WiFi Skywatcher 200 Telescope Moonlite compatible Focuser and WiFi dongle by clifton2

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

Moonlite stand alone software controlled WiFi Focuser for the Skywatcher 200 telescope using Orly Andicos Arduino Code hosted on a NodeMCU micro-controller.
All instructions are in the PDF, including the electronic parts details and wiring diagrams.
Includes a WiFi dongle utilising a NodeMCU running ESP-Link.
Based on my original Bluetooth Telescope Focuser but updated to communicate by serial over WiFi.
Arduino code for the NodeMCU focuser end is included in the files.
ESP-link firmware for the WiFi dongle download link included in the documentation.
The WiFi Dongle NodeMCU connects to your astro PC via USB and becomes an additional com port that the Moonlite stand alone software can use. The focuser NodeMCU establishes a TCP connection to the WiFi dongle on the PC (via your home network) and hey presto serial over WiFi to control the telescope. It would also be possible to establish a direct WiFi link between the two device, just configure the WiFi dongle as an access point instead and change the Arduino code to connect to it instead of your home network.
Other bits and pieces required:
You will need wire to join up the bits (connection diagram included in the PDF file)
Some m3 capped screws of various lengths, a few nuts and a length of GT2 belt (exact length will depend on the final print & motor position. I cut mine and superglued the ends together it as not too much load)
A DC power jack and a couple of push to make switches of any type you can fit in.
Two M3.5 X20 screws to replace the two removed focuser screws
Power input is 12VDC so can be run off a DC psu or car battery (LM2596S DC to DC power module has to be set for 5V output before connecting it up as the NodeMCU in the focuser runs at 5V)
Read the last sentence again it is VERY important.
The telescope printed items should be done at >50% infill.
Still a work in progress in terms of the documentation but I have built one and it worked (no wifi range check done yet though but I have an access point in the garden do as soon as I get a clear night I will try to test more thoroughly).