Difference between revisions of "Metal antenna rotator"

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== Introduction ==
+
==Introduction==
  
 
To build this metal antenna rotator you will need a welder.
 
To build this metal antenna rotator you will need a welder.
  
== Bill of materials ==
+
==Bill of materials==
 
{| {{table}}
 
{| {{table}}
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Part'''
+
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;" |'''Part'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Qty'''
+
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;" |'''Qty'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Source'''
+
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;" |'''Source'''
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;"|'''Price per Unit ($)'''
+
| align="center" style="background:#f0f0f0;" |'''Price per Unit ($)'''
 
|-
 
|-
| <span>Nema23 stepper motor - Wormgear 60:1</span> || 2 || [https://aliexpress.com/item/Ratio-20-1-self-lock-High-Torque-L56mm-NEMA23-3A-RV30-Turbine-Worm-Gearbox-Geared/32681621498.html][https://aliexpress.com/item/Ratio-20-1-self-lock-High-Torque-L112mm-NEMA23-4-2A-RV30-Turbine-Worm-Gearbox/32681645351.html] ||  
+
|<span>Nema23 stepper motor - Wormgear 60:1</span>||2||[https://aliexpress.com/item/Ratio-20-1-self-lock-High-Torque-L56mm-NEMA23-3A-RV30-Turbine-Worm-Gearbox-Geared/32681621498.html][https://aliexpress.com/item/Ratio-20-1-self-lock-High-Torque-L112mm-NEMA23-4-2A-RV30-Turbine-Worm-Gearbox/32681645351.html]||
 
|-
 
|-
| <span>Bearing for the az axis 100x135x25 mm</span> || 1 || [https://aliexpress.com/item/51120-Thrust-Bearing-100x135x25-mm-ABEC-1-1-PC-Axial-51120-Thrust-Ball-Bearings-8120/32813388761.html] ||  
+
|<span>Bearing for the az axis 100x135x25 mm</span>||1||[https://aliexpress.com/item/51120-Thrust-Bearing-100x135x25-mm-ABEC-1-1-PC-Axial-51120-Thrust-Ball-Bearings-8120/32813388761.html]||
 
|-
 
|-
| <span>Stepper motor driver</span> || 2 || [https://aliexpress.com/item/2-Phase-Stepper-Driver-MA860-DSP-24V-80VDC-or-VAC16-70VAC-Output-6A-Current-NEMA-34/32785076340.html] ||  
+
|<span>Stepper motor driver</span>||2||[https://aliexpress.com/item/2-Phase-Stepper-Driver-MA860-DSP-24V-80VDC-or-VAC16-70VAC-Output-6A-Current-NEMA-34/32785076340.html]||
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
== Communication test and setup ==
+
==Communication test and setup==
  
 
Open a terminal and start the rotctld (the rotator controller ''daemon''):
 
Open a terminal and start the rotctld (the rotator controller ''daemon''):
Line 61: Line 61:
 
If the result ends with ',0', and the endstop is not activated, its good. (if it's not good, reverse them in the config)
 
If the result ends with ',0', and the endstop is not activated, its good. (if it's not good, reverse them in the config)
  
If the two endstops are at 0 when reset, the homing will be peformed.
+
If the two endstops are at 0 when reset, the homing will be performed.
 
Homing is always in the opposite way of the motor (-max angle)
 
Homing is always in the opposite way of the motor (-max angle)
  

Latest revision as of 01:31, 24 February 2021

Introduction

To build this metal antenna rotator you will need a welder.

Bill of materials

Part Qty Source Price per Unit ($)
Nema23 stepper motor - Wormgear 60:1 2 [1][2]
Bearing for the az axis 100x135x25 mm 1 [3]
Stepper motor driver 2 [4]

Communication test and setup

Open a terminal and start the rotctld (the rotator controller daemon):

 $ rotctld -vvvvv -T 127.0.0.1 -r /dev/ttyUSB1 -m 202 -s 19200 -t10

The parameter -t is to use \n as end of command. The parameter -vvvvv activates the verbosity - remove some to get less infos.

Open another terminal and start the rotctl client:

 $ rotctl -m 2 -r 127.0.0.1

To test you will need to:

 Rotator command: P<enter>

then enter target position:

 Azimuth: 360<enter>
 Elevation: 90<enter>

Or shorten this to:

 Rotator command: P 180 090<enter>

The motors should move, if not: check connections.

Then you have to check that the endstop are working:

 Rotator command: IP1<enter>
 Rotator command: IP2<enter>

If the result ends with ',0', and the endstop is not activated, its good. (if it's not good, reverse them in the config)

If the two endstops are at 0 when reset, the homing will be performed. Homing is always in the opposite way of the motor (-max angle)