John did you try the lesvedome driver? Basically Lesvedome is a ascom driver that is designed to work with a velleman k8055 usb board and some relays and an encoder. The velleman board is around $120ish assembled from Ocean Controls in melbourne.
For a more in depth read the read me from here
http://www.dppobservatory.net/DomeAu...DomeDriver.htm
I have used the lesvedome protocol on 3 different observatories, granted they were roll off's, not using the tracking function that is the heart of lesvedome. I simply used the ascom driver to control the roof/shutters via ccd autopilot (or any ascom compatible software that has observatory control like maxim dl etc) for a nights unattended imaging, its nice to know once an imaging run is over that your roof will shut automatically.
I have built a dome lesvedome system for a friend that uses the full tracking via ascom and wireless control of the shutter. Its still in the prototype stage on my bench and I have had it working. If you know a little about electronics (or can con someone from iis who does!) you could build a full telescope tracking system including motors for considerably less than maxdomes 2x pcb's and lesvedome has better control of tracking errors.
Gear drives/racks are the go.
Brett