Thank you, Alain!

Regarding the Terrans EXOS2 Lite version, I conducted some experiments.

I tested updating the firmware via the ESP32 download tool using Lite.bin just to ensure that I have a recovery plan. I disassembled the Lite version and found out that the drivers are TMC2225S. I made some changes in Config.h and updated the firmware via Arduino IDE. The device seems to be working as expected, but I will conduct some tests on stars before confirming.

These changes need to be made in the config for Lite - EQ5/CG5 mounts:

#define AXIS1_DRIVER_MODEL TMC2225S
#define AXIS1_STEPS_PER_DEGREE 7680
#define AXIS1_REVERSE OFF
#define AXIS1_DRIVER_MICROSTEPS 32

#define AXIS2_DRIVER_MODEL TMC2225S
#define AXIS2_STEPS_PER_DEGREE 7680
#define AXIS2_REVERSE OFF
#define AXIS2_DRIVER_MICROSTEPS 32

#define AXIS3_DRIVER_MODEL OFF
#define AXIS4_DRIVER_MODEL OFF
#define FEATURE1_PURPOSE OFF"

The required button combination is to press P2(held) + EN (short click).

EDIT:

The Bluetooth virtual device is not enabled by default in this source so enable it in Extended.config.h, line 37:
#define SERIAL_BT_MODE SLAVE

Best regards,
Spas

Hi,

Thanks for the information.

This means that (except you discover some strange behavior) "Terrans" firmware can be compiled and uploaded with the Arduino IDE provided one makes the correct changes to the Config.h files to match the hardware of the particular controller.

Now the question is: Can we use the official firmware also?
So far I did check I made a "diff -r" on the src directory and found no changes between "Terrans" version 10.17.f and rollback of official version 10.17.f

today 15/09/2023 we have this situation form a version point of view:
OnStepX version: = 10.17.j
OnStep version: = 4.24.s
SmartWebServer version: = 2.06.j
SmartHandController version: = 4.00.f
Terrans OnStep version: = 10.17.f
Terrans SmartWebServer version: ???? (source not available)

I will ask Terrans again t have the sources available on their site (the complete project is GPL V3 licensed so they have to disclose their sources) as they have to disclose their Schematics.

@all,

I received a MaxESP4 this week and started testing it with latest firmware.
OnStepX version: = 10.17.j
SmartWebServer version: = 2.06.j

Now I understand better some complains about warning messages since I found that OnStepX changed the responses to some commands.
Instead of replying by a default value it sometimes returns just "nan# and fo other commands it just does not return with the tail "#" so that OnStep understands this as a communication error.
I found the workaround but this needs to be tested aslo with version 4.24.s.
So far it works but before issuing a pull request better to check some other things.
I need to prepare tests for at least the Weather using a "bme280" and a Focuser temperature using "DS1820"
Will take some time

Hi Alain,

Happy to hear that.
If I could be of any help, let me know, please.

Best,
W

If you are in position to compile and test would be welcome. (dependencies installed and so on)

if your indi code is in ~/Projects
then just do the following

cd ~/Projects/indi/drivers/telescope/
unzip ~/Downloads/lx200_OnStep.zip .
cd ~/Projects/indi
./developer-build.bash
cd build
sudo make install

and you are ready to test the code

@all

I pushed the latest changes to github.com/azwing/indi/tree/OnStep_Work
Please test and report if

Needs some cleanup when confirmed to work for others.

================= OS version
PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 11 (bullseye)"
NAME="Debian GNU/Linux"
VERSION_ID="11"
VERSION="11 (bullseye)"
VERSION_CODENAME=bullseye
ID=debian
HOME_URL="www.debian.org/"
SUPPORT_URL="www.debian.org/support"
BUG_REPORT_URL="bugs.debian.org/"
================= indiserver
INDI Library: 2.0.3
Code v1.9.4-633-ge9662a4ab. Protocol 1.7.
================= kstars version
kstars 3.6.7 Beta
================= OnStep firmwares versions
OnStepX version: = 10.17.j
OnStep version: = 4.24.s
SmartWebServer version: = 2.06.j
SmartHandController version: = 4.00.f

Hi Alain,

I made a quick test yesterday.
Weather w/ BME280 works fine, when the sensor is absent you get 'nan'.

Focuser temperature is seen in INDI



Its value isn't properly reflected in EKOS focus module, though...



Regards,
W

Thank you very much for testing.

Yes having something working in control panel doesn't mean it work in Ekos.
Most probably something I did not understand as many others

No error warnings anymore?

Hi,

I fixed the Ekos Focuser Temperature but there is something still to be clarified:
With OnStep it is the firmware that handles the T° compensation.
So Ekos should not take any action for temperature compensation.

I am not sure how this work for now.
But to have Ekos retrieve the focuser temperature the property name must be "FOCUS_TEMPERATURE" otherwise it searches for the Weather Temperature
Any idea is (very) welcome

Code is on : github.com/azwing/indi/tree/OnStep_Work

I juste relized that your ekos is not looking like mine !!!!

Which version of Kstars are you running

I am using version 3.6.6

I am using 3.6.7 beta (I am building practically daily).
The Focuser Temperature has been moved from Camera tab to Focuser Tab.