Firmware Uploading Problem

[tcworld]

Firmware Uploading Problem

[riggzbee]

Hi Tom, have been reading Mark Casto's pages on Stargazers Lounge & answered the question re: power supply & have now completed the upload. I did this on my desktop pc so now have to transfer over to my laptop & then check out the comms with the mount.

So, my only two queries are motor gear ratio (715:1 ?) & the motor driver (I used the default during setup).

Thanks again, I should've not been so impatient & done some more research!!

Alan

[TCWORLD]

If they are the dual axis motors, the ratios are more likely to be:
step angle: 7.5
worm ratio: 130 for RA, 65 for DEC
motor ratio: 120 or 132, not sure which a bit of trial and error needed for the EQ3-2.
microstepping: disabled
motor driver version: DRV8824/5

You can confirm which motor ratio to use by trying 120, then select sidereal tracking when EQMOD loads, then time one revolution - it should be ~662.8 seconds. If it is not, try again with 132

[riggzbee]

Hi Tom, everything up & running last night, trimmed the current to the motors & test slewed via EQASCOM_run & set up slew rates etc.

Ran the setup utility a few times to make changes etc without problem.

Tried to test again tonight but windows did'nt seem to be loading the driver although device manager still showed astroeq on comm8.

Tried to re-install from scratch but had the same prob as initially, so back to your website & downloaded the latest version of Astroeq.exe & tried again. this time getting as far as the config page (after reporting empty or corrupt eeprom), but then get "Write Failed!! connection unavailable" &

:G100
:A100D0B6
:B1C88B02
:S1006801
:N1B00400

in the progress report window.

Any ideas?

I'm not going to be able to spend too much more time on this at the mo, other things more pressing, & as i said originally, this is more of a long term project to familiarise myself with EQMOD / AstroEQ etc, prior to buying a better mount.

Alan

ps: you were correct with the motor ratio of 120, took app 663 secs for one rev

[riggzbee]

pps: I assume the following is still correct

microstepping: disabled
motor driver version: DRV8824/5

Cheers

[riggzbee]

To quote Richard Wilson "I don't bloody believe it!"

Had another couple of unsuccessful attempts to re-config AStroEQ, then out of interest tried EQASCOM_run again & ****** me, it loaded & is running ok!

I did notice during my failed configs that the 'Status' LED went off but on starting EQASCOM started blinking again.

I am using an oldish laptop, do you think I may have a hardware problem?

Alan

[TCWORLD]

Sounds like either the USB cable is iffy (or the computer usb port), or there is a power supply issue. The status light will generally only come one to signify eqmod sending data, or blink during configuration. "Port Error" means that AstroEQ dropped of the computers USB port which is not a power supply issue as the USB controller draws power from the USB port alone, so if it is losing connection then there is something up with the computer or cable.

[jgwood]

Hi Tom
I had the same problem as riggzbee, I replaced the USB cable which solved the issue, buy the best cables you can afford they are by far the source of many com, problems.
I downloaded the latest code which has made a great improvement to the selection of the GOTO speed selection, as you may remember I use the direct 4.5 to 1 motor ratio and is a joy to use, it is quite surprising how well these small steppers can handle the slew speeds, the accuracy of the GOTOs and sidereal movement is superb.
This is an example of Astro EQ .

Happy New year to you and all
Jim

[TCWORLD]

Hi Alan,

I've finally managed to work out the correct setup for an EQ3-2. Try these values:

Right then, try these settings:

RA
Motor Step Angle: 7.5
Motor Gear Ratio: 120
Worm Gear Ratio: 130

DEC
Motor Step Angle: 7.5
Motor Gear Ratio: 79.2
Worm Gear Ratio: 65

Regards,
Tom.

[samuele9581]

Hi Tom!
I've finally programmed the atmega and the Pic.
But the USB connection doesn't work at all with my pc.
I tried 2 different cables and the power sources...but nothing...
The USB led is always off but the status and pwr led are on.
I made 2 PCB and both have the same problem...
Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you!!
Samuele