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.
Do you mean ask it to slew to an RA/DEC combo, or tell it that it is pointing to a certain RA/DEC combo?
Both are possible, though I assume that you mean the latter, so you can polar align
Do you mean ask it to slew to an RA/DEC combo, or tell it that it is pointing to a certain RA/DEC combo?
Both are possible, though I assume that you mean the latter, so you can polar align
G'day,
I did a couple of things
- corrected an error in my StepsPerDegree (oops!)
- changed MaxAzm to 360
- reversed the direction of the Az motor
uploaded the code to the Teensy
And rebooted my phone
G'day,
I did a couple of things
- corrected an error in my StepsPerDegree (oops!)
- changed MaxAzm to 360
- reversed the direction of the Az motor
uploaded the code to the Teensy
And rebooted my phone
Now the LV8729 at 0.96A (40% power,) I will not test above this setting for this motor since the driver can't reach 1.7A My plan is to test at 40%, 70.7%, and 100% power where possible.
Now the LV8729 at 0.96A (40% power,) I will not test above this setting for this motor since the driver can't reach 1.7A My plan is to test at 40%, 70.7%, and 100% power where possible.
Is it possible to enter onstep scope Dec and RA coordinates manually?
I would like to point the scope to the zenith using a precision level for both Dec and RA; and set onstep azimuth to the current
Is it possible to enter onstep scope Dec and RA coordinates manually?
I would like to point the scope to the zenith using a precision level for both Dec and RA; and set onstep azimuth to the current
I should add, my plan is to machine both the plate and the cover from aluminum. 3D printing just allows for rapid prototyping and iterations in the design.
I should add, my plan is to machine both the plate and the cover from aluminum. 3D printing just allows for rapid prototyping and iterations in the design.
And here's the same motor/test except stealthChop and 0.96A (40% power) instead of 1.7A (70.7% power), I expected a very different outcome here with less accuracy.
And here's the same motor/test except stealthChop and 0.96A (40% power) instead of 1.7A (70.7% power), I expected a very different outcome here with less accuracy.
Hey Chris, it’s PETG and prints @ 240-260c and has great thermal properties and should be fine with the heat from
the stepper. If your stepper ever got hot enough to soften PETG, you’d have other
Hey Chris, it’s PETG and prints @ 240-260c and has great thermal properties and should be fine with the heat from
the stepper. If your stepper ever got hot enough to soften PETG, you’d have other
Note that in theory the TMC2130/TMC5160 microstep current table can be programmed to improve on this performance and I now have the data to do so for this motor.
Note that in theory the TMC2130/TMC5160 microstep current table can be programmed to improve on this performance and I now have the data to do so for this motor.
Here's another chart. Same motor/same test except spreadCycle instead of stealthChop. The stealtChop mode came out slightly on top with better accuracy and less variance.
Here's another chart. Same motor/same test except spreadCycle instead of stealthChop. The stealtChop mode came out slightly on top with better accuracy and less variance.
Hello to everyone
Yesterday I was toying with the idea of using a simple USB gamepad as a substitute for the basic hand controller. Ready-made ST4 hand controllers seem to be scarce and to build one I
Hello to everyone
Yesterday I was toying with the idea of using a simple USB gamepad as a substitute for the basic hand controller. Ready-made ST4 hand controllers seem to be scarce and to build one I
I initially had a used EQ-5 and it turned out that one of the bearings was siezed and a total loss. I found a used Vixen GP, took that apart and hypertuned it. Thankfully for me the parts from the
I initially had a used EQ-5 and it turned out that one of the bearings was siezed and a total loss. I found a used Vixen GP, took that apart and hypertuned it. Thankfully for me the parts from the
Having a problem with the call for Wire.h when attempting to flash the STM32. I had just reloaded OnStep 2.22 as it insisted that I needed to load the MiniPCB configuration. I had been flashing a
Having a problem with the call for Wire.h when attempting to flash the STM32. I had just reloaded OnStep 2.22 as it insisted that I needed to load the MiniPCB configuration. I had been flashing a
Im having similar dilema. More of a : is this a mount with enough quality in its parts to handle goto system with steppers? It looks fragile to me but i havent seen it in person.
Thats why Im also on
Im having similar dilema. More of a : is this a mount with enough quality in its parts to handle goto system with steppers? It looks fragile to me but i havent seen it in person.
Thats why Im also on
Howard pointed out the Meade LX70, which is even further discounted $199. Better than used.
Unless you can get the older Orion or Celestron branded made in Japan (by Vixen) Super Polaris
or Great
Howard pointed out the Meade LX70, which is even further discounted $199. Better than used.
Unless you can get the older Orion or Celestron branded made in Japan (by Vixen) Super Polaris
or Great
