Getting Started with the Gemini-2 Controller

  1. Make sure you have at least +12V 3 Amp DC power supply for Gemini-2 controller.

  2. Plug the hand controller into the proper port.  On the Original Gemini-2 use the "Serial 2" port.  On the Mini Gemini-2 use the "HC" port.

  3. Please go through the quick start tutorial. You do not have to have the motors connected to do all of the steps in paragraph 3 through 8. The mount will beep at you, but it does not hurt anything.

    • Make sure you have your mount type set correctly.

    • Set your Latitude, Longitude and time zone. Compute Latitude and Longitdue from your address will help you do this correctly. It can compute for almost any address in the world.

    • Input your local time correctly.  Make sure to account for Daylight saving time.  The Computation above also gives you the correct "Time-Zone-Offset" to use.

  4. You really want to set your "Limits" so that you do not damage the mount or telescope.

  5. Connecting to your computer:

    • Connecting via Ethernet directly to a computers Ethernet port:
      • You will need to determine the default gateway of your network.
        • Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt.
          or
        • in Windows 10 right mouse click the start icon and select "Windows Power Shell (admin)"
        • When Command Prompt is open, type the following command: ipconfig | findstr /i "Gateway"   You normally can copy and paste the command.
        • You should see your default gateway (router) IP address is xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx an example might be: 192.168.0.1

      • If you are going to directly connect the Gemini-2 to a Ethernet port of a computer, you will have to modify the Computer's Ethernet port to a Static IP address.

      • Set the IP address on the hand controller to Static by unchecking the DHCP checkbox.

      • Make sure that the IP address you set in the hand controller IS NOT the same one you set for your computers Ethernet port.

    • If you are going to connect the to your network via a Ethernet switch or router, then you want to make sure the Gemini-2 is set for DHCP.  Do this on the hand controller.

  6. Now make sure you can see the WEB interface of the Gemini-2 controller.

    • Open up a Web browser such as Firefox or Chrome.

    • In the address bar, type the IP address that is found in the Hand Controllers Network page. An example might be http://192.168.0.111

    • When the login box appears, type "admin" for the user (without the quotes), and leave the password blank.  Hit "Enter"

    • If you cannot connect to the Web Interface, you will not be able to connect to the ASCOM Gemini.net Driver.

  7. Configuring ASCOM the First Time is important to keep it from writing over all the setting you just made.

  8. Setting ASCOM to use the Ethernet Port.  Instructions on how to set up the Ethernet port.

  9. Please go through the Hand Controller Tutorial.