EQ6 mount and OnStep controller

[Astrofriend]

I rebuilt my EQ6 mount to belt drive a couple of years ago. It worked very well when using Windows system. Later I moved over to Linux and KStars. Then I got problem, the EQMOD driver in INDI doesn't allowed custom gear ratio as it do in ASCOM. With help I changed the EQMOD driver to accept custom gear ratio, but was very unpractical. There is also a hardware bug in the controller board of EQ6 (RA drift compensation).

Now I have decided to replace the original driver board in the EQ6 mount with the open source OnStep which has support to both ASCOM and INDI.

I have documented how I plan to built it here:

http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-eq6-onstep/01-eq6-onstep.html

For me the solution with the CPU board: FYSETC E4 looks to be the best. What I can see all pheripals I need is already implemented on that board. Make it more compact and easier to install inside the EQ6 mount.

Have any of you used this FYSETC E4 board ? What are your experiences with it, is it a good choice?

Lars

[bojan]

Lars,
I never used that particular board, but from what I hear, it is OK.
My experience with simpler approach (CNC3+ESP32) is also quite good - electronics is small, it fits inside EQ6 and has enough functionality for my EQ6 in observatory.

I am planing to put cables through AR shaft (polar finder is not needed) to enable more freedom for mount to work unsupervised.

[Astrofriend]

Thanks Bojan,
I have ordered the controller board, 33 Euro total.

Good idea about the cable through the finder scope hole. I can do it on my bigger mount. But have to replace the cables with longer ones.

Lars

[etill]

I have one of those boards in a printer. I found it to be pretty good value and it has reliable.



I'd use the teensy based boards though if you're able to. The clock speed is significantly higher than an esp and that gives you the ability to step at a much higher frequency if you need to. It also only has 2209s on it so you lose some capacity as far as the current it can handle. 5160s can do nearly double.

[Astrofriend]

Hi Elliot,
Thanks for your reply, there are many boards today to choose from. I start with the FYSETC E4 which have good support on OnStep forum. Need to practise a bit to get more experience.

Lars

[Astrofriend]

After Christmas I have done some progress on my OnStepX setup. I chose the X version which is newer and have support of INDI drivers. The CPU board FYSETC E4 looks to be very good, so much simplier it made it.

Latest documentation:
http://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-eq6-onstep/01-eq6-onstep.html

I can control the stepper motors now from KStars, looks good. Some small problem to sync the clock.

Lars

[Astrofriend]

I have added a simple weather station to my mount, part of the OnStepX driver:

https://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-eq6-onstep/08-eq6-onstep.html

With this I can have some overview of the weather when it's risk for dew. Very practical and the software was already there.

Lars

[Astrofriend]

This evening wasn't the weather very good, still I could do some thest on my OnStepX mount driver. I tested to auto guide with it.

Here is the latest:

https://www.astrofriend.eu/astronomy/projects/project-eq6-onstep/09-eq6-onstep.html

Now is the last weeks here in Sweden when we have dark enough nights.

Lars