Category Archives: Projects

Robert Brown Focuser Controller build, step by step #5

Posted on June 8, 2020 by james

I now have almost all the components in place. The large diode at the top left wasn’t in the original plan I worked from. That’s the reverse voltage protection diode. Obviously no-one, least of all me, is ever going to … Continue reading →

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Robert Brown Focuser Controller build, step by step #4

Posted on June 8, 2020 by james

In the end I couldn’t find a single application that would do what I wanted, so I just decided to start cutting tracks and see where I ended up 🙂 And then spent a happy hour or two soldering in … Continue reading →

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Robert Brown Focuser Controller build, step by step #3

Posted on June 8, 2020 by james

All the parts that I didn’t already arrived, so I need to get on with laying out the stripboard. I found what looks to be quite a handy tool for doing that last night (it’s probably simple enough to do … Continue reading →

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Robert Brown Focuser Controller build, step by step #2

Posted on June 8, 2020 by james

The first parts have arrived: a pair of NEMA17 stepper motors with 27:1 reduction gearboxes.

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Robert Brown Focuser Controller build, step by step #1

Posted on June 8, 2020 by james

I’ve done a bit of reading and messing about with GIMP and this is what I think I plan to build: I believe I understand pretty much all of the circuit now. The resistor network to the left of the … Continue reading →

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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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Restoring an AAG rain gauge #2

Posted on January 29, 2020 by james

I’m pleased to say that the rain gauge is now in place and all connected up. It appears to be counting properly (unlike it did when I had it on the desk for testing), but I’ll keep an eye on … Continue reading →

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DIY Stevenson screen #4

Posted on January 29, 2020 by james

I’ve been meaning to post this for a while. Just a photo of the Stevenson screen, as complete as it’s going to get for the time being.

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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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