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[Redshift]

Hi Tom (and others),
I'm new to this forum so welcome any constructive suggestions during my DIY AstroEQ build. I've been reading the forum topics for a while now to get an understanding of what is needed but the info is spread out over a lot of topics and websites so forgive me if I ask previously asked questions.
All the parts have been delivered so the build can commence. In anticipation of completing the soldering of components correctly, I'm getting ahead of myself and  thinking about the software needed for my laptop. I purchased the PCB and "Pre-Programmed I/C's" from Tom. So..... in my case, are these the correct software files I need?
EQMOD
ASCOM
Cartes Du Ceil

Do I need anything else?

Mike

[Victor_M]

Hi Redshift,
yes, that's all you need plus the Configuration utility from Tom:  https://www.astroeq.co.uk/tutorials.php?link=config

Also, it will be very helpful to have a game controller (XBOX or Wii). If you use Wii controller you will need an special software to "simulate" a XBOX controller

cheers
Victor

[Redshift]

Thanks Victor.

[Redshift]

Hello again,
I've completed the AstroEQ build and it appears to work. By work, I mean the Power LED lights up and the USB light flashes slowly when connected to a laptop (I've not activated the Astro software on the laptop yet). I'm taking this as a good sign?

My next task is to connect the stepper motors, but I'm a bit confused. The NEMA 14 steppers have Black, Green, Red and Blue wires, The schematic shows 1A/1B and 2A/2B and the motor diagram show Blk/Grn and Red/Blu but....... I can't see any info on the correct connection sequence. E.G. does 1A = Blk, 1B = Green, 2A = Red, and 2B = Blue?

As ever your help is appreciated.

Mike

[TCWORLD]

Hi Mike,

Once you know which are the two pairs of wires for each coil, you should wire up as indicated here:
https://www.astroeq.co.uk/tutorials.php?link=faqs#making_connections

Kind Regards,
Tom

[Redshift]

Thanks Tom

Best regards
Mike

[Redshift]

Hi Tom
Finished the build and it works. But..... the motors get very hot, eventually so hot I can't hold them which I suspect is clearly too hot.

I came across reference to this in  the following Post (Stepper motors do not operate -locked and get hot April 27 2018 from jtc125). I have the same components you recommend and exactly the same set-up as described in jtc's post, the only difference is that my motors do work in a slew test.

When I checked the voltage as described in setting Current Limit Method 2: Accurate Setting: across the red/blue circled points in the photo, I get 11.8V. which I believe should much much lower. trying to reduce the current by adjusting the motor driver potentiometer has no effect

Thinking I had a fried motor drive board, I've change the boards twice now on my 3rd board. I have 3 more boards but I'm reluctant to try again until I've raised this issue and hopefully had a reply. It all works, but eventually get too hot to handle.

Any ideas?

Mike

[TCWORLD]

Which driver boards did you get and from where?

There are a lot of knock-offs about that the measurement point for the current limit is just tied straight to the motor supply voltage, and the current limiting seems to be hit and miss on them.

[Redshift]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your reply. I got the DRV 8825 motor drivers from: https://kunkune.co.uk/shop/accessories/drv8825-stepper-motor-driver-with-heatsink/. If you can recommend another UK supplier, I'd be happy to order more from them.

Mike