2153 replies to this topic

[rbmts]

Hi Mark.  I tried performing an OTA update for v8.4 via current v8.2 firmware.  I made sure that the HSB3 is properly configured for my wireless AP.  It displays the AP info and its IP address.  Using the button I go to the OTA screen on the OLED and then hold down the button to begin the update process.  It immediately goes to a "progress" display then immediately reverts back to the main screen showing that it's running v8.2.  Is it possible I have a problem with OTA settings?  Sorry to keep bothering you with questions regarding updating.

[mlord]

Pay closer attention to what is happening.  It should show a message on the screen for a few seconds BEFORE it resets and ends up back on the connection status display.

 

What message does it show?

[rbmts]

After holding down the button, the OLED screen will show (on two lines) Progress 0% & 0/16601xxx.  It displays for about 1 second before the screen blanks and reverts back to the main screen (I'm guessing a reboot).  I tried this on two different WiFi's with the same results.  It seems to be acting as per what you noted that if an error occurs it will revert back to the current version.  I'm sure I can manually push in v8.4 via the Arduino updater but was hoping to see how the OTA worked.

[mlord]

This release REQUIRES a settings change in the Arduino IDE:

 

    Tools --> Partition Scheme:  "Minimal SPIFFS (1.9MB APP with OTA/190KB SPIFFS)"

Before OTA Firmware Update can be used, one must first load a compatible version (v8.1 or higher) into the device, with that version having been built using the settings change above.

 

I'm going to add a tweak into v8.5 to do a better check for "Already up-to-date" though -- earlier versions won't always update again if one has done an OTA previously, and then loaded firmware from Arduino over top.  To get it working again one must clear an NVRAM setting after the Arduino update:

 

   set ota.timestamp

   save

   reset

 

That's the bit I'll fix as of v8.5 in the near future:  getting rid of that setting altogether.

Edited by mlord, 18 September 2023 - 11:59 AM.

[rbmts]

You got it - I missed making the change for the partition setting.  I reflashed in v8.2 with the proper setting using Arduino updater and retested.  OTA worked perfectly and updated to v8.4.   Again, thanks so much.

[mlord]

Great.  I'm adding a test for that in v8.5 as well.

[mlord]

Here is v8.5 of the Arduino ESP32 source code for this project:   hbg3.ino.v8.5.txt   249.11KB   38 downloads

• OTA:  Implement a better version check; ota.timestamp conflicted with manual Arduino uploads.
• OLED: Add QRcode/splash screen.

This version has notable improvements to the OTA Firmware Update code, dealing better when the server is slow, and comparing the running firmware version number against that of the file to-be-downloaded.

 

I had noticed earlier that installing different firmware from Arduino would then cause the OTA Firmware Update to not work again until a new release was published.  This is now fixed, or at least fixed once one is running v8.5 or newer!

 

The other change is the new QRcode screen on the OLED.  It briefly flashes by while the device is initializing, and is accessible via the push-button afterwards.  Scanning the displayed QRcode with a smartphone camera takes one to https://rtr.ca/hbg3/

 

 

Share the Love! 

 

Both of those "small" changes took a lot more work than expected, but I'm happy now with the results.  Source code is attached, the binary OTAs have been updated, and even the MS-Windows clunky flasher binary is now v8.5.  I have also now updated the .ZIP/.TGZ Arduino images as well.

 

There's also now a complete version history at http://rtr.ca/hbg3/history.html

 

Nothing more from me here for a couple of weeks, unless someone notices a bug or something.

 

Cheers

Mark

Edited by mlord, 18 September 2023 - 07:45 PM.

[mlord]

Here is v8.6 of the Arduino ESP32 source code for this project:   hbg3.ino.v8.6.txt   245.14KB   31 downloads

• OLED: Use NVRAM setting "oled.type" instead of a build-time setting.
• OLED: Use longer I2C bursts for QRcode image data.
• OLED: Show QRcode only on Adafruit128x64 displays.
• OTA:   Do SPIFFS partition size check MUCH earlier, so a bad result can be shown on OLED.

Nearly all HBG3s use a 0.96" OLED compatible with the Adafruit128x64.  But a few people out there have wired up slightly different displays.  Until now, this meant they had to re-build from source code each time, modifying a build-option to match their displays.  No More!!

 

Now, the OTA Firmware Update binaries can be used regardless of the OLED type, so long as it is one of the three supported types (more can be added on request.):

 

     Adafruit128x64,  Adafruit128x32,  or  SH1106_128x64

 

I haven't found a way to auto-detect those, but one can now just set an NVRAM variable once-only for it on the HBG3, and this will be remembered/re-used across subsequent firmware updates.  Eg, for the larger SH1106_128x64 display, use this setting:

 

   set oled.type SH1106_128x64

   save

   reset

 

Just like that.  One less build option to be concerned with.

The non-Adafruit128x64 displays don't get the QRcode display, seeing a text version instead.

 

EDIT:  Oh, and don't be shy about updating firmware on the HBG3. Unlike Celestron products, these cannot be bricked by a firmware update!  Not even by yanking the power mid-update (but avoid that, please!).

 

Cheers

https://rtr.ca/hbg3/

Edited by mlord, 18 September 2023 - 07:50 PM.

[mlord]

Here is v8.7 of the Arduino ESP32 source code for this project:   hbg3.ino.v8.7.txt   245.33KB   55 downloads

• RELAY: Fixed a bug with HBG3-Relay, so that the Nunchuck can now work with a Focus Motor on the Relay side.

Cheers

Edited by mlord, 19 September 2023 - 08:59 PM.

[Zoroastro]

First draft

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[dlwmacgregor]

Very nice!

Does that include the wiring for the Dew Heater? It appears to.

Love to see the inside.

 

Doug

[Zoroastro]

Yes, it does include the dew heater hardware - and the pushbutton. But the internal wiring is still WIP, not ready for sharing.

Edited by Zoroastro, 23 September 2023 - 12:33 PM.

[dlwmacgregor]

Yes, it does include the dew heater hardware - and the pushbutton. But the internal wiring is still WIP, not ready for sharing.

Understood.

 

Thanks.

Here's mine during the first test yesterday. Also a WIP.

But it works!

 

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

Edited by dlwmacgregor, 23 September 2023 - 01:56 PM.

[eleven]

Hello,

 

My computer doesn't recognize my HBG3 when I plug it into my computer via USB.  I've downloaded and installed the CP210x drivers, but to no avail.  Has anyone encountered this and how to resolve?

 

Thanks,

eleven

[dlwmacgregor]

Hello,

 

My computer doesn't recognize my HBG3 when I plug it into my computer via USB.  I've downloaded and installed the CP210x drivers, but to no avail.  Has anyone encountered this and how to resolve?

 

Thanks,

eleven

Before you do the following make sure the USB cable you are using is a FULL USB cable (power & data) not just power like in a cable used to charge only. It needs all the wires otherwise it won't see it.

Then if necessary...

 

Follow these instructions EXACTLY.

 

https://community.si...?language=en_US

 

Reboot.

 

Then re-install it.

 

When it is complete, make sure you have the Device Manager open when you plug it in. It should show up in the "COM Ports" section.

Edited by dlwmacgregor, 23 September 2023 - 05:06 PM.

[eleven]

I was only using a power cable.  The full cable works!

 

Thanks for your help.

[dlwmacgregor]

Yes, it does include the dew heater hardware - and the pushbutton. But the internal wiring is still WIP, not ready for sharing.

I assume your "case" is 3D printed.

Would you share the files for that?

I like that box.

Thanks

 

Doug

Edited by dlwmacgregor, 25 September 2023 - 09:04 AM.

[fdboucher]

With all the technical discussions around the HBG3, somehow I feel that one point does not receive enough mention: This gadget is just FANTASTIC! 

It incorporates many features that Celestron might offer separately, at a much higher cost (and not as efficient).

Running a large scope from the nunchuk is a great pleasure. Far better than the HC provided.

It just works…

Thank you Mark, this thing is just the cat's pajamas!

I love it!

[Zoroastro]

I assume your "case" is 3D printed.

Would you share the files for that?

I like that box.

Thanks

 

Doug

Hi Doug - Yes of course, I will share the design as soon as I complete it. The devil is in the details ;-)

[dlwmacgregor]

Thank you.

I had a friend print the first case you detailed here and the place in the top for the display is too small for the displays I have...

 

https://www.amazon.c...e?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Does the "expanded" case you detailed accommodate that display?

 

Thanks.

Edited by dlwmacgregor, 27 September 2023 - 05:11 PM.

[Frapeno]

Hi Mark i have got 2 different GPS module attached pics, my old module (3) works fine but some times mainly at nigh, takes more time to get GPS datas.
so, I bought 2 new different to see if can improve data faster, but in true these new module (1 and 2) show worse results, even it can show up that found faster and much more GPS qty.

I have tried HBG3 version from 7.7 until 8.2, but results is same.

Any idea for what I do more to make this 2 new modules GPS works ??
 

 

Attached Thumbnails

• 

[mlord]

The BE-122, BE-182, BE-180, and BN-180 are the only ones I use.  They all work well, but the BE-122 has a much smaller antenna and will thus take longer to acquire enough satellites.

 

This has nothing to do with the HBG3 itself -- the GPS receivers take care of it all by themselves.  So.. make sure the antenna is pointed straight up to the sky (antennas are the opposite side from the model number labels).

 

Cheers

Edited by mlord, 28 September 2023 - 03:49 AM.

[Frapeno]

The BE-122, BE-182, BE-180, and BN-180 are the only ones I use.  They all work well, but the BE-122 has a much smaller antenna and will thus take longer to acquire enough satellites.

 

This has nothing to do with the HBG3 itself -- the GPS receivers take care of it all by themselves.  So.. make sure the antenna is pointed straight up to the sky (antennas are the opposite side from the model number labels).

 

Cheers

I did tests with antenna looking to the sky for both models.
But again i will repeat and keep it ON for longer time to see whether GPS update well or not.

 

Thanks 

[scopewizard]

Hi Mark i have got 2 different GPS module attached pics, my old module (3) works fine but some times mainly at nigh, takes more time to get GPS datas.
so, I bought 2 new different to see if can improve data faster, but in true these new module (1 and 2) show worse results, even it can show up that found faster and much more GPS qty.

I have tried HBG3 version from 7.7 until 8.2, but results is same.

Any idea for what I do more to make this 2 new modules GPS works ??
 

GPS receivers can suffer from what is called "multipath". Basically it is signal reflection.

On my HBG3, if located on the leg of my tripod close to top, it gives me the same problem, date and time only.

If I place it lower and a foot away from the tripod, it gets all data within 1 to 3 mins. Some GPS are more tolerant than others.

I have tested 2 different GPS, 220 and 880, in an open field with nothing but grass for miles, same problem.

You can mod the GPS to correct the multipath, see link below.

 

 

Google "gps multipath" for further info.

[Frapeno]

GPS receivers can suffer from what is called "multipath". Basically it is signal reflection.

On my HBG3, if located on the leg of my tripod close to top, it gives me the same problem, date and time only.

If I place it lower and a foot away from the tripod, it gets all data within 1 to 3 mins. Some GPS are more tolerant than others.

I have tested 2 different GPS, 220 and 880, in an open field with nothing but grass for miles, same problem.

You can mod the GPS to correct the multipath, see link below.

 

 

Google "gps multipath" for further info.

Thanks for details, only the link is missing