkyFi network. You should be able to go to 10.0.0.1 in the Safari browser and see the SkyFi config page.

    Fourth, go to the SkyFi config from within SkySafari (using the button in the Scope Setup page).

    If that is not working then check to see if the Auto-Detect is ON. If so, turn it OFF and use 10.0.0.1.

    Fifth, in SkySafari, Set Time & Location" OFF.

    Once all the above is working, try connecting again.

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