I have tried to set the backlash values several times but it doesn't work from the INDI driver. I have v0.7 which should be the latest, and firmware 304.
PFA a small clip as well as the full INDI log, hopefully, someone can guide me if this is a bug or something I did wrong...
KSTARS log showing that the driver refused the values for backlash and Max position as it is out of range!!
[size=100][2021-03-23T12:49:33.828 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - MyFocuserPro2 : "Error: Invalid range for Steps (Steps). Valid range is from 0 to 512. Requested value is 1000 "
[2021-03-23T12:49:33.830 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - MyFocuserPro2 : "[DEBUG] CMD <:77244#> "
[2021-03-23T12:49:34.298 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - MyFocuserPro2 : "[DEBUG] CMD <:00#> "
[2021-03-23T12:49:34.314 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - MyFocuserPro2 : "[DEBUG] RES <P283000#> "
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[2021-03-23T12:49:33.828 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - MyFocuserPro2 : "Error: Invalid range for Steps (Steps). Valid range is from 0 to 512. Requested value is 1000 "
[2021-03-23T12:49:33.830 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - MyFocuserPro2 : "[DEBUG] CMD <:77244#> "
[2021-03-23T12:49:34.298 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - MyFocuserPro2 : "[DEBUG] CMD <:00#> "
[2021-03-23T12:49:34.299 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - iOptron SmartEQ : "[DEBUG] CMD <:GLS#> "
[2021-03-23T12:49:34.314 EDT DEBG ][ org.kde.kstars.indi] - MyFocuserPro2 : "[DEBUG] RES <P283000#> "[/size]
Based on this, the driver is not sending the proper command as it determines it is out of value, the question now will be, how I can adjust those values? Why there are such restrictions? I have a 1/32 stepper that moves about 85000 steps / 10 mm, and this focuser has a 70mm range.
Hello Mohamed,
It seems there is several limitations for the maximum possible backlash value. First, the driver software restricts the number of steps you can set to 512. Second, the focuser firmware itself restricts the value to 255.
As a workaround, you have two possibilities:
-As in the case of the Celestron 9.25 the CFZ=220µm, you could reduce the micro-stepping to 1/8 or 1/4 instead of 1/32 and thus reduce the backlash value to set in INDI tabs by a factor 4 or 8.
- Otherwise, you could try to modify the lines 918 and 224 of the firmware 304 as following:
backlash_count = myfocuser.backlashsteps_in -> backlash_count = (myfocuser.backlashsteps_in * 10)
backlash_count = myfocuser.backlashsteps_out -> backlash_count = (myfocuser.backlashsteps_out * 10)
Doing that, the value set in INDI is multiplied by 10.
Thank you for your response. I'm leaning toward reducing the micro-stepping rather than code changes, as it may affect future updates, and I use the same EKOS image on both permanent and mobile setups.
For my 9.25, the CFZ is quite big, so even without micro-stepping this should work
F/10 configuration CFZ = 10x10x2.44 = 244 um
F/6.3 configuration CFZ = 6.3x6.3x2.44 =~ 97 um
But my problem is with the small WO Z61. I thought it would be safe to use 1/32, but I may be wrong. I know that its CFZ is about 85um, so I may try to use the full step as I use NEMA17/PG27. I'm still looking for the revolution travel for its focuser, but I can try and see if full will do the job...
Yes, I agree it is easier to play with the micro-stepping.
Taking into account the CFZs you have, 1/4 should fit to both Celestron and WO Z61 with a lot of margin and with backlash numbers < 255.