mindburner

The latest on my Sourceforge site is V2.1.3

http://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinoascomfocuser/files/Mark2/Software/V2.1.3/

thanks for the link, I was using the one from your blog page   , so will update.

I think I will make up another focuser for my 127mm now

such a cool project

It should start at position 1000 with the latest arduino sketch and driver. I also added the option to specify the start position on the chooser dialog. If you don't see the drop-down box when you choose the driver you might be using an earlier release.

ah that's great. I the sketch I have is R5 I think dated 13 April 2014. I'll see if there is a later one

hi is there any way to get the ascom driver to start at say position 1000 rather than 1 as it basically means that one can only focus one direction, at lest in focusmax, unless the ascom chooser is opened and the position entered manually. 

With the 200mm lens I normally keep it at last focus position (to do flats etc) and don't want to wind the focus in one direction fully.

the focuser is now working a treat with an external 5v driving the stepper, no more stuttering or slipping

Thanks for considering my project. I think the easydriver uses direction and step pin connections rather than the 4 separate lines my design uses. You will need to amend the clockwise() and anticlockwise() functions in my sketch to work correctly. It might be best to search out a sketch that uses the easydriver and 'borrow' the appropriate sections. If you get it working let me have a copy and I'll add it to the sourceforge project.

hi

I decided to just get the adfruit motor shield as I didn't want to mess around with adapting the easy stepper board too much.

got the project finished. It works a treat on the bench although I had a bit of an issue on the mount as I think the USB hum system is not sufficient to drive the stepper properly. It just does not seem to have enough torque to drive the belt to the Canon 200mm lens. I think I will add a 12v supply to the motor shield board. It's a excellent project and will really help in the critical focusing of this lens

excellent project. I have just got a 200mm lens and I was going to try and build this focuser. Parts ordered to try the drive belt approach. I already have an arduino. I ordered an easy driver board so hopefully I will be able to use this with the arduino. 

I had a Pathescope 70mm refractor with wobbly mount and one of those big AZ adjuster springy things that kept coming off or whacking you in the side. Pretty amazing views for the time. The focuser rack and pinion is hammered but it's still pointing skywards in the roofspace.

a bit of a thread revival but does anyone know the pitch and size of the tap needed for the AZ peg hole?

Don't go by the colour of the wires... looking at the pictures of the e-bay unit it would be Green, white and black

hi yes just noticed that as they have used the orange for 5v.

Hopefully the plug will arrive soon and I get soldering

That's brilliant Malcolm, thanks for finding that

hi all

I just ordered one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.u...em=180999412857

integrated leads and was wondering how to connect it to the 9 pin D-sub plug for an NEQ6

it look like just a matter of connecting the Dsub plug

pin 9 to TX

pin 6 to RX

pins 5 & 4 to ground

pin 1, the + can be left off as it's not required

does that sound about right?

m101 with the modded 1100d

about 1.5 hours worth

needs darks (was only using incamera NR)

and modding seems to have knackered the colour a bit

cigar galaxy

what a breath of fresh air First Light Optics are. Super items and fast delivery. I managed to order and receive my 2 inch tube extender faster than it took Altair Astro to even answer one email (still havn't replied)

Thanks for saving my sanity

Ordered an Orion 1.25" Self-Centering Adapter on the 16/11 online. £6 postage:eek:

I mean recorded would have cost no more than £2. anyway..

Got an order ID from the website. No sign of the item as of 23/11

Emailed asking for an ETA - no response.

Phoned them - answer machine, no call back

I was saving for a 115 telescope but would not be so keen now if they can't manage a small piece of metal.

Would not recommed due to hight postage and no comms (that's the worst bit)

Edit : just a note to say Nick emailed me explaining they had comms issues and put the item on back order for me.

I have to say this is one of the best forums I have ever been on. Everyone is very helpful and patient as I'm sure they have heard the same questions time and again. It's a great place to learn with a wealth of high quality articles and detailed posts.