cfar
Created April 30, 2019 © GPL3+

Automated Telescope Dust Cover Controller

Open/close a telescope's dust covers remotely or use as a camera shutter to automate dark frames with cameras lacking an internal shutter.

IntermediateFull instructions provided949
Automated Telescope Dust Cover Controller

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino UNO
Arduino UNO
×1
Driver DRV8825 for Stepper Motors for Theremino System
Driver DRV8825 for Stepper Motors for Theremino System
×2
SG90 Micro-servo motor
SG90 Micro-servo motor
×1
Stepper Motor, Mini Step
Stepper Motor, Mini Step
×1
Arduino Proto Shield
Arduino Proto Shield
×1
Hall Effect Sensor
Hall Effect Sensor
×2
DHT11 Temperature & Humidity Sensor (3 pins)
DHT11 Temperature & Humidity Sensor (3 pins)
×1
Capacitor 47 µF
Capacitor 47 µF
×1
Wire-To-Board Terminal Block, 10.16 mm
Wire-To-Board Terminal Block, 10.16 mm
×1
60W PCIe 12V 5A Power Supply
Digilent 60W PCIe 12V 5A Power Supply
×1

Story

Read more

Schematics

RDC Schematic

RDC

Motor Bracket, arm and cover

Motor bracket for main scope tube was fabricated using 1/8" x 1-1/2" aluminum bent to radius, 1/4" x 1/2" bar stock for arm, and 8" round acrylic disk (eBay) for the cover.

Arduino Sketch

Video

In action, test.

Document

General info

Arduino Sketch

Sketch to use 2 servos or 1 servo and one stepper. Change commented out code accordingly to suit your setup.

Arduino Sketch for single servo

This is useful to create a 'filterwheel' that can be used by TheSkyX to automate taking dark frames with cameras lacking their own internal shutter.

ASCOM Filter Wheel Driver

TheSkyX will use a slot named '!Shutter!' as a camera shutter to take dark frames

Code

ASCOM FilterWheel Driver with Code

VB.NET
No preview (download only).

Credits

cfar
2 projects • 6 followers

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