OnStep - Alt-Az

[Chriske]

Has anyone made a working OnStep tracker for a Alt-Az scope..?
No derotator required.

Thanks

[Space Hopper]

I'm all ears.....🙂

[lenscap]

47 minutes ago, Chriske said:

Has anyone made a working OnStep tracker for a Alt-Az scope..?

Have a look here. Scroll down to Dobsonian and Alt/Az;  https://onstep.groups.io/g/main/wiki/4414

 

[Spile]

That is an interesting looking project. The apps looks to have similar functionality to SkEye which I am currently using as my Push-to app of choice.

[Chriske]

I'm planning to control the software from my smartphone(android).
I do have SkySafariPro4 installed already. It is tempting to make a go-to, but maybe, just maybe I'll go for a push-to and tracking.
On second thought, the latter is (maybe) not possible, Don' know(yet) need to find out.

In the past I already made a push-to. That was installed on my very first printed telescope(Printsonian). It had two encoders(selfmade out of old mice) and worked very well.

Edited January 30, 2021 by Chriske

[Chriske]

erased double post.

Edited January 30, 2021 by Chriske

[MarkAR]

I'm looking to do similar with a Dob mount, investigating the MaxESP3 and Arduino at the moment.

 

[lenscap]

18 minutes ago, MarkAR said:

I'm looking to do similar with a Dob mount, investigating the MaxESP3 and Arduino at the moment.

You might want to consider the WeMos R32 with CNC V3 Shield version as well.

This option, which uses the same ESP32 chip as the maxESP, has only been available for about 6 months so it is still a bit experimental & not all the optional Onstep features have been implemented yet, but if it has the features you want the build is at least as simple as the Mega2560 options but with better performance.

Just plug the CNC shield into the WeMos R32, plug in a pair of LV8729 drivers, connect power & motors and you have a funtional controller that can be directed by Bluetooth from your phone.

 

[MarkAR]

Thanks for the heads up, tech is advancing daily but at least I know the MaxESP3 works. Will be using Nema23 motors so S109 drivers required.

[Chriske]

18 hours ago, MarkAR said:

Thanks for the heads up, tech is advancing daily but at least I know the MaxESP3 works. Will be using Nema23 motors so S109 drivers required.

Are you aiming for a Go-To alt-az, or just tracking.

[MarkAR]

Aiming for Goto. Either wifi to my phone and use Stellarium or maybe build a RPi4 console for the mount and use Astroberry.

 

Edited February 16, 2021 by MarkAR

[Chriske]

3 minutes ago, MarkAR said:

Aiming for Goto.

 

I'll be using SkySafari-V4 and also my phone.

[MarkAR]

Looking to order the MaxESP3 kit and Smart hand controller and bits, comes to around £85. Just add a pair of Nema23's and power.