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.
I initially built a wSHC using only a pair of AAA rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, boosted to 5V with a DC-DC converter. This gave an 'acceptable-to-me' battery life over 5 hours and a full night if you
I initially built a wSHC using only a pair of AAA rechargeable Ni-MH batteries, boosted to 5V with a DC-DC converter. This gave an 'acceptable-to-me' battery life over 5 hours and a full night if you
I don't know how you reached the steps per degree value that you have in Config.h
with the numbers you are quoting (GR1 = 10).
Your spreadsheet should be like this:
31,911.11111 = 200, 16,
I don't know how you reached the steps per degree value that you have in Config.h
with the numbers you are quoting (GR1 = 10).
Your spreadsheet should be like this:
31,911.11111 = 200, 16,
We are having some difficulty getting the settings right for our stepper motors. I know this because on my desk, the RA stepper turns about twice as slow as it should (1 rotation every ~24 seconds
We are having some difficulty getting the settings right for our stepper motors. I know this because on my desk, the RA stepper turns about twice as slow as it should (1 rotation every ~24 seconds
If they have USB connectors for charging and powering a device to "charge" it they should have an internal circuit that sorts it all out. i have used a number of them as a convenient way of powering
If they have USB connectors for charging and powering a device to "charge" it they should have an internal circuit that sorts it all out. i have used a number of them as a convenient way of powering
If it is just not connecting, my first guess is the ESP32 board version you are using in the Arduino IDE. It must be v2.0.0 the latest v2.0.1 has BLE issues and will not connect. Go into the "Board
If it is just not connecting, my first guess is the ESP32 board version you are using in the Arduino IDE. It must be v2.0.0 the latest v2.0.1 has BLE issues and will not connect. Go into the "Board
There are other areas other than the extended.config.h that may be causing your problem.
I need more information on the issue. Is the SWS firmware compiling and uploading to the Wemos ESP32? Is it
There are other areas other than the extended.config.h that may be causing your problem.
I need more information on the issue. Is the SWS firmware compiling and uploading to the Wemos ESP32? Is it
Yes, at least mine does. Since they are intended for USB input, that must be the case. I use nothing but the short USB cable provided with the Power pack This also serves as the On/Off switch.
Yes, at least mine does. Since they are intended for USB input, that must be the case. I use nothing but the short USB cable provided with the Power pack This also serves as the On/Off switch.
Hello,
I have been trying to connect the BLE control and my esp 32 for weeks without success. It seems to me that I did not make an error in the Extended.config.h
My material is:
MINI D1 ESP32 Wemos
Hello,
I have been trying to connect the BLE control and my esp 32 for weeks without success. It seems to me that I did not make an error in the Extended.config.h
My material is:
MINI D1 ESP32 Wemos
A simple "battery pack" isn't 5 volts it depends on the battery it uses use however there are a number of things called USB "power banks" or "portable chargers " which are basically a 3.6V
A simple "battery pack" isn't 5 volts it depends on the battery it uses use however there are a number of things called USB "power banks" or "portable chargers " which are basically a 3.6V
Drew,
I am planning on using that idea…using a phone external battery pack. Question…are you conditioning or regulating the 5 volts from the battery pack before it powers the shc? I take it
Drew,
I am planning on using that idea…using a phone external battery pack. Question…are you conditioning or regulating the 5 volts from the battery pack before it powers the shc? I take it
I want to add only one thing: The smaller pulley/teeth sizes are limited by the shaft size. You may find a gear set that may have a larger diameter output shaft than the input. That shaft diameter
I want to add only one thing: The smaller pulley/teeth sizes are limited by the shaft size. You may find a gear set that may have a larger diameter output shaft than the input. That shaft diameter
I question your 3:1 ratio in the final. What does this look like? Usually, the AZ bearing is anywhere from 10" to 30" across. The pinion on the end of the stepper might be 1" across max, That
I question your 3:1 ratio in the final. What does this look like? Usually, the AZ bearing is anywhere from 10" to 30" across. The pinion on the end of the stepper might be 1" across max, That
After months of trying to make this harder than it should be, studying HTML,
hundreds of hours overthinking the situation I finally got a good night's sleep
and woke up with the solution I was
After months of trying to make this harder than it should be, studying HTML,
hundreds of hours overthinking the situation I finally got a good night's sleep
and woke up with the solution I was
I should have worded my reply differently.
MXL pulleys and belts do work, but all the components have to match.
We had one user who mixed MXL and GT2, and he got trailing stars, until he realized
what
I should have worded my reply differently.
MXL pulleys and belts do work, but all the components have to match.
We had one user who mixed MXL and GT2, and he got trailing stars, until he realized
what
I cancelled my order MXL belts and pulleys (or rather they did as could not supply in a timely way, like before I die!). Good catch. Also the lead time from china was better (though not by much!), So
I cancelled my order MXL belts and pulleys (or rather they did as could not supply in a timely way, like before I die!). Good catch. Also the lead time from china was better (though not by much!), So
