Camera pinouts and recommended connectors are included in the user manual for the cameras. Those can be downloaded from the relevant product page on our web site, or in the case of discontinued cameras from https://diffractionlimited.com/legacy-product-support/ For cameras with mini-DIN connectors, a specific part number is recommended. This connector is a locking version, which means it won't fall out of the camera! It's a little hard to assemble but well worth the trouble. It is extremely important to get the power polarity correct. Barrel connectors are always center positive. For multi-pin DIN and mini-DIN style connectors, the diagram in the manual shows the connector as you look into the camera. If you get this backwards, you will also get the power connection backwards. WARNING: The camera power input is protected against reverse connection, but reversed power can still destroy your equipment! The reason is that connecting power backwards puts +12V on the camera's ground. If there's a return path to ground you will have a short circuit. If you have a USB cable connecting to your computer, that will short +12V directly to the computer's ground. This usually results in the destruction of the USB port in your camera, and in the USB port your computer. For this same reason, do not plug in your DC power connector with the power supply turned on. If you misalign the connector it's possible to short +12V to ground - and if the USB cable is connected you have the same problem. If you build a custom cable, or use one built by a third party (not Diffraction Limited / SBIG), then I strongly recommend this test procedure: Dismount the camera from the telescope, and make sure it's not touching anything metal. Remove all cables, especially the USB cable. Plug in the custom cable and power it up. If the camera powers up, you're good to go. If the camera does not power up, then the power is wired backwards. This will not damage anything as long as there's no other ground connection to the camera. Fix the connector and try again. Please note that if you plug in a custom power cable and damage your camera as a result, this is not covered by warranty.
