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.
Thank You Howard for that. Yes, the RA and DEC were interchanged. I connected the wires to the right drivers, but RA started moving in the opposite direction, which of course meant that the coils need
Thank You Howard for that. Yes, the RA and DEC were interchanged. I connected the wires to the right drivers, but RA started moving in the opposite direction, which of course meant that the coils need
That's stepper motor resonance or ringing. Lower current can help (about 50% of the motor rating,) higher voltage can help, motors with lower inductance (higher current) can help.
Frequently Asked
That's stepper motor resonance or ringing. Lower current can help (about 50% of the motor rating,) higher voltage can help, motors with lower inductance (higher current) can help.
Frequently Asked
I'll put that in the files section.
Technically the board isn't designed for the lm7805, they usually need stabilization caps nearby. There's a 0.1uF but usually they need a 0.33uF too and the board
I'll put that in the files section.
Technically the board isn't designed for the lm7805, they usually need stabilization caps nearby. There's a 0.1uF but usually they need a 0.33uF too and the board
Those who have been following my build will know that I somehow managed to fry one wemos d1 R32 board because I gave 12V to it directly (though it has a Buck converter and V regulator). This time,
Those who have been following my build will know that I somehow managed to fry one wemos d1 R32 board because I gave 12V to it directly (though it has a Buck converter and V regulator). This time,
I guess you could issue commands like this from the Arduino Serial Monitor:
Start tracking...
:Te#
Set rate 2 which is 1x sidereal then guide east for 2 seconds, RA axis (normally moving at 1x) should
I guess you could issue commands like this from the Arduino Serial Monitor:
Start tracking...
:Te#
Set rate 2 which is 1x sidereal then guide east for 2 seconds, RA axis (normally moving at 1x) should
Hi,
I'm trying to port OnStep to an Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect on a CNC V4 shield. I have it running with only the timers to finish reimplementing in the HAL. Everything else (command line
Hi,
I'm trying to port OnStep to an Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect on a CNC V4 shield. I have it running with only the timers to finish reimplementing in the HAL. Everything else (command line
Alright, so I've done some more reading on here, and found some threads talking about using over 200x magnification and making sure the base is leveled. I had previously been using 80x magnification,
Alright, so I've done some more reading on here, and found some threads talking about using over 200x magnification and making sure the base is leveled. I had previously been using 80x magnification,
Frank, That information in the FAQ will help sort out the directional movements to get that right, and then to check on the amount of movement. You should also read the section in the Wiki about
Frank, That information in the FAQ will help sort out the directional movements to get that right, and then to check on the amount of movement. You should also read the section in the Wiki about
I've never seen one first hand but I believe the mesu 2mm shafts are the actual motor shaft at stage one and a simple hardened ground dowel pin at stage 2, both with adjustable larger shaft and
I've never seen one first hand but I believe the mesu 2mm shafts are the actual motor shaft at stage one and a simple hardened ground dowel pin at stage 2, both with adjustable larger shaft and
Thank you John, I didn't know about Mesu transmission train, it's really interesting, expecially the 2mm main shaft and the multi-stadium reducer to give a relatively high ratio.
Some updates: I'm
Thank you John, I didn't know about Mesu transmission train, it's really interesting, expecially the 2mm main shaft and the multi-stadium reducer to give a relatively high ratio.
Some updates: I'm
Well, JLCPCB arrived in the post this morning and within 30 minutes or so I was up and running - I'm not too keen on the RTC dangling - I'll design up a small 3d printed block that screws between it
Well, JLCPCB arrived in the post this morning and within 30 minutes or so I was up and running - I'm not too keen on the RTC dangling - I'll design up a small 3d printed block that screws between it
I think the mechanics of the mesu are brilliant - but the cost is very high because of the siderealtechnology controller - if you go stepper or clearpath servo an onstep can handle it.
I think the mechanics of the mesu are brilliant - but the cost is very high because of the siderealtechnology controller - if you go stepper or clearpath servo an onstep can handle it.
Thanks Howard.
I've downloaded the latest 4.24d, merged with my config and addons, and updated the guide.ino file. I found that string on lines 164 and 200, and inserted the snippet of
Thanks Howard.
I've downloaded the latest 4.24d, merged with my config and addons, and updated the guide.ino file. I found that string on lines 164 and 200, and inserted the snippet of
Wow, think of beauty made with a homebrew cnc!
I've been aiming to build a mount to replace mine, given the current prices of the higher end skywatcher mounts you could submit the whole job to a
Wow, think of beauty made with a homebrew cnc!
I've been aiming to build a mount to replace mine, given the current prices of the higher end skywatcher mounts you could submit the whole job to a
Hello and gooooood evening from Germany ;-)
First of all, again! Thank you for this project. I have got a Skywatcher 150/750 Newtonian telescope on a EQ3-2 mount. I moved from a MKS Gen L to BluePill
Hello and gooooood evening from Germany ;-)
First of all, again! Thank you for this project. I have got a Skywatcher 150/750 Newtonian telescope on a EQ3-2 mount. I moved from a MKS Gen L to BluePill
I agree this seems like a bug. Not sure if I want to fix it or not, for fear of breaking something in release-4.24 but the following is likely to be a low risk fix (untested.)
In the file Guide.ino
I agree this seems like a bug. Not sure if I want to fix it or not, for fear of breaking something in release-4.24 but the following is likely to be a low risk fix (untested.)
In the file Guide.ino
