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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

DIY focuser w/o Motor HAT or PiFace?

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That's what I thought after I saw your pictures ;-)
I'm glad you got it working!
6 years 6 months ago #19198

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Is there a way to have INDI calculate the necessary number of steps for backlash compensation? Or should I determine it by hand?
6 years 6 months ago #19250

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The driver does not calculate backlash value. You need to determine it manually
6 years 6 months ago #19252

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Any tips on what would be the best way to determine the number of backlash steps?
6 years 6 months ago #19301

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Just observe the focuser tube while travelling by small amount of steps.
6 years 6 months ago #19309

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Same problem as yours with rpi_focuser.

I run astroberry-server on a RPI3 and I am very happy with it.
All updates have been done (astroberry scripts and mate packages.

I am less happy with my actual focus motor and so I have tried to use the rpi_focus.

I have installed INDI Astroberry from the .deb file at sourceforge.net/projects/astroberry/ and I believe I used the required procedures (i said: I believe).
When I try to load the indi_rpifocus driver in indiserver (through graphical interface of EKOS configurator), no Astroberry Focuser tab shows up in focuser list.
Here is what I have done:

# from www.airspayce.com/mikem/bcm2835/index.html
# download the latest version of the library, say bcm2835-1.xx.tar.gz, then:
tar zxvf bcm2835-1.xx.tar.gz
cd bcm2835-1.xx
./configure
make
sudo make check
sudo make install

installed armf rpi (.deb) packaged indi driver (rev 1.04)
# not done what follows since I use a raspi3 and this is
# for RPI2 enable device tree support
# and I have not found that kind of setting in the raspi3 version of raspi-config
# sudo raspi-config
# under Advanced Options - enable Device Tree
Reboot.

I have also tried to install this afterward in the hope to get missing libs
but this does not seem to improve anything:

sudo apt-get install sense-hat

The rpi_GPS appears in the picklists but no rpi_focuser

Any idea ?
6 years 5 months ago #20176

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These are old versions built against old libindi libraries. No guarantee they will work at all.
The reason they don't appear on the drivers list in Ekos is that they use obsolete format in xml files. You can try to replace respective xml files located in /usr/share/indi with the ones located here: github.com/rkaczorek/astroberry-diy (i.e. indi_rpialtimu.xml, indi_rpibrd.xml, indi_rpifocus.xml, indi_rpigps.xml).
6 years 5 months ago #20185

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I used github.com/fehlfarbe/arduino-motorfocus with an Arduino Nano 5v clone from Amazon ( Link ). It emulates a MoonLite focuser via USB and can run even without RPI.
6 years 5 months ago #20217

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Hello! Just to be sure here are the parts I gathered from your comment and from the project. Could you confirm that these would work together as you don't use the exact same one from the project you link to. Or could you post the parts you used ?

From what I understand these are the parts I would need:

- 5v 28YBJ-48 Stepper Motor with Gear Reduction
- ULN2003 Driver Board (comes with the motor)
- Mini Nano V3.0 Module, ATmega328P CH340G Chip 5V 16M

Now, just to be sure, the Mini Nano does not have to be connected to a full fledged Arduino correct ? I mean, it is not some kind of "hat" that goes over a Nano (sorry for the terminology I am new to this!!)
"Some people are so poor, all they have is money"
SW Black Diamond 80ED | SW150MAK | Newton SW 200/1000 | Orion 50mm Guider with Helical Focuser |Sirius EQ-G Rowan Belt Mode
Canon 1000D moded | ZWO ASI185MC | Baader Mark III Zoom
INDI | Stellarmate on RPI3B+ | Stellarium | Pixinsight
6 years 4 months ago #20569

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Hi,

I just uploaded my motor focuser to thingiverse. www.thingiverse.com/thing:2617278

The images on the github page show a Arduino nano and the stepper motor driver board soldered together for the data pins. I used jumper cables for all connections.
The Arduino Nano is just a smaller board compared to the bigger brothers.

Karsten
6 years 4 months ago #20572

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This is so cool :) Thank you !

I've decided to buy the Arduino-Compatible UNO R3 Starter Kit. It has the 5V 28BYJ-48 with ULN2003 driver board and a lot of goodies for a cheap 32€... I love the way you mounted everything on this 3D printed support. That is really DIY !
"Some people are so poor, all they have is money"
SW Black Diamond 80ED | SW150MAK | Newton SW 200/1000 | Orion 50mm Guider with Helical Focuser |Sirius EQ-G Rowan Belt Mode
Canon 1000D moded | ZWO ASI185MC | Baader Mark III Zoom
INDI | Stellarmate on RPI3B+ | Stellarium | Pixinsight
6 years 4 months ago #20575

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