Paramount MX User Guide
113 | Page
Troubleshooting Mount Operation
Problem Solution
TheSkyX Professional Edition
cannot communicate with
the Paramount MX.
Communication between a personal computer and hardware device
requires that the software and hardware be properly configured. If you
cannot establish a link to the telescope, please try the following:
1. Make sure the mount is powered on.
2. Check the cables to the serial communications port (USB). They
must be securely plugged in at both ends.
3. Make sure the software settings are correct.
4. See “Longer USB Cable Runs” on page 113.
The Paramount MX will not
slew.
Make sure the Three Position Switches in both right ascension and
declination are in the Track position (page 46).
continuous, successive, high-
pitch “beeps” shortly after
startup and will not slew.
Check that the balance knobs are adjusted properly. If the
balance knobs are too tight, then the worm is forced against the
gear, and the mount will not slew.
• Check the mount balance in both axes. If the Paramount MX
stalls or sounds labored while slewing, check to make sure both
axes are properly balanced. Balance becomes more critical with
heavier loads. While the control system has sufficient torque to
lift heavy loads, tracking performance and slewing may suffer
when the payload is greatly out of balance.
Longer USB Cable Runs and USB Hubs
To achieve reliable communication, the USB 2.0 specification states that the maximum length of a USB
cable is about 16 feet (5 m). Longer cable runs introduce delays in the USB communication which means
the computer cannot “talk to” the attached device.
The Paramount MX is supplied with a standard USB cable that is roughly 15 feet (4.6 m) long. This cable,
when used in conjunction with an approximately 3 feet long, high-quality USB cable to connect the USB
port on the Instrument Panel to the camera head, will reliably control the Paramount MX and a CCD
camera simultaneously.
If you need a longer USB cable run anywhere in the chain, Software Bisque strongly recommends using
one of the USB extension solutions from ICRON (
http://www.icron.com). Although the ICRON USB
extender solutions are more expensive, they work. In general, externally powered USB extensions work
better than extenders that are powered using only the 5V supply in the USB line. We have found, in
general, USB extenders with hardware at both ends of the extension work most reliably.
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