Comments on: Circuit Description

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 23:22:01 +0000

There are two options. First, you could use an inexpensive usb-serial converter to add a serial port to your laptop. Second, you could use bluetooth–you’d need a serial-bluetooth converter plugged into the encoder box that would connect to your laptop’s native bluetooth support. If your laptop doesn’t have built-in bluetooth, you can buy a usb-bluetooth adapter. I use the bluetooth method.

Dave

By: David Halle

David Halle — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:13:14 +0000

Am interested in building this project, but the laptop I would use does not have a serial port only USB are there any work around for this

By: BT

BT — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:38:04 +0000

Dave – I came across your site 5 years ago and was inspired to do my own DSC system with a PIC. I did it and it works great. The software I wrote also has a Messier catalog for look-up. The system is accurate.

Currently, I use the Hand-held wand (that I designed with a cool red LCD) and it’s hardwired via a plug-in phone wire. I’m thinking of using my Android phone and going Bluetooth to the DSC and started surfing the net for transmitter/rcvr. I came across your site – it’s been a long time since I checked you out – really glad to see/know folks use you as a resource.
You can check out my digital setting circle at my site
http://www.galaxypoint.com

By: Per Forsberg

Per Forsberg — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:43:13 +0000

Hi Dave.
Great project this. I am working on a PCB-board for Mel Bartels system but with better motordrivers and an IR remote interface, and the abillity to work standalone if you just want a quick setup without computer. I would like to incorporated your interface too on the PCB. I see that people has asked for the sourcecode of your settingcircles and if you agree on this it means that I can incorporate the code in my bigger proc that handles the other stuff and minimise my board some. If you want to send me the code I would much apreciate it (but understand if you dont..).

Best Regards

Per

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:04:04 +0000

Harshad,

Yes, you can use my DSC with a dob mount. The PC software is what performs the the alignment, not the on-board software.

Dave

By: Harshad

Harshad — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:11:50 +0000

Hi Dave,

I have made a Dob mount for my scope. Can I use your DSC with an alt-azm mount? I am not sure if your onboard software take care of calibrating the sensors (via multi-point alignment) or is it the PC software?

I don’t want to build a GOTO; a PUSH TO would suffice.

(I am new to the topic of DSCs).

Thanks,
Harshad

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:52:18 +0000

R6-12 can be omitted completely (there’s no need to tie those pins to VCC because there are internal pullup resistors). Also, you can obtain another PIC from FAR Circuits–just email them and ask for a price.

By: Craig Combes

Craig Combes — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 04:13:13 +0000

Hi Dave,
I got the Bluetooth module today and it’s a surface mount module that would look much nicer properly mounted on a new board, so I’m going to do a new board (after I wire into your current board to make sure it works).
I was reviewing your schematic and I was wondering if you felt that R6-R12 were really necessary? Can’t those pins all be tied to VCC directly? Also, how could I go about getting another PIC?

Thanks!

Craig Combes

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:53:01 +0000

1) The z command sets the encoder resolutions (ticks per axis revolution):

A = declination resolution low byte
B = declination resolution high byte
C = right ascension resolution low byte
D = right ascension resolution high byte

declination resolution is 256*B + A
right ascension resolution is 256*D + C

So if the resolution on the declination axis is 4000, then the high byte is 15 and the low byte is 160 (15*256 + 160 = 4000).

2) declination position is 256*B + A, and right ascension is 256*D + C.

By: Willy

Willy — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 00:32:58 +0000

Hello,

I need more information for communications protocol :
I have 2 encoders with 4000 ticks, so

1) if i send the command ‘zABCD’, what is the value of A,B,C and D ?

2) if i send the command ‘h’, i receive ‘ABCD’. The declination position is Ax256+B ?

Thanks for your help.