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.
Cheap solutions are available on aliexpress:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000222076243.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32814557079.html
I buy most of the stuff I need on this platform and
Cheap solutions are available on aliexpress:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000222076243.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32814557079.html
I buy most of the stuff I need on this platform and
Tom,
the belts i used are 6mm GT2. The NEMA-17motors i have have 5mm shafts. I think this is standard for NEMA-17. It's the shaft on the Celestron worm gear that is 6mm in diameter. I bought the
Tom,
the belts i used are 6mm GT2. The NEMA-17motors i have have 5mm shafts. I think this is standard for NEMA-17. It's the shaft on the Celestron worm gear that is 6mm in diameter. I bought the
Barry
Here is a photo of the cable. I was searching for the kind of cables used by Losmandy and I got a few of these cables. They seem to work quite well in cold weather. Somewhat like Losmandy and
Barry
Here is a photo of the cable. I was searching for the kind of cables used by Losmandy and I got a few of these cables. They seem to work quite well in cold weather. Somewhat like Losmandy and
what is this "coiled cable?
is it ethernet cable? if so thats not a good idea for cables being moved with any regularity since the conductors are solid copper and will break with repeated flexing.
I
what is this "coiled cable?
is it ethernet cable? if so thats not a good idea for cables being moved with any regularity since the conductors are solid copper and will break with repeated flexing.
I
The whole idea is to make use of the coiled cables that come ready with RJ45 male at both ends. AND, I do not want to cut the RJ45 connector on the cable.
On my first OnStep project I used
The whole idea is to make use of the coiled cables that come ready with RJ45 male at both ends. AND, I do not want to cut the RJ45 connector on the cable.
On my first OnStep project I used
You don't know which version of the bootloader was on your board.
So assume that it needs 0x801000, flash that bootloader, then flash OnStep.
The other important point is that if you don't get the USB
You don't know which version of the bootloader was on your board.
So assume that it needs 0x801000, flash that bootloader, then flash OnStep.
The other important point is that if you don't get the USB
simple thing to check that got me recently is onstep randomly flipping or dropping the “+” or “-“ in your alt and long settings. Mine flipped the sign on my location and the mount was moving
simple thing to check that got me recently is onstep randomly flipping or dropping the “+” or “-“ in your alt and long settings. Mine flipped the sign on my location and the mount was moving
Also check your time and date is correct. If your motors are good then your time/date/location is off. Use the bluetooth app to sync the date/time and enter your GPS coordinates.
Also check your time and date is correct. If your motors are good then your time/date/location is off. Use the bluetooth app to sync the date/time and enter your GPS coordinates.
Sounds like you need to test each motor to see if they need to be reversed. You can reverse them in software or wiring.
As long as your steps per degree are accurate in config.h the mount should move
Sounds like you need to test each motor to see if they need to be reversed. You can reverse them in software or wiring.
As long as your steps per degree are accurate in config.h the mount should move
Hi, im using the Bluetooth app but having some Goto issues. I manually polar aligned the mount . Tried Caph in Cassiopeia to the NE. Telescope moves WNW and is basically parallel to the
Hi, im using the Bluetooth app but having some Goto issues. I manually polar aligned the mount . Tried Caph in Cassiopeia to the NE. Telescope moves WNW and is basically parallel to the
"STM32_Programmer_CLI.exe not found.
Please install it or add <STM32CubeProgrammer path>\bin' to your PATH environment:
https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32cubeprog.html
Aborting!"
I
"STM32_Programmer_CLI.exe not found.
Please install it or add <STM32CubeProgrammer path>\bin' to your PATH environment:
https://www.st.com/en/development-tools/stm32cubeprog.html
Aborting!"
I
