Section 3.1 - Gemini Hub Connection Issues
If you experience issues getting connected or staying connected to your Gemini focuser hub, the following techniques may assist you in solving your connection problems:
- Check Your Physical Connections - The first step to diagnose any connection problem is to check all connections.
- Ensure that the 12VDC power adapter included with your Gemini is plugged into both a wall outlet and the hub and that the hub is turned on.
- If you are attempting to connect via serial or ethernet, ensure that the connection cable is properly plugged into both the hub and your computer.
- If you are attempting to connect via Wi-Fi, ensure that your computer has a strong connection to the wireless network. Also note that unless you have purchased the Wi-Fi Daughter Board upgrade, you will not be able to connect via Wi-Fi.
- Check Your Connection Settings - Once all physical connections have been verified, the next most likely issue is with the connection configurations in your control software.
- If you are attempting to connect via serial cable, ensure that your software is set to connect using the same port number that the focuser hub is plugged into. This port number is dependent on the specific serial plug that your cable is using. Also, if you are using a program other than Gemini Commander, ensure that the baud rate is set to 115200.
- If you attempting to connect via ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, ensure that you are connecting to the correct IP Address. Waiting a few minutes since your last connection attempt and clicking the Refresh IPs button on the Setup dialog of Gemini Commander should solve this problem.
- Additionally, if you are attempting to connect via Wi-Fi, ensure that you are connected to the same network that the Gemini hub is configured for. If you have not specifically defined another network for the hub to connect to, the network you must use is called GeminiConfig.
- If you are using a USB-to-Serial Port Converter, ensure that it is configured correctly by following the instructions in the Configuring USB Converters section of this manual.
- Try Another Connection Method - If all else fails and you find yourself unable to connect to your hub using your preferred method, we suggest attempting to use one of the many other methods (serial instead of ethernet, webpage Wi-Fi instead of Gemini Commander Wi-Fi, etc.) described in the Configuring Software section of this manual to connect to your focuser. Whether trying a new method works or not, you will have gained valuable knowledge. If you succeed in maintaining a connection with another method, then you know the source of your problem. If not, you know that the cause of this problem is not specific to a connection method and is more likely systemic in nature.
If your problem is not resolved by following these steps, then it is highly recommend that you Contact Optec directly for assistance.
