44 replies to this topic

[Starhound]

Has anyone used a Micro touch controler with a Moonlight stepper motor and Crawford 2 inch focuser ? I have looked around and cant seem to find a definitive answer.

[averen]

Yes it will work. You will need to make an RJ12 to DB9 connector to make it usable.

I do the opposite of this. I have a moonlite controller and I use it to control a MicroTouch motor (and a moonlite motor for that matter.) Making the connector is easy provided you have the RJ12 to DB9 connector. You can find these at most large electronics stores (Fry's carries them, maybe Radio Shack).

If you're interested I can take mine a part this evening and post images showing the connections.

Jared

[Starhound]

Aw some Jared , I would appreciate the info on the connection changes.I should add , my connection is wireless to the mount from the MT controller, it has rj11 connections from the receiver to the stepper motor

[mizar2005]

Hi Jared, please can you send or post the image showing the coneccections of the RJ12 DB9 adapter.

Thanks

rafael

[averen]

Sorry for the extremely late update. Something happened with my cloudynights account and I no longer receive email updates when my subscribed threads get posted to :-(

First I standardized all of my focus controls to be used with a MoonLite controller, but I wanted to use a thinner cable than the serial cable so I decided to use 6 conductor wire (like the FeatherTouch). I have the following setup:
MoonLite Controller
MoonLite Focuser with Stepper (DB9 connection)
FeatherTouch Focuser with Stepper (RJ12 connection)

Since I decided to use the smaller 6 conductor wire this means that I had to make a converter for my MoonLite. You can see the connector attached to my MoonLite controller here, I'm holding the opposite end of the wire.


When I use this with my FeatherTouch Stepper this plugs directly in:


When I use this with my MoonLite stepper I must use a RJ12->DB9 connector:


I will post the pin outs of the RJ12->DB9 connector this evening.

Jared

[rigelsys]

Here is the pinout assuming the color of the wires as in the ones I use.

RJ12 - DB9 adapter wires
blue yellow green red black white
to DB9 pins
2 1 4 3 5 9

[AnhTuan]

Do any of you guys have the pin layout from the RJ-11 serial port to the DB-9 adapter?

I have the old Feathertouch digital system that comes with DH-1 hub like this one: http://www.astromart...d=668854#photos

I was able to drive aftermarket unipolar stepper motor, but it seems to be weak, and have very low torque. So I am surprise that you were able to drive the Moonlite Hi-Res stepper motor with it, must have some kind of gear reduction.

Thanks.

[averen]

Here's what mine is. If you're looking at the RJ12 plug from the front (pins on the bottom). Then mine corresponds to the following DB9 Pins:

| | | | | |
5 4 3 2 1 NC

Also you mentioned RJ11 so I just wanted to clarify that an RJ11 connector will not work here. RJ11 and RJ12 are pretty similar but there is one major difference. RJ12 is a 6P6C connector (6 position 6 conductor). Where RJ11 is a 6P4C connector (6 position 4 conductor). Since you need 5 conductors for this to work you need an RJ12 or 6P6C connector. I just didn't want you running out buying RJ11 connectors and realizing this would not work.

Since I converted DB9 to 6 conductor cable my ends may be a little different than what is actually needed. But since this does work for both FeatherTouch and RoboFocus motors I have a feeling that my connector is correct.

Jared

[AnhTuan]

Thanks Jared.

I forgot to mention. The RJ-11 plug that I am talking about is the HUB-to-PC port, not HUB-to-Motor. The old Feathertouch controller uses this wire to the DB-9 adapter that you can hook up to your PC serial.

The RJ-11 wire that comes with the unit has the wire cross as follow:

End A) black red green yellow

End B) yellow green red black

I do not know which end go to the HUB, which end goes to the DB-9 adapter.

[D_talley]

The OP wanted to know if you can use a Feather Touch controller to control a Moonlight motor.

Does the above instructions allow him to do this?

What are the DB9 to RJ-12 connections? Has anyone done a pin to pin diagram?

I take it you bypass the Moonlight Controller?

I have the same need to standardize my systems.

Thanks.

[averen]

The OP wanted to know if you can use a Feather Touch controller to control a Moonlight motor.

Does the above instructions allow him to do this?

What are the DB9 to RJ-12 connections? Has anyone done a pin to pin diagram?

Yes, that is what I posted above until we got OT ans started talking about DB9 serial to RJ11 serial.

I believe rigelsys even sells the connector that you would need to go from motor connector to the other. I could be wrong...I'm pretty sure they offer a connector that goes with their controllers that does this though, or at least they used to. I bet if you ask nicely they'll sell you one, they're pretty good about customer service from my dealings with them :-)

I take it you bypass the Moonlight Controller?

I have the same need to standardize my systems.

I have a Moonlite controller but I use a FeatherTouch and RoboFocus motor. The RoboFocus is DB9, the FeatherTouch is RJ12. I "standardized" to RJ12 because it's a much smaller cable. If you look at my images above you'll see 2 convertors. One on the MoonLite going from DB9-RJ12 and another connected to the 6 conductor flat wire. On my MoonLite motor I use a RJ12->DB9 converter (that I posted the pin out of above)

Depending on how you want to standardize you'll need different connectors. Maybe you can tell us about the focus controller and motors you have and we can help you out from there.

Jared

[D_talley]

I have the Feather Touch controller to run my FeatherTouch Stepper motor connected to my TEC 140. Just like your photo above. I have the Moonlight controller and motor on my AT12IN. Like the OP, I want to run everything using the Feather Touch controller.

To avoid confusion a pin to pin diagram would be best. Are pins 6 to 9 grounded /open or tied to other pins?

Thanks

[averen]

Pins 6 through 9 are not connected at all.

Jared

[AnhTuan]

I have the pin layout diagram for the RJ-12 Feathertouch controller to the DB-9 moonlite motor. I got the original DB-9 layout from Ron Newman(Moonlite staff).

Link to the pin assignment for Moonlite focuser: http://imageshack.us...motorspecs.jpg/

I found that the white wire from the white wire on the motor works for both stepper controllers, feathertouch and moonlite.



Jared, Wayne over StarlightInstrument has been extremely supportive and sent me all the cables for free of charge. I would recommend him to anyone who has Feathertouch questions. His email address is: wayne@starlightinstruments.com

[rigelsys]

I have both the male and female connnectors, use them to test out compatibility with moonlite DB9 stepper pinouts and if someone wants to use a moonlite controller on our steppers.

The OP wanted to know if you can use a Feather Touch controller to control a Moonlight motor.

Does the above instructions allow him to do this?

What are the DB9 to RJ-12 connections? Has anyone done a pin to pin diagram?

Yes, that is what I posted above until we got OT ans started talking about DB9 serial to RJ11 serial.

I believe rigelsys even sells the connector that you would need to go from motor connector to the other. I could be wrong...I'm pretty sure they offer a connector that goes with their controllers that does this though, or at least they used to. I bet if you ask nicely they'll sell you one, they're pretty good about customer service from my dealings with them :-)

I take it you bypass the Moonlight Controller?

I have the same need to standardize my systems.

I have a Moonlite controller but I use a FeatherTouch and RoboFocus motor. The RoboFocus is DB9, the FeatherTouch is RJ12. I "standardized" to RJ12 because it's a much smaller cable. If you look at my images above you'll see 2 convertors. One on the MoonLite going from DB9-RJ12 and another connected to the 6 conductor flat wire. On my MoonLite motor I use a RJ12->DB9 converter (that I posted the pin out of above)

Depending on how you want to standardize you'll need different connectors. Maybe you can tell us about the focus controller and motors you have and we can help you out from there.

Jared

[rigelsys]

6 to 8 are not connected, 9 and 5 are the center taps for each of the two coils. 5 & 9 can be connected to each other (on my 5 wire steppers they are internally) and be either high or ground, depending what the controller puts on them. Some controllers run them as ground, some as high.

I have the Feather Touch controller to run my FeatherTouch Stepper motor connected to my TEC 140. Just like your photo above. I have the Moonlight controller and motor on my AT12IN. Like the OP, I want to run everything using the Feather Touch controller.

To avoid confusion a pin to pin diagram would be best. Are pins 6 to 9 grounded /open or tied to other pins?

Thanks

[D_talley]

Here's what mine is. If you're looking at the RJ12 plug from the front (pins on the bottom). Then mine corresponds to the following DB9 Pins:

| | | | | |
5 4 3 2 1 NC

Also you mentioned RJ11 so I just wanted to clarify that an RJ11 connector will not work here. RJ11 and RJ12 are pretty similar but there is one major difference. RJ12 is a 6P6C connector (6 position 6 conductor). Where RJ11 is a 6P4C connector (6 position 4 conductor). Since you need 5 conductors for this to work you need an RJ12 or 6P6C connector. I just didn't want you running out buying RJ11 connectors and realizing this would not work.

Since I converted DB9 to 6 conductor cable my ends may be a little different than what is actually needed. But since this does work for both FeatherTouch and RoboFocus motors I have a feeling that my connector is correct.

Jared

I tried this today. Just a small hum fromt the Moonlight motor and no movement.

[D_talley]

I have the pin layout diagram for the RJ-12 Feathertouch controller to the DB-9 moonlite motor. I got the original DB-9 layout from Ron Newman(Moonlite staff).

Link to the pin assignment for Moonlite focuser: http://imageshack.us...motorspecs.jpg/

I found that the white wire from the white wire on the motor works for both stepper controllers, feathertouch and moonlite.



Jared, Wayne over StarlightInstrument has been extremely supportive and sent me all the cables for free of charge. I would recommend him to anyone who has Feathertouch questions. His email address is: wayne@starlightinstruments.com

I tried this setup twice to control a Moonlight motor from a Feather touch controller. Nothing but a low hum, no motions. I then contacted Wayne at Starlightinstruments for info and he said that he has no info on the Moonlight motors and did not know how they are setup.

So I am back to square one. How to control a Moonlight motor from a FeatherTouch controller??? I assume someone has done it.

[averen]

First I would pay no attention to the wire colors as these can vary by cable, motor and connector, just look at the pin layout.

Second I would recommend figuring out what pin is 12V on your setup by using a multimeter. The layout that AhuTuan and I posted are different. But they both pretty much say that it's the second pin from one of the ends. Also the ground pin is not necessary, which on mine I show as Not Connected. I do not connect this pin because if you happen to grab the wrong cable you can short out your controller...(I blew up a couple of transistors in a homemade focus controller this way when I used an ST4 cable)

Once you know what pin is 12V then you can reverse engineer the stepper if needed...but I would just take which ever diagram seems to line up with your 12V line and go from there. Right now you're either only powering one coil or your coils are out of sync. Either of those would cause the motor just to hum. Powering one coil means that your 12V line is on the wrong pin. If your 12V line is on the right pin then your coils are out of sync and you'll need to do some troubleshooting to get it corrected.

Jared

[rigelsys]

I have tried in the past to get micro touch to run my steppers, wired as per feathertouch phone cable pinout, to no avail. I half suspect the onetime for the coils is too short? I haveno trouble running feathertouch stepper from my nSTEP stepper controller, so I know my pinouts are correct. Micro touch one cannot adjust the step pulse timing. Ah well, guess it is best to ask starizona directly.

[averen]

The MicroTouch controller uses micro stepping which can be problematic for some motors. It does seem to have a faster step timing as well.

Jared

[rigelsys]

HI Jared,

Thanks for the info. If steps are too quick (and thereby too short), then stepper will just buzz as time constant due to motor impedence doesn't allow voltage to get up to 12V (my guess). Seems to match the symptoms being seen. I know if I set the step rate too fast on the usb-nSTEP, the motor will buzz and not move. Haven't seen in the microtouch manual, any adjustments for the step size and duration.

The MicroTouch controller uses micro stepping which can be problematic for some motors. It does seem to have a faster step timing as well.

Jared

[pfile]

very, very old thread... i just tried jared's pinout for a moonlite mini-V2 driving a feathertouch DSM-1. the motor responded to the buttons, but kind of just vibrated for a while. eventually it started turning, but not reliably - it just went back to vibrating.

 

i assume this has something to do with the step rate? is this configurable in the mini-v2? also, there is a 3-position header on the board. there is no jumper installed. does anyone know what this header does?

 

rob

 

edit: it does appear that it is configurable, i guess the question is if the configuration "sticks" in the hardware or if you have to re-do it every time you power cycle. still don't know if i can find settings which work with the DSM-1.

Edited by pfile, 01 December 2015 - 06:17 PM.

[pfile]

OK just for the record:

 

for whatever reason, with the DSM-1 motor, the pinout has to be: (following Jared's style for the pinout, facing the RJ-12 with the pins down)

RJ-12 pin: 1 2 3 4 5 6
           | | | | | |
DB9 pin:   5 - 1 2 3 4

on the motor side, pins 1 and 2 of the RJ-12 are connected together according to the feathertouch documentation, so putting pin 5 of the DB9 to either pin 1 or 2 of the RJ-12 would probably work.

 

just to be clear, the DB9 pin 5 is the pin with the 12V supply.

 

so, looking into the mini V2's DB9, the order goes (across the top row, which starts with pin 5 on the left and goes down to pin 1 on the right)

 

Blue, White, Black, Red, Green

 

as far as i can tell those colors are 'standard' for RJ-12 cables and RJ-12 to DB9 adapters that you self-assemble.

 

thanks to Wayne @ starlight for the documentation needed to figure this out.

 

rob

[AstroOlly]

OK just for the record:

 

for whatever reason, with the DSM-1 motor, the pinout has to be: (following Jared's style for the pinout, facing the RJ-12 with the pins down)

RJ-12 pin: 1 2 3 4 5 6
           | | | | | |
DB9 pin:   5 - 1 2 3 4

on the motor side, pins 1 and 2 of the RJ-12 are connected together according to the feathertouch documentation, so putting pin 5 of the DB9 to either pin 1 or 2 of the RJ-12 would probably work.

 

just to be clear, the DB9 pin 5 is the pin with the 12V supply.

 

so, looking into the mini V2's DB9, the order goes (across the top row, which starts with pin 5 on the left and goes down to pin 1 on the right)

 

Blue, White, Black, Red, Green

 

as far as i can tell those colors are 'standard' for RJ-12 cables and RJ-12 to DB9 adapters that you self-assemble.

 

thanks to Wayne @ starlight for the documentation needed to figure this out.

 

rob

Hi Rob,

i just saw this thread, and I am in the process of building a cable to attach my DSM-1 or SMS20 motor to a Hitecastro controller that has a DB9 connector.

so I needed to know which cables in the rj12 plug on the motor end connected to which pins in the DB9 plug, all I know is that only pins 1-5 are used but have no idea which rj12 wires to which DB9 pins....until I saw this post....great I thought, but I had also emailed Wayne at SI and he sent me a wiring diagram as shown below, so my question is where does it show that the pin 1 or 2 or both on his wiring diagram, as you say that should be connected to pin 5 on the DB9, it just shows pins 3,4,5,6 connected and no others, which has now confused me somewhat, and I don't want to damage my motor.

 

ignore the fact that the diagram is for the modern rj12 to rj45 cable, it's the rj12 side that I am interested in, and it just shows 4 wires connected.....but it does not show any more than 4 wires connected on the rj45 side either...

 

so could you help and maybe explain what I am missing.

best regards

Olly

Edited by AstroOlly, 30 March 2016 - 04:37 AM.