Onstep GOTO User manual

OnStep GOTO Quick Start Guide
for Hubble Optics UL24G
(R 1.2, 01/26/2023)
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................1
2 Hardware Setup...........................................................................................................2
3 OnStep drivers Installation..........................................................................................
OnStep GoTo Controller.............................................................................................
.1 Power Supply.......................................................................................................8
.2 LED Operation.....................................................................................................8
.3 DB9 Encoder Port Connection.............................................................................9
5 Smart Hand Pad...........................................................................................................9
5.1 Initialization Sequence.......................................................................................11
5.2 Starting Up.........................................................................................................11
5.3 Button Functions................................................................................................11
5. Use......................................................................................................................11
5.5 Icons...................................................................................................................12
5.6 Menu structure 3.x.............................................................................................13
5.6.1 Main Menu [center button long press]........................................................1
5.6.2 Feature Key menu.......................................................................................17
6 Telescope Encoder Wiring and Setup.......................................................................18
7 Using Browser to Configure and Control the Controller..........................................18
8 Quick Start Operations via OnStep Android App.....................................................2
9 Quick Operation Guide on Sky Safari......................................................................30
10 Quick Operation Guide on Stellarium.....................................................................32
10.1 Quick Operation Guide on Stellarium Mobile Plus.........................................33
10.2 Quick Operation Guide on Stellarium on MS Windows platform...................36
11 Telescope control via ASCOM Planetarium programs........................................... 0
12 Smart Telescope Setup via INDI on Raspberry Pi B........................................... 1
12.1 Smart Scope using stellarmate......................................................................... 1
12.2 Smart Scope using ASiair Pro / Plus................................................................ 1
13 Imaging with UL2 G.............................................................................................. 2
1 Limited Warranty.................................................................................................... 2
15 Technical Support................................................................................................... 2
Appendix A: Motor and Motor Encoder Pin Out......................................................... 2
1 Introduction
The state of art OnStep GoTo controller designed by Howard Dutton is extremely powerful and feather
rich; but in this document we will only explain the basic configuration and operation applicable to
Hubble UL2 G scopes. For the advanced users who want to explore the full potential of OnStep
controller, please refer to the OnStep instruction WiKi
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Hubble OnStep controller supports:
The INDI (WiFi), ASCOM(WiFi , Bluetooth and USB) under the LX200 protocol.
WiFi 802.11n /g/n connection with built-in website accessible from any browser from any
platform and the direct WiFi support for the Sky Safari and Stellarium
Bluetooth classic .2 support to host computer for the ASCOM connection and the direct
wireless support to Sky Safari & Stellarium
iOS App and Android Virtual Handpad Apps to control the scope with initialization,
configuration, alignment, and movement (Slewing and GoTo). You are strongly
recommended to use t e Android based OnStep Controller2 for t e initial setup!
Smart Hand Controller with about 30,000 objects. Although, you can fully control the scope
with initialization, configuration, alignment, and movement control (Slewing and GoTo)
without any other device needed; You are strongly recommended to use t e Android
based OnStep Controller2 for t e initial setup!
The Telescope Encoders for the extra accuracy in pointing and tracking
Real Time Clock (RTC): The RTC module maintains seconds, minutes, hours, day, date,
month, and year information.
You s ould never flas t e OnStep firmware on t e controller and t e andpad by yourself
wit out first consulting wit Hubble Optics; Failure to do so may damage t e controller and/or
and pad and will void t e warranty.
Safety
The stepper motors are powerful motors that can do extreme damage to equipment and human life.
Please be careful that your telescope doesn't move to a mechanical limit (such as the ground); You may
damage the motors or gears, and you may injure yourself or others. This product is NOT a toy; children
should not be allowed to operate it.
You must exercise proper safety precautions, including the wearing of proper clothing and avoiding use
in adverse conditions. Shock hazard! Bodily injury hazard! Any device using electricity is a shock and
bodily injury hazard. You must hook up the device properly and follow all safety precautions,
particularly when using electricity outdoors. If improperly hooked up or improperly operated,
electronic components can shock, overheat, melt, and explode. In particular:
1. Never operate when the equipment or cabling is wet or moist, even if there is only a possibility that
some of the equipment is wet or moist
2. All grounding points must be connected to the battery (-) terminal before turning on any equipment;
the grounds must never be disconnected while the unit is powered on
3. Power leads must not be reversed: instant component failure is a certainty; components will
overheat and can explode with violent force
. Please be careful that your telescope doesn't move to a mechanical limit (such as the ground). You
may damage the motors or gears, and you may injure yourself or others.
5. WARNING: T e DC voltages ig er t an 12 volts are deadly w en s ocked!!!!
2 Hardware Setup
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The following sketch shows the essential elements of the OnStep control system. The following feature
and function are optional and are not provided by default:
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Rotator and Focuser control are not enabled and not provided
The home switches and necessary wiring are not provided
The Limit switches features are enabled; but the limit switches and necessary wiring are not
provided.
3 OnStep drivers Installation
You will need use a MS windows-based PC to install OnStep ASCOM driver; and a Raspberry pi
system to use the OnStep INDI driver. The OnStep INDI driver is included in the standard Astroberry
releases.
You should download and install the latest ASCOM platform; then you can install the OnStep ASCOM
driver which can be obtained from: http://www.stellarjourney.com/index.php?r=site/software_telescope
4 OnStep GoTo Controller

1. USB port
2. ST- /Smart Hand Controller Port
3. DB9 encoder port
4. Locking Toggle Power Switch (The toggle actuator needs to be pulled up
(pull-to-unlock) before moving the switch to another position)
5. Auxiliary port for the limit switches
6. The optional rotator motor port
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7. The optional focuser motor port
8. The Power Supply
9. The ALT axis motor port
10. The AZM axis motor port
OnStep Controller
Power Cable
Motor Cables
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Encoder Cable
Smart Hand Pad Cable
7

Cable Management
4.1 Power Supply
The controller has a 5.5mm-2.1mm power connector (center positive). Please provide a regulated
supply or battery, A 3 amp 12 VD.C. Supply is recommended. A 7 amp hour Gel Cell battery is an
excellent portable way to power the unit. This should last 2 or 3 observing nights before recharging is
necessary for a well-balanced telescope.
WARNING:
Please observe power supply polarity for t e OnStep controller! T e wire wit w ite
strip is positive. If you ook t e power up backwards, you will surely blow t e fuse, and
possibly damage ot er components.
T e DC voltages ig er t an 12 volts are deadly w en s ocked!
Do not disconnect t e motors cable w en t e unit is powered on
It is always better to power on t e unit before connecting t e USB cable to t e USB port;
and always disconnect t e USB cable before power off t e unit.
4.2 LED Operation
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1. Power Supply LED
2. Scope Tracking LED
3. WiFi Status LED
4. CPU Status LED
There are four LED's on the controller, labeled as LED 1, LED 2, LED3 and LED . These LED's can
keep you informed about what is happening with the controller.
LED 1 indicates the status of the Power Supply: it should be on while the controller is powered on.
LED 2 indicates the status of the scope tracking status: it is flashing while tracking, otherwise will be
on steadily.
LED 3 indicate the status of the WiFi service. It indicates the WiFi service is being established while
the LED is flashing; the WiFi service is ready while it is steadily on.
4.3 DB9 Encoder Port Connection
The RS232 serial port is a 9 pin modular jack which is mainly used for the telescope encoders. But it
can also be used by other purpose.
Pin 1: Ground
Pin 2: Vsel (5V)
Pin 3: Encoder 1B, encoder 1 input B
Pin : Encoder 2B, encoder 2 input B
Pin 5:
Pin 6: Aux3, typically used for a Home SW on RA or Azm but can be used any purpose (dew heater
for instance, on/off switch, etc.). Not wired and not enabled.
Pin 7: Aux , typically used for a Home SW on Dec or Alt but can be used any purpose (dew heater for
instance, on/off switch, etc.). Not wired and not enabled.
Pin 8: Encoder 1A, encoder 1 input A
Pin 9: Encoder 2A, encoder 2 input A
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5 Smart Hand Pad
The user can Configure, Initialize & Align the mount, Park, and find/goto celestial objects using
the Smart Hand Pad. The objects include Moon, the Planets, and several catalogs: NGC/IC,
Herschel 00, Messier, the named bright stars, and variable stars etc, about 30,000 objects in total.
The main display is the Alt, Azm, or RA and Dec that the telescope is currently pointing at; you can
toggle between the Alt/Azm and RA/Dec by single clicking the center button. A small telescope icon
with an H under it, means the telescope is in the Home position When the telescope is slewing, a
double triangle will show. When it is tracking, a single triangle will show, as well as the pier side, and
the tracking rate ('s' for sidereal).
Press any of the N, S, W, E buttons to move the telescope
Press the center (+) button to wake up the screen
Press it again to cycle through status displays (RA/Dec coordinates, Alt/Az, Local/Sideral
Time)
Quickly press the center button twice to get to the Speed menu
Long press the center button for the menu
oGoto
oSync
oAlign
oParking
oPEC
oSettings
Select a menu by the Up or Down button, then Right to enter that menu
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