FAQ

🔌 What is the voltage on AstroLink’s outputs?

Voltages on AstroLink’s DC and PWM outputs match the input voltage. There is no built-in voltage regulator for 12V, so if the device is powered with 13V, that same voltage will be available on the outputs. For supported voltage ranges, refer to the user manual of your AstroLink model.

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🔁 How can I fix USB-connected devices remotely?

If a USB device (AstroLink or others) freezes or stops responding, a full computer restart usually resolves the issue. However, if you prefer to avoid restarting, USB ports can often be restarted programmatically. One useful tool for this is:

🔗 USB Device Tree Viewer by Uwe Sieber

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🧩 INDI driver crashes after system upgrade — what should I do?

In most cases, removing the old source folder and reinstalling the driver resolves the issue. If not, follow these steps:

1. Delete “AstroLink…” files from ~/.indi
2. Remove indi_astrolink4… from /bin
3. Delete indi_astrolink4… files from /usr/share/indi
4. Reinstall the INDI driver using the latest GitHub repository

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⚠️ Problems connecting or no COM port detected?

Check the following:

• ✅ Ensure you have the correct virtual COM port drivers:
  • Devices made before 2023 use FTDI: FTDI VCP drivers
  • Newer devices use Silicon Labs: Silicon Labs VCP drivers
• 🛑 In Windows Device Manager, disable the setting: “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”
  (for each virtual COM port)
• 🔍 Read more:
  • Astrophotography setup communication problems – Astrojolo blog
  • Technical setup guidelines (PDF)

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❌ AstroLink panel software won’t start or ASCOM driver reports “Access denied to COM port”

Perform a full clean reinstall

🧼 Clean Install – ASCOM Driver

1. Restart your computer
2. Uninstall AstroLink ASCOM driver (Control Panel)
3. Open ASCOM Profile Explorer
   • Check and manually delete any “astrolink” or “astrojolo” entries under:
     • Focuser
     • Observing Conditions
     • Switch
     • Safety Monitor
4. Go to: C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\The_ASCOM_Initiative\
   • Delete folders that start with ASCOM.astrolink... or ASCOM.astrojolo...
5. Reinstall the AstroLink ASCOM driver

🧼 Clean Install – AstroLink Control Panel Software

1. Restart your computer
2. Uninstall the panel software (Control Panel)
3. Go to: C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\ and delete any folders starting with AstroLink4...
4. Go to: C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\ASTROJOLO\ and delete any folders starting with AstroLink4...
5. Reinstall the panel software