skybadger

I'm astonished if the inclinometer gives you that accuracy, and the magnetometer wobbles all over the place due to the changing metal distribution of the mount and you moving nearby presence. I would expect the gyro to be able to point you at 30' accuracy though. Mike

There have been thoughts on tracking the end of the telescope via a 3-axis gyro or magnetometer to tel the dome where to rotate to base don the position of the scope. Creating your own hand controller using the arduino should be a good project, the power drivers are cheaply available on ebay, so it comes down to getting the code doing what you want. There's also a kit IR hand remote on ebay for a couple of pounds - just include the interface on your shield. I'm not sure what you intend the gyro unit to do though. Good luck Mike

Next task is shutter control. Anyone used a light winch?

I have now also bought a second hand Polaris. I believe it is the older older model since there are wall flanges that prevent use of a driving wheel on the internal rim. To address this I am just replacing two of the support wheels with pulley wheels driven by a motor attached to the frame. It needs at least two pulleys wheels since not all support wheels are in contact. I may yet drive directly this way if I can't get even enough conta t and have to go sprung. Positional control is via the magnetometer over rf to the dome, which requires a solar panel, a battery and a charge controller. No great shakes there. Motor control from robotelectronics.co.UK and pointing via POTH from ASCOM to address rates and flip. The primary issues I have found using this is that the battery must get enough charge during the day. Not always easy. Mike