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, usually for stepper motor equipped mounts though any step/dir interface motor driver (including servo) should work. 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 and Alt/Az (GEM, Fork, Dobsonian, etc.) It uses an LX200 like computer command set with a few extensions to suit hand controller-less operation.
There's a telescope hand controller App for Android (free in the Google Play Store,) an option to control through a website (Smart Web Server,) and a dedicated physical hand controller (Smart Hand Controller.) Or, on a PC there's ASCOM and INDI drivers for control. These options allow you to setup and control OnStep using a wide range of software including my Sky Planetarium, Cartes du Ciel, Stellarium, SkySafari, KStars, PHD2, etc. You can see most of the control possibilities in the diagram below:
Also, please visit my StellarJourney.comsite for updates, links toOnStep resources, my other astronomy software, or to see someImages taken with the assistance of my OnStep operated mounts.
If you find OnStep useful and would like to show your appreciation and support please consider making asmall monetary donation. This keeps me motivated and helps cover expenses associated with my projects.
I have a 20 tooth on the motor and 40 tooth on the worm. I wish I had gone with 60 tooth and maybe I will try to get a couple. When I was ordering, I was worried that the bigger pulley would not fit.
I have a 20 tooth on the motor and 40 tooth on the worm. I wish I had gone with 60 tooth and maybe I will try to get a couple. When I was ordering, I was worried that the bigger pulley would not fit.
I always try to leave wide margins with my recommendations, and especially in this case, since those were general across-the-board recommendations.
Take the stepper motor for example, a NEMA17 frame
I always try to leave wide margins with my recommendations, and especially in this case, since those were general across-the-board recommendations.
Take the stepper motor for example, a NEMA17 frame
I admire your dedication that's a pretty good result for first light!
About the 15 second problem... you have CG5 mount which has 144 tooth worm/wheels but what other reduction gears/timing-pulleys?
I admire your dedication that's a pretty good result for first light!
About the 15 second problem... you have CG5 mount which has 144 tooth worm/wheels but what other reduction gears/timing-pulleys?
On Fri, Feb 2, 2018 at 11:31 pm, Chris Vaughan wrote:
That's starting with the following, which seems to work well in tracking & slewing
#define StepsPerDegreeAxis1 6400.0
#define
On Fri, Feb 2, 2018 at 11:31 pm, Chris Vaughan wrote:
That's starting with the following, which seems to work well in tracking & slewing
#define StepsPerDegreeAxis1 6400.0
#define
On Sat, Feb 3, 2018 at 12:48 am, Chris Vaughan wrote:
Have tried with Vref = 0.7 and 1V. Using a 12V supply.1V would be the correct setting AFAIK. Just out of curiosity I tested at 1V Vref (1A which
On Sat, Feb 3, 2018 at 12:48 am, Chris Vaughan wrote:
Have tried with Vref = 0.7 and 1V. Using a 12V supply.1V would be the correct setting AFAIK. Just out of curiosity I tested at 1V Vref (1A which
I wondered about this too. In theory it should work but Koal01 failed to get a M0/Ethernet Shield 2 working (also W5500) which gives me doubts.
This is likely about differences in the Arduino
I wondered about this too. In theory it should work but Koal01 failed to get a M0/Ethernet Shield 2 working (also W5500) which gives me doubts.
This is likely about differences in the Arduino
I used this encoder:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Broadcom-Avago/HEDS-5540H14?qs=%2fha2pyFaduhB2p1ueut5D5mj0o%252bvt5AYTZaE4L3xveRJWnPY5fbEig%3d%3d
On an Oriental PKP244MD08B stepper.
I used
I used this encoder:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Broadcom-Avago/HEDS-5540H14?qs=%2fha2pyFaduhB2p1ueut5D5mj0o%252bvt5AYTZaE4L3xveRJWnPY5fbEig%3d%3d
On an Oriental PKP244MD08B stepper.
I used
On Fri, Feb 2, 2018 at 10:08 pm, Chris Vaughan wrote:
If I change to 256 (and don't change StepsPerDegreeAxis etc) both tracking and slewing are much slower.
And change to 8, both are much
On Fri, Feb 2, 2018 at 10:08 pm, Chris Vaughan wrote:
If I change to 256 (and don't change StepsPerDegreeAxis etc) both tracking and slewing are much slower.
And change to 8, both are much
Hi JoAnn,
What a beautiful photograph. After all the fighting with that little solder bridge, this is a big prize. The 3-star setting promises to be even better.
I look forward to reaching this stage.
Hi JoAnn,
What a beautiful photograph. After all the fighting with that little solder bridge, this is a big prize. The 3-star setting promises to be even better.
I look forward to reaching this stage.
Brilliant, well done JoAnn. I have a similar camera setup and would be really pleased with a first result like this. Just need to finish the OnStep build....
0 degrees farenheit is very cold, over
Brilliant, well done JoAnn. I have a similar camera setup and would be really pleased with a first result like this. Just need to finish the OnStep build....
0 degrees farenheit is very cold, over
Pedro
I think mine is an EQ5pro mount - as it came with NEMA14 steppers. I bought it second hand and the controller was missing. It has cleaned up nicely, have relubed gears etc and all looked in good
Pedro
I think mine is an EQ5pro mount - as it came with NEMA14 steppers. I bought it second hand and the controller was missing. It has cleaned up nicely, have relubed gears etc and all looked in good
That's starting with the following, which seems to work well in tracking & slewing
#define StepsPerDegreeAxis1 6400.0
#define StepsPerWormRotationAxis1 16000.0
#define AXIS1_DRIVER_MODEL
That's starting with the following, which seems to work well in tracking & slewing
#define StepsPerDegreeAxis1 6400.0
#define StepsPerWormRotationAxis1 16000.0
#define AXIS1_DRIVER_MODEL
I do plan on using PEC Howard. The only thing I need to change with this design is to print the cover a little deeper, to cover the extra length added by the encoder on the back of the stepper. I
I do plan on using PEC Howard. The only thing I need to change with this design is to print the cover a little deeper, to cover the extra length added by the encoder on the back of the stepper. I
Now that I think about it, I noticed the motors sticking before I attached the belts. I wonder if I am not giving enough voltage from the tmc2100's. I bought 2 amp motors and I can't crank up the
Now that I think about it, I noticed the motors sticking before I attached the belts. I wonder if I am not giving enough voltage from the tmc2100's. I bought 2 amp motors and I can't crank up the
Great image! More so when one knows it is your first GOTO.
What is your worm seconds per rotation?
Try to find out somewhere in your gear train (i.e. from motor to transfer gear to worm gear)
Great image! More so when one knows it is your first GOTO.
What is your worm seconds per rotation?
Try to find out somewhere in your gear train (i.e. from motor to transfer gear to worm gear)
