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 dear group,
After reading the whole internet for a gazillion times, I've finally made an account to take up this discussion on the onstep group here. I'm quite happy to be here and thank
Hello dear group,
After reading the whole internet for a gazillion times, I've finally made an account to take up this discussion on the onstep group here. I'm quite happy to be here and thank
The goal is to scale the dew heater power (PWM 0 to 100%) to keep dew from forming on an optical surface while not wasting energy or overheating the surface and disturbing seeing.
The scaling is based
The goal is to scale the dew heater power (PWM 0 to 100%) to keep dew from forming on an optical surface while not wasting energy or overheating the surface and disturbing seeing.
The scaling is based
Roman Hujer's ESP32 shield has provision for the ESP-01 WiFi module and simplifies the entire process of building a controller with most features supported by OnStep.
Roman Hujer's ESP32 shield has provision for the ESP-01 WiFi module and simplifies the entire process of building a controller with most features supported by OnStep.
Maybe something Teensy specific in the code, or the Ethernet code in there.
Because I am able to compile the latest SWS code for an ESP8266 (WiFi) and there are no issues ...
Maybe something Teensy specific in the code, or the Ethernet code in there.
Because I am able to compile the latest SWS code for an ESP8266 (WiFi) and there are no issues ...
Trying to compile SmartWebServer (SWS) for a Teensy 3.2 install for wired Ethernet operation (not wireless). I am getting errors relating to "NVS does not name a type" primarily but also concern that
Trying to compile SmartWebServer (SWS) for a Teensy 3.2 install for wired Ethernet operation (not wireless). I am getting errors relating to "NVS does not name a type" primarily but also concern that
Arnaud, I think you mean when you don't power the telescope, can it be moved by hand. In that case, the answer is yes, maybe. Because you will have motors and gears connected to the telescope with
Arnaud, I think you mean when you don't power the telescope, can it be moved by hand. In that case, the answer is yes, maybe. Because you will have motors and gears connected to the telescope with
Not exactly true. Like all of the ESP32 based versions a Wemos mini (with the SWS firmware) can be attached to the SerialB (Serial2) port pins (designated TX2, IO5 and RX2, IO13). Then you would have
Not exactly true. Like all of the ESP32 based versions a Wemos mini (with the SWS firmware) can be attached to the SerialB (Serial2) port pins (designated TX2, IO5 and RX2, IO13). Then you would have
The MKS Gen-L V2.1 is a cheap board with very little soldering required.
But its microcontroller is very slow, and you may be limited in slewing speeds (but other factors are at play, such as gear
The MKS Gen-L V2.1 is a cheap board with very little soldering required.
But its microcontroller is very slow, and you may be limited in slewing speeds (but other factors are at play, such as gear
Hello everybody,
i m new here with the project of convert my dobsonian skywatcher 250p to goto with onstep.I read almost all of the wiki but i m a bit lost with all of the board and stepper motor. my
Hello everybody,
i m new here with the project of convert my dobsonian skywatcher 250p to goto with onstep.I read almost all of the wiki but i m a bit lost with all of the board and stepper motor. my
"Better" is too subjective.
There are many criteria to be used, for example:
- Requires ordering discrete parts or not (very hard for a non electrically trained people)
- Requires soldering or not
"Better" is too subjective.
There are many criteria to be used, for example:
- Requires ordering discrete parts or not (very hard for a non electrically trained people)
- Requires soldering or not
The motors are wired in exact same matter. I'm leaving this topic for posterity, it works fine with TMC2130 and that's what I'm using now as the price is same.
I asked if any board is "better" cause
The motors are wired in exact same matter. I'm leaving this topic for posterity, it works fine with TMC2130 and that's what I'm using now as the price is same.
I asked if any board is "better" cause
