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.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 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.
I am having some trouble getting Park to work. I am running onstep release 2.22 and using the mini PCB, connecting via Bluetooth and using the android app.
I am using an equatorial Mount.
My
I am having some trouble getting Park to work. I am running onstep release 2.22 and using the mini PCB, connecting via Bluetooth and using the android app.
I am using an equatorial Mount.
My
Yes , that is what we want. The contents are immaterial, its presence tells us that the Arduino IDE is talking to the chip. The bottom line is just showing you the hardware device that you selected.
Yes , that is what we want. The contents are immaterial, its presence tells us that the Arduino IDE is talking to the chip. The bottom line is just showing you the hardware device that you selected.
What Drew meant is that you need to do this with the jumper/cable/switch in the FLASH position.
That tells us whether the IDE sees the STM32 as ready for flashing or not.
What Drew meant is that you need to do this with the jumper/cable/switch in the FLASH position.
That tells us whether the IDE sees the STM32 as ready for flashing or not.
Drew,
The box in my photo (see Pic1) comes up when I select "Get Board Info" (the board is powered up, in RUN mode and the USB is connected).
BN: Unknown Board
VID: lOC4
PID:
Drew,
The box in my photo (see Pic1) comes up when I select "Get Board Info" (the board is powered up, in RUN mode and the USB is connected).
BN: Unknown Board
VID: lOC4
PID:
Yes that is correct. It is in flash mode and you have the port selected now. There must be something wrong with that three-wire harness or the switch. The switch and harness is only there so that
Yes that is correct. It is in flash mode and you have the port selected now. There must be something wrong with that three-wire harness or the switch. The switch and harness is only there so that
Many thanks for the quick reply Khalid...
I'm an old engineer, soldering is one of my good points ;)
I build a lot of projects and write code so am familiar with the process but being over sixty
Many thanks for the quick reply Khalid...
I'm an old engineer, soldering is one of my good points ;)
I build a lot of projects and write code so am familiar with the process but being over sixty
Did you do the "Get Board Info" as I suggested? This will tell you that the Arduino IDE sees the board on that port. That is what you need to know.
I suggested you recreate the OnStep directory. It
Did you do the "Get Board Info" as I suggested? This will tell you that the Arduino IDE sees the board on that port. That is what you need to know.
I suggested you recreate the OnStep directory. It
Start by reading the showcase page, where there are lots of examples of EQ5 conversions.
Those are known to work.
Usually 3:1 at a minimum, and 4:1 if you can do it with pulleys that don't obstruct
Start by reading the showcase page, where there are lots of examples of EQ5 conversions.
Those are known to work.
Usually 3:1 at a minimum, and 4:1 if you can do it with pulleys that don't obstruct
I've read many of the posts in an effort to become familiar with OnStep and have a few questions but before I start it might be worth noting I favor accuracy over speed.
Can you recommend motors for
I've read many of the posts in an effort to become familiar with OnStep and have a few questions but before I start it might be worth noting I favor accuracy over speed.
Can you recommend motors for
Whatever is in the photo, with the black jumper connected the left pin with the center pin, means that the STM32 is in flash mode.
Provided you can get the USB port recognized in Windows, you should
Whatever is in the photo, with the black jumper connected the left pin with the center pin, means that the STM32 is in flash mode.
Provided you can get the USB port recognized in Windows, you should
Dave,
A photo of the Com Port flyout shows only Com 3 and it already has a tick beside it. I selected it by clicking on it but nothing happened. I still get failure to initialise. When I track back
Dave,
A photo of the Com Port flyout shows only Com 3 and it already has a tick beside it. I selected it by clicking on it but nothing happened. I still get failure to initialise. When I track back
thank you for the quick response. It does not get hot anymore, but with tracking off and Axis1 Driver: standstill there is still a holding torque. I can not easily turn the RA motor shaft
thank you for the quick response. It does not get hot anymore, but with tracking off and Axis1 Driver: standstill there is still a holding torque. I can not easily turn the RA motor shaft
John,
I bought the motor set and Onstep controller incl. WiFi module from instein Astro (instein.eu) in July 2019 and fitted it to my AZ8. I shared some images with you in the following Dropbox
John,
I bought the motor set and Onstep controller incl. WiFi module from instein Astro (instein.eu) in July 2019 and fitted it to my AZ8. I shared some images with you in the following Dropbox
From over here, the instein.eu web site has a notice that, for disease reasons, they are refunding money to those who purchased their products, and hope to be back in business soon.
From over here, the instein.eu web site has a notice that, for disease reasons, they are refunding money to those who purchased their products, and hope to be back in business soon.
something is wrong with these settings, for the first time the RA motor gets warm now. Only Park really switches things off and temperatures go down.
Markus
something is wrong with these settings, for the first time the RA motor gets warm now. Only Park really switches things off and temperatures go down.
Markus
now I get this and the motors are doing nothing, but the RA stepstick is too hot to touch.
Operations:
Parking: Not Parked (At Home)
Tracking: Off (PPS Sync)
Tracking Rate: 0.000Hz
Maximum
now I get this and the motors are doing nothing, but the RA stepstick is too hot to touch.
Operations:
Parking: Not Parked (At Home)
Tracking: Off (PPS Sync)
Tracking Rate: 0.000Hz
Maximum
