onstep-ocs@onstep.groups.io

How the OCS works

Like OnStep the OCS an Arduino IDE based project, this one runs ONLY on the Arduino Mega2560. This simplifies development and enhances reliability which I rate as being of great importance to this pro

Like OnStep the OCS an Arduino IDE based project, this one runs ONLY on the Arduino Mega2560. This simplifies development and enhances reliability which I rate as being of great importance to this project. To that end there is even *industrial class Arduino Mega2560 hardware available ( https://www.rugged-circuits.com/mega-tech )* if you want it. The Mega2560 also fits the role here as MCU performance is not a big concern and we want lots of I/O. So basic hardware for an OCS consists of a Mega2560 and a W5100 Ethernet shield. Technically the OCS can run without its website, but that takes a lot of the coolness out of it! To see the charts of weather sensor data you'll need a little micro sd card (with the Charts.js file) plugged into the W5100 sd slot and to enable this optional feature. To configure you decide which panels you want active to customize to your particular application, all panels except the "Status Panel" are optional. Most items within each panel are optional, you pick what is enabled and what isn't to customize to any situation. For example if just getting started and all you have is the Sky Quality Meter you might turn everything else off: If you buy a *cheap 8 channel relay board ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Channel-5V-Relay-Shield-Module-Board-for-Arduino-Raspberry-Pi-ARM-AVR-CN/231682185473?hash=item35f1559901:g:3w4AAOSwKJRZiSzF )* from eBay *you can use a jumper lead set ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/40PCS-Dupont-Wire-Jumper-Cables-Lead-10cm-20cm-30cm-2-54MM-M-M-M-F-F-F-1P-1Pin/372385974975?hash=item56b3ef0abf:m:mdG0OBulvl5nBe84kdPkVaA )* to plug it right in then enable relay control in the OCS: You can keep going on and on this way getting things working one step at a time so it doesn't become too much all at once. :) *The OCS panels are modular* so new features can be added by following the same method. For example I will probably add an IP interface to OnStep so the OCS can park the mount and verify success before closing the roof. An option to take that task out of the hands of "less predictable" Windows/Linux machines is a good backup. Another panel I'm considering adding is a weather info. forwarding panel that sends up temperature humidity and barometric pressure to OnStep. *The OCS weather sensor support is modular* (everything is in the Weather.ino file), if a library exists for a given sensor even an novice programmer can usually add support for it. There are also ASCOM Safety and Roof/Dome drivers available for very low cost (sorry, not free!) I'll probably get around to adding the ASCOM switch driver at some point too. More info. about the OCS is *available on my site ( http://www.stellarjourney.com/index.php?r=site/observatory_control )*.

By Howard Dutton ·

IR sensor heating 9

I'm testing a way to protect IR sensor from bad weathers (rain, humidity, freeze) to keep the lens as dry as possible. Some times bad conditions can affect and skew its sensitivity. Here are some scre

By koal01 ·

Yikes Do I have to replace my relays? 6

I just double checked my relays and noticed I ordered 10amp 8 channel relays, will these be okay for my needs? the only big drawn will the the garage door opener for the roof and exhaust fan for humid

By Fernando Nino Sr ·

relay question 2

Howard, I intend to use relay 4 to monitor heating in the box when it's freezing. This relay was designed for heating an observatory but i'm not going to use it in the near future. The relay to be use

By koal01 ·

version master 2.0g Ntp bug ? 4

Hi Howard, For feedback I'm testing this version and can't update time. Downgrading to 1.4f and same ip timeserver and time is now ok Koal01

By koal01 ·

Thanks Howard! 2

Just checked the updated sketch, it is a lot easier to read and decipher, lots of work on your part, Also thanks for the example code on sensors. Thanks again for the changes Nino

By Fernando Nino Sr ·

First board + 4

Hello to all , I'm target to build a experimental board for sqm detector for fun, And i have start this tuto .. (electronic in order) , and i have discover this new group by onstep . Than it's more in

By stefacom1@... ·

BME280 Sensor 11

Not having any luck trying to get the weather bme280 sensor sketch to work. The OSC tab already has the "void setup()" and "void loop()" claimed. I copied some of the code over to the OSC tab, then I

By Fernando Nino Sr ·

Inside Temperature Question 3

Since I don't use a warm room, I would still like to monitor the temp & humidity inside the observatory. Reason for this is to set the exhaust fan to kick in at certain temp or humidity range. Could I

By Fernando Nino Sr ·

Moved Set Up Out To Observatory For Testing 9

We are due for some cold weather this week, so I wanted to see how the setup will work. I still have to add the sensors but wanted to test out the main boards. I also worked on the relay outlets, I di

By Fernando Nino Sr ·

monitoring Dc help 16

Hi Howard, I'm running the 2.0g and it works fine ! I wired the heater on a relay following you advice and switch it on only in extreme conditions. The rest of the time i switched it off since the box

By koal01 ·

Building my SQM 5

I'm 3D printing the fixture for my SQM right now. If this works out I'll post the design and stl files. This is for the Adafruit TSL2591 sensor which sets into the four cut-outs. A weak slightly conve

By Howard Dutton ·

Remote Update OCS Sketch 11

Lots of reading on OTA or using alamode, lots of confusion. So I when back to step one, how to update my sketch to the OCS Arduino mega2560 with what I have around the observatory. 1. I already am usi

By Fernando Nino Sr ·

Type of Roof motor 7

Hello, I am new in this group and I want first to warmfully thank Howard Dutton for his generosity. I am planning to build a Rolling roof observatory and would like to use this OCS system, at least as

By Laurent HOUSSAYE ·

Relay Status Reversed 3

Helloo Im curently build OCS. I use 4 channel relay to control power for mount, actuator, DSLR and raspberry pi. But for some reason t he on/off status of the devices is showing up in reverse in web s

By Hanif Nanda ·

Switch Sensors from Adafruit_Si7021 to BME280 3

Hi Howard, I believe you asked me a while ago if I was going to use a second BME280 to measure the inside temp and humidity, I said no I wanted to use the Si7021, but now I want to switch over to use

By Fernando Nino Sr ·

current sensor on AC current 3

Hi Howard, Hope everything is all right for you ! After the success of the ACS712 module on DC current i'v added an AC source on relay 5 and would like to add a second ACS712 display module to measure

By koal01 ·

Saying hello 2

Thought I’d say hello and thank Howard for a great project 👍🏻. Hopefully I’ll get my head round all this and get my ROR observatory fully automated.

By ggedge1@... ·

Some notes/question on the OCS - Interlock, Single-button openers/closers 9

First, thank you Howard for developing this software. I really appreciate your work on this. I loaded the OCS up today onto a test breadboard to simulate a ROR with open/close sensors, an interlock sw

By pbkoden@... ·

OCS Pin Map 14

I plan to build a small observatory using a linear actuator. I'm still confused with the pin map on Oncue OCS. Do I need to use a router to control the observatory via wifi?

By Hanif Nanda ·