50 replies to this topic

[Astrowl]

It works on both types of mounts eq or altaz. You only need tracking. On the altaz you will have field rotation, than can be managed with one of the two types of frames aligning method. 

[Astrowl]

Hi guys, some important bugs were introduced in the release 1.60 of the internal software : Snapshot in Stack mode freeze the box.

 

Problem is solved a new release (1.60a) can be downloaded from official Astrowl Box website : https://www.astrowlbox.com/download

[Sarkikos]

Astrowl Box seems - to me - to be a direct competitor to the new Pegasus Astro SmartEye.  I am interested in both of these products.  I will choose only one!   

 

I've been a visual amateur astronomer for over 50 years.  I don't image.  Which would be better suited for someone like me?

 

Would someone please do a point-by-point comparison of the Astrowl Box and the SmartEye? 

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 27 January 2025 - 04:51 PM.

[Sarkikos]

I cannot reach astrowlbox.com at this time.  The link is blowing up.

 

Mike

[Astrowl]

I cannot reach astrowlbox.com at this time. The link is blowing up.

Mike

Hi Sarkikos, thanks for your interest. I can reach the website, but for unknow reasons some people have issue to open it. Try through google.

[Sarkikos]

Hi Sarkikos, thanks for your interest. I can reach the website, but for unknow reasons some people have issue to open it. Try through google.

I am using Edge.  I'll try another browser.  

 

I tried Google Chrome.  Chrome doesn't open your website either.  It says, "This site cannot be reached."

 

Next, I tried Firefox.  Here's the message I received:

 

Warning: Potential Security Risk Ahead

Firefox detected an issue and did not continue to www.astrobowl.com. The website is either misconfigured or your computer clock is set to the wrong time.

It’s likely the website’s certificate is expired, which prevents Firefox from connecting securely. If you visit this site, attackers could try to steal information like your passwords, emails, or credit card details.

What can you do about it?

The issue is most likely with the website, and there is nothing you can do to resolve it. You can notify the website’s administrator about the problem.

My computer is set to the correct time, so that's not the problem.

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 27 January 2025 - 04:51 PM.

[Astrowl]

The website name you entered is not correct (check warning message). Correct website is www.astrowlbox.com (click on this link)

Edited by Astrowl, 28 January 2025 - 01:54 AM.

[Sarkikos]

The website name you entered is not correct (check warning message). Correct website is www.astrowlbox.com (click on this link)

Yes, I see that I was entering an incorrect website name when I tried to reach it with FireFox.

 

But that doesn't explain why I couldn't reach the website - spelled correctly - with Chrome or Edge.

 

I just now clicked on the link in your post, using the Edge browser, and received this message:

Hmmm… can't reach this page
The connection was reset.
Try:

Checking the connection
Checking the proxy and the firewall
ERR_CONNECTION_RESET

Spelled correctly but still can't access the website. 

 

Also tried again with Chrome and FireFox - copying and pasting the website from your post - and received the same or equivalent error message as from Edge.

 

Mike

Edited by Sarkikos, 28 January 2025 - 02:05 PM.

[daw316]

works for me

[beecee]

Hi all, just thought I'd post my progress in getting the open source version built. 

 

The build itself was pretty straightforward, but the power requirements of the RPi 5 had me scratching my head on how to provide 5V 5A portably (?) without having giant batteries.

 

After a bunch of research, here's my solution. Not tried under the stars as yet, since they've been covered by clouds for it seems months. Tomorrow is supposed to be clear in the evening, so hopefully then.

 

I'm using a 30W power bank outputting to a trigger cable which outputs 9V to a 9V-36V buck converter, which outputs 5V 5A to the RPi 5. As PD is not being spoken all through the chain, I still need to mod some config files to tell the Pi that it's getting the expected amperage. It's important to use robust cables, especially the last one, that can handle 5A. The wiring should be 20AWG.

 

The power chain - I couldn't find any info on the polarity of the DC connector, not even from UCTronics, the manufacturer. They told me it "wasn't public knowledge" I finally decided it had to be center-positive, since that's safest, and it was:

 

I'm trying to keep thjis as compact as possible, so I'm trying the buck converter mounted on the Astrowl box:

 

So far it seems stable, but tomorrow night will tell. Many thanks to Mr. Astrowl for a great project!

Edited by beecee, 02 February 2025 - 06:25 PM.

[Astrowl]

Hi @Beece, thanks a lot for your feedback. That's a great work !

Your solution for power supplying correct 5A is great. I will build the same for me.

 

I am also interest to get your STL 3D printing files to store the small electronic board, if you don't mind.

 

One question, does the USB port of this electronic board also delivers 5V/5A out ?

 

I am about to release a new version for the internal software (1.62). I will post here as soon as it is available for download.

Edited by Astrowl, 03 February 2025 - 07:38 AM.

[beecee]

NP Arno, It was a lot of hours of research! I'm hoping to prove it works well tonight, we finally have a clear evening.

 

Here's the STL for the UCTronics U6223 buck converter:

https://www.printabl...-buck-converter

 

And yes, both outputs put out 5V 5A.

 

I came across another buck converter that looks interesting as well, that could in principal negotiate PD all the way through. This one is made in India, but ships worldwide. A bit smaller, but needs a trigger cable that terminates in USB C (or just use the solder pads):

https://pichondria.c...-raspberrypi-5/

 

Here's it STL:

https://www.thingive...m/thing:6781044

[DaveElson]

I am using Win 11 and Edge, and I cannot access using those and the links supplied.

[Astrowl]

Hi @Davelson, I just regenerate the link below. Try this one and let me know.

 

https://1drv.ms/f/c/...NXt7yiX82rrFYAg

[DaveElson]

That one works.

[Taylor]

I just finished this 12v 2.1mm barrel jack to USB C PD adapter, it powered everything from my Pi 4B to my Surface Laptop Go 2. 

 

https://www.printabl...sb-c-pd-adapter

 

Attached Thumbnails

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[Astrowl]

Hi Taylor, what is the reference of your electronic board. Does it provide output 5V/5A ?

[Taylor]

Hi Taylor, what is the reference of your electronic board. Does it provide output 5V/5A ?

https://www.amazon.c...le?ie=UTF8&th=1

[beecee]

Really slick@Taylor! I see it only puts out 3A however.

 

Here's another candidate: https://thepihut.com...ulator-d36v50f5

 

Mine worked well last night. A couple of crashes that may be attributable to the Pi not knowing it's getting 5A, but generally OK. I've got to overcome focus issues - EAA is different than visual, for sure. Will hopefully get another shot at it tonight.

Edited by beecee, 04 February 2025 - 10:56 AM.

[Astrowl]

Sweet @Taylor!

 

Mine worked well last night. A couple of crashes that may be attributable to the Pi not knowing it's getting 5A. Will hopefully get another shot at it tonight.

Hi @Beece, I confirm that correct power supply is critical for Rpi5 and it can shutdown if not properly delivered.

Rpi4 was clearly less sensitive on this point. I don't know why they change this point, considering that all market power supplies are 5V/3A...

Edited by Astrowl, 04 February 2025 - 10:52 AM.

[Taylor]

Really slick@Taylor! I see it only puts out 3A however.

Here's another candidate: https://thepihut.com...ulator-d36v50f5

Mine worked well last night. A couple of crashes that may be attributable to the Pi not knowing it's getting 5A, but generally OK. I've got to overcome focus issues - EAA is different than visual, for sure. Will hopefully get another shot at it tonight.

There’s also this one. 5V/5A.

https://a.co/d/6ribXfq

[Astrowl]

Hi, a new release (1.62) of the Internal Software is available and can be downloaded from the Astrowl Box website in the Download menu.

 

The user guide is also updated.

 

Be careful to take the correct software for your box version. For the 'open source' version it is the IMX477 folder.

Edited by Astrowl, 05 February 2025 - 09:03 AM.

[beecee]

Well, the UCTronics buck converter + power train wound up not working. It booted, but every time I'd try to make a change in Stack View, the box would crash. I think it's because the Astrowl didn't realize it was getting the current it needed, so when it did something computationally intensive, it would freak out.

 

However, some good news! The Pichondria buck converter in post 37 DOES work, and without having to boost the voltage coming out of the power bank! It's speaking PD all the way through from Pi to buck converter to power bank. I ran it for a good hour tonight attached to the scope doing all sorts of filter changes, and it Just Worked. I'm a happy chappy!

 

Again, it's important to use at least a 27W USB PD power bank, 30W being better, and cabling that's rated for 5A. It's nice that it's USB C on both sides of the converter, nice and neat.

 

Pichondria did a nice writeup on it: https://pichondria.c...sing-powerbank/

 

Here it is being tested - you can kinda see the Pichondria in front of the boot screen:

 

Edited by beecee, 08 February 2025 - 07:53 PM.

[Astrowl]

Great news, because I have tested the 9v to 5v/5a converter and it does not work.
Where did you buy the pichondria, directly on its website?

[beecee]

Yes. It takes a bit to arrive from India, but the shipping is reasonable. They do ship worldwide.

 

I’m excited to find such an elegant solution!!