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.
Hi, so I have had a few nights under my belt with my finished goto dobsonian, which uses belt drives and planetary gearboxes. I have been using a 4-star alignment with a 200x magnification, and have
Hi, so I have had a few nights under my belt with my finished goto dobsonian, which uses belt drives and planetary gearboxes. I have been using a 4-star alignment with a 200x magnification, and have
Hi!
Jumpers correct for LV8729 non SPI, but this settings for 128 microsteps. I hav seam setup, but I need set jumpers this way:
I use 32 microstep, one jumper need to remove. (MS2)
Hi!
Jumpers correct for LV8729 non SPI, but this settings for 128 microsteps. I hav seam setup, but I need set jumpers this way:
I use 32 microstep, one jumper need to remove. (MS2)
Hi Dave,
I will need to retrace my steps and confirm everything I told you can be repeated. As far as the xxx.xxx.50.xxx is concerned, that is a product of my ASUS router. It came that way, but I
Hi Dave,
I will need to retrace my steps and confirm everything I told you can be repeated. As far as the xxx.xxx.50.xxx is concerned, that is a product of my ASUS router. It came that way, but I
Hi Hemant,
The pullup resistors that Khalid is referring to is on the pcb labeled as RP1 and I've attached a small screenshot with it circled in white. The values are 2.2k ohms, but anything close
Hi Hemant,
The pullup resistors that Khalid is referring to is on the pcb labeled as RP1 and I've attached a small screenshot with it circled in white. The values are 2.2k ohms, but anything close
HI all,
today I worked on my OnStep again and I am so sorry... I labeled the cables wrong... :-( last time I checked the cable twice. Sometime its better to step back and have a look some time
HI all,
today I worked on my OnStep again and I am so sorry... I labeled the cables wrong... :-( last time I checked the cable twice. Sometime its better to step back and have a look some time
Count me in if you need to order a minimum quantity of the pcb, and whatever else needed (motors and belts and ...). Would be much appreciated and give an old mount a new life. -yurij
Count me in if you need to order a minimum quantity of the pcb, and whatever else needed (motors and belts and ...). Would be much appreciated and give an old mount a new life. -yurij
- I am owner of an old mount EQ6 with pulse motors and old external controller with no goto function who wants to upgrade it to onstep.
- The purpose of this post is to join the efforts so we can make
- I am owner of an old mount EQ6 with pulse motors and old external controller with no goto function who wants to upgrade it to onstep.
- The purpose of this post is to join the efforts so we can make
To enable the port, you MUST have resistors in the ST4 line.
If you don't, you will be experiencing random guides exactly like you found out.
Usually, these are resistor networks, but you can make
To enable the port, you MUST have resistors in the ST4 line.
If you don't, you will be experiencing random guides exactly like you found out.
Usually, these are resistor networks, but you can make
Khalid,
I checked the board for any shorts etc. and could not find any. Can I not enable ST4 without actually connecting any controller to the board? Do I need to tie down the signals in that
Khalid,
I checked the board for any shorts etc. and could not find any. Can I not enable ST4 without actually connecting any controller to the board? Do I need to tie down the signals in that
You probably don't have shorts (though it is a good idea to check).
What you most likely have is that you did not solder a resistor network inside your controller for the ST4 lines.
When you don't
You probably don't have shorts (though it is a good idea to check).
What you most likely have is that you did not solder a resistor network inside your controller for the ST4 lines.
When you don't
You can use Bluetooth on the CNC3, without an additional module.
In Config.h, you need to have this:
#define SERIAL_C_BAUD_DEFAULT ON
#define SERIAL_C_BLUETOOTH_NAME "OnStep"
Then pair your
You can use Bluetooth on the CNC3, without an additional module.
In Config.h, you need to have this:
#define SERIAL_C_BAUD_DEFAULT ON
#define SERIAL_C_BLUETOOTH_NAME "OnStep"
Then pair your
Thanks George. I believe I found the answer to my 1st and 2nd questions from the original post. After looking online a bit, it looks like orientation is irrelevant for both the momentary push button
Thanks George. I believe I found the answer to my 1st and 2nd questions from the original post. After looking online a bit, it looks like orientation is irrelevant for both the momentary push button
Mike,
My Weimos is corrupted when I tried flashing SWS on it. So I am not only bound by wire. But solution by Howard worked!.
Howard,
Thank you Howard for solution. It seems disabling the ST4 solved
Mike,
My Weimos is corrupted when I tried flashing SWS on it. So I am not only bound by wire. But solution by Howard worked!.
Howard,
Thank you Howard for solution. It seems disabling the ST4 solved
My question has may be already been covered but I didn't find any answer.
I successfully uploaded OnStep on ESP32 and CNC3 and had confirmation on Arduino terminal.
The question is how to link
My question has may be already been covered but I didn't find any answer.
I successfully uploaded OnStep on ESP32 and CNC3 and had confirmation on Arduino terminal.
The question is how to link
I used the BigTreeTech drivers. They come pre-configured for SPI mode, include heat sinks, and are reasonably priced. Haven't had any issues with them at all, and I used them on an MKS Gen-L board,
I used the BigTreeTech drivers. They come pre-configured for SPI mode, include heat sinks, and are reasonably priced. Haven't had any issues with them at all, and I used them on an MKS Gen-L board,
You can buy it from First Light Optics UK. I bought mine there last year, they're fast and cost 5 bucks less than Rowan's site.
Thanks and Regards
Sathyakumar Sharma,
Founder & Partner,
Universal
You can buy it from First Light Optics UK. I bought mine there last year, they're fast and cost 5 bucks less than Rowan's site.
Thanks and Regards
Sathyakumar Sharma,
Founder & Partner,
Universal
The BHC is basically a copy of the Celestron Ultima PEC's (1990) hand control. The DPDT switches functioned to allow the user to reverse the effect of the buttons to be more intrusive and reflect the
The BHC is basically a copy of the Celestron Ultima PEC's (1990) hand control. The DPDT switches functioned to allow the user to reverse the effect of the buttons to be more intrusive and reflect the
Yes, the changes take effect when the module is restarted. I believe it gives you a message to that effect when you upload one of those sections. You wouldn't want the changes to take effect
Yes, the changes take effect when the module is restarted. I believe it gives you a message to that effect when you upload one of those sections. You wouldn't want the changes to take effect
Hemant,
My phone is running Android 8.0.0, my Samsung has no such settings that I can find. I think the MAC address type is in Android 10. I do have DHCP. But this is my phone, this has nothing to
Hemant,
My phone is running Android 8.0.0, my Samsung has no such settings that I can find. I think the MAC address type is in Android 10. I do have DHCP. But this is my phone, this has nothing to
