sloz1664

That is a great result. I always feel particularity pleased when  things go right. I am terrified when the time comes to clean the mirror on my Tal 200K.

Steve 

42 minutes ago, Gina said:

The dew shield is a nice push fit on the lens

Hi Gina,

It's got that William Otics look about it

Steve

Hi Gina,

I had the same issue with my win 7 pc> Frustrated at it chugging away loading whilst the sky was beautiful and clear. I replaced my hard drive with a SSD drive and it is now really quick. Loads in seconds instead of agonizing minutes.

Steve

I agree with Steve. Fully regulated fixed 13.8 volts dc supply from Maplins, I have two and they have never faltered. Although I do have voltmeters indicating the relevant voltage sources.

Steve 

I struggled with powerline adaptors, kept unpairing and that was after I researched for the best adaptors for my situation,  working at a 40 metre distance. I eventually hardwired with cat6 and haven't had an issue since. 

Steve

40 minutes ago, steppenwolf said:

I have had both an EQ6 and a Mesu 200 in my Pulsar Observatory and I aimed for a central pier - this has worked well for me.

Thanks Steve. Central it is

Btw I will be looking at fully automating the Pulsar when I retire in July. I may need a little help 

Steve

I'm about to collect a Pulsar 2.2 metre Dome and was just wondering. Do I position the Pier central to the Dome or do I need to offset it to compensate for my EQ6 mount. I know it would differ if I upgraded to a Mesu 200...... One of those 2 am wide awake moments  

Diy build photos to follow 

Steve

Hi and a warm welcome to the Lounge

Steve

Jonk,

I've a pdf drawing:-

steve

eq6_dimensions.pdf

Hi Gnomus

Post drobox links and I'll check with ccd inspector.

Steve

Hmm... Try to run the db18b20 witout parasite mode... Just vcc, gns and d10 (+resistor) nothing else.

The mlx is not the same as mine, but it should act the same...

I have done. The setup I attached shows it in the mode you describe.

I hardly believe the code is the problem... if you use the latest code on hdutton's github, it should work.
What kind of hardware do you use? Maybe you have the links to the supplier?

Your cloud and rain sensor behaves exactly as mine, when there was i wire connected wrong, or some sensor not responded etc. 
Can you take a picture of your hardware?

I actually got mine working again, even though it was totally drenched in water. i have now sealed the box even more (wish me luck) and it is up and running again

Hi Daniel

The components I purchased were these:-

MLX 90614 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MLX90614-Contactless-IR-infrared-Close-Temperature-Sensor-Module-for-Arduino-/262011525748?

Rain Detector - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171823749829

DS18B20 - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DS18B20-Waterproof-Digital-Probe-Temperature-Sensor-Thermometer-Thermal-Module-/281392057533?hash=item4184460cbd

Rain Sensor:  R1,R2 connected to board. VCC (red wire) to 5v. GND (brown wire) connected to GND. A0 (grey wire) to A0.

DS18B20:  Signal to D10 (coupled with 4k7 resistor to 5v. GND wire to GND. VCC to 5v.

I have also connected it in parasitic mode VCC + GND to GND. Signal to D10 (coupled with 4k7 resistor to 5v).

I know the DS18B20 works as I connected it in the AAF2 Focuser circuit and it's registering temp.

MLX 90614:  GND (black wire) to GND. VCC (grey wire) to 3v. SDA (yellow wire) to A4. SCL (red wire) to AS.

BTW. I find covering everything in clear silicon stops any rain getting in.... but if you need to get access to any of the internal components 

Steve

Ok Howard,

Tried to get back to this last night but a family gathering curtailed that....

Inputted the following yellow text. 

  // gather data from sensors once a second
  if ((now%1000==0) && (last!=now)) {
    Serial.print(".");

    last=now; // blocks calling more than once during the same msOk inputted 

opened the searal monitor, typed :IP# and pressed send.

feed back from serial monitor

Init.Done.

.

cheers

It returned with:-

Hi Howard,

Did you try adding that line println() as shown below, need this to see if we returned from the init_MLX90614();  function:

void setup(void)
{
  Serial.begin(9600);

  init_DS18B20();
  init_MLX90614();

  Serial.println("Init. Done.");
}

Init. Done  - feed back from serial monitor

Sorry Howard, how do I   put a Serial.print("."); within the main loop so it prints once a second to see that the processor made it there.

Steve

Did you try adding that line println() as shown below, need this to see if we returned from the init_MLX90614();  function:

void setup(void)

{

  Serial.begin(9600);

  init_DS18B20();

  init_MLX90614();

  Serial.println("Init. Done.");

}

My next step would be to put a Serial.print("."); within the main loop so it prints once a second to see that the processor made it there.

It can take persistence, but there is a reason why it's working and it can be found, if taken step by step.

Hi Howard,

i'll try the setup when I get back home from work and let you know the results.

Just try and change the SDA and SCL, it doesn't damage anything and takes a second... And you have the 3V and ground connected right i assume.

/Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I've tried the sda / scl swop. It's connected to 3v and I'll check continuity on all connections. Also, units led power is on.

Steve

Hi Howard,

Checked that it's connected correctly. I'll also check continuity, buts Looks like it could be a hardware failure     

Steve

Well, so much for my first guess.  There was an obvious potential for an infinite loop in the DS18B20 init. code.

Next guess would be one of these lines:

    ds18b20_celsius = read_DS18B20();

    MLX90614_celsius = read_MLX90614();

If you could add // before both of these lines to comment them out and run again.  You'll have send :IP# to see if it's working.  If it works then try them one at a time to see which one did it.

Hi Howard,

Both OK

   ds18b20_celsius = read_DS18B20();

// MLX90614_celsius = read_MLX90614();  OK

// ds18b20_celsius = read_DS18B20();

   MLX90614_celsius = read_MLX90614();  Nothing.......

Steve

Hi Howard'

Nothing at all registering in the serial monitor screen.

Uploaded the program onto another nano... same result 

Steve

Thanks Howard, I'll set it up and check the nano is connecting

Steve

Hi Daniel,

Just a final check on the temp probe. Is it correct VCC to 5v, and probe D10 with a 4,7kohm resistor between 5V and D10.

I have read somewhere using the one wire setup both the vcc and ground are connected. Hence one wire.

Steve

Hi Daniel,

Sorted the arduino issue and have uploaded the programme and it shows the command tab. 

Connected the Arduino nano and opened Maxpilote to setup properties, arduino nano set on 

com port 11.

Any ideas to why this should happen?

Sorry for being a pain........

Steve

Got it to load eventually, but SGPro  has thrown up an error 

Frustrating but I'll have to figure this one out......

Steve

Try the i2c i had in my library... still can't remember where i found it though

/Daniel

Cheers Daniel