Good job. Looks like a lot of work is put into this. While this board is a step above using breadboards, it only eliminates the wires. You seem well versed in embedded system and PCB design. It’s really easy to design a fully integrated board and get in assembled easily. I am happy to help for free if you have any questions.
I am not well versed in embedded systems nor PCB design. I designed this with the help of a friend in the late stages. Since this project was 2 years ago, things have changed a bit: there are now alternatives: 3D printer boards are now supported in OnStep, such as the MKS Gen-L and FYSETC S6, as well as one CNC board (WeMos W32 + CNC V3 shield). There is still lots of wiring to be done though. See the OnStep Wiki if you are interested.
Hello, I'm new to this and I wanted to ask, when I flash the stm32 should I have it connected to the power supply? Should the skech be loaded at that moment and have the clock module connected? Thanks.
That is only one part of the functionality. There are lots more features that OnStep has. Not all features are used by all users (e.g focusers, autoguiding, WiFi, Serial port, and so on). If you want a simple solution that only tracks the sky without having goto functionality (or the other advanced features), there are other projects that can do that. For example Sky Track, ...etc.
Hello, In your initial breadboard version, the output voltage of the step down buck converter was 3.3V and all the operating voltages of the components are also 3.3V, Can I ask why you’ve changed the output voltage of the step down buck converter from 3.3v to 5V in the final PCB version?
The main reason is to accommodate the Wemos WiFi controller, which is much easier to flash and more stable than the ESP-01S module. The latter is really a pain to program, and prone to failure.
@@khalid_ba Thank you for the reply. It’s a great help! I’ve tried with the ESP-01S and found something wrong with it. I mean sometimes it is not working correctly (Not sending data to the main board). I have to change the WiFi module. Thank you so much!
Hello Khalid, I am planning to make this version, but the Gerber File which I downloaded from your EasyEDA page mentions DRV8825 as the driver and not the LV8729. Will this new driver fit into the same holes on the PCB? Thank you. Also, if I do not wish to have wifi or the fuse, what should I do? My knowledge of electronics is very little. Thank you.
The LV8729 will fit in place of the DRV8825. If you don't want WiFi, then you will be limited to controlling OnStep over USB only, so from KStars or ASCOM. If you don't want a fuse, just solder a wire across.
Hi there Khalid. Sorry to write you here but I've just assembled my firts stm32 kit from George (no wemos wifi, just hc-05), after flashing and everything, I powered the board (the les appear dimmer than I thought) tried to connect to the hc05 with no successes (its led was also very very dimm) it doesn't show up in my BT devices list. Tried connecting it directly to the board with no success. Then I measured the voltages on the board. In al 5v pins it only read 2.2v. Then removed all the modules (with power of fb of course) to verify the voltage again, and they are 5v. So.. Its that normal? Im using a 12v 7a battery to power boar.
No, I don't sell any kits. The link on my web site is to the guy who sells them from the USA. He may offer motors. I don't know. The geared motors I used are NEMA11 with an 18:1 gear reduction, bought used. I used them because they are small and can fit inside my mount. Depending on your mount, there may be other better choices out there. Check the Wiki page and you will see a lot of actual conversions of OnStep with more details. If you don't find your answer, it is better to post to the OnStep group a message about your specific mount.
Is there another place to get this PCB now? It's discontinued on EasyEDA as far as I can tell. Seems like OnStep kind of petered out. Can't find any up-to-date links/info on parts.
OnStep is definitely as vibrant as ever, if not more. Nothing is discontinued. All that is changed is that the guy who was selling kits decided not to sell them anymore. But all the parts are still available from eBay, AliExpress, ...etc. and the PCB is still on EasyEDA where you can order it. You can find it here easyeda.com/kbahey/OnStep-STM32-Blue-Pill Check the Wiki page here for details groups.io/g/onstep/wiki/STM32F103-Blue-Pill
The ordering form in EasyEDA has been changed. Now you have to click on Open in Editor, then click the G icon on the top (Gerber), and then the order form will popup. I updated the STM32 OnStep page to have these instructions.
@@khalid_ba i have built the board sir and understood tat part.. but confused with the flashing of the software on to the stm32.... need some help with it..
@@khalid_ba sir i understood the flashing part but getting some errors while verifying the program.. it is showing :(no such file or directory found) i even updated my ide as well but it is not working.
Hi. I have the Arduino Mega 2560, RepRap Ramps v1.4, DS3231 RTC, A4988 step motor drivers, HC-05 Bluetooth module. Is it possible to create this project with the materials I have? If possible, what connections should I create and what code should I load? Thanks.
@@oalithgow No. There is experimental support for encoders, but it is for pointing accuracy, NOT RA rate control. And it is optional. Very few people use them in fact. OnStep does not require encoders, and is very accurate without them, as long as you don't have stalls or missed steps (which should not happen once you have done the initial testing).
@@khalid_ba Understand, thanks a lot again for the information.. I will try to embark myself on the onstep project to try and revive a 12" lx200 classic that I have, with dead electronics.
Well, over ~ 400 users disagree with you. You also could be specific, and constructive and not just hurl general criticism that way ... Of course, the PCB is not perfect. But it does not have to be: you know the engineering wisdom of: never let perfect stand in the way of good enough. That was the philosophy, and it succeeds in its mission.
Good job. Looks like a lot of work is put into this. While this board is a step above using breadboards, it only eliminates the wires. You seem well versed in embedded system and PCB design. It’s really easy to design a fully integrated board and get in assembled easily. I am happy to help for free if you have any questions.
I am not well versed in embedded systems nor PCB design. I designed this with the help of a friend in the late stages.
Since this project was 2 years ago, things have changed a bit: there are now alternatives: 3D printer boards are now supported in OnStep, such as the MKS Gen-L and FYSETC S6, as well as one CNC board (WeMos W32 + CNC V3 shield). There is still lots of wiring to be done though. See the OnStep Wiki if you are interested.
Excellent video, and commentary. Thank you!
Thank you for your helpful video.👍👍👍
Excellent video!
Thanks! Great video!
thanks .. very helpful video..
Hello, I'm new to this and I wanted to ask, when I flash the stm32 should I have it connected to the power supply? Should the skech be loaded at that moment and have the clock module connected? Thanks.
Please read the instructions carefully. They address all your questions.
@@khalid_ba OK THANKS
One Question, Is the selected star or planet to observed using that will auto follow the object since the earth rotates? ?
Yes
That is only one part of the functionality. There are lots more features that OnStep has. Not all features are used by all users (e.g focusers, autoguiding, WiFi, Serial port, and so on).
If you want a simple solution that only tracks the sky without having goto functionality (or the other advanced features), there are other projects that can do that. For example Sky Track, ...etc.
Hello, In your initial breadboard version, the output voltage of the step down buck converter was 3.3V and all the operating voltages of the components are also 3.3V, Can I ask why you’ve changed the output voltage of the step down buck converter from 3.3v to 5V in the final PCB version?
The main reason is to accommodate the Wemos WiFi controller, which is much easier to flash and more stable than the ESP-01S module. The latter is really a pain to program, and prone to failure.
@@khalid_ba Thank you for the reply. It’s a great help! I’ve tried with the ESP-01S and found something wrong with it. I mean sometimes it is not working correctly (Not sending data to the main board). I have to change the WiFi module. Thank you so much!
Hello Khalid, I am planning to make this version, but the Gerber File which I downloaded from your EasyEDA page mentions DRV8825 as the driver and not the LV8729. Will this new driver fit into the same holes on the PCB? Thank you. Also, if I do not wish to have wifi or the fuse, what should I do? My knowledge of electronics is very little. Thank you.
The LV8729 will fit in place of the DRV8825.
If you don't want WiFi, then you will be limited to controlling OnStep over USB only, so from KStars or ASCOM.
If you don't want a fuse, just solder a wire across.
@@khalid_ba thank you for the quick reply. I will decide if I want WiFi closer to the day I start to build 😀
Hi there Khalid. Sorry to write you here but I've just assembled my firts stm32 kit from George (no wemos wifi, just hc-05), after flashing and everything, I powered the board (the les appear dimmer than I thought) tried to connect to the hc05 with no successes (its led was also very very dimm) it doesn't show up in my BT devices list. Tried connecting it directly to the board with no success. Then I measured the voltages on the board. In al 5v pins it only read 2.2v. Then removed all the modules (with power of fb of course) to verify the voltage again, and they are 5v. So.. Its that normal? Im using a 12v 7a battery to power boar.
Please ask any support questions you have in the OnStep group. There are lots of people there with lots of experience.
Hi,
Could you tell us which geared motors you use ? do you included them in the prices you announced ?
Thanks a lot
No, I don't sell any kits. The link on my web site is to the guy who sells them from the USA. He may offer motors. I don't know.
The geared motors I used are NEMA11 with an 18:1 gear reduction, bought used. I used them because they are small and can fit inside my mount.
Depending on your mount, there may be other better choices out there. Check the Wiki page and you will see a lot of actual conversions of OnStep with more details. If you don't find your answer, it is better to post to the OnStep group a message about your specific mount.
Is there another place to get this PCB now? It's discontinued on EasyEDA as far as I can tell. Seems like OnStep kind of petered out. Can't find any up-to-date links/info on parts.
OnStep is definitely as vibrant as ever, if not more.
Nothing is discontinued. All that is changed is that the guy who was selling kits decided not to sell them anymore. But all the parts are still available from eBay, AliExpress, ...etc. and the PCB is still on EasyEDA where you can order it.
You can find it here easyeda.com/kbahey/OnStep-STM32-Blue-Pill
Check the Wiki page here for details
groups.io/g/onstep/wiki/STM32F103-Blue-Pill
The ordering form in EasyEDA has been changed.
Now you have to click on Open in Editor, then click the G icon on the top (Gerber), and then the order form will popup.
I updated the STM32 OnStep page to have these instructions.
@@khalid_ba Awesome, thanks for the response
what about the resistor r2..
should we use a resistor at that position.
Please read the entire document that is linked in the description of the video
@@khalid_ba thankyou sir..
@@khalid_ba i have built the board sir and understood tat part..
but confused with the flashing of the software on to the stm32....
need some help with it..
@@suveerudayashankara4273 please visit the first link in the description of the video. Details are all there.
@@khalid_ba sir i understood the flashing part but getting some errors while verifying the program..
it is showing :(no such file or directory found)
i even updated my ide as well but it is not working.
Hi. I have the Arduino Mega 2560, RepRap Ramps v1.4, DS3231 RTC, A4988 step motor drivers, HC-05 Bluetooth module. Is it possible to create this project with the materials I have? If possible, what connections should I create and what code should I load? Thanks.
Possible, but it may be slow, and will have limitations
web.archive.org/web/20210118065709/onstep.groups.io/g/main/wiki/3996
@@khalid_ba Thank you so much. So, what code should I install? I've seen codes with different names, I'm not sure which one. Can you help with this?
@@hakankagan394
All the info is on the OnStep web site
groups.io/g/onstep/wiki
@@khalid_ba thank you very much
Do you have video teach how to generate code for stm32 and upload with step by step...
The information you need is in the link in the video description
@@khalid_ba must connect both motor and power up only can see the green light working on the STM32?
@@alexchong1979 Please read the Wiki on the groups.io site for OnStep
Do you still sell kits or have a updated guide to creating these?
I don't sell kits anymore. Too much effort and time.
The documentation is here
groups.io/g/onstep/wiki
@@khalid_ba Thanks!
What will I need in case I want to use onstep with bigger nema23 motors?
You use drivers that can output more current, like the TMC5160 or the S109
@@khalid_ba Thanks a lot Khalid!
Another question Khalid, does this onstep system need ancoders feedback to work?
@@oalithgow
No.
There is experimental support for encoders, but it is for pointing accuracy, NOT RA rate control.
And it is optional. Very few people use them in fact. OnStep does not require encoders, and is very accurate without them, as long as you don't have stalls or missed steps (which should not happen once you have done the initial testing).
@@khalid_ba Understand, thanks a lot again for the information.. I will try to embark myself on the onstep project to try and revive a 12" lx200 classic that I have, with dead electronics.
Sell the set?
George Cushing sells kits here www.stmbluepillkits.com/
Good video.
Terrible PCB :(
Well, over ~ 400 users disagree with you.
You also could be specific, and constructive and not just hurl general criticism that way ...
Of course, the PCB is not perfect. But it does not have to be: you know the engineering wisdom of: never let perfect stand in the way of good enough. That was the philosophy, and it succeeds in its mission.