Boxdorfer GoTo Controller?

Visionoz (Bill) · #1 05-09-2010, 09:24 PM

Hi All

Anyone here have any experience and/or comments/opinions about the Boxdorfer DynoStar X3 1.6A Goto Controller??

Here's the website link: http://www.boxdoerfer.de/articles.htm

Cheers
Bill

netwolf · #2 06-09-2010, 10:09 AM

Bill

This a stepper system, what mount do you want to use it with?

IMHO the best stepper system at presetn would have to be the Littlefoot Elegance model
http://elegance.photo.rajiva.de/
Comparission tabel here
http://astronomie.rajiva.de/astronomie/smstv.html

The servo option I use with my G-11 is a Sitech.
http://www.siderealtechnology.com/

Visionoz (Bill) · #3 06-09-2010, 12:17 PM

Thanks Fahim

It's for the G11 - I was only researching my need for a GoTo; using PushTo with AN for astro-imaging only atm but thought maybe should convert to GoTo - the AN works good!

The very nature of astro-imaging means that being quick to go-to an object is not that critical for me because when you target an object and get to image it, it usually would take quite some time in imaging the object anyway - I was just getting bored the last few months with the bad weather and wanted something to do by spending money!!

I am more inclined towards the SiTech gear - so you have now got yours going already? Wonder if you could tell me how it was fitted up and how's the controller software? Pics would be appreciated

Cheers
Bill

netwolf · #4 06-09-2010, 01:08 PM

Bill i cheated a bit, I bought the Gemini servo Motors (used from someone upgrading to Maxon motors) and then got the gearbox and mounting kit from Losmandy. This gave me motors that bolted straight on. Then I just had to make wiring for the Sitech controller to the motors and motor encoders. AN does work with Sitech, if you look at the Yahoo sitech there a few new people using this setup on a G-11. And many others using it on other mounts and Dob's. It is very similar to the AN Servocat combination.

Sitech does not have its own database in a handcontroller so the AN can be used to provide this. But you can also now use there ASCOM driver, which is a full fledged control software for the Sitech.

If you are considering it I would suggest you look into maybe getting the Maxon motors as they have a bit more grunt.

Mine has been packed up for the past year and am hopping to get it all back and working again this spring/summer.

Greg Elton, who is also a member here gelton and I think he is from WA also recently got the new Sitech controller and already has a AN setup. You might wish to reach out to him and get some tips. I suggested to him to also get the Losmandy motors and then wire them up for the Sitech.

What I like with about the Littlefoot is its completely standalone system and has some nice features in it. It would also work witht he existing stepper motors you have but you would be limited to slew speeds of 16x.

BTW In one of the CN threads one chap is waitin on his Titatn mount and he mentions something about a new Gemini system. Not sure what that means. But if they are realeasing something new that might be worth investigating.

Regards
Fahim

Visionoz (Bill) · #5 08-09-2010, 01:10 AM

Fahim

I thought that the Pittmans that usually are used with the SiTech are more than adequate and didn't realise that the Maxons are gruntier - I suppose because I am still procrastinating about converting the G11 to GoTo at the moment means that I don't really go over the specs with a fine-toothed comb yet

I wonder how does one really purchase the whole Sitech kit with controller/servos and all? I joined the Yahoo group because Dan Gray told me to join when I enquired about kit pricings and when I got in there I had spent a considerable time reading all the old posts etc - but call me stupid if you like - for the life of me I could only see some people were more interested in telling everyone else how minute and hi-res they could track into the milli-micro-arcsecs!! and there was no information available as to where to buy the product! Just take what I wrote as being a bit facetious

because I got a bit frustrated
Anyhow the only one of note was Chuck Shaw's contrib which is quite close to what I need with his instructions & how-to for the G11 mods especially the pixs giving clarity as to what the end result is going to be!

The Dynostar with Escap motors seems to be neat (I received some pixs from Sigurd today; not bad at all), the steppers seem to be a direct bolt-on replacement for the Losmandy's and even the oldham coupling seems high quality but a pity that the controller seems to be a bit limited (your referenced link) and kit pricing aro 35% more than the SiTech kit (if my assumptions about SiTech's price is correct)

Anyways it's early days yet and I may go the Gemini way if a used one comes up some day in the future - no hurry at all; just wanting to do something when the weather's just been bad for quite a long while now

I'll wait and see!

Cheers
Bill

netwolf · #6 08-09-2010, 04:10 PM

Bill,

The Maxon motors are a upgrade sold by Losmandy they bolt straight on. There is also the Stadnard Servo motors sold with the Gemini Kit by Losmandy, these also bolt straight on to the mount.

With third party motors like the Pittmans you would have to create your own adaptation to make it fit your mount. Dan does not sell any bolt on soltuion for thte G-11. Most users make there own for there own mounts. Some users also get there pittmans via Surplus sales or ebay auctions to get them cheaper. But you need to make sure they are suitable for Pittman. The guys on the yahoo group can help you with that.

This is Chuck Shaw's conversion (he is the moderator of the yahoo group)
https://sites.google.com/a/sitechser...-sitech-servos
Chuck is a very nice guy, and helped me quiet a bit with my setup. There are a growing band of G-11 Sitech converts.

Manuals etc have been gathered here, you can also check out members pages to see others people who have converted there systems to Sitech.
http://www.sitechservo.info/

The stepper solution sold by Dynostar and others like the FS-2 (another good stepper) system
http://www.telescope-service.com/FS2/start/FS2.html
come with specific motor kits for your mount that will bolt on.

You can use the Escap motors with the Littlefoot controller, as when i last checked they had not yet released any motor kits. But a little rewiring might be required as the cables sold with the Escap would be for the Dynostar. In my opinion for the price the Littlefoot is the better system in stepper systems.