Always happy to see a new vid drop on your channel. I did smile during the first 5 mins, as I was pleasantly surprised at how, with each new vid, your production values increase and you get to see what a smart dude you really are. The fact you are doing it all with bugger all, comparatively, gives an important message to the community. That in and of itself is quite special mate. I recently "dumped" a whole bunch of YT subscriptions, not just in Astro, but engineering, carpentry, gaming(!) and much, much more, as I was finding the creators to be entirely unrelatable, based on the insane sponsorship/loans that are beyond the reach of us mere mortals. That is why I really enjoy what you are doing Nugs. It's breath of fresh air mate, trust me. Finding your channel was a real treat. As ever, thank you for putting these fascinating videos out - they're going to be really useful to people going down the path you've selected, as well as the rest of us that just thoroughly relish you fabricobbling some insanely fiendishly clever do-hickey out of sweet FA. I shall raise a malt in your direction later, good Sir!
Wow. It's hard to know how to respond to that... Well thanks, obviously. That's a real treat to hear and whilst I do hope to one day achieve the heights of getting monetized, I know that any amount I earn would pale into insignificance against comments like yours (well, the appreciation of others). I've no malt to raise back at ya, so I'll do it with a beer. Cheers!
Are you the only one on youtube that made a tutorial to update onstep firmware? It looks easy enough but I'm still scratching my head about everything! First, I will want to backup stock factory firmware in case I mess anything up, which I probably will. When I get some free time, I'll watch your whole video! Thanks!
Pretty sure I saw one other video that incorporated this, but not so in depth. Good luck, ask if you're stuck and if I can help I will. Also, check out the link to OnStep Groups in the video description. There's a whole community to ask.
Just discovered your channel. GREAT.... My synscan stopped working on my eq5, so rather than buy another at £400 I decided to get one of the kits off ebay, the v4 pro thingy.... Looking forward to trying it. BTW, I am in the process of creating a "Mission Control" case as well........
Thanks! I read tons and posted a few questions and got some help to get started. Many things are still a mystery to me. I went to the wiki pages. Followed step by step but when I got to the config.h part, I can't believe that I can't figure out how to open the file to show in audrino! The wiki pages said to just do it. I'm trying but nothing I clicked which was almost everything, don't have the option to open the file. I know where all the files I need are too. I'll definitely smack myself when you tell me how it's done. Thanks! 😂
You can open config.h just using notepad on Windows. For Arduino, instead open the "OnStep.ino", which will also open config.h as part of it. Then once OnStep.ino is open in Arduino, just click the "config.h" tab up top. Hope this makes sense.
@@Cheapass-tro I can post again. RUclips needlessly deleting my post due to something I wrote. I'll keep short. I can see config.h thanks to you. OnstepX was unzipped into a subfolder inside OnstepX main folder. Last question, I hope. How to backup factory firmware, all other files and settings? How to view or obtain factory config.h file from the controller? Thanks again!
@@Jamesee777 RUclips has been doing that to my comments too (not on my videos). It's a PITA. I believe that once the files are written to the controller, there's no reset option. You'll have to download the source code again and upload that for a refresh. After downloading OnStepX-10.20a (or whatever's the latest), I personally make a copy of that and remove the "-10.20a" from the copy, and work with that. This way you still have the original intact. Hope this helps.
@@Cheapass-tro I'm getting close to flashing firmware. Yeah, doesn't look like I can actually view factory config.h settings. Not that it will help me that much if I wish to do a factory restore anyway. I need to upgrade the stepper drivers anyway. I want to make sure I have all the new settings right before I flash. I'm really close. Your help actually got me to a point where I can actually flash. Next hurdle is connect to controller to flash. But if I follow the instructions, it should work. Thanks again for the help. Onstep user group is really great but it's geared towards advance users that makes noobs like me struggle. Your youtube tutorial (so far, one of one in existence) actually helped me a lot, even though my setup is a bit different. I'll be using TMC5160s and settings are made only in the config.h. In theory, that's less to do. I'll take my time on this part but I'm sure I'll run into glitches. Anyway, I'll update you when and if I make it to the finish line. :)
@@Cheapass-tro I followed the wiki update firmware instructions and updated the terrans controller. I did the GVP# to test after update but no answer. Probably did it wrong. At any rate, the controller now shows 10.20a, so it updated. DIY harmonic drive is moving as it should using the arrow keys. However, when I use the arrow keys to slew, it speeds up and then slows down. I have to press same direction again to get it moving, otherwise, it'll just slow down and stop moving. Weird. When I use goto function. It speeds up and then slows down but speeds back up and maintains the speed. Strange. But it looks like it works. Only way to find out is finish the wedge and mount my telescope on it to test it for real! Thanks again for guiding me with those simple yet no idea what I was doing wrong in beginning. Quite frankly, I'm surprised it even updated and working in phase 1. Now, onwards to phase 2 is mount to telescope and see if it actually works.
Looks to me like buzzy coffee grinder step motors can hammer ripples into the gear teeth and destroy the involute curve, meaning higher frequency tracking ripples. Full step is like a jack hammer. Onstep looks like a good way to solve that problem, after I upgrade to 64 bit windows.
@@micmargos Yes, that's the one. It downloads when you click it and is a .xls file. I was only able to open it in Libre Office, which is free. I don't have the MS office suite.
See the "Choice of stepper driver" section on the following page. Towards the bottom it states how you can use jumpers to set full/half/quarter/16th step modes : onstep.groups.io/g/main/wiki/15166
@@Cheapass-tro not the step modes... the driver current, instead of using the trim pot. The 2130s (I use them in the printer) have the ability to choose steps and drive current via software settings if the firmware (Klipper on my printer) supports it.
Hi. I personally know nothing of Macbooks so I don't really know. What I do know though is that if the Macbook can do Ascom drivers then yes, it will work with OnStep. I plug my OnStep controller into my windows PC using a micro-USB cable but wifi/bluetooth are also available. Connect via Ascom drivers for Onstep and then you can either use OnStep's website or another control program like NINA etc. [Edit] I just looked at the following site (OnStep's Ascom driver source) and it says nothing of Macs : stellarjourney.com/main/onstep-ascom-driver-software/ There's always your phone if the Mac won't support it.
Always happy to see a new vid drop on your channel. I did smile during the first 5 mins, as I was pleasantly surprised at how, with each new vid, your production values increase and you get to see what a smart dude you really are. The fact you are doing it all with bugger all, comparatively, gives an important message to the community. That in and of itself is quite special mate.
I recently "dumped" a whole bunch of YT subscriptions, not just in Astro, but engineering, carpentry, gaming(!) and much, much more, as I was finding the creators to be entirely unrelatable, based on the insane sponsorship/loans that are beyond the reach of us mere mortals.
That is why I really enjoy what you are doing Nugs. It's breath of fresh air mate, trust me. Finding your channel was a real treat.
As ever, thank you for putting these fascinating videos out - they're going to be really useful to people going down the path you've selected, as well as the rest of us that just thoroughly relish you fabricobbling some insanely fiendishly clever do-hickey out of sweet FA.
I shall raise a malt in your direction later, good Sir!
Wow. It's hard to know how to respond to that... Well thanks, obviously. That's a real treat to hear and whilst I do hope to one day achieve the heights of getting monetized, I know that any amount I earn would pale into insignificance against comments like yours (well, the appreciation of others). I've no malt to raise back at ya, so I'll do it with a beer. Cheers!
Are you the only one on youtube that made a tutorial to update onstep firmware? It looks easy enough but I'm still scratching my head about everything! First, I will want to backup stock factory firmware in case I mess anything up, which I probably will. When I get some free time, I'll watch your whole video! Thanks!
Pretty sure I saw one other video that incorporated this, but not so in depth. Good luck, ask if you're stuck and if I can help I will.
Also, check out the link to OnStep Groups in the video description. There's a whole community to ask.
Just discovered your channel. GREAT.... My synscan stopped working on my eq5, so rather than buy another at £400 I decided to get one of the kits off ebay, the v4 pro thingy.... Looking forward to trying it. BTW, I am in the process of creating a "Mission Control" case as well........
Fantastic! Hope it all goes well.
Thanks for the videos! Made it this far, and am wiring my motors tomorrow. Clear Skys!
Good stuff. All the best!
Thanks! I read tons and posted a few questions and got some help to get started. Many things are still a mystery to me. I went to the wiki pages. Followed step by step but when I got to the config.h part, I can't believe that I can't figure out how to open the file to show in audrino! The wiki pages said to just do it. I'm trying but nothing I clicked which was almost everything, don't have the option to open the file. I know where all the files I need are too. I'll definitely smack myself when you tell me how it's done. Thanks! 😂
You can open config.h just using notepad on Windows.
For Arduino, instead open the "OnStep.ino", which will also open config.h as part of it.
Then once OnStep.ino is open in Arduino, just click the "config.h" tab up top.
Hope this makes sense.
@@Cheapass-tro I can post again. RUclips needlessly deleting my post due to something I wrote. I'll keep short. I can see config.h thanks to you. OnstepX was unzipped into a subfolder inside OnstepX main folder. Last question, I hope. How to backup factory firmware, all other files and settings? How to view or obtain factory config.h file from the controller? Thanks again!
@@Jamesee777 RUclips has been doing that to my comments too (not on my videos). It's a PITA.
I believe that once the files are written to the controller, there's no reset option.
You'll have to download the source code again and upload that for a refresh.
After downloading OnStepX-10.20a (or whatever's the latest), I personally make a copy of that and remove the "-10.20a" from the copy, and work with that. This way you still have the original intact.
Hope this helps.
@@Cheapass-tro I'm getting close to flashing firmware. Yeah, doesn't look like I can actually view factory config.h settings. Not that it will help me that much if I wish to do a factory restore anyway. I need to upgrade the stepper drivers anyway. I want to make sure I have all the new settings right before I flash. I'm really close. Your help actually got me to a point where I can actually flash. Next hurdle is connect to controller to flash. But if I follow the instructions, it should work. Thanks again for the help. Onstep user group is really great but it's geared towards advance users that makes noobs like me struggle. Your youtube tutorial (so far, one of one in existence) actually helped me a lot, even though my setup is a bit different. I'll be using TMC5160s and settings are made only in the config.h. In theory, that's less to do. I'll take my time on this part but I'm sure I'll run into glitches. Anyway, I'll update you when and if I make it to the finish line. :)
@@Cheapass-tro I followed the wiki update firmware instructions and updated the terrans controller. I did the GVP# to test after update but no answer. Probably did it wrong. At any rate, the controller now shows 10.20a, so it updated. DIY harmonic drive is moving as it should using the arrow keys. However, when I use the arrow keys to slew, it speeds up and then slows down. I have to press same direction again to get it moving, otherwise, it'll just slow down and stop moving. Weird. When I use goto function. It speeds up and then slows down but speeds back up and maintains the speed. Strange. But it looks like it works. Only way to find out is finish the wedge and mount my telescope on it to test it for real! Thanks again for guiding me with those simple yet no idea what I was doing wrong in beginning. Quite frankly, I'm surprised it even updated and working in phase 1. Now, onwards to phase 2 is mount to telescope and see if it actually works.
Great information Nugsy thanks for sharing mate
My pleasure, thanks.
Great videos! I have a Takahashi NJP mount that I want to convert to OnStep.
Thanks and I wish you all the best with that. Should turn out great.
Looks to me like buzzy coffee grinder step motors can hammer ripples into the gear teeth and destroy the involute curve, meaning higher frequency tracking ripples. Full step is like a jack hammer. Onstep looks like a good way to solve that problem, after I upgrade to 64 bit windows.
Great video man! Thats Some real Geek Stuff out there!
Or "Full nerd" as Astrobiscuit says.
Thanks for the Video. I want to motorize my eqm35. Where can i find the 'Onstep Configuration Calculator' to open in Office? CS, Michael
You'll find the link on the "flashing the firmware" wiki page.
I opened it in Libre Office. Not sure about Office CS??
@@Cheapass-tro is it the link to 'Configuration Calculator Spreadsheet'? It wont open on my computer... In your video it looks like a exel file.
@@micmargos Yes, that's the one. It downloads when you click it and is a .xls file. I was only able to open it in Libre Office, which is free. I don't have the MS office suite.
23:41 that's a bit of a bummer. My printer uses software-defined driver current.
See the "Choice of stepper driver" section on the following page. Towards the bottom it states how you can use jumpers to set full/half/quarter/16th step modes : onstep.groups.io/g/main/wiki/15166
@@Cheapass-tro not the step modes... the driver current, instead of using the trim pot. The 2130s (I use them in the printer) have the ability to choose steps and drive current via software settings if the firmware (Klipper on my printer) supports it.
@@OldCurmudgeon3DP That sucks then. Still these drivers are cheap enough.
@@Cheapass-tro well...... I just checked the wiki and SPI *is* supported for the 2130s but both axis must use it. "AXISN_DRIVER_IRUN " does the trick.
Guys, newbie here! Are there any way to control an onestep mount with a MacBook m1?
Hi. I personally know nothing of Macbooks so I don't really know.
What I do know though is that if the Macbook can do Ascom drivers then yes, it will work with OnStep. I plug my OnStep controller into my windows PC using a micro-USB cable but wifi/bluetooth are also available.
Connect via Ascom drivers for Onstep and then you can either use OnStep's website or another control program like NINA etc.
[Edit] I just looked at the following site (OnStep's Ascom driver source) and it says nothing of Macs : stellarjourney.com/main/onstep-ascom-driver-software/
There's always your phone if the Mac won't support it.