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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

INDI focuser driver for Waveshare Stepper Motor HAT for Raspberry Pi / Rock Pi

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Hmmm...is there any marking on the board to reveal it's version? Or is this a "fire it up ant see" change? I don't see even a part number on the board.

I ask, because I've ordered a couple more boards for spares. It would be nice to know if they are old or new version.
2 years 9 months ago #72214

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Yeah, the website says the new PCBs are printed with "Rev2.1", and will be anything purchased after 2021-01-05

www.waveshare.com/wiki/Stepper_Motor_HAT

So that explains why at least two users a couple months ago couldn't get the driver to work with new Waveshare boards they just bought. Doh!
 
Last edit: 2 years 9 months ago by Kevin Ross.
2 years 9 months ago #72215

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Added a fix. On the Options tab there's an option to select the board revision (don't forget to hit Save!). Hopefully someone with the Rev 2.1 board can let me know if it works.
2 years 9 months ago #72219

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I have two boards on the way. Will test on arrival and report.
2 years 9 months ago #72235

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How auspicious! As I was typing my last message, DHL was putting the box on my porch. The new code works on a Raspberry Pi4 running Ubuntu Mate 20.04. When you switch the board to 2.1, it works. When you switch to Original, it ceases to operate. I noticed no overheat issue.

... I don't know...but personally, I would have been hard-pressed not to name the buttons, "Original" and "Extra Crispy."
The following user(s) said Thank You: Kevin Ross
2 years 9 months ago #72237

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"I don't know...but personally, I would have been hard-pressed not to name the buttons, "Original" and "Extra Crispy."

LMAO!

Thanks for testing. :)
Last edit: 2 years 9 months ago by Kevin Ross.
2 years 9 months ago #72238

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I had started a topic regarding preserving the focuser position between instances of running INDI, and recovering from a crash.
www.indilib.org/forum/wish-list/9817-wis...ocuser-position.html

I learned this is something handled within the driver not EKOS. Could you look into that? Thank you.
2 years 9 months ago #72245

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Yes, saving the last focus position is next on my to-do list. :)
2 years 9 months ago #72246

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Okay I just committed a change that will save the position to a file, and restore that position on startup. To be clear, this doesn't actually move the focuser, it's the equivalent of doing a "sync" to the last known position.

Try it out and let me know how it works out for you.

-- Kevin
2 years 9 months ago #72247

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Perfect. I'll test it soon.
I'm not sure if writing to a file is how other drivers do it. But I'm sure it will be fine. Thank you.
2 years 9 months ago #72250

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Looks good to me.

I also noted the first time I ran the driver the motor locked due to the new code for the board revision.
It was fine once the settings were saved.
2 years 9 months ago #72252

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Kevin

I am a bit lost with the changes you implemented in the past few weeks (I did not use my equipment since mid April due to bad weather). I updated the driver today, I got a version 1.4 displayed in the "General info" tab. If this is an outdated version please let me know.

The driver now behaves quite differently on my mount. At least, it does not move the focuser any longer regardless of the setting in "Board revision" (I was one of the two users you mentioned recently who had problems with the board: I had a 2.1 board initially, this did not work at that time, a new board without rev info did work).

My observations beside the fact that the focuser does not move:
   - If I set a relative position > 0 in Main Control tab, nothing happens
   - in Options tab none of the configuration buttons reacts
   - in Focuser module: if I set steps in Steps field it displays position depending on the setting in initial step size in mechanics

May be there are more observations. So, is my driver up to date or do I need to update again?

Thanks

Kurt
 
2 years 9 months ago #72554

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