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.
Double negatives are confusing.
Here it is rephrased: if your board's clock is inaccurate (e.g. Arduino Mega 2560,
FYSETC S6), then you should have a PPS source, such as an RTC or from a GPS.
All
Double negatives are confusing.
Here it is rephrased: if your board's clock is inaccurate (e.g. Arduino Mega 2560,
FYSETC S6), then you should have a PPS source, such as an RTC or from a GPS.
All
Maybe there is backlash in your motors and/or gears?
If you reverse and there is backlash, then the motors will move, but you will not
see the star move in the eyepiece/camera.
See the Wiki on how
Maybe there is backlash in your motors and/or gears?
If you reverse and there is backlash, then the motors will move, but you will not
see the star move in the eyepiece/camera.
See the Wiki on how
You think too much. This kind of motor only needs to consider the total input voltage of 12-24V and adjust the output current of the drive module to 1.68a.
You think too much. This kind of motor only needs to consider the total input voltage of 12-24V and adjust the output current of the drive module to 1.68a.
The harmonic equatorial instrument was first made in Japan, but due to the high cost, there was no result in the end. Then South Korea. The first harmonic equatorial instrument in China is Ruixing
The harmonic equatorial instrument was first made in Japan, but due to the high cost, there was no result in the end. Then South Korea. The first harmonic equatorial instrument in China is Ruixing
-14 here this morning. Sue says it's 84°F at her rocker in the south parlor window. Solar tempered indeed.
Torque and current go hand in hand as do stator length. Commonly available NEMA 23s run from
-14 here this morning. Sue says it's 84°F at her rocker in the south parlor window. Solar tempered indeed.
Torque and current go hand in hand as do stator length. Commonly available NEMA 23s run from
I know of CNCs that have two motors and screws to drive one axis of the table. As John mentioned I would be concerned about synchronization. Sounds complicated mechanically as well. I would go to a
I know of CNCs that have two motors and screws to drive one axis of the table. As John mentioned I would be concerned about synchronization. Sounds complicated mechanically as well. I would go to a
In any case, until we get the electrical supply fixed for our 45-year-old roll-off roof, then we can't really put the telescope mount and all the rest to the test. Because you can't aim or slew the
In any case, until we get the electrical supply fixed for our 45-year-old roll-off roof, then we can't really put the telescope mount and all the rest to the test. Because you can't aim or slew the
Hi, Ken,
Ealing telescope mounts are built in a very unusual configuration. If you search for “Ealing” on my blog, guysmathastro.com, I’ve got a picture of a beautifully-restored one with a
Hi, Ken,
Ealing telescope mounts are built in a very unusual configuration. If you search for “Ealing” on my blog, guysmathastro.com, I’ve got a picture of a beautifully-restored one with a
Ken,
It is an inductor, increase the voltage and you increase the RATE OF RISE of the current, enabling faster step rates. I provided simulation of that below.
Bob
EDIT: To clarify, yes, the driver
Ken,
It is an inductor, increase the voltage and you increase the RATE OF RISE of the current, enabling faster step rates. I provided simulation of that below.
Bob
EDIT: To clarify, yes, the driver
Don't forget, a stepper is not a DC motor, it is an AC motor. At full steps the driver delivers 2 pulses that are 90° out of phase. These pulses approximate square waves with minimum pulse width
Don't forget, a stepper is not a DC motor, it is an AC motor. At full steps the driver delivers 2 pulses that are 90° out of phase. These pulses approximate square waves with minimum pulse width
Tested with Firefox
The webpage says: "the connection has been reset"
ping 192.168.0.17: OK
curl http://192.168.0.17
curl: (52) Empty reply from server
Tested with:
Arduino M0+W5100
Arduino
Tested with Firefox
The webpage says: "the connection has been reset"
ping 192.168.0.17: OK
curl http://192.168.0.17
curl: (52) Empty reply from server
Tested with:
Arduino M0+W5100
Arduino
While bench testing using Sky Planetarium I cannot "nudge" my motors in reverse using the Control function (Connections/Control). They will simply continue in the same direction as in a slew or a
While bench testing using Sky Planetarium I cannot "nudge" my motors in reverse using the Control function (Connections/Control). They will simply continue in the same direction as in a slew or a
My GPS does not appear to function and I note Khalid's comment here about defining the GPS serial port as
#define TIME_LOCATION_SOURCE GPS
#define SERIAL_GPS Serial3
#define
My GPS does not appear to function and I note Khalid's comment here about defining the GPS serial port as
#define TIME_LOCATION_SOURCE GPS
#define SERIAL_GPS Serial3
#define
