Little Foot Elegance Photo
With the Little Foot Elegance Photo I introduce my latest and likely last self construction project for a stepper motor controller device. The likely last one because the hardware offers almost everything that you like and the software leaves enough space to introduce new functions for years. For this there is no need to make any changes of the hardware and the update of the software can be easily done at your home PC.
Before I start with the self construction instructions I would like to give a short introduction of the new Little Foot Elegance Photo Steppercontroller.
I developed the Little Foot Elegance Photo because the Pro update for the Little Foot Elegance caused to many problems and I did not want to give up such a project. The LF Elegance Photo is no update it is a completely new controller device. As anything had to be done from scratch I had the idea of a project without any compromises. Though having the cost in mind I wanted to establish a hardware to fit all future needs, so a real future investment. :-D
And here we are, a stepper motor controller like no other has been created ever before. I do not know anything alike, leave alone the price! There is another do it yourself project but unfortunately the designer looses himself in expensive special parts you cannot purchase anywhere. This leads more and more to a project that had been introduced but you can’t do it yourself, what a pity!
Besides the countless features of the Little Foot Elegance Photo one apect was of special importance for me. The controler should be much easier to assemble, avoiding a wire mess, and keeping the price low. Another important point was to avoid special parts you can’t purchase anywhere. What is the use of a controler project you cannot realise yourself because you cannot lay hand on the parts needed? All the assembly parts can be bought, even from private persons, at local electronic stores, I layed less emphasis on „clicky colors“ but on the design of an economic and performant system. I think the features of the Little Foot Elegance Photo give you a clear idea. :-)
Some features of the LFE Photo:
- Up to date multiprocessor system
- 1/64 Microstepping in RA and DEC
- Unlimited and fast GOTO (up to 640x) over the Display or build in LX200 Protocol
- Modern graphic display with red background ilumination
- Temperature of the display stabilized fully automaticaly for cold winter nights
- USB interface for all current operating systems.
- Ethernet interface for world wide controller access (supports DHCP).
- Built in Videointerface for analog video cameras (can be used as integrated stand alone autoguider later on for example)
- SD-Card Slot for common SD-cards up to 2GB!
- Huge internal Object catalogue containing about 5 million objects!
- Computation of all planet positions (Goto and Sync is supported)
- Integrated Sky Agent to identify objects easily!
- Battery buffered real-time clock with world time function (no need to set the clock if you change the time zone)
- Permanent storage of up to 3 observing sites
- RS232 (LX200) autoguiding interface
- PEC without errors and with a real Tablesize of 1024 Entrys!
- Autopark saves PEC data permanent after switch off! (no manual parking needed!)
- Home Position and Auto Alignment for stationary operations.
- Connection for optical encoders (for both axes)
- Encoder supported PEC (EPEC)
- Built in Steppercontroller for the Focus motor (Stepperfocuser)
- Supports the Robofocus Protocol for the Stepperfocuser
- Supports the LX200 Focus commands
- Focus control possible by the hand controller box!
- DSLR Remote control for many common DSLR cameras
- DSLR Control over several build in and free programable Exposure timers
- Exposure programs can be stored permanently.
- GPS Interface that can stores the data of place, time and day in the real-time clock
- Autoguidinginterface (ST-4 compatible)
- Supports the LX200 PulseGuide commands
- Multiple tracking speeds (i.e. Siderial/Solar/Lunar)
- Configuration for minor correction velocities possible
- Compensation of gear backlash, free to choose compensation speed, in RA and DEC
- Intelligent Tracking with IntellyTrack®
- LX200 control of the telescope fan and the secondary mirror heating
- Built in red reading lamp with dimmer for reading at night keeping eyes dark adapted
- Visitor mode for public observatories
- Almost all extra functions can also be run using the hand control box!
- Firmware updates can be rolled in via the serial or USB interface using up to date PC software
- Free to edit Microstepping table for exact tuning of the built in motor
- Supports almost any mount with motor kit up to 3 Ampere
- Stores as many mount settings as you like in the mount-database!
- Input voltage 12V to max. 30V (optional integrated 40V Booster!)
- Connections for further accesories with direct access to the processor bus
- Modern and easy to read User manual! (~2,5MB! right click -> save ... ;-))
- And much more ... :-D
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