November 3, 2013

Another one of those nights that nothing works right – we all have those…

32-degree F temperature outside. Clear. Had some issues with my auto-guider, a Meade DSI II CCD camera attached to a 3″ refractor auto-guide scope. The 15′ USB extension has too much attenuation as it is transferring data for both the DSI and the Cannon Rebel T3 DSLR. The Cannon had to issues at all, but the DSI live view was nothing but noise most of the time. I had determined that this was due to the reduced voltage going to it. I was forced to observe without an auto-guider: not fun.

Meade LXD75-sn10 Steve Johns

I am ordering a new Tripp Lite 10-meter USB2.0 A/A Hi-Speed Active Extension / Repeater Cable. The ACTIVE means that is has integrated circuitry that will manage the power along the run. This should clear up things a bit.