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PMC-Eight Application Note: AN001: How-To Update the PMC-Eight Control System Firmware

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Please Read This Complete Service Bulletin Prior To Deciding to Upgrade Your PMC-Eight System Firmware.  

THE FIRMWARE LISTED BELOW IS ONLY APPLICABLE TO CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLY 2A-06B AND ABOVE, NOT TO THE iEXOS 100 MOUNT CIRCUIT BOARD ASSEMBLY 1A-01B AND ABOVE. 

If you are a member of the PMC-Eight Groups.io Forum, then you can download and install the “PMC-Eight Configuration Manager” application created by Chris Moses which provides a simple way to install the firmware .eeprom files onto your PMC-Eight system. You can find the file PMC8ConfigurationManager.zip in the MAIN group – Files – User Contributions directory. Just use the firmware upload function under the Advanced Tab of the application.

Alternatively, you can use the following linked Application Note procedure to install the firmware onto your G11 or EXOS 2 PMC-Eight System.

Application Note: DOC-ESPMC8-AN001 Rev. 0.2 2017 July 17 

All the files listed below for the G11 and EXOS 2 mounts are available in one .zip file download available below.

CAUTION: Make sure you select the correct file for your system when installing the firmware.   

9t_11_EXOS2.eeprom  
9t_11_EXOS2a.eeprom   
9t_11_G11.eeprom 
9t_11_G11a.eeprom 
9t_12_G11.eeprom 
9t_12_G11a.eeprom 

PMC-Eight 9TXX Firmware Files (.eeprom) zip folder

CAUTION: Use the (a) version of the firmware at your own risk, this may cause your telescope to strike the tripod or pier if you are not attentive to the position of your mount.

The "a" version of the firmware can be used if you wish to have the communications watchdog timer disabled which will allow your mount to keep on tracking if the ExploreStars application or ASCOM driver disconnects from the mount.

The G11 9T11 version is for the G11 Motor System - Motor Current 900 mA
The G11 9T12 version is for the G11 Motor System - Motor Current 1300 mA**
The EXOS 2 9T11 version is for the EXOS 2 Motor System - Motor Current 600 mA

 

**The 9T12 G11 version increases the motor current supplied to the mount to mitigate a slight, very tiny vibration while tracking that is only noticeable visually at high magnification by those who are very experienced visual observers. You may see this typically when visually observing the planets Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn. You may experience shorter battery life when running with the 9T12 version of the firmware, and also notice that your motors and PMC-Eight enclosure runs warmer than previously.

THE 9T12 UPDATE IS OPTIONAL. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO INSTALL THIS UPGRADE UNLESS YOU NOTICE THE VIBRATION. 

NOTE1: You must have a DB9 Serial to USB Adapter Cable to update the firmware as detailed in the application note. It is recommended that you use an adapter that utilizes an FTDI chipset.

NOTE2: Firmware version 9T11 is functionally equivalent to the originally delivered production firmware version 9T10. This update can be used in place of the originally delivered firmware.

THE 9T11 UPDATE IS OPTIONAL. This version does not contain a custom ST4 port calibration that some customers may have on their system. 

NOTE3: Firmware version 9T11 is only applicable to the PMC-Eight Model 2A-06 hardware. Firmware 9TXX is applicable only to PMC-Eight systems with the analog ST4 auto-guider hardware. PMC-Eight Models 1A-01 and 2A-07 require firmware version 10A01 and above. Details are provided in the "Explore Scientific PMC-Eight Programmer's Reference"

If you have any comments or questions, please contact customer support at service@explorescientific.com or at 1-866-252-3811 ext. 2. 

If you email customer support, put "PMC-Eight Firmware Update" in the subject line of your email.