Equatorial telescope mount drive.

thingiverse

These are simple stepper motor mounts for equatorial telescope mount systems, perfect for enthusiasts looking to build their own affordable setup. My budget-friendly telescope mount is unbranded and lacks fancy features, but these custom-made mounts promise excellent compatibility with Nema 17 type stepper motors. If you plan to use the equatorial drive for astrophotography, a motor that takes 0.9 degrees per step is recommended - don't expect high-magnification images, though. Using the bracket on the declination axis requires some adjustments: simply lengthen your screws by 3-4 millimeters. For an added bonus, attaching a dual-shaft motor lets you include a knob for manual adjustment in case batteries run out - a useful backup plan for those late-night astronomy sessions. Of course, these motors need a controller to get them working; I'll be using an Arduino paired with A4988 Stepper Motor Driver Modules set to 1/8 steps. As with any telescope mount, it's highly recommended to add counterweights to prevent equipment damage - it's not worth risking a broken telescope or a bruised ego. My DIY mount comes equipped with some handy controls: a four-axis joystick lets you manage two axes and focus settings, while an on/off toggle switch lets you switch between the equatorial drive and fine-tuning modes. An added rotary encoder makes fine-tuning easier still - all of these controls came from eBay. If everything goes smoothly, I might just release my Arduino sketch for public use - when it's ready, that is. The custom-made mounts themselves are created using ABS 3D printing with layers set at a reasonable 0.3 millimeters thick. When building your control box, make sure to include the necessary M3 nylon screws (there are three required) and drill out holes for A4988 stepper motor driver modules - it'll be worth it in the end when everything clicks into place. Here's what you need to build my controller box: an Arduino nano board paired with three A4988 Stepper Motor Driver Modules, and don't forget a drilled-out M3 nylon nut as spacer between each module. Tightening up those screws? Use a tap - but only if your cable tensioner has pre-threaded holes.