I’ve hinted a couple of places that I’m working on a Raspberry Pi based ROR Observatory controller. While not where I would like it, it’s taking shape and time to solicit some input. I've also posed on Cloudy Nights under observatories an will try to watch both and have shortened this post a bit.
So the question as you read this is: what else should the infrastructure controller do?
The controller is intended to run 24/7 keeping the observatory safe. That means heat if cold or wet, close the roof if raining or the users drop their link for a prescribed length of time. Before closing the roof, signal the telescope to move to its park position(s) and so on. EKOS would make a request to open, but the server would check it operational criteria before opening.
Current sensors and I/O include-
- Switches ( 8 ) from the Piface2 board, more can be added
- Outputs ( 8 ) Piface 2 plus four channels of AC SS-relays and four additional mechanical relays I plan to drive from the Piface D2.
- 1w thermal sensors DS18S20 or similar. I have 2 but many more can be added
- INA226 voltage/current sense boards, I have 2 coming
- MLX90614 for a cloud sensor (wide version I think, will almost certainly add a second, probably on the scope.
- AM2301 temp and humidity with dew point available
- I am using a Pi-EzConnect board as a breakout for the I2c and 1wire. Expect to add a max332 level shifter for RS232
Additions?
- should add a light sensor, which should be easy and also redundant (clock time and timeouts also work).
- Next addition is probably a couple of Pololu Simple Motor Controllers. I can use them for my roof open/close
and mount up/down and they look like just the thing for a dome (thanks stmguy!). That would free up 4
relays, which I could use as it turns out.
- GPS/Stratum-1 clock sever would also be a nice addition but not explicitly part of this software.
- plan to include email and/or text alerts on alarms, but haven’t looked into that yet.
- have a web cam, might add it’s input to the web interface.
- would like to interface to a home automation technology to use those outlets. All I can find so far are
hacks or discontinued interface, but that is being tracked.
Pretty much any on/off function can be controlled-- dew heaters, roof motors, lights and so on. Almost anything can be monitored-- temp, humidity, current, voltage and anything with a switch including motion or intrusion alarms. There is no intent to control the telescope or cameras but you could with INDI. I like the Pi, but for scope and camera control with plate solving I’ll probably use something a little more powerful, but that’s me.
Last, this will go into public domain. Not sure if it will end up on git or one of the yahoo groups or here,
but will be posted “someplace”
.
Any big “wants” out there? Anything come to mind?
More details a bit later….