AstroTrackerHD v4.2

June 22, 2019

AstroTrackHD Prototype v4.2 is ready for testing! HD = Harmonic Drive, which is a high-precision, high-torque, zero backlash gear set. See: https://youtu.be/3mWemlMEzFk). The main update with version 4.2 is stepper driver support for interrupt-driven motion, with the ability to set the speed in milliseconds / 1 rotation--"clock mode". This enables me to set the speed equal to one sideral day-with all the gear ratios calculated in. One day in sideral time is 86164.091 seconds, and with a 139:1 ratio gearbox that gives me 619.885 seconds / full rotation. Then on top of this I have the harmonic drive with another 100:1 ratio to calculate in.  I'm going to try this out with a camera tonight!

There's some beautiful weather today, a batch of storm clouds sliding by--north to south--about mile east of us.