Download

Once we have uploaded the code to the Arduino, we can install the ASCOM Driver so that we can connect the power box to NINA or other compatible astrophotography software.

Install ready-built driver

You can choose to install the already-built driver from the Releases page:
First, download it [here] (https://github.com/florindumitrescu94/DashBoard_PowerBox_V3/releases/download/v1.0.0/DashBoard.PBV3.Setup.exe) Download the installer file (.exe) and run it. Afterwards, the driver will be ready to use. Your computer might warn you that there is an issue with the installer, since it is not digitally signed. You can go ahead and skip this error and install the driver. If you have your doubts, you can download the source code from this page and compile it yourself.

Build installer in Visual Studio

If you want to build your own installer or modify the ASCOM driver before installing it, you can either clone the repository from here, or just download the Source files from the Release page and build your own driver. You will need to use the ASCOM Installer Script Generator to create an installer which you can run afterwards.

Connecting to NINA and driver initial setup

Once the driver is installed, open NINA and go to the Switch tab in the Equipment page. Click on the dropdown and find ASCOM Switch driver for DashBoard PowerBox V3.

Click on the Settings (gears) button, then select the correct COM port for your powerbox. In this page, you can also rename each port and you can chose which ports you want to keep on when the device disconnects from the application.

Click OK, then click Connect. After a few seconds, the powerbox will connect to NINA and will be ready to use!

All the functions are explained in the description under each switch or gauge. The weather and power information updates once every 2 seconds.

PWM automation

When you set up the PWM automation, it will automatically change the value for each PWM output based on the temperature and dew point, as explained in the "Arduino code" section

The PWM automation updates the values every 60 seconds, so you might not see an immediate change, after you turn it on. Since the temperature will change gradually, 60 seconds is more than enough for the automation to catch up and update the power applied to the dew heater bands.

Control Center app

You can download the app here

On top of using NINA or APT for controlling this power box, you can also use the dedicated Control Center app. This was built, so that, when using some other astro app, that does not have the ability to control a "Switch" device (like SharpCap, FireCapture, etc.), you can still control the power ports and monitor the temperature conditions.

Also, inside this app, you are able to only enable the PWM automation on a single port and also change the aggressivity level. This is possible, as the calculations are done at the app level, not on the Arduino. This offers a more granular control over the dew heater outputs. However, the "Mid", standard level of automation available inside NINA through the ASCOM driver is more than adequate for the majority of conditions.

Setting up

Once downloaded, you can run the executable. You will, most surely, receive another SmartScreen error on your computer, which you can skip. This application does not have any installer, since it does not require any additional files to run.

When started, you'll see this window popping up on your desktop. Click "Choose", then select "ASCOM Switch driver for DashBoardPowerBoxV3" from the dropdown list. If you have not yet set up the power box, click Properties, choose the correct COM port and rename your ports, if needed.

Click Ok, then Ok, once again, then Click "Connect"

On the main window, you will have all the controls you need for using this application.

On the left:

Beside each DC and EXT ports, you will see the custom names and a "Status" button. These buttons are used to toggle each port On (solid orange) or Off (just an orange frame).

On the right side:

You will receive the information from all the sensors that the power box is equipped with, such as the temperature, dew point, humidity, as well as the voltage, current, power and energy consumption sensors. Below them, there is a runtime clock, which shows you how long you have been connected to the device. When disconnecting, this counter resets to 0.

On the bottom:

You have your two PWM ports controls. You can set the value by using the -5 or + 5 buttons to increase or decrease the value, then hit "Set" to send the new value to the controller. You also have the three buttons to set it Off, Mid (50%) or Max (100%). At the end of the row, you have the PWM automation controls. When checking the "Auto" box, all the other controls will be disabled and the PWM value will be controlled automatically, based on the conditions and the aggressivity level.

If you've elected to keep all ports on when disconnecting from the device, all ports will be kept on. HOWEVER, the PWM automation will not function, as it requires for the app to be connected to the device, in order to keep updating the temperature and PWM values