Category Archives: Astronomy

Robert Brown’s “myFocuserPro2” build

Posted on January 31, 2020 by james

I have now finished bench-testing my third dew controller (had to wait for another humidity sensor to arrive as the one I had appears to have been faulty). So, I think it’s time to start looking at Robert’s focuser controller. … Continue reading →

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A couple more photos of the observatory

Posted on January 30, 2020 by james

I found these the other day, so I thought I’d just add them out of interest… First, the remote control for the telescope room LEDs. I keep meaning to 3d print a little holder for this to fix to the … Continue reading →

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Dew heaters from a new supplier

Posted on January 30, 2020 by james

Now my dew heater controllers are finished I need to get some more heater straps. Whilst casting about for suppliers I came across W&W Astro who I’d not heard of before. Their straps appear to be film-based and what comments … Continue reading →

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Summary of Robert Brown Arduino dew controller build

Posted on January 27, 2020 by james

Overall I’m very happy with this project. It seems to work very well and is a huge improvement on not having dew straps. Generally it’s a pretty straightforward build with nothing really that much more taxing than making sure LED … Continue reading →

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Robert Brown Arduino dew controller build, step by step #18

Posted on January 25, 2020 by james

So, testing… I downloaded the Arduino code from Sourceforge and unzipped it to find a directory called “Tests”, which seemed quite straightforward. In the documentation there are a list of tests n the order they should be run, but I … Continue reading →

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Robert Brown Arduino dew controller build, step by step #17

Posted on January 25, 2020 by james

To complete the testing I need to make up the temperature sensor plugs. This wasn’t a major problem. The black connector part unscrews from the metal body revealing the pins for connecting the wires, so it’s just a case of … Continue reading →

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Robert Brown Arduino dew controller build, step by step #16

Posted on January 25, 2020 by james

I’ve now finished making all the other connectors, so it’s time to start testing. I have already plugged in the 12V supply and the magic smoke didn’t come out, so that’s a good start.

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Robert Brown Arduino dew controller build, step by step #15

Posted on January 25, 2020 by james

There was one other component I almost forgot! The DS18B20 temperature sensor that goes on the PCB. I could have soldered that direct to the board, but put a pin header in instead and mounted the sensor in the plug:

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Robert Brown Arduino dew controller build, step by step #14

Posted on January 25, 2020 by james

The lid, complete with all wiring. That’s almost all the soldering done. I think there are just the temperature sensor plugs and possibly a power cable to make up (I think I’ve run out) that will require more soldering work. … Continue reading →

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Robert Brown Arduino dew controller build, step by step #13

Posted on January 25, 2020 by james

The remaining components in the case — the fan, USB connector, power socket and DHT22 are now fitted. I drilled the mounting holes for the fan and USB socket through the walls of the case as I wasn’t confident that … Continue reading →

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