Quote:
Originally Posted by danstar10
Ah if it need mains power the it is no good for me 
I have been doing more research into the linear stepper motion controller in this link I posted:
http://www.piclist.com/techref/io/st...step/index.htm
It does not require an external PC apparently, and just need to be programmed once to my needs. I would just need to find an suitable stepper motor and a power supply.
This seems like a very similar project all be it with a more advanced mount:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4niX...xDrWCu4gvoQ2Ug
what do you make of this? Seems like it will be very accurate and a reasonable price, and it would be nice to build the circuit kit as it comes un-assembled... |
This circuit is designed for use with CNC machines, and in it's original form and intention it does require PC (as it has STEP and DIR control inputs,
see here, a bit lower on the page.)
However, if you have a suitable firmware (or if you know how to write it), this circuit can of course be used to function independently.
Ken's circuit is very complicated to build (even for me
) and those stepper drivers are not available any more (if you find them, they will blow your budget as it is set to ~50 punds).
The schematic attached below ( if you go for this solution, you can solder the circuit on protoboard) is what I used for the driver on my EQ3 mount - it is much simpler. The processor used is also obsolete, but it can be replaced with some newer PIC controller... and the only thing left to do is to write firmware for it. See discussion I mentioned earlier,
about picaxe.
Perhaps, you should also have a look at
PICGoTo - this board can operate independently, but later you can use it for more serious mount, you can even connect it with PC if you wish, for full blown GoTo functionality.