Since I aquired an Losmandy G11 mount without any goto provision I decided to create my own solution. I was a bit reluctant to use a Gemini, mainly because of the cost, but also due to the reliability since the servo motors are somewhat prone to failure. I also like to have complete control over the software/firmware so that no "show stopper" issues will ever be a problem for me. Looking around the 'net I saw other goto systems that seemed capable, but either they had needlessly complex hardware or were commercial systems that cost about twice what they should.
OnStep is a computerized goto system for stepper motor equipped mounts. It was designed, from the beginning, as a more or less general purpose system and provisions were made in the firmware to allow for use on a variety of mounts including Equatorial (GEM, Fork, etc.) and Alt/Az (Dobsonian, etc.) It uses an LX200 like computer command set with a few extensions to suit hand-controllerless operation.
In addition to the wide range of software supported through it's ASCOM driver, many software packages work directly with it's LX200 protocol. These include Cartes du Ciel, Stellarium, SkySafari, etc.
There are hand-controller Apps for Android and iOS devices available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store (both are free). These allow you to Un-park or Align the mount to get going, then startup SkySafari (for example) and connect (using Bluetooth or IP) to have a full planetarium type control application... All from a cell-phone or tablet.
Please visit my StellarJourney.com site for updates, links to OnStep resources, my other astronomy software, or to see some Images taken with the assistance of my OnStep operated mounts.
If you find OnStep useful and would like to show your appreciation consider donating code to the project (if capable,) or perhaps a language translation, or new celestial object catalog for the SHC, or a small monetary donation which can be put toward covering my expenses associated with this project.
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Re: Hello from a newbie (onstep)
Ken,
This is the page for the S6, which has 'the works' and reasonably fast, specially with the SPI drivers (TMC2130 or TMC5160, the latter is more expensive, but has much less heat, and more current for larger motors). And this is the page for the W32 + CNC V3. If you already have the shield, then the W32 is very cheap, and you can get a controller quickly, get all the mechanical part sorted and then test with it. If it is adequate (no reason it won't be so), then stay with it. Just don't use the DRV8825 unless you are doing purely visual. If you want astrophotography, then use the low cost LV8729, and be done with it. You can always scrap what you have and start anew with another controller without having sunk a lot of money in the electronics part.
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Re: New build. Can I use a HiLetgo STM32F407VET6?
Mechotronic
Thanks for the response. I should have been clear with my previous post in that I'm comfortable with embedded development and don't mind getting my hands dirty. I did some more searching and it looks like the F4 is working okay for some people in various forms. I have piles of microcontrollers that I need to use up. The extra I/O would be nice too because I will probably tinker quite a bit with it.
Are you referring to the ESP32 Uno style boards when you mention the R32? Those look pretty neat. I may look into those since they're $10 if F4 fights me too much. I would get the F6 in a snap if it wasn't going to take until the end of December to ship to me.
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Re: Hello from a newbie (onstep)
Another question...
I have ordered some SHC boards and the parts needed to complete 2 SHC's. 5 boards should be on the way in a few days. I do not anticipate that I will need to use more than 2 of them. Is there a way to offer the extra boards and parts to folks on the onstep group and also perhaps see if other folks are having extra boards etc. to offer also? For instance when I ordered the RJ connectors, I opted to get the bags of 50 items as the price difference was minimal on Amazon. I WILL have extras of these for sure LOL... Why buy 5 for a dollar when you can get 50 for 2 dollars? Ken
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Re: New build. Can I use a HiLetgo STM32F407VET6?
On Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 01:00 PM, Mechotronic wrote:
I'm new and looking to build my first setup. I'm adapting a dob with some 100:1 motors and a bunch of 3d printed parts. After digging around it looks like 32bit has a lot of advantages and I'd like to go that route. I was wondering if the controller here: https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-STM32F407VET6-Cortex-M4-Development-NRF2410/dp/B071KBZR58 is a good fit? I'm just wondering if there are any gotchas to using this. I already have one sitting around so it would be easy to use, but I'm not dead set on it.If you go that route, then you are on your own. You have to create a HAL file for that board, and also a pinmap. What I recommend is that you use something that has already been developed, debugged, and tested instead. The MKS Gen-L (cheap but slow) and the FYSETC S6 (faster, for a bit more money) provide all the features of OnStep in ready soldered boards. The R32 + CNCv3 is very cheap and still fast enough. It lacks heaters though if you ever want them. The OnStep purpose built boards require ordering parts (or kits) and soldering everything together, but offer a broader selection of drivers. So there is already a wide variety of solutions. No need to create another one that has no clear advantage.
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Re: New user with
#superpolaris
George Cushing
For low cost and pure simplicity it's hard to beat the Wemos R32 with CNC V3. If you are content with control by USB and no bells and whistles be on goto and accurate tracking you can be up and going for under $20. But start adding features and you are beating a new path.
Yes, the ESP32 and Teensy based controllers are the easiest to program. Especially the Teensy. I will often flash half a dozen at a blow. Once OnStep is compiled in the IDE all you have to do is attach the Teensy to the USB cable and select upload from the Teensyduino popup without returning to the IDE's Upload function. Six can be flashed in a couple minutes. Purchased by the dozen a Teensy 4.0 runs about $22 a unit delivered. That buys you more than 50 ESP32 development boards. While the ESP32 unit is more costly than the BluePill, if you take the cost of the DS3231 RTC and the USB RS-232 adapter needed for the BluePill the cost difference is minimal. Until you get to the STM32F411CEU6 there is no performance advantage over the ESP32. And there would have to be PCB modifications to use the F411, as well as, firmware tweeks. So it seems to me, if you need 600MHz and a small foot print without all the features of the MaxESP3, then the MiniPCB2 makes sense. Otherwise, unless $2 BluePills return to the market, the MaxPCB @ $40 is the way to go.
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Re: Hello from a newbie (onstep)
Hello Howard...
Yes, the ~750 steps per degree is what I get in FullStep with my NEMA 17's and 8225 drivers on the cncV3/UNO configuration. Using AccelStepper acceleration I can get a bit more speed but torque and stalling/skipping is the result. I am using a 13.6 volt 35 amp supply so the power is "STIFF" and not an issue on the bench. Yes, I already have the UNO/cncV3, 8225's etc and have learned a lot during this Covid learning period so not a wasted effort or expense for me. If it's better to go another route, I will just change directions and chalk up the UNO/cncV3 to an Arduino programming and learning experience and move on even though I do have the parts on the way for the wemos/cncV3 as well as the SHC boards that I should be able to use whichever way I eventually go. For me, this is an exercise in design, construction and gaining a better understanding of the computing and PID process. I have spent several years living on observatory grounds so observing in the cold at objects I've seen with scope apertures measured in meters is not all that important LOL... One thing I might suggest... As a newbie coming into the onstep world it took me a long time to realize that all the boards mentioned on the right side of the page were "alternate" ways that have been used to produce the onstep system and each way was an individual solution. I'm not sure how a better explanation of this could be presented but there was major confusion for me until the lights were switched on and I saw that these were different routes to the same result. Safely isolated at home, soaking up info and trying to make sense of it all.. Ken
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New build. Can I use a HiLetgo STM32F407VET6?
Mechotronic
Hello everyone, I'm new and looking to build my first setup. I'm adapting a dob with some 100:1 motors and a bunch of 3d printed parts. After digging around it looks like 32bit has a lot of advantages and I'd like to go that route. I was wondering if the controller here: https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-STM32F407VET6-Cortex-M4-Development-NRF2410/dp/B071KBZR58 is a good fit? I'm just wondering if there are any gotchas to using this. I already have one sitting around so it would be easy to use, but I'm not dead set on it. Thanks!
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Re: OnStep + ESP32 (WemosD2R32) + Motor Shield V3 + Wii Nunchuk
On Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 11:49 AM, Kedar wrote:
I am bit confused about the "set the jumpers for the microstep" part. I don't see any jumpers on the LV8729's I have.They are not on the driver itself. I guess you are referring to CNCv3.Yes. I found this on the net that covers the topic. Is this correct?Yes, it is the M0/M1/M2 under each socket (X and Y). You need to lookup the LV8729 values that correspond to the microstepping that you have in your spreadsheet, then set the jumper accordingly. May be we should add this to the wiki page covering Wemos D1 R32 & CNCv3.It is already there, briefly: "The LV8729 is the recommend driver due to its low cost and easy setup. These stepper drivers operate in a fixed micro-step mode selected on the 3x 2 pin headers under to each stepper driver."
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Re: OnStep + ESP32 (WemosD2R32) + Motor Shield V3 + Wii Nunchuk
Kedar
Thanks!
I am bit confused about the "set the jumpers for the microstep" part. I don't see any jumpers on the LV8729's I have. I guess you are referring to CNCv3. I found this on the net that covers the topic. Is this correct? May be we should add this to the wiki page covering Wemos D1 R32 & CNCv3.
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Re: OnStep + ESP32 (WemosD2R32) + Motor Shield V3 + Wii Nunchuk
On Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 11:19 AM, Kedar wrote:
Yes, a Y cable can be used to power both boards. One branch for each board, from a common source. X is Axis1/RA, and Y is Axis2/DEC Yes. Before you insert the drivers, set the jumpers for the microstep you will use.
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Re: Parts arrived! Time to build
As George pointed out, you will need to reorganize your workstation to OnSteper's high standards.
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Re: OnStep + ESP32 (WemosD2R32) + Motor Shield V3 + Wii Nunchuk
Kedar
Hi, I got Wemos D1 R32 today afternoon and have since gotten basics to work: ability to load code, toggle LED etc. I have cut off the 10k resistor on the CNCv3 shield and bolted the shield on the R32. I would appreciate if anyone can help answer a few questions before I proceed: 1) How do I power the R32 + CNCv3 combo? Just powering the CNCv3 be sufficient? 2) There are 4 slots for hooking up the stepper drivers on the CNCv3 named X Y Z & A. 3) I suppose I can plug in the LV8729's but not wire up the motors when I attempt the Is there anything else I need to worry about before powering on & loading the firmware?
Thanks/Kedar
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Re: Remote control collimation - ideas please
George Cushing
I just got a couple of these for experimentation. $6 They will drive a small stepper. The remote is a clone of a Sony car stereo unit. Decoding IR remotes with an Arduino. Controlling relays with IR.
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Re: Parts arrived! Time to build
George Cushing
Your workstation is far too organized!
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Re: Project Onstep on mount EQ-Sky / Astro-3
George Cushing
We have an expression here: "Making a silk purse out of a sow's ear." As you say these were sold through out the EU about a decade ago. IIRC these were from Jinghua (Explorer Scientific/Bressler) and were their model EM-8. they were offered in a 2010 Bosma (iOptron) catalog I have. Love to see what what you could do with a CG-5!
Please follow up with some performance results.
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Dave Schwartz
The obvious indication would be that there's something wrong with the wiring of the DIR pin to the RA driver. Try switching the RA and DEC drivers and see if the problem follows the driver (problem with driver) or stays with the axis (problem between MCU and driver socket).
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
On 2020-11-23 2:28 a.m., wxjwly2000@163.com wrote:
My RA axis motor can only rotate in one direction
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Re: Hello from a newbie (onstep)
On Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 03:26 AM, JOAN wrote:
I use a MKS board with DRV8825 .DRV8825's can often be really poor performers and so are not generally recommended. Like most rules there are occasional exceptions (as in... I already have them and they work or using for focuser tin-can motor.) According to you comment:
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Re: Onstep with Rasberry Pi 3+ Kstars and Ekos
Rafael Barberá Córdoba
Brian, thank you for your detailed explanation about how USB works on Raspberry PI computers.
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Re: Hello from a newbie (onstep)
Howard Dutton
On Mon, Nov 23, 2020 at 02:08 AM, Ken Hunter wrote:
Is the "wemos/cnc3" mentioned earlier a replacement, another way, or something to be avoidedSomething to be avoided? Not at all probably the way to go for you given you already have the CNCV3. What stepper drivers do you have and "is about 748.75 steps per degree" based on full step mode?
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wu
My RA axis motor can only rotate in one direction
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