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 did it again, flash ESP8266 mini and then flash STM323103 with these configuration settings. ESP8266 blue LED does not work, will not be continuous, There is no OnStep in the Phone Connections menu.
i did it again, flash ESP8266 mini and then flash STM323103 with these configuration settings. ESP8266 blue LED does not work, will not be continuous, There is no OnStep in the Phone Connections menu.
Excellent. I appreciate the responses... I wondered if there was a tradeoff in microstepping but couldn't find anything that suggested it would affect the speed. Thanks for the help.
Excellent. I appreciate the responses... I wondered if there was a tradeoff in microstepping but couldn't find anything that suggested it would affect the speed. Thanks for the help.
Thank you Howard for the information.
Another question. Does "#define AXIS1_HOME_DEFAULT 0 // angle in degrees, for the RA or Azimuth Axis." go before the Default Value, or does it replace the
Thank you Howard for the information.
Another question. Does "#define AXIS1_HOME_DEFAULT 0 // angle in degrees, for the RA or Azimuth Axis." go before the Default Value, or does it replace the
How are you controlling OnStep? A common beginners misconception is that OnStep starts with the Max Speed available. For safety reasons, it does not. Depending on what version of OnStep you are using,
How are you controlling OnStep? A common beginners misconception is that OnStep starts with the Max Speed available. For safety reasons, it does not. Depending on what version of OnStep you are using,
Yes, taken that we have similar setup, I can confirm You that with your current setup (MCU, gear ratio and motors) and with SQUARE wave form these are expected max GoTo speed:
1/128 microstepping =
Yes, taken that we have similar setup, I can confirm You that with your current setup (MCU, gear ratio and motors) and with SQUARE wave form these are expected max GoTo speed:
1/128 microstepping =
On Wed, Apr 27, 2022 at 05:16 PM, dougthomas408-1@... wrote:
Microsteps: 1/128
Hi Doug,
It's not just about the mechanical ability of the motors to turn faster, it's also about the mpu's ability to
On Wed, Apr 27, 2022 at 05:16 PM, dougthomas408-1@... wrote:
Microsteps: 1/128
Hi Doug,
It's not just about the mechanical ability of the motors to turn faster, it's also about the mpu's ability to
Hi all,
I just got my setup working and I'm wondering if there is a way to increase the slew speed. I have increased the rate from 2 up to 8 on the config.h file, but the motor only seems to rotate
Hi all,
I just got my setup working and I'm wondering if there is a way to increase the slew speed. I have increased the rate from 2 up to 8 on the config.h file, but the motor only seems to rotate
Hi,
I have a VXD Celestron mount just like yours.
I was searching the Onstep forum and since there is so much information, it is tedious for me to find information on how to install Onstep.
One of the
Hi,
I have a VXD Celestron mount just like yours.
I was searching the Onstep forum and since there is so much information, it is tedious for me to find information on how to install Onstep.
One of the
On Wed, Apr 27, 2022 at 09:17 AM, Ed Eastburn wrote:
I'm still working with the 20" Dob to refine the pointing. My observing site has been closed down for some time, so I have not had access to the
On Wed, Apr 27, 2022 at 09:17 AM, Ed Eastburn wrote:
I'm still working with the 20" Dob to refine the pointing. My observing site has been closed down for some time, so I have not had access to the
Thank you, Otto, exactly the same topic.
My mount is an AltAz dobsonian. I'm using a 200 step motor and designed a pulley train with overall ratio of 810:1 on both axes.
The spreadsheet says it can
Thank you, Otto, exactly the same topic.
My mount is an AltAz dobsonian. I'm using a 200 step motor and designed a pulley train with overall ratio of 810:1 on both axes.
The spreadsheet says it can
TK - maybe this is the post to which you referred on the TMC2209. I found it a bit too complex to experiment with, so just built a MiniPCB2 with TMC2130
TK - maybe this is the post to which you referred on the TMC2209. I found it a bit too complex to experiment with, so just built a MiniPCB2 with TMC2130
Hello All,
I'm still working with the 20" Dob to refine the pointing. My observing site has been closed down for some time, so I have not had access to the scope to work on it. The site is now open,
Hello All,
I'm still working with the 20" Dob to refine the pointing. My observing site has been closed down for some time, so I have not had access to the scope to work on it. The site is now open,
I read somewhere in the group that tmc2209 has the capability of on the fly microstep switching with some modifications.
Is it also apply to tmc2226? Where can I find the instructions for those
I read somewhere in the group that tmc2209 has the capability of on the fly microstep switching with some modifications.
Is it also apply to tmc2226? Where can I find the instructions for those
Figured it out. Created a new file with the contents of the 0x1000 bootloader from the FYSETC site. Flashed it to 0x80000. The modification of the file talked about in the wiki is correct, change
Figured it out. Created a new file with the contents of the 0x1000 bootloader from the FYSETC site. Flashed it to 0x80000. The modification of the file talked about in the wiki is correct, change
On Wed, Apr 27, 2022 at 08:34 AM, George Cushing wrote:
Thus the D1 R32 doesn't need a boot switch when it's flashed. No cap, you have to close the boot switch for a full 2 seconds once the PC is
On Wed, Apr 27, 2022 at 08:34 AM, George Cushing wrote:
Thus the D1 R32 doesn't need a boot switch when it's flashed. No cap, you have to close the boot switch for a full 2 seconds once the PC is
