Quote:
Originally Posted by turbo_pascale
Damien,
In terms or repeatability of the movement, how good is it?
I used to do everything manually with the hand controller, and that was easy enough, but I'm looking to be able to run this automated in SGP.
With stepper motor based units, you get a pretty good level of repeatability.
What's you're experience with this if you're using the absolute values programatically rather than just running it in/out manually?
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You are going to need a stepper motor focuser if you want to automate things. The Meade focuser is only a DC motor. The software I wrote lets you control the motor by using timed movement or manual mode, which is better than just manual but it's not very reliable in respect to exact values as there are none because of the dumb DC motor and no encoders in the focuser.
The Ascom part is also written into the software but it uses the Meade LX200 Classic Ascom driver and happened by accident. I decided to use the Meade RS232 protocol focus commands to control the motor just cause, (I could have used any control commands), and it turns out, that the LX200 Classic Ascom also uses these commands and that is why it works. However, the LX200 Classic Ascom is a crappy driver in my opinion and keeps adjusting for backlash which is annoying. I tested it in Backyard EOS and control did work from within the application.
So if you just want to be able to re-use your focuser, then this or something like this is ideal, however, with automation I would go for a Moonlite focuser or similar with stepper motor control and temperature sensing.
I've attached the Arduino code for you to have a look at but I don't have any schematics as I built this as is on the fly. The Arduino code should spell most of that out by using the pin references etc. (I can always help too if you are interested).
I need to test the Windows code as I have not only moved to Win 10 recently but upgraded to the latest Visual Studio which won't open the older files. I have to setup VS 2010 first which I need to do anyhow.
I built this focuser controller as I put my Meade Zero image shift focuser onto a Meade ETX125 which has no control for the focuser.
So, I guess if you want automated, this may not be the solution. If you just want to be able to control the focuser as before, then this would suit well.
The benefit of the PC software is controlling the focuser manually which I find is very handy when you are running other astro software on the PC anyhow. Ascom is not a highlight here but it does work as if you have a LX200 focuser.
Any questions let me know.
Cheers,
Damien.