From: Milton Aupperle <milton@outcastsoft.com>

Date: October 2, 2009 3:11:44 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Scorpion experiences


Alan;


There is no consistency at all for exposure for the PGR Camera models. Exposure time varies by Camera model, different CCD/CMOS sensor, by format and video / size mode. And it isn't published either, except for a maximum value. I have been on PGR's butt for about 3 years now to make it more rational and consistent, as TIS got this right the first time.


I just pulled up the Scorpion Technical Reference 2004 and the later revised 2008 manuals (I save all of them locally for easy reference) for comparison.


The Scorpions use a Hirose 12 pin (HR10) connector, which is different from the Flea, Flea2 and Grasshopper that use a Hiorse 25 connector.


Even though they are different,  you will still connect Pin 1 (GPIO 0) and Pin 2 (GPIO1) together and then check mark the "PGR Long Exposure" check box in the Astro IIDC Preferences.


I put up a diagram of what it looks like from the 2004 technical reference manual in the "/files/Other/" folder as "ScorpionPinOuts.png"


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Astro_IIDC/files/Other/ScorpionPinOuts.png 


That's the back end of the camera, so those are "holes" / sockets that a male Hirose connector fits into. I labeled the two sockets with red arrows and "connect These 2".


The Hirose connectors are usually included with the Dev kit, but I doubt if you get that. Most electrical supply houses can order them in or they may have them in stock.


http://www.hirose-connectors.com/products/HR10_5.htm


For their later model camera,  the "rat tail" connectors I refer too has wire leads attached to the connectors that are all numbered, which makes doing this a lot easier. You can solder them or even just twist them together.,


You can also connect up those pins / holes on the camera using a thin piece or strand of copper wire and some electrical tape to hold them in place too. There is no voltage being carried by those those pins, they just provide an electrical bridge so that the 2 pins can connect up and I can control the Shutter in a "Bulb" exposure mode.


HTH..


Milton Aupperle



On 2-Oct-09, at 2:28 PM, Alan Friedman wrote:



Thank you Milton and Mark.


What is the longest exposure the PGR cameras can be set to without the GPIO modification?


thanks,

Alan



On Oct 2, 2009, at 4:12 PM, Milton Aupperle wrote:

Yes, on this list.


Search for "GPIO" or "long exposure PGR" on the group list and you'll find a a bunch (up to 35) of messages on it.


Starting at around messages:


2595


http://tech..groups.yahoo.com/group/Astro_IIDC/message/2595


HTH..


Milton J. Aupperle



On 2-Oct-09, at 1:56 PM, Alan Friedman wrote:

Tim, 

I soldered the 2 wires on the rat-tail I was provided with together (& even followed Milton`s instructions for making my own Peltier cooler) but haven`t done any time exposures with my Flea 2 yet. With 2 of those 1600 pixel PGR cameras available (perhaps some of the other 1300 pixel ones) I`d have had to beat Alan to the punch & I only remembered my niece after Peter`s post! Last time I spoke to her she was between addresses so I didn`t follow up the option. 


Ma








Milton J. Aupperle

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