Well done, all respect and admiration for your project, knowledge, skill and for sharing it with us. Question: Why don't you invert the RA axis output? Connect the output to the tripod and combine everything in one box, get rid of the cable between RA and DEC and everything could be more compact?
We haven't talked about it yet but my design for the Alt-Az part of the mount that connects to the tripod is much easier for me this way. Your way is much better and I'm sure that's why the AM5 is designed that way. Maybe version 2? 🤔
Great stuff. Do all American houses come with industrial workshops attached ? If I did this project I would first have to build the workshop, so I guess I will be buying my harmonic mount to save money. But I liked watching your progress. It's like an interesting documentary on tv.
Awesome projects! I have an old nexstar 8 that is a first generation attempt at computerization, which failed of course and is compatible with exactly NOTHING. I have wondered how to retrofit the existing motors to run with onstep, probably a fools errand. I'm also retired IT and like to spend as little as possible on the geatest bang for the buck. I've also recently got into 3d printing and have worked with the esp controllers. There's a lot to learn.
I'm kinda thinking if I might be able to modify an existing mount I have and put harmonic drives on the axles. I'm thinking some custom made plates attached to the end of the polar and dec axle which I could then attach the drive to. The plates would be needed as the axles are 1.5" and 2.0" and I have not seen any harmonic drives that could fit on this size shafts. Least none that I imagine would be affordable! How do you determine the power needed to start the mount moving from a standstill? Even if the mount is perfectly balanced there is the initial force needed to get it to move. My OTA weighs 85# and the rest of the mount over a 100#.
Wow that is a monster. I think that's an engineering question above my pay grade. I'm just using the gear that I've seen others use to be in the AM5 ish class. That is also fairly accessible used.
@@whyf16uy I actually misstated the mount weight. The part that moves when the RA turns is around 100#... the stationary part is another 100#. So the RA axle would be moving about 185# when turning. I'm not an engineer either so I think it would work for tracking as far as force needed to turn it... it's if I want to slew the mount to different objects that the force would need to be greater to overcome the moment of inertia? Maybe someone with some knowledge on this can comment??
Hi! Can you share what is the speed (steps) you are running your stepper motor and also the code? I am in the process of doing something on the same lines but don’t have much working knowledge of stepper motors and their controllers. Thanks.
I believe that would be too small to fit my pullies and stepper motor in. I think it would have to be at least 133mm. And I need one side on the RA not metal for the wireless signal to get out.
Are you sure the harmonic drives will bear the load of the telescope? i looked at the bearings inside and they seem to be quite puney (atleast with those cheap ones)
Well they are CSF17-100 drives, which from the tear down I saw on Cloudynights is the same size as the ones in the AM5. So I assume they will handle it. We'll see I guess 🤔
Excellent progress on this project thanks for taking the time to make these video
Thanks for watching
Well done, all respect and admiration for your project, knowledge, skill and for sharing it with us. Question:
Why don't you invert the RA axis output? Connect the output to the tripod and combine everything in one box, get rid of the cable between RA and DEC and everything could be more compact?
We haven't talked about it yet but my design for the Alt-Az part of the mount that connects to the tripod is much easier for me this way. Your way is much better and I'm sure that's why the AM5 is designed that way. Maybe version 2? 🤔
Awesome job! Looking forward to finished mount!
You and me both buddy 😄
Great stuff. Do all American houses come with industrial workshops attached ?
If I did this project I would first have to build the workshop, so I guess I will be buying my harmonic mount to save money.
But I liked watching your progress. It's like an interesting documentary on tv.
Haha well I worked construction when I was younger and never got rid of any tools. And whatever I've acquired over the years
Yes, we all have workshops. We need them to work on our guns 😀
🤣@@IndigoSkies That's where I keep mine.
Awesome projects! I have an old nexstar 8 that is a first generation attempt at computerization, which failed of course and is compatible with exactly NOTHING. I have wondered how to retrofit the existing motors to run with onstep, probably a fools errand. I'm also retired IT and like to spend as little as possible on the geatest bang for the buck. I've also recently got into 3d printing and have worked with the esp controllers. There's a lot to learn.
Join the onstep mailing list. The wiki has tons of eq and fork projects people have done. You may find something there that will help you.
Looking good my friend the build is coming along nicely if I were more technically minded I'd probably have a go myself, looking forward to part 4.
Getting closer for sure. I'm sure you could do it.
I'm kinda thinking if I might be able to modify an existing mount I have and put harmonic drives on the axles. I'm thinking some custom made plates attached to the end of the polar and dec axle which I could then attach the drive to. The plates would be needed as the axles are 1.5" and 2.0" and I have not seen any harmonic drives that could fit on this size shafts. Least none that I imagine would be affordable! How do you determine the power needed to start the mount moving from a standstill? Even if the mount is perfectly balanced there is the initial force needed to get it to move. My OTA weighs 85# and the rest of the mount over a 100#.
Wow that is a monster. I think that's an engineering question above my pay grade. I'm just using the gear that I've seen others use to be in the AM5 ish class. That is also fairly accessible used.
@@whyf16uy I actually misstated the mount weight. The part that moves when the RA turns is around 100#... the stationary part is another 100#. So the RA axle would be moving about 185# when turning. I'm not an engineer either so I think it would work for tracking as far as force needed to turn it... it's if I want to slew the mount to different objects that the force would need to be greater to overcome the moment of inertia? Maybe someone with some knowledge on this can comment??
Hi! Can you share what is the speed (steps) you are running your stepper motor and also the code? I am in the process of doing something on the same lines but don’t have much working knowledge of stepper motors and their controllers. Thanks.
It's in part 2
Why not use a 120x120mm square aluminum pipe for the body?
I believe that would be too small to fit my pullies and stepper motor in. I think it would have to be at least 133mm. And I need one side on the RA not metal for the wireless signal to get out.
Are you sure the harmonic drives will bear the load of the telescope? i looked at the bearings inside and they seem to be quite puney (atleast with those cheap ones)
Well they are CSF17-100 drives, which from the tear down I saw on Cloudynights is the same size as the ones in the AM5. So I assume they will handle it. We'll see I guess 🤔
apparently my imgur comment got auto deleted lol@@whyf16uy
are you sure they are CSF and not the chinesium ZXS? mine have quite little beraings
Mine say csf
Excellent update, we also appreciate the imperial measurements :)
Those silly millimeters 😄
@@whyf16uy Ya nobody knows how to measure with m&m's... that's just weird
@@MatthewHolevinski well it's hard when all your tools use inches
Who ever edits your videos needs a paycut.
I like it.
But bring your commenter a coffee. I think he's not at operating temperature.
at least there's no inane music filler!