Dome Paddle

The dome paddle is an Xbox 360 controller that operates the telescope and dome. The Xbox controller communicates wirelessly with an Xbox receiver, and then with an Arduino that is wired to the telescope and (via a relay board) to the dome control box. Code is available on github. Dome rotation from the control room paddle has been disabled.

Note that:

• • Nothing will move unless you are holding the appropriate triggers on the Xbox controller: left for telescope motion and right for dome motion.

  • The speed of the telescope's motion can be adjusted between "set" (slow) and "slew" (fast) using the two buttons on either side of the On button, but note that the position of the Set/Slew switch on the control room paddle may take priority. 

Troubleshooting

If the Xbox controller doesn't light up at all, new batteries are located in the dark room. =)

If it lights up but nothing responds, it's possible the Xbox controller has to be paired again with the receiver. To pair, find the circular black button on the top of the wireless receiver for the Xbox controller (a black device just inside the yellow base of the telescope; should say 'Microsoft' on it) and the tiny circular black button on the front of the controller itself. These must be pressed and HELD at the SAME time (the green lights on the receiver and controller should start flashing). Keep them pressed until the lights stop flashing (and possibly the Xbox controller's green light is located at the top left of the silver 'X' button--but possibly that just indicates the state of the battery).