¶ The Monster
This is my current main OAT controller. It is a full-featured systems with all options.
¶ Features and Components
This enclosure houses the following:
- Arduino Mega
- LCD Shield w/ buttons
- USB Power meter (ampmeter)
- Two TMC2009 UARTS boards for RA and DEC
- A upconverter to supply 7V to the AZ/ALT steppers
- Five CAT6 plugs
- RA, DEC, AZ, ALT
- GPS (combined digital level and GPS)
- 1 Micro USB, data-only (Vcc not connected) for connecting laptop
- 1 Micro USB for Arduino Mega and LCD power
- 1 Micro USB for all other power (steppers, GPS, level)
¶ Shopping List
Component |
Vendor Link |
Price |
Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boost Converter | Amazon | $7.99 for 5-pack | 1 |
| Micro USB receptacle | Amazon | $6.59 for 10-pack | 3 |
| MPU-6050 Digital Level (Gyro) | Amazon | $5.99 | 1 |
| NEO-6M GPS Module | Amazon | $11.58 | 1 |
| CAT6 Keystone Jacks | Amazon | $9.99 for 10 | 5 |
| 3mm Red translucent Acrylic sheet | Amazon | $9.99 for 12"x12" | 3" x 1" |
| Metal shaft for hinge of LCD cover | Amazon | $9.99 for 10 | 1 |
| USB Power meter | AliExpress | $1.67 | 1 |
| NEMA Stepper driver boards | AliExpress | $0.65 | 2 |
| TMC2209 UARTs | AliExpress | $8.49 for 2 | 2 |
¶ 3D Print Files
The STL files for the enclosure and the buttons can be found on the Enclosure folder on Github.
¶ Wiring
The wiring diagram for The Monster enclosure. Red is power, Black is ground. The other colors are signal.
The Up converter is set to 6V for the AZ and ALT steppers. Their driver board sits on the mount, which is why power and ground are on the cable along with the four stepper signals.
Note that you will have to add two lines to your configuration_local.hpp file if you wire it like this:
#define RA_SERIAL_PORT Serial3#define DEC_SERIAL_PORT Serial3
The USB connector wire from the power meter was desoldered from the board and used as the connector inside the enclosure to bring power to the places needed using a small distributor thingy (basically just soldered them all together).
The 3 wires (D+, D1 and GND) from the left USB port that carry data from computer, are soldered directly to the bottom of the Arduino Mega board at the corresponding places (use a multimeter).
¶ Photo Gallery
Don't judge me for my cable management or soldering.... 
