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.
Thank you all for your many advices!
Things seem to get clear at working better.
I used the RA and DEC marked wheels to test the mount indoor and hopped from one star or messier to the next. I figured
Thank you all for your many advices!
Things seem to get clear at working better.
I used the RA and DEC marked wheels to test the mount indoor and hopped from one star or messier to the next. I figured
Also, I hear users struggling with parasitic power mode on DS18B20's so I'd wire to bring power to them.
Note the DS2413 (dual GPIO) has no provision for bringing power to them and they work fine.
Also, I hear users struggling with parasitic power mode on DS18B20's so I'd wire to bring power to them.
Note the DS2413 (dual GPIO) has no provision for bringing power to them and they work fine.
No idea what the problem is here but the code definitely works and works on the Mega2560. I tested with a Mega2560/RAMPS1.4 if using a MKS Gen-L be sure you pick a pin for 1-Wire that has no extra
No idea what the problem is here but the code definitely works and works on the Mega2560. I tested with a Mega2560/RAMPS1.4 if using a MKS Gen-L be sure you pick a pin for 1-Wire that has no extra
I am trying to connect a DS18B20 temperature sensor to the MKS Gen-l 2.0. I have studied in pinmap of the ramps14, which this board refers, and I have not found defined in pin for "OneWirePin". I have
I am trying to connect a DS18B20 temperature sensor to the MKS Gen-l 2.0. I have studied in pinmap of the ramps14, which this board refers, and I have not found defined in pin for "OneWirePin". I have
You might try this one... https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Arduino-Programming-Technology-Action/dp/1430247762/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=arduino+language&qid=1596260702&sr=8-6#reader_1430247762
You might try this one... https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Arduino-Programming-Technology-Action/dp/1430247762/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=arduino+language&qid=1596260702&sr=8-6#reader_1430247762
Ivan, as Khalid writes, you can do most of your testing and troubleshooting inside. Your mount has setting circles which you can use to verify your gotos even while inside and during daylight &
Ivan, as Khalid writes, you can do most of your testing and troubleshooting inside. Your mount has setting circles which you can use to verify your gotos even while inside and during daylight &
You can still test indoors and see if the mount is pointing in the general area of the object. For example you can point to stars that are at azimuth 90 and 270, and see that the mount is actually at
You can still test indoors and see if the mount is pointing in the general area of the object. For example you can point to stars that are at azimuth 90 and 270, and see that the mount is actually at
Khalid,
I followed your steps and things are ok on the planetarium and android app. I could not test in the sky yet because we have occasional rain tonight. Last night I could not find Dubhe with goto
Khalid,
I followed your steps and things are ok on the planetarium and android app. I could not test in the sky yet because we have occasional rain tonight. Last night I could not find Dubhe with goto
If you haven’t performed a 3 stars alignment, don’t expect very precise gotos. Only after a 3 stars alignment, OnStep will be able to compensate to the most usual alignment/building errors. Before
If you haven’t performed a 3 stars alignment, don’t expect very precise gotos. Only after a 3 stars alignment, OnStep will be able to compensate to the most usual alignment/building errors. Before
Has anyone tried the FYSETC F6 board Arduino 2560-R3 compatible (works with Sprinter, Repetier-Firmware, Marlin out of the box . i have on that why i ask.
The Arduino installer has been up dated for
Has anyone tried the FYSETC F6 board Arduino 2560-R3 compatible (works with Sprinter, Repetier-Firmware, Marlin out of the box . i have on that why i ask.
The Arduino installer has been up dated for
Let us know at the end of this test:
- What RA and DEC you end up with on the planetarium and in the Android App (press the "i" icon if needed).
- Whether the scope seems to point to the right part of
Let us know at the end of this test:
- What RA and DEC you end up with on the planetarium and in the Android App (press the "i" icon if needed).
- Whether the scope seems to point to the right part of
I'd like to understand a lot more about OnStep:
are there any recommended books on arduino programming,
particularly about classes and the more advanced nuances of the subject
that are used
I'd like to understand a lot more about OnStep:
are there any recommended books on arduino programming,
particularly about classes and the more advanced nuances of the subject
that are used
I tried the Android App the same way that you did and got the same result: the RA address displayed (11h 31.9m) is not the same as what I entered (040052).
And the Android app does not allow me to
I tried the Android App the same way that you did and got the same result: the RA address displayed (11h 31.9m) is not the same as what I entered (040052).
And the Android app does not allow me to
Rafael,
last night I tried what you said, precisely with vega. First goto was very approximative. Then hopping from on star to the next was way off, although going somehow in the right direction, but
Rafael,
last night I tried what you said, precisely with vega. First goto was very approximative. Then hopping from on star to the next was way off, although going somehow in the right direction, but
And a last point: in the main screen of onstep app on android, even when tracking is on at sidereal rate the RA coordinate keeps on changing at about 1x speed
And a last point: in the main screen of onstep app on android, even when tracking is on at sidereal rate the RA coordinate keeps on changing at about 1x speed
1/Turn on the MaxPCB2
2/Connect from android phone
3/"Home (Reset)"
4/Start tracking (Sidereal Rate)
5/Check coordinates (in my case RA 04h00m52s, DEC 89°59'06")
6/"Enter Coordinates", enter the
1/Turn on the MaxPCB2
2/Connect from android phone
3/"Home (Reset)"
4/Start tracking (Sidereal Rate)
5/Check coordinates (in my case RA 04h00m52s, DEC 89°59'06")
6/"Enter Coordinates", enter the
