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Author Topic: RAMPS 1.4 ?  (Read 4230 times)

bojan

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RAMPS 1.4 ?
« on: May 12, 2015, 22:33:42 »

Hi Tom,
I am considering AstroEQ for my LDX75 (I purchased it with simple controller) mount because I have a spare Arduino Mega board.
While the PCB manufacturing is not a problem for me (only a slight hassle..), I am still wandering if there is a (easy) way to remap the IO pins to suit RAMPS 1.4 shield, which is widely used for 3D printers?

Also, does AstroEQ support simple LX200 protocol to directly connect to CdC? 
Thanks in advance !
Bojan
« Last Edit: May 12, 2015, 22:50:45 by bojan »
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TCWORLD

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Re: RAMPS 1.4 ?
« Reply #1 on: May 13, 2015, 13:39:26 »

If you can find a way to connect the microstep mode selection pins to I/O pins on the Mega, and don't use digital pins 30-37, then yes you could use that board. You would have to either recompile the firmware (source available on github) with your pin mappings, or modify the board to match the AstroEQ pin mappings. But to be honest it probably makes more sense (unless you have a board already) to build it all on veroboard/protoboard. It's a pretty simple circuit to wire up with an Arduino Mega.

The LX200 protocol is not supported. AstroEQ is designed to communicate with EQMOD. This doesn't stop you using CdC as EQMOD being an ASCOM driver can be controlled from CdC anyway :).
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Tom Carpenter (AstroEQ)

bojan

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Re: RAMPS 1.4 ?
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2015, 23:02:41 »

Thank you for the reply :-)
Yes, I already have RAMPS 1.4.. and I assumed I am not the only one with that hardware on this forum :)

I had a look at PinMappings.h, and I saw that program is probably using variable microsteppeing.. so you are right, it is easier to build a proper shield ( I hate this expression, in my time this was simply called piggy-back or daughter board ;) ), instead of modifying RAMPS board..
« Last Edit: May 15, 2015, 01:12:23 by bojan »
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