Power and USB Cables and Control System - Starting Astrophotography for Lazy People Ep 10

[@salomon1639]

Hello Cuiv. Another great video. I was planing on getting the EAGLE 3 from Prima Luce. I saw a video by "Lazy Astronomy" and he got the EAGLE 3 and raved about it but began having issues with the computer shutting down. He ended returning it. his main concern was that for the cost and requirement of cables that are only sold and are specific for the EAGLE 3, the system should be perfect and it was not. I think having an all in one system is very attractive and appealing but should also be reliable, especially in the middle of the night during an imaging session. I ended up getting the Pegasus ultimate power box 2 along with a I7 minicomputer (Lenovo) which is not a NUC and this thing is an animal and very small and the cost is comparable or slightly less that the EAGLE 3. Thanks again for all of you videos and information and I am now strictly a NINA user and it is by far the best program with so much to offer. Thanks to you I made the switch and so glad. By the way, I live in FLORIDA (The SUNSHINE STATe) and we have had 4 weeks of consecutive rainy days/nights and have not been able to image at all so I feel your pain. Clear skies

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you so much Salomon for the feedback on the EAGLE 3. Oh no, that is so disappointing... Random reboots is simply not acceptable. It is back to the drawing board for me - I may simply try routing the cables through the mount, see how that works. Or mount my small PC on the Newt tube! Glad that NINA is working so well for you! The Sunshine state should have more sunshine than that... I was in Orlando for work back in January and the weather was great. I hope you get good weather soon!

[@salomon1639]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Thanks

[@MbSchrum]

Hey Cuiv, it would be nice to revisit this subject for new astrophotographers in 2024! (I know that’s asking ALOT!)

[@markdalton3834]

I second this comment! 😊

[@Bogfra1]

Again very interesting but removing the polar scoop and carrying the cables there I can strongly do not recommend forget that the declination axis also runs and since something is in the way and this is the reason to twist the declination to give the polar scoop a clear view this is going to damage the cables.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Woooops! Yes indeed! I had forgotten about that, this is not a CEM but a GEM :) Thanks for reminding me!

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Hey Cuiv! Great video. Very informative as always. Sounded like you said Primeluce right, to me. That's how I say it anyway. Your cable management is like mine. lol. I've tried many times to clean it up but there just seems to be no good way to run cables on the Skywatcher mounts. Paramounts you can run cables through the inside which makes things a lot cleaner. But then a Paramount costs a whole lot more. So we do the best we can I guess. Clear skies!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks Shawn! Glad to see we are in the same situation with regards to cable management! That Eagle computer caught my eye precisely because it seems I would need only one cable to travel up the mount, which would be amazing. Alternatives would be a mount like the CEM70... Clear skies to you too, and looking forward to new videos from you as well!

[@juliancoleman1159]

I guess Im kind of off topic but does anyone know a good place to stream newly released tv shows online?

[@darrenwarne9005]

Pegasus makes a cable for their power box for the EQ6-R pro that has a normal 5.5x2.1 end. I mount my mini PC's on the scope so the cables are not dragging. I also went to using power poles and a power distribution block so I can make custom lengths. Just 1 cable up to distribution block. I also found decent mini PC's that run on 12v. Great video as always.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks for the info Darren! Now that sounds really neat...! I reassembled the whole equipment a couple of days ago, and I did manage to get much better cable management (I think) this time around. Clear skies!

[@dankahraman354]

Regarding the weight of the dangling cable: Have a means of constraining it...so that the downward weight is reduced by bands yet doesn't bind when the mount slews to a far location. Elegant may not be synonymous with ingenious. There are limits to spending money on an addiction.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks for the advice! Yeah I am considering that - or even considering a powered USB hub on top of the Newt. Lots of possibilities to consider..

[@JohnMcGFrance]

This issue is now my number one problem. I like the idea of the Eagle 3 but it’s very expensive and I’ve read a few reports of reliability issues with it. The ASI air pro also looks good but I’d need a new guide camera and it will only support my ASI1600 and not my QSI660wsg-8. I’m leaning towards the Pegasus power box range. At the moment I have my laptop and a power supply that has 4 dc 12v outs in a plastic crate turned on its side to keep dew off. Everything comes out from there with a cable loom like yours up to the scope. It’s not ideal but it will have to do for now. Look forward to seeing which way you go with this. Clear skies.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Yes, I've been agonizing over it recently about what to do about it. The Eagle is indeed annoying me a bit with its proprietary (and expensive!) cables, and so I am still thinking. I might end up using a properly powered USB hub, or a powerbox. I'll make sure to make a video of it when that happens! Clear skies to you too.

[@enqueir]

Prima luce, you pronuncerà correctly! Greeting from Italy! And thanks for your video! What about battery? I am completino my new setup, eq6r, rc8 carbon, pegasus astro, eaf, ghy294mono and other stuff ... but I need your help for battery ... what is the butterò you are using?

[@johnfernald6857]

🚁Thanks!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you for your support!!

[@cryptoalchemist10minutes44]

I done mine by connecting and neatly looming everything on the telescope. when i remove my telescope nothing needs to be disconnected apart from 1 power lead. Usb goes to a hub velcrosed to the top of the scope on a plate i made. I have a power brick cabled tied to the top of one of my mount legs. Trick is to use the smalled highest quality cables possible. I have some that are 30cm only. So in short you should just have 1 power lead coming from scope down to reduce the chances of RMS guiding errors and bad guiding. Thanks Cuiv

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thanks! There are many solutions that I am currently considering, but mounting everything on top of the Newt seems indeed to make the most sense. I would need a 12V PC though, which is why the Eagle 3 was so tempting to me.

[@FR3EKELITE]

Great video Cuiv!

[@francescot3684]

Great video Cuiv as usual! Yes, Prima Luce, you pronounced it right the first time (it means “first light” :).

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Thank you Francesco, very good to know!

[@stephen2615]

I have a Peg ah ses (Pegasus) pocket powerbox and a grunty NUC on top of my scope(s). Only one cable leaves the mount and that is power. The Eagle 3 is way to expensive for us poor Australians. What are you wearing? It's always stupid hot and humid in Tokyo in Summer.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

So that's another vote for the Pegasus... If I were to get the Eagle it would be directly ordered from Italy, but the proprietary cables are steering me away from it... I am wearing a jacket because it's so windy, and I want to protect my mic from the wind! I don't have one of those fluffy mic covers yet.

[@BrokenPik]

CUIV, find the comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) and shoot it, ( 5 sec expos maybe less ) if you have a view of the big dipper you should be able to find it RA/DEC wise. Mag 2.1-- i was seen from Toronto Ontario , pop 2.8 million. cable management can be a nightmare ...

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Can you get the clouds and rain to go away? :) I haven't seen the stars for weeks now...

[@BrokenPik]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek i can give it try but it probably wont work...

[@nicholasmichael9452]

I think I'm going to get the Pegasus power box v2. It's just about affordable. In the meantime my big bundles of wires is secured with the cunning use of a velcro cable tie looped around the eq6r-pro carrying handle.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

I think I'll use the same method - I'm really wondering how much of a difference it will make vs wind!

[@nicholasmichael9452]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek I guess it depends on the amount of wind. Can't do any harm though, imho.

[@beorn8988]

Just curious: is KZbin able to differentiate between "fogged up" und "f****** up" or is the video demonetized? :D And thank you for explaining everything in a beginner friendly way!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It's still monetized as far as I can tell :-)

[@DeepVoid_70]

@ Cuiv "Primaluce": yes, it's italian and it means "First Light". The correct pronunciation is the one you say at 12:33, very very good. Believe me, I'm italian :-)

[@dankahraman354]

Is your rig permanently sited? Or do you have to set it up all the time you move to your current observing site?

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

It is permanently set on my roof balcony, with a Telegizmo 365 cover to protect it. So I don't have to move it around!

[@dankahraman354]

I have 3 permanently sited...and I use 2 portable ones especially in the summer or when the weather is clement

[@dankahraman354]

@@CuivTheLazyGeek Make a huge difference in convenience. I wonder if I can put two of my scopes out permanently under a similar set-up. That really gives me ideas. I will looks up the Telegizmos' site. Thanks for the big tip Cuiv.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

@@dankahraman354 No worries! I have a review of the cover here, if you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZycemmvm79jgbc

[@GioFar]

Yes it's Italian, and you actually pronounced it right

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Cool! Thank you! :)