6 replies to this topic

[remysharp]

I'm a beginner using an Astro Fi 5. The wifi and app are total garbage for controlling the telescope, so I figured on making my own controller through the RJ45 port using an arduino.

 

In general it's working, I can see messages being exchanged, I can echo, get and set the date and so on appear to work - in that I'm able to send and I get messages back from the mount.

 

However, none of the slew commands work. I send the `P` command and I'm getting back `0#` (going by the developer notes in the "NexStar Communication Protocol" PDF - that tells me that they've been ignored), and it's the slew commands I want to use (the final goal is a simple joystick to control the telescope as I'm looking through the scope).

 

I'm very new to this space, but competent technically (i.e. I'm happy to explore and debug).

 

Does anyone know how to get slew commands to work? Is there any useful information on the Astro Fi mounts that could get this working?

 

Thanks in advance.

[mlord]

There are two, completely different protocols for Celestron mounts.

 

One, the so called "Nexstar Protocol", is for connections through the serial/USB port of a Nexstar V4/V5 hand-controller.

 

The other, is the "AUX Protocol", for use with a connection to an AUX or HC port on the mount itself.

 

Totally different protocols.

[remysharp]

Regarding the two protocols, is that on the P messages, or the serial format to exchange? (Only if its the later the fact that echo, date and other commands do work).

Though because I'm connecting on the aux port through the rj45 connector, I'm guessing I need to look more closely at the "AUX protocol".

Again, I'm new to telescope control and DIY, so I wasn't entirely sure where to start in the first place.

[bluesky114]

I'm very interested in what you're doing.

I have the Celestron WiFi that plugs into the AUX port and it no longer works.

I have started a project to build my own WiFi interface using an Arduino MKR1010 and a TTL to Serial Converter through the serial port in the HC.  I have an older model with the RJ11.

So far no luck, I can't get it to talk with the scope.

 

I have a Nexstar 130SLT with a Nexstar+ HC.

 

I would like to hear about your set up and using the AUX port.

 

[mlord]

For a Homebrew WiFi design, see the HomeBrew Gen3 project. Schematic available, as well as suppliers of prewired PCBs and more.

[mlord]

I am not aware of any Celestron device with an RJ45 (8P8C) connector. So you'll have to be a bit more precise as to what you mean.

[mlord]

Note that if you just want a wireless connection to the Nexstar hand-controller, one of the easiest ways to achieve that is with a serial-to-bluetooth converter.  Not WiFi.