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.
Hello All,
I have posted an explanation few moths ago of my problems "STM32 BluePill bunches of weirdness" ( unexpected high angular velocity of DEC motor followed of stalling while doing Goto) :
Hello All,
I have posted an explanation few moths ago of my problems "STM32 BluePill bunches of weirdness" ( unexpected high angular velocity of DEC motor followed of stalling while doing Goto) :
Thanks for getting back to me, Dave. The issue here isn't the display. When I connect the SHC to the PC via USB the OnStep Logo is splashed and the SHC tries to connect to OnStep.It is when is
Thanks for getting back to me, Dave. The issue here isn't the display. When I connect the SHC to the PC via USB the OnStep Logo is splashed and the SHC tries to connect to OnStep.It is when is
OK, I've had an hours sleep and some thought about this...
What could be better than tying the 10K resistor to 3.3 Volts?
Here's photo of 10K resistor relocated to bottom of board and
the above
OK, I've had an hours sleep and some thought about this...
What could be better than tying the 10K resistor to 3.3 Volts?
Here's photo of 10K resistor relocated to bottom of board and
the above
You should get at least the OnStep logo on the display... that is done before anything else.
Check that your display's pin order matches the order in which the PCB is routing them. Some OLED modules
You should get at least the OnStep logo on the display... that is done before anything else.
Check that your display's pin order matches the order in which the PCB is routing them. Some OLED modules
Well, I've graduated from brain farts to brain diarrhea...DUH
RA- is not the same as RA1- and looking at the Teensy SHC schematic will not help me with my ESP based SHC.
Many apologies to all for the
Well, I've graduated from brain farts to brain diarrhea...DUH
RA- is not the same as RA1- and looking at the Teensy SHC schematic will not help me with my ESP based SHC.
Many apologies to all for the
Hi All,
I am new to this group and am looking at converting my eq5 mount into a goto system, I have been trying to figure out how I purchase the blue pill pcb but with no luck, been on the wiki page
Hi All,
I am new to this group and am looking at converting my eq5 mount into a goto system, I have been trying to figure out how I purchase the blue pill pcb but with no luck, been on the wiki page
I just upgraded v5.1.j, since the GPS configuration does not work
#define TIME_LOCATION_SOURCE GPS //
#define SerialGPS Serial2 //
#define SerialGPSBaud 9600
I just upgraded v5.1.j, since the GPS configuration does not work
#define TIME_LOCATION_SOURCE GPS //
#define SerialGPS Serial2 //
#define SerialGPSBaud 9600
Starting to get my head around the preparations for flashing the FYSETC S6 but one of the issues that delayed me was not being able to find the stm32CubeProg.bat file in the Arduino15 folder
Starting to get my head around the preparations for flashing the FYSETC S6 but one of the issues that delayed me was not being able to find the stm32CubeProg.bat file in the Arduino15 folder
Hello everyone,
I am trying to see whether the SHC I have built works. It flashed correctly. So far so good. ST4_HAND_CONTROL is set to ON and ST4_INTERFACE is set to ON_PULLUP in Config.h.
When I
Hello everyone,
I am trying to see whether the SHC I have built works. It flashed correctly. So far so good. ST4_HAND_CONTROL is set to ON and ST4_INTERFACE is set to ON_PULLUP in Config.h.
When I
The RP's in the SHC are not for those signal lines. If you plan to enable the ST4 port install the pullup resistors.
Mike is correct. The ESP32 is a 3.3V device and that resistor is putting 5V on
The RP's in the SHC are not for those signal lines. If you plan to enable the ST4 port install the pullup resistors.
Mike is correct. The ESP32 is a 3.3V device and that resistor is putting 5V on
It is not current but voltage, a common problem with mixed technologies, hence it the need to remove it.
It's in the Wiki, second paragraph
main@onstep.groups.io | Wiki
It is not current but voltage, a common problem with mixed technologies, hence it the need to remove it.
It's in the Wiki, second paragraph
main@onstep.groups.io | Wiki
Wemos D1 R32 with CNC V3...
// ST4 INTERFACE ------------------------------------------------------ see https://onstep.groups.io/g/main/wiki/6-Configuration#ST4
// *** It is up to you to verify the
Wemos D1 R32 with CNC V3...
// ST4 INTERFACE ------------------------------------------------------ see https://onstep.groups.io/g/main/wiki/6-Configuration#ST4
// *** It is up to you to verify the
I've been wondering why a resistor is disconnected (10K pullup) and a flat
pack or discrete pullup resistors are needed with the CNC V3 shield...
Checking the schematics, I see that the SHC (Smart
I've been wondering why a resistor is disconnected (10K pullup) and a flat
pack or discrete pullup resistors are needed with the CNC V3 shield...
Checking the schematics, I see that the SHC (Smart
I was finally able to convert my CGEM to use Onstep with Fysetc S6 board and belt drives. I see dramatic improvement in the auto guiding. However I think I have to adjust backlash settings a bit more
I was finally able to convert my CGEM to use Onstep with Fysetc S6 board and belt drives. I see dramatic improvement in the auto guiding. However I think I have to adjust backlash settings a bit more
Never mind... I just rechecked to download the new Beta and the changed validate.h
file is there now... Have no idea why I couldn't find it yesterday, probably a brain fart.
It's difficult to teach an
Never mind... I just rechecked to download the new Beta and the changed validate.h
file is there now... Have no idea why I couldn't find it yesterday, probably a brain fart.
It's difficult to teach an