Greetings! I'm not entirely certain if this is the correct message forum to post this question. If not, please accept my humble apologies and move to the correct area as needed.

I've been using INDI for a while with my StellarMate and ASIair. But I recently purchased a new PlaneWave 12.5" CDK telescope.

The PlaneWave scope uses a Hedrick focuser (planewave.com/products-page/general-acce...ocuser/#.XWgOti2ZNR4) and a Delta-T Dew Heater (planewave.com/products-page/general-acce...heater/#.XWgPMy2ZNR4). PlaneWave includes software which only runs on Windows. I currently use a Mac running a Windows 10 virtual machine so I can control the focuser & dew heater ... but everything else is INDI. Ideally I'd like to get INDI drivers so I can just run it all on the Raspberry Pi.

I did reach out to them and they were happy to supply the software interface specifications for both devices (they even provide some sample code in Python -- even though their Windows code is not Python). The sample code is located here: planewave.com/files/tmp/DeltaTSampleCode.zip

I was trying to determine if their focuser and dew-heater system was compatible or based on some common standard with other focusers and dew-heaters (e.g. is there a different focuser or dew-heater that uses the same interface or is this a new beast?) If not, then I'm wondering if it would be possible to get an INDI driver created for these devices.

I've attached the PDF docs that describe the focuser interface and dew heater interface.

I considered writing and contributing a driver ... but (a) I haven't done any serious development for many years and (b) I've never done coding based on INDI so there'd be quite the learning curve (and likely loads of blunders). It's probably safer to see if an experienced INDI developer would be willing to take this on.

Kind Regards,
Tim

Hi Tim, it's been about a year and a half since you posted this, so I'm writing to ask how you ended up solving it.  I'm a Mac user, am trying to decide between buying a PlaneWave or an AG Optical scope.   An issue for me is the software to run the respective thermal systems.  I notice that there are Device Settings in the EKOS Profile setup for both Planewave's Delta-T and EFA (as of version 3.5.2 of kStars--maybe that wasn't the case when you posted).  I also notice there are no such settings for AG Optical, which might be enough to sway me to PW...maybe (but not before I speak with AGO).

Did you ever solve this problem for your PW?  If so, are you happy with it?

Many thanks and clear skies,

Stan in Brooklyn