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.
Try without limits switches set. and without home. Sometimes these take a bit of understanding.
The SWS is separate. it needs to be connected to a serial port.
Try without limits switches set. and without home. Sometimes these take a bit of understanding.
The SWS is separate. it needs to be connected to a serial port.
Check out Oddvar Naess mod on his EQ5 mount, he has a wiring diagram for some of it using the same items you have. Also download the PDF file, much more information.
Check out Oddvar Naess mod on his EQ5 mount, he has a wiring diagram for some of it using the same items you have. Also download the PDF file, much more information.
Its very hard to make out the text from an image - in future, use the 'Copy error messages' button above the output area to paste the text directly in your email.
Your error messages say something
Its very hard to make out the text from an image - in future, use the 'Copy error messages' button above the output area to paste the text directly in your email.
Your error messages say something
HI.
I would like to build a goto for my EQ5.
I buyed a Wemos ESP32 Dev Module and would like to flash this with the OneStep file and my config.h
Everytime i try to compilate this in Arduino IDE i get
HI.
I would like to build a goto for my EQ5.
I buyed a Wemos ESP32 Dev Module and would like to flash this with the OneStep file and my config.h
Everytime i try to compilate this in Arduino IDE i get
Thanx Drew for the answer, I activated PPS and I will continue setting up my system :-)
Next thing I learned is that the RA-motor is running wrong direction :-) I had to configure to
Thanx Drew for the answer, I activated PPS and I will continue setting up my system :-)
Next thing I learned is that the RA-motor is running wrong direction :-) I had to configure to
It also shows you selecting the star, let PhD choose... Can't really see on the video but did it lose the star on the first guide pulse? As the first calibration step on my setup is fairly small, sure
It also shows you selecting the star, let PhD choose... Can't really see on the video but did it lose the star on the first guide pulse? As the first calibration step on my setup is fairly small, sure
So you're using a ST4 cable to the mount?
The video shows a box far too small for the guide pulse, not so sure that you can decrease the pulse but you can increase the box in size... If it works on
So you're using a ST4 cable to the mount?
The video shows a box far too small for the guide pulse, not so sure that you can decrease the pulse but you can increase the box in size... If it works on
Hello everyone.
A few months have passed since the beginning of this post, the project is already finished and I wanted to finish it with a summary of the material used in case it was of interest to
Hello everyone.
A few months have passed since the beginning of this post, the project is already finished and I wanted to finish it with a summary of the material used in case it was of interest to
Howard,
Thank you! That makes perfect sense now. Looking at them again, yes they look like protection diodes and not MOSFETs. So, you don't need the bottom board for our purposes.
I wonder why
Howard,
Thank you! That makes perfect sense now. Looking at them again, yes they look like protection diodes and not MOSFETs. So, you don't need the bottom board for our purposes.
I wonder why
Hi George,
thanks for your offer. Shipping to Germany is no problem?
I want also to add a motor focuser at a later point, is that possible given that I see only 2 stepper driver slots on the design?
Hi George,
thanks for your offer. Shipping to Germany is no problem?
I want also to add a motor focuser at a later point, is that possible given that I see only 2 stepper driver slots on the design?
AFAIK the MOSFETs of TMC5161's are on-die where the TMC5160 has the MOSFETs off-die and that is the only difference.
Thinking the second board they plug into is one of these
AFAIK the MOSFETs of TMC5161's are on-die where the TMC5160 has the MOSFETs off-die and that is the only difference.
Thinking the second board they plug into is one of these
Bob,
Re the S5160s that I ordered, the vendor says send them back if they are not compatible.
Thanks for the info re TMC5160s back in stock on 26th May. I pre-ordered 4 pieces and using the discount
Bob,
Re the S5160s that I ordered, the vendor says send them back if they are not compatible.
Thanks for the info re TMC5160s back in stock on 26th May. I pre-ordered 4 pieces and using the discount
Do you have the PEC correction on? if so TURN IT OFF! I had a similar problem with my CGE Pro and I couldn't understand why the stars/mount would jump around..then I turned the PEC off and voila!..try
Do you have the PEC correction on? if so TURN IT OFF! I had a similar problem with my CGE Pro and I couldn't understand why the stars/mount would jump around..then I turned the PEC off and voila!..try
Eugene,
I just looked at what you are buying, they look identical to what I purchased, yet they are rated at only 35V. Note my comment about board overhang in my previous post. This will apply to
Eugene,
I just looked at what you are buying, they look identical to what I purchased, yet they are rated at only 35V. Note my comment about board overhang in my previous post. This will apply to
Agreed.
My point is the "chip" alone can drive 3.5A, and the board below has the Mosfets. The pins seem to be pass through, from pin to header and to pin again, so I am curious as to how the pins
Agreed.
My point is the "chip" alone can drive 3.5A, and the board below has the Mosfets. The pins seem to be pass through, from pin to header and to pin again, so I am curious as to how the pins
Because the STM32F103/303 micros do not have onboard EEPROM, if the DS3231 isn't working, OnStep won't boot.
There are some test utilities in the Files section under STM32, there is one specifically
Because the STM32F103/303 micros do not have onboard EEPROM, if the DS3231 isn't working, OnStep won't boot.
There are some test utilities in the Files section under STM32, there is one specifically
A good summary Otto.
I would add that versions of OnStep prior to the current release-4.24 (that is, anything earlier than version 4.24q) may have a bug where the variable guide rate guide commands
A good summary Otto.
I would add that versions of OnStep prior to the current release-4.24 (that is, anything earlier than version 4.24q) may have a bug where the variable guide rate guide commands
