60d DROPPING OUT OF BACKYARD EOS

[FrankyT]

Hello,

 

I am using Backyard EOS with a Canon 60D on Windows 10.  Can anyone tell me why my camera keeps disconnecting from EOS?

[astroman133]

Since your question is about a technical issue with BackyardEOS, it should have been posted to the BackyardEOS forum.

 

Faulty cable(s) and/or connectors are the most common reason for disconnects. Other sources is a low camera battery or defective camera.

 

Do you still have the issue when you connect the camera to the PC using only the short USB cable that came with the PC?

USB cabling has a length limitation. If you have more than 16 ft of cable between devices, you should use an active extension cable.

If you are using a USB hub, try without using the hub, as a test.

 

Read other posts in the BackyardEOS forum for how others solved their disconnect issues.

[admin]

I have moved this thread in the BYE forum.

 

ALL camera disconnect are due to poor usb connection and/or poor seated connection.   If the Canon SDK looses sight of the camera due to a bad connection (even for just 1 millisecond) the camera will disconnect.

 

 

Also, make sure your computer is not set to go to sleep.  This goes for the hard disk as well.  If the hard disk goes to sleep all bets are off.

 

Regards,

[Syzygy]

I concur. I have the same a Canon 60D and a laptop running Windows 10 and not encountered any problems...

 

If you are using the laptop away from a main power source ensure you have a good supply also... a slight drop in power can trigger the same problem.

[s3igell]

If you are using the laptop away from a main power source ensure you have a good supply also... a slight drop in power can trigger the same problem.

Sorry, but one of the main benefits of a Laptop for AP Imaging is the Built-in Laptop Battery (and all the Power Regulation circuitry that it supports).  Until the Battery is literally on it's last ounce of power, there will be no "Slight Drop In Power" to the Laptop CPU.

 

That said, one does need to be aware of the various "Power Profile" settings that are Available in OS's such as Win7/8/10.  Among these there are usually settings that will Reduce Power to the External USB Ports, ones that will put those USB Ports into Sleep Mode, ones that will put the Laptop to Sleep, etc.

 

One can Configure a "Rather Aggressive" Power Profile for use when AP Imaging - Screen on Dimmest Setting, Screen Off after only a short Interval, Never Sleep/Hibernate (or only after 4-8hrs), Min CPU to 25%/Max CPU 100% (or lower if you have a powerful CPU, as BYE/BYN doesn't NEED much CPU except during LiveView/Planetary), WIFI and Bluetooth OFF (use your Phone for MP3 Music), External Video OFF (if offered), etc.  I'll even advocate HDD Off after 10min (most Exposures are less than that so HDD will only go Off when you've ended an Imaging Run - and BYE/BYN is Very Good about waiting for the HDD to wake).

 

I've been able to setup an AP Imaging Profile for my Laptop that extends a normal Battery usage from 4hrs to almost 6hrs (an all-night Imaging Session in many cases).