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| User list | Rules | You are not logged in.
Tommy, thanks for the feed-back ! 
Tamàs Butuza is going to write a small test utility for evaluating which panel version you have ...
Has Tamàs allready this small utility ? It will be nice that all the Papywizard users can determine what firmware they have !
The actual Merlin's you have still into your shop are there all with the defective firmware = 020581 or with the "very last new version" ?
Could-you inform us when you will have again "operationnal Merlin's" at our disposal ?
Actually many "potential" users have allready delayed buying new Merlin's ... waiting for positive news ! 
Claude Offline
Good they finally fixed their firmware, but I hope they will also change the ones they sold!
Offline
hello friends,
there is a new firmware on the chinese Synta website, but for uploading to Merlin one needs the AT Goto handbox. We are currently urging them to provide an uploader utility, so that you could do it yourself and there is no need to disassemble the head and send the panels to us for updating.
The upload utility should be available in reasonable time, probalbly shortly after new years eve. It seems they are beginning to understand the Merlin is useful not only for astronomical purposes, so they are starting to adress the special needs and problems of photographers :-)
stay tuned,
wish you merry Xmas!
Tommy
btw, Tamàs Butuza has written the utility to read out the firmware, but still I dont see a link
on his website - he is offline for some days and will put it afterwards, and write a message here.
Last edited by teleskop-austria (2009-12-24 13:26:06)
Offline
Sounds good Thanks for these news!
Offline
Hi Tommy,
Do-you speak about the Firmware (Ver.03.07) ?
I think that this one is for the handcontroler not for the "motors controler" ...
Claude Offline
Hello,
Synta (The manufacturer of Merlin) has made a uploader program to upgrade the firmware in Merlin.
This can be done with new Merlins (Firmware version number greater then 2.0.0)
for upgrading, you don't need to have Synta handcontroller.
Unfortunatelly, Synta's program can operate only with serial ports in range COM1-COM4.
It needs a real serial port on your computer. Usb-serial converters and Bluetooth ones usually has grater com number (typically between com10-com50)
It is the problem because the Synta's program cannot be used with Usb-serial and Bluetooth modules.
If you have an old computer with real serial port (DB9 connector) the upgrade may work with Synta's program.
Tamas
Offline
Hi Tamas,
so we have some good news and some bad news ...
How about a wiring scheme to connect RS232 to the RJ-Jack on the Merlin ?
And what about the TTL-Level on Merlin side, is the standard RS232-voltage-level compatible?
Or burns it down the controller?
Offline
To all,
"Keep cool" ! WE WILL WIN !!!
1. From my "parallel live" (Astronomy) I have a small program from Synta called "Motor Controller Firmware Loader" (version 1.1.) who is intended to upgrade Motor Controler for the big brothers of our Merlin.
This one can work from COM1 to COM32 !
2. This is allways possible to reattribute the Com port via the control panel (really "not a problem")
3. This "Motor Controller Firmware Loader" work well with "True serial ports" (like old PC's) and "Virtual Com ports" issued by the FTDI RS232/TTL 5v convertors (better known as "Serial to USB convertors") BUT not with a "Bluetooth device" !
4. I have no problem with my "old" Merlin who as a correct Firmware (Version 010981 AKA Version 01.09.81 as detected by the Firmware loader) Si I couldn't test the new firmware !!!
5. Tamas, do-you have the "new firmware" at disposal ? Could-you try the upgrade of one of the Merlin with the Version 02.05.81 to the new firmware and see if this solve our problem.
If yes, could-you ask Teleskop Austria to proceed with the upgrade of all Merlin they have in stock, so the sales could go-on !
6. We will launch a "Firmware inventory campain" if Tamas can provide us with the small program to detect the Firmware version "as annonced previously by TA".
7. On basis of that, I can prepare a small serie of FTDI ready for the Merlin (ready to run!) and send them to the Merlin owners according a schedule based on the geographical repartition and the number of owners (result of the inventory!)
Any suggestions ?
Claude Offline
For people who own a FTDI, here is the wiring:
Last edited by claudevh (2010-01-07 12:27:19)
Claude Offline
Small remark ...
The FTDI get is power from the PC ! The schema should be exactly followed !!!
So never connect the FTDI to the power from the Merlin (12 V), you will burn your USB port on the PC !
Claude Offline
Hello Merliners,
Please check this:
http://www.teleskop-austria.at/informat … ri-nn/pdf/
Teleskop-Austria has the program (They gave it from Synta) to upgrade the Merlins.
On the directory above, you can find the firmware (.mcf file) also.
Just a hint to FTDI wiring: Instead of 220 ohms, you may use higher (470 - 1k) resistors. These are more safe.
I also use higher resistor values from a while.
Tamas
Offline
My opinion is: Writing a utility to detect the firmware version is not necessary, because the Synta "Motor Controller Firmware Loader 1.10" can do this.
Offline
Today evening I will make a test to upgrade a new Merlin with FTDI USB-serial converter.
Hopefully it goes...
Now Lajos is on business trip, Tommy (from shop Wien) is on holiday. We are in contact by phone.
Lajos promised, that they upgrade al of the Merlins they have in stock.
Tamas
Offline
Hello Tamas,
UrsaMinor wrote:
My opinion is: Writing a utility to detect the firmware version is not necessary, because the Synta "Motor Controller Firmware Loader 1.10" can do this.
Sorry, I disagree with you ... because to use the Synta "Motor controler" you must have a "Real Serial Port" on a old PC OR a FTDI convertor !
If we can make the inventory with your small program, I can prepare the necessary number of FTDI convertor's and PLAN the distribution only to the concerned users and in function of their "geographical position" ...
Following this way, we can solve this problem very rapidly !!!
If my proposition isn't accepted, we will be obliged to return all the boards or all the Merlin's for systematic replacement("problematic or not problematic" to the Merlin distributors) THIS IS NOT A SOLUTION ... ISN'T ?
Do-you have another idea ?
Claude Offline
Tamas wrote:
Today evening I will make a test to upgrade a new Merlin with FTDI USB-serial converter.
Fine!
Thank-you !
Lajos wrote:
Lajos promised, that they upgrade al of the Merlins they have in stock.
Could-you ask him to inform us when the "corrected Merlin" will be availlable.
Then, so the sales can go on ...
Claude Offline
As I understand, only firmware v2 can be upgraded?
Offline
It seem "yes"! probably since the change of the MC board ...
We should wait for the test of Tamal !
Claude Offline
I'm late to this party, but is there a change log that shows the differences between the versions? Would an upgrade benefit Ver 01.09.81 units (assuming it's even possible)? I suppose that version operates correctly.
My PC work had taught me that just because a BIOS update is available doesn't mean it is a good idea to install it!
Todd G
(Owner of a new unit that came with 01.09.81 f/w)
Offline
hi,
I've done the firmware update from 2.05.81 to 2.06.81 with the tools from the teleskop austria website.
Now the head moves with best performance.
"Tokina 10-17 @ 10 mm on APS-C (x1.6)" preset now finished in 1m30s.
Test Preset 10 deg with new Firmware(2.06) 1m29 with old Firmware(2.05) Preset 10deg 3m16s !wow!
I've done the MC Update(Version 1.1)with an FTDI USB_serial TTL-converter and two 220 Ohm resistors.
Best regards,
Volker
Last edited by viktorhotel (2010-01-07 17:42:51)
Offline
Hello Todd, DON'T change your good driver ... I think anyway that the Versions 2 drivers are not adapted to the old "MC boards "
Hi Volker, wel ...wel ... wel what nice news !!!
So at this time you are with version 02.06 Right ? Could you confirm the exact version, is it 02.06.81 ?
Thanks ...
Claude Offline
Hi,
its really the new firmware:
:e1=020681
Many,many thanks to teleskop austria team, Tamas and Synta
Volker
Last edited by viktorhotel (2010-01-07 18:08:03)
Offline
Good!
Offline
viktorhotel wrote:
I've done the MC Update(Version 1.1)with an FTDI USB_serial TTL-converter and two 220 Ohm resistors.
Where can I get this cable? Regards Tobias
Offline
Hi Tobias,
I use this adapter
http://cgi.ebay.de/USB-to-serial-UART-F … 4838d6800e
the descrpition for the cable is from Claude (see #34 in this thread), Don't connect +VDD to the FTDI board only RXD,TXD(with the resistors) and GND.
regards,
Volker
Last edited by viktorhotel (2010-01-07 19:40:59)
Offline
Can I presume there is no specific reason for an FTDI chipped adapter and that a Iogear (http://www.iogear.com/product/GUC232A/), or any other generic GUC-232 based USB-serial adapter, like I have several of kicking around already, should work equally well (with the same resistor set up)?
Last edited by Matthew Field (2010-01-07 19:33:18)
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