DragonLAIR WiFi Controller — User Manual

Network-enabled roll-off roof automation for observatory protection

Introduction
What's in the Box
Hardware Overview
Physical Installation
Initial Setup
Web Interface Reference
Motor Configuration
Safety Sensors
Mount Park Sensors
Weather Integration
Voltage Monitoring
Sun Altitude Automation
Hand Controller
ASCOM and INDI Integration
Cloud and Follow Device
Firmware Updates
Downloading Diagnostics
Troubleshooting
Technical Specifications

Introduction

The DragonLAIR WiFi Controller is a purpose-built automation system for roll-off roof observatories. It provides network-based control of your roof from anywhere, monitors weather and safety conditions, and protects your equipment automatically—even when you're not there.

Key Capabilities

Network control — WiFi and Ethernet connectivity, no PC required
Smooth motor control — Slow start and stop reduces mechanical stress
Safety sensors — Four sensor ports plus wireless Mount Park Sensor support
Weather integration — ASCOM Alpaca, FTP upload, or hardware rain sensor
Battery backup — Voltage monitoring with automatic roof closure
Sun automation — Open at dusk, close at dawn based on GPS location
Software integration — Native ASCOM Alpaca Dome and INDI support

How It Works

The DragonLAIR directly controls your DC roof motor using PWM for smooth speed ramping. It monitors limit switches to know when the roof is fully open or closed, and checks all safety conditions before allowing movement.

When connected to your network, you can control the roof from the built-in web interface, imaging software via ASCOM/INDI, or the included hand controller. The system operates independently—no PC needs to be running for safety features to function.

What's in the Box

Control System:

DragonLAIR WiFi Controller
WiFi Antenna
GPS Antenna
Hand Controller with 6ft cable
Ethernet Cable (6ft)
DIN Rail with mounting clip

Limit Switches:

2× Heavy Duty Limit Switches
2× Limit Switch Cables (6ft, shielded)
8× Deck Screws
8× Machine Screws
T-25 Bit
4mm Hex Bit
4mm Hex Key

Safety System:

2× Safety Sensors (E3Z-R61 retroreflective)
2× Reflectors with brackets

Power:

2× Power Cables (6ft, 1/4" ring terminal to Anderson PowerPole)
30A Automotive Fuse
40A Automotive Fuse

Extras:

DDA Sticker

Hardware Overview

Controller Enclosure

The DragonLAIR uses a black anodized aluminum enclosure with red end caps. The design is compact enough to mount inside an observatory cabinet while providing robust protection for the electronics.

Connectors and Ports

Top Panel:

Dark Dragons Astronomy branding
"DragonLAIR Roof Controller" label

End Panel 1 (WiFi side):

WiFi — SMA connector for WiFi antenna

End Panel 2 (GPS/Limits side):

GPS — SMA connector for GPS antenna
OPEN — 2-pin terminal block for open limit switch
CLOSE — 2-pin terminal block for close limit switch
HAND CONTROL — RJ45 jack for hand controller

Main Connection Panel:

Safety Sensors 1–4 — Four 3-pin terminal blocks (GND, 12V, Signal each)
LAN — RJ45 Ethernet jack
RAIN SENSOR — 2-pin terminal block for hardware weather sensor
12V DC INPUT — Anderson PowerPole for power input
DC MOTOR OUT — Anderson PowerPole for motor output

Terminal Block Wiring

The green pluggable terminal blocks accept wire gauges from 28 AWG to 12 AWG. To connect:

Strip approximately 1/4" (6mm) of insulation
Insert wire into the terminal
Tighten the screw to secure

The terminals are removable—you can disconnect wiring by unplugging the entire terminal block rather than unscrewing individual wires.

Physical Installation

Mounting the Controller

The DragonLAIR includes a DIN rail clip for standard 35mm DIN rail mounting. You can also mount it directly to a surface using the clip as a bracket.

Location considerations:

Protected from direct rain and moisture
Away from extreme heat sources
Accessible for cable connections
Within WiFi range of your network (or use Ethernet)

Antenna Installation

WiFi Antenna:

Attach to the SMA connector labeled "WiFi"
Position vertically for best signal
Can be relocated using an SMA extension cable if needed

GPS Antenna:

Attach to the SMA connector labeled "GPS"
Position with clear sky view (through a window or outside)
The GPS antenna cable is typically long enough to reach outside the enclosure
GPS needs sky visibility to acquire satellites

Power Connection

Connect 12V DC to the 12V DC INPUT port using the included Anderson PowerPole cable.

Specification	Value
Input Voltage	12V nominal (10V–15V acceptable)
Maximum Input	15V
Idle Power	1–2W

Power source options:

Battery only — For portable or battery-backed operation
Power supply only — For simple AC-powered installations
Battery + charger — Recommended for backup power protection

When using battery backup, connect both the battery and charger. The charger maintains the battery; the DragonLAIR monitors voltage and closes the roof automatically if power fails and battery runs low.

Motor Connection

Connect your DC motor to the DC MOTOR OUT port.

Specification	Value
Maximum Current	45A continuous
Motor Type	DC brushed motors
Direction Control	Polarity determines direction

If the roof moves the wrong direction: Swap the two motor leads or reverse the PowerPole connector orientation.

The controller uses PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for speed control, enabling smooth acceleration and deceleration. This reduces mechanical stress on your observatory structure.

Limit Switch Installation

Install the included limit switches at the fully open and fully closed positions of your roof travel.

Wiring:

Limit switches connect to the OPEN and CLOSE 2-pin terminal blocks
Switches are normally open (NO) — they close when the roof reaches the limit
Either wire can go to either terminal (not polarity sensitive)

Positioning tips:

Mount switches where they trigger just before the roof hits mechanical stops
Ensure the switch actuator engages reliably at the limit position
Test by manually moving the roof and watching the web interface status
Adjust position until the roof stops consistently at the desired location

The shielded cables help prevent electrical interference from affecting limit switch signals. Use them for runs longer than a few feet.

Safety Sensor Installation

The included E3Z-R61 retroreflective sensors detect obstacles in the roof's path and verify telescope position.

Wiring (each sensor):

Wire Color	Connect To
Brown	12V
Blue	GND
Black	Signal

Sensor configuration:

Set the D/L switch on the sensor to L (Light-ON mode)

LED indicators on sensor:

Green only = NOT safe (beam blocked or no reflector seen)
Green + Red = Safe (beam reaching reflector)

Mounting:

Position sensor and reflector so the beam path crosses where obstacles would appear
Common locations: roof edge pinch points, telescope clearance zones
Alignment is important—the sensor must "see" its reflector clearly

Initial Setup

Step 1: Power On and Connect to Access Point

On first power-up (or after factory reset), the DragonLAIR creates a WiFi access point:

Setting	Value
Network Name (SSID)	`dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX`
Password	`darkdragons`
IP Address	`192.168.4.1`

The XXXXXXXXXXXX is your controller's serial number, printed on the device.

Connect to this network using your phone, tablet, or computer.

Note: Many devices auto-disconnect from networks without internet access. If this happens, temporarily disable auto-join on your regular network.

Step 2: Access the Web Interface

Open a browser and navigate to:

http://192.168.4.1

You'll see the DragonLAIR web interface with three main tabs: Control, Settings, and Update.

Step 3: Configure WiFi Network

Click the WiFi icon in the top-right corner of the header
Click Scan to search for available networks
Select your observatory network from the list
Enter your WiFi password
Click connect

The controller saves settings and joins your network. The access point turns off once connected.

Note your serial number before disconnecting—you'll use it to find the controller on your network.

Step 4: Find the Controller on Your Network

Use Dragon Device Finder to find your controller. Connect your phone or tablet to the same local network as the controller. Open the app, find your DragonLAIR and open its web page.

You can also enter this address in your browser:

http://dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX.local

Replace XXXXXXXXXXXX with your serial number.

If that address does not work:

Check your router's admin page for connected devices
Use Dragon Device Finder
Look for dragonlair- followed by your serial number

Ethernet connection: You can use Wi-Fi and Ethernet at the same time. Each gets its own IP address from your router. When both are connected, the controller prefers Ethernet for sending data.

Each connection also has its own hardware address, called a MAC address. The Wi-Fi MAC address may differ from the serial number.

Step 5: Configure Location

For GPS-based features and sun altitude automation:

Go to Settings
Option A — GPS auto-configuration:
- Ensure the GPS antenna has sky visibility
- Wait for the GPS to acquire satellites
- Latitude and Longitude update automatically; enter Altitude manually
Option B — Manual entry:
- Enter your Latitude (decimal degrees, positive = North)
- Enter your Longitude (decimal degrees, negative = West)
- Enter your Altitude (meters above sea level)
Verify the NTP Server for accurate time (default: pool.ntp.org)
Click Save

Step 6: Run Calibration

Calibration teaches the controller how long your roof takes to travel, enabling smooth deceleration at the limits.

Go to Settings → Calibration
To calibrate open time:
- Ensure roof is fully closed
- Click CALIBRATE OPEN TIME
- The roof opens while the controller times the travel
To calibrate close time:
- Ensure roof is fully open
- Click CALIBRATE CLOSE TIME
- The roof closes while the controller times the travel

After calibration, the roof will automatically slow down as it approaches the fully open or fully closed positions.

Web Interface Reference

The web interface provides these pages:

CONTROL — Roof operation and status monitoring
SETTINGS — Configuration options
UPDATE — Firmware updates
CLOUD — Connect the controller to your cloud account
TASKS — Technical information for troubleshooting

Header Icons

Three icons appear in the top-right corner:

Theme Toggle (sun/moon icon): Click to choose display mode:

Light Mode — Standard light background
Dark Mode — Dark background (default)
Night Vision — Red-on-black for dark adaptation

Ethernet Status (<-> icon): Click to view wired network information:

IP Address
MAC Address
DNS, Gateway, Subnet

WiFi Status (signal icon): Click to view wireless network information:

SSID (network name)
IP Address
MAC Address
Channel, RSSI (signal strength)
Scan button (find other networks)
Disconnect button

Control Tab

Main Controls:

OPEN ROOF — Start opening the roof
CLOSE ROOF — Start closing the roof
ABORT — Emergency stop (prominent red button)

Status Indicators:

ROOF STATUS — Current position (Fully Closed, Fully Open, Opening, Closing, Unknown)
SAFE TO MOVE — All safety sensors you enabled report that the roof's path is clear. This includes the wired sensors and Mount Park Sensors. If any reports a problem, the roof stops or will not move.
SAFE TO OPEN — The weather, voltage and sunlight checks you enabled report safe conditions. This does not check whether the roof's path is clear.

Only enabled checks count. A YES does not mean the roof will open right away. Opening locks and the automatic opening delay can still prevent it. Commands from the web page or other software check the weather, voltage and sunlight settings even when automatic operation is off.

Sub-tabs:

SAFETY: Shows status of all safety inputs:

Safety Sensor 1–4 (physical ports)
Weather Sensor (hardware rain sensor)
Safety Monitor (network weather integration)
Sun Altitude (daylight check)
Voltage Monitor (battery level)
Mount Park Sensors (discovered wireless sensors)

STATUS: Detailed system information:

Current (Amps) and Voltage readings
Roof Status and Moving state
Auto Open/Close enabled status
Manually Opened flag
Last State Change Reason
Serial Number, Firmware Version, Hardware Revision
Memory usage, Uptime, CPU Temperature

CHARTS: Real-time graphs (last 200 data points, 1-second updates):

Power Monitoring — Current and Voltage over time
Memory Usage — System memory utilization
CPU Temperature — Processor temperature

NETWORK:

All Dark Dragons Devices — Table of discovered DDA devices on your network (including Mount Park Sensors)
QR code for quick mobile access

Settings Tab

System Actions:

FACTORY RESET — Restore all settings to defaults
LOCATE DEVICE — Beep the speaker to help find the controller
DOWNLOAD DIAGNOSTICS — Export logs for troubleshooting
SHOW AUTH SETTINGS DIALOG — Configure authentication

Calibration:

CALIBRATE OPEN TIME
CALIBRATE CLOSE TIME

Location:

Name (friendly name for this controller)
Latitude, Longitude, Altitude
NTP Server

Motor Speed:

Minimum Speed (30–100%) — Speed when decelerating
Maximum Speed (0–100%) — Full travel speed

Motor Stall Detection:

Motor Stall Current (Amps) — Threshold for overcurrent protection

Safety Sensors:

Individual enable toggles for Safety Sensor 1–4

Mount Park Sensors:

Enable toggles for discovered wireless sensors

Speaker:

Enable/disable audible feedback

Hand Controller Override:

Information about override behavior (not configurable)

Automation:

Enable Auto Open and Close
Enable Auto Close (independent option)

Weather Safety Monitor:

Enable toggle
Mode selection (ASCOM Alpaca or FTP Upload)
URL and timeout configuration

Voltage Monitor:

Enable toggle
Unsafe Threshold (volts)
Force Close Threshold (volts)

Sun Altitude:

Enable toggle
Altitude threshold (degrees)

Weather Sensor Input:

Enable toggle for hardware rain sensor port

Update Tab

Firmware Update:

Drag-and-drop or browse for firmware file
Must be .bin file, less than 4MB
Click UPDATE to install

Motor Configuration

Speed Settings

The DragonLAIR uses PWM to control motor speed, expressed as a percentage:

Maximum Speed (default: 100%) The speed during normal travel. Reduce this if your roof moves too fast or the motor draws excessive current.

Minimum Speed (default: 50%) The slowest speed during acceleration and deceleration. The minimum allowed value is 30%.

Note: Some motors won't turn at low PWM percentages. If your roof hesitates or stalls when starting, increase the Minimum Speed.

Slow Start and Slow Stop

This is the DragonLAIR's signature feature. Instead of instantly applying full power (which jerks the roof into motion), the controller ramps speed gradually:

Motor starts at Minimum Speed
Accelerates smoothly to Maximum Speed
Travels at Maximum Speed
Decelerates to Minimum Speed as it approaches the limit
Stops when the limit switch triggers

This reduces mechanical stress on your observatory structure, rails, wheels, and drive components.

Calibration for Smooth Stopping

The controller needs to know how long your roof takes to travel so it can begin decelerating at the right time. Run calibration after installation and any time you change the motor or drive system.

Calibration procedure:

Go to Settings → Calibration
Open time: Start with roof fully closed, click CALIBRATE OPEN TIME
Close time: Start with roof fully open, click CALIBRATE CLOSE TIME

The controller times each direction and calculates when to begin slowing down.

Motor Stall Detection

The controller monitors motor current and stops if it exceeds the configured threshold. This protects against:

Obstructions blocking the roof
Motor or gearbox failures
Mechanical binding

Motor Stall Current (default: 30A)

Set this above your motor's normal operating current but below what would indicate a problem. You can view current draw in real-time on the STATUS sub-tab or CHARTS.

When stall is detected:

Motor stops immediately
Error is reported
Manual intervention required to resume operation

Safety Sensors

Safety sensors prevent the roof from moving when something is in the way—typically your telescope or mount.

Hardware Safety Sensors (Ports 1–4)

The four safety sensor ports support NPN retroreflective sensors. Two E3Z-R61 sensors with reflectors are included.

How they work:

Sensor emits infrared beam
Beam bounces off reflector back to sensor
If beam is blocked (or reflector not seen), sensor reports "unsafe"
Controller prevents roof movement when any enabled sensor is unsafe

Wiring:

Sensor Wire	Terminal
Brown	12V
Blue	GND
Black	Signal

Sensor configuration (E3Z-R61):

Set D/L switch to L (Light-ON mode)

LED indication:

Green only = Unsafe (beam blocked)
Green + Red = Safe (beam reaching reflector)

Enabling sensors:

Go to Settings → Safety Sensors
Toggle on the sensors you've installed
Click Save

⚠️ Warning: If an enabled safety sensor reports unsafe, opening and closing commands are blocked. This includes commands from the hand controller. Disabled sensors are ignored.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling safety sensors can result in equipment damage, injury, or death. You are responsible for any damage or injury that may occur.

How Safety Checks Work

The wired safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors check whether the roof can move. Only sensors you enable are used. If any reports a problem, the roof stops or will not move in either direction. The hand controller and calibration also check enabled sensors. If you disable a sensor in Settings, the controller ignores it.

The weather, voltage and sunlight checks decide whether conditions are safe for an open roof. Only checks you enable are used. Commands from the web page, imaging software, cloud or another DragonLAIR must pass these checks. This applies even when automatic operation is off.

The hand controller lets a person at the observatory judge whether it is safe to open. It can open the roof when weather, voltage or sunlight checks say it is unsafe. It can also bypass opening locks. It still checks the wired safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors you enabled.

After opening with the hand controller, you must fully close the roof to turn automatic closing back on. Until then, the controller will not close the roof automatically for unsafe weather, low voltage or sunlight. Closing it partway is not enough.

Mount Park Sensors

The Mount Park Sensor is a wireless telescope position sensor that integrates directly with the DragonLAIR.

Automatic Discovery

When both devices are on the same network, the DragonLAIR automatically discovers Mount Park Sensors. No IP addresses to enter, no pairing required.

You can see discovered sensors on the Control → NETWORK sub-tab in the "All Dark Dragons Devices" table.

Enabling Mount Park Sensors

A discovered sensor is not used until you enable it:

Go to Settings → Mount Park Sensors
Find your sensor in the list
Toggle it on
Click Save

Behavior

Once enabled:

The roof will not move unless the sensor reports safe
If the sensor reports unsafe during movement, the roof stops
If a sensor is missing or has not sent an update for more than 15 seconds, it is treated as unsafe
You do not need to select the sensor again if its IP address changes. The controller remembers its serial number.

Multiple Sensors

You can use multiple Mount Park Sensors for multi-telescope observatories. Each appears separately in Settings, and you can enable/disable them individually.

All enabled sensors must report safe for the roof to move.

Weather Integration

The DragonLAIR supports multiple methods for weather-based roof protection.

Important: The weather, voltage and sunlight checks you enable apply to opening commands from the web page and other software. They still apply when automatic operation is off. The hand controller can bypass these checks, but it still checks the wired safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors you enabled.

Option 1: Hardware Weather Sensor

Connect a simple relay-closure rain sensor to the RAIN SENSOR port.

Logic: Closed circuit = rain detected = unsafe

Most rain sensors close a relay contact when precipitation is detected. Wire the relay contacts to the two terminals on the RAIN SENSOR port.

Enable:

Go to Settings → Weather Sensor Input
Toggle on Enable Weather Sensor Input?
Click Save

Option 2: ASCOM Alpaca Safety Monitor

Poll a network-based ASCOM Alpaca SafetyMonitor device.

Common sources:

Boltwood Cloud Sensor with Alpaca interface
Weather station software with Alpaca support
Custom safety monitor implementations

Configuration:

Go to Settings → Weather Safety Monitor
Toggle on Enable Weather Safety Monitor?
Set Safety Monitor Mode to ASCOM Alpaca
Enter the Safety Monitor URL (e.g., http://192.168.1.100/api/v1/safetymonitor/0/issafe)
Set Safety Monitor Timeout (default: 30 seconds)
Use TEST URL to verify connectivity
Click Save

The DragonLAIR checks the address every 10 seconds. Unsafe readings and errors must continue for the Safety Monitor Timeout before they count as unsafe. To close automatically, an automatic mode must be on and the roof path must be clear. Opening with the hand controller pauses automatic closing. You must fully close the roof to turn it back on.

Expected response format:

{ "Value": true }   // Safe
{ "Value": false }  // Unsafe

Option 3: FTP Upload (Boltwood II Format)

Receive weather data files via FTP upload—useful for SkyAlert, Boltwood, and similar weather systems.

Configuration:

Go to Settings → Weather Safety Monitor
Toggle on Enable Weather Safety Monitor?
Set Safety Monitor Mode to FTP Upload
Set Safety Monitor Timeout (default: 30 seconds)
Click Save

Weather station configuration:

Upload weatherdata.txt to the DragonLAIR via FTP
In your FTP software, select passive mode and port 21
Use the filename weatherdata.txt without a folder name
Any username and password accepted
Use Boltwood II format with at least 21 fields
Update the date and time in each file. Files with the same date and time as the last upload are ignored.
Field 21 is the alert flag: 0 means safe. Any other value means unsafe.

Before the first valid file arrives, the monitor reports a timeout and starts the unsafe-reading delay. Automatic closing still requires an automatic mode and a clear roof path. Opening with the hand controller pauses automatic closing. You must fully close the roof to turn it back on.

How Long the Weather Monitor Waits

Safety Monitor Timeout defaults to 30 seconds. A monitor must keep reporting unsafe conditions for this long before the controller treats them as unsafe. Errors count as unsafe readings too.

In FTP mode, the controller first waits this long for a new weather file. If no new file arrives, it starts the unsafe-reading delay. A lost feed can therefore take about twice the timeout, plus time for the next check, to report unsafe conditions.

Setting the timeout to zero removes this delay. The controller still checks the monitor at regular intervals, so it may not react immediately.

Voltage Monitoring

The DragonLAIR monitors input voltage and can automatically close the roof when battery runs low—protecting your equipment during power outages.

Important: The weather, voltage and sunlight checks you enable apply to opening commands from the web page and other software. They still apply when automatic operation is off. The hand controller can bypass these checks, but it still checks the wired safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors you enabled.

How It Works

Firmware note: Version 6.28.0-b0 has a bug that uses the Force Close Threshold for both decisions. The fix is under review. The behavior below requires that fix.

Voltage monitoring is off by default. When you turn it on, the two settings have different jobs:

Unsafe Threshold (default 11.0 V): At or below this voltage, the Alpaca SafetyMonitor reports unsafe. This tells imaging software to stop imaging and follow its safety steps. Software also cannot open the roof.
Force Close Threshold (default 10.5 V): At or below this voltage, an automatic mode can close the roof.

For example, at 10.8 V the Alpaca SafetyMonitor reports unsafe. Imaging software can respond by stopping exposures, parking the telescope and closing the roof. The controller blocks opening, but does not automatically close because of voltage alone until it reaches 10.5 V or lower.

The roof's path must still be clear. Opening with the hand controller pauses automatic closing. You must fully close the roof to turn it back on.

Connect your imaging software to the DragonLAIR Alpaca SafetyMonitor and configure what it should do when conditions become unsafe. The controller does not wait for those steps to finish once voltage reaches the Force Close Threshold.

Configuration

Go to Settings → Voltage Monitor
Toggle on Enable Voltage Monitor?
Set Voltage Monitor Unsafe Threshold (default: 11.0V). At or below this, the Alpaca SafetyMonitor reports unsafe and software cannot open the roof.
Set Voltage Monitor Force Close Threshold (default: 10.5V)
- At or below this, an automatic mode can close the roof if its path is clear.
Click Save

Threshold Guidelines

For a 12V lead-acid battery:

Voltage	Approximate State
12.7V+	Fully charged
12.4V	~75% charged
12.0V	~50% charged
11.8V	~25% charged
11.5V	Nearly depleted
10.5V	Essentially empty

Set the Unsafe Threshold above the Force Close Threshold. This gives imaging software an earlier unsafe signal through the Alpaca SafetyMonitor. It can then stop imaging, park the telescope and close the roof before voltage reaches the Force Close Threshold. The time available depends on how quickly voltage falls.

Leave enough margin for the roof to complete closing before the battery is fully depleted.

Closing on Low Voltage

At or below the Force Close Threshold, an automatic mode can close the roof if voltage monitoring is on. Opening with the hand controller pauses automatic closing. You must fully close the roof to turn it back on.

The wired safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors must still report safe. If any reports a problem, the roof stops or will not move.

Sun Altitude Automation

The DragonLAIR can automatically open your roof at dusk and close it at dawn based on the sun's position.

Important: The weather, voltage and sunlight checks you enable apply to opening commands from the web page and other software. They still apply when automatic operation is off. The hand controller can bypass these checks, but it still checks the wired safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors you enabled.

Prerequisites

Sun altitude automation requires:

Latitude and Longitude configured (GPS or manual entry)
Accurate time from NTP or GPS
Auto Open and Close or Auto Close turned on for automatic movement. Sunlight checks still apply to software opening commands when these modes are off.

Configuration

Go to Settings → Sun Altitude
Toggle on Enable Sun Altitude Check?
Set Sun is Below ° Altitude
- 0° = horizon (closes when sun rises)
- -6° = civil twilight
- -12° = nautical twilight
- -18° = astronomical twilight
Click Save

Example: Setting -10° means the roof will close when the sun is higher than 10° below the horizon, and conditions are safe to open when the sun is lower than 10° below the horizon.

If Location or Time Is Missing

The sun check needs a valid location and clock. If either is missing, software cannot open the roof while this check is on. Losing the internet time server does not block opening if the controller's clock is still set correctly.

A latitude or longitude of zero is currently treated as missing. This also affects real sites on the equator or prime meridian. The hand controller can still bypass the sun check.

Automation Settings

Minimum Safe Duration Before Auto-Open sets how long safe conditions must last before automatic opening. It defaults to 900 seconds (15 minutes). You can set it from 0 to 3600 seconds. Set it to zero for no delay.

The weather monitor, rain input and voltage checks you enabled must stay safe during this time. If any becomes unsafe, the timer starts again.

The sun must also be below the angle you set. Daylight does not restart the timer. The roof can open at sunset if the other checks have already been safe long enough.

The delay starts again after a restart or when you turn on auto-open. If you send an opening command yourself, this delay does not apply. Other safety checks still apply.

This setting does not delay automatic closing. Auto-open needs at least one weather, voltage or sunlight check turned on. If you use Follow Device, see Follow Another DragonLAIR.

Choose an automatic mode in Settings:

Enable Auto Open and Close:

The roof can open when the path is clear, all enabled checks say safe, no opening lock is set and the opening delay has ended
Unsafe weather, voltage or sunlight can cause closing. The monitor delay still applies. The path must be clear. Opening with the hand controller pauses automatic closing. You must fully close the roof to turn it back on.

Enable Auto Close (only):

Roof closes when conditions become unsafe
Roof does NOT auto-open
Useful for manual open but automatic protection

Hand Controller

The included hand controller provides physical control of the roof without needing the web interface.

Buttons

Button	Function
OPEN	Open the roof (moves until released or limit reached)
CLOSE	Close the roof (moves until released or limit reached)
ABORT	Emergency stop
FULL OPEN	Open completely (continues after you release the button)
FULL CLOSE	Close completely (continues after you release the button)

What the Hand Controller Can Do

The hand controller is for a person at the observatory who can see the roof and judge the conditions. It allows that person to open the roof even when weather, voltage or sunlight checks say it is unsafe. It can also bypass opening locks.

The wired safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors you enabled still apply. The hand controller also respects the limit switches and motor stall protection.

Opening commands from the web page, imaging software, cloud or another DragonLAIR must pass the weather, voltage and sunlight checks you enabled. This applies even when automatic operation is off.

Turn Automatic Closing Back On

Opening with the hand controller pauses automatic closing for weather, voltage and sunlight. This lets the person on site control the roof without it closing automatically.

You must fully close the roof to turn automatic closing back on. The closed limit switch must detect that the roof is fully closed. Closing it partway or waiting for better weather does not reset this pause.

Before leaving the observatory, fully close the roof. Keep Auto Close or Auto Open and Close enabled if you want automatic closing when the roof is opened again.

Speaker Feedback

If the speaker is enabled, the hand controller provides audible feedback:

Beep Pattern	Meaning
3 beeps	Roof is about to move
2 beeps	Roof is already at requested position
1 beep + N beeps	Safety sensor N is blocking (e.g., 1 + 2 = sensor 2)

ASCOM and INDI Integration

The DragonLAIR integrates with all major astronomy imaging platforms.

Important: ASCOM, INDI and web page opening commands must pass the weather, voltage and sunlight checks you enabled. This applies even when automatic operation is off. The hand controller lets a person on site judge whether to open. After using it to open, you must fully close the roof to turn automatic closing back on.

ASCOM Alpaca

DragonLAIR provides an Alpaca Dome and SafetyMonitor on port 80. The Dome controls the roof. The SafetyMonitor tells imaging software whether the weather, voltage and sunlight checks you enabled report safe conditions.

To connect the SafetyMonitor, turn on at least one of these checks: weather monitor, rain input, voltage or sun altitude. It does not check the roof path, opening locks or the opening delay. Set your imaging software to park the mount before it closes the roof.

In firmware 6.27.0 and later, the Alpaca setup links open the controller's Settings page.

Auto-discovery: Most modern software (N.I.N.A., etc.) discovers Alpaca devices automatically. Look for your DragonLAIR in the device list.

Manual configuration:

Setting	Value
IP Address	(your controller's IP)
Port	80
Device Type	Dome
Device Number	0

INDI

The DragonLAIR INDI driver is included in the INDI source code. Install from the standard INDI package repositories.

In KStars/Ekos:

Go to Equipment Profile
Add Dome device
Select DragonLAIR from the driver list
Configure IP address

Imaging Software Examples

N.I.N.A.:

Equipment → Dome
Click refresh/search icon
Select DragonLAIR from discovered devices
Connect

Sequence Generator Pro:

Equipment → Dome
Select ASCOM Alpaca driver
Configure IP and port
Connect

Voyager:

Setup → Dome
Configure as ASCOM Alpaca Dome
Enter connection details

Synchronizing with Mount

Most imaging software can synchronize dome (roof) status with your mount:

Park mount before closing — Software parks telescope, then closes roof
Open before unpark — Software opens roof before unparking telescope

Configure these sequences in your imaging software's safety or automation settings.

Cloud and Follow Device

Connect to Your Cloud Account

On the Cloud page, enter the six-character code from your cloud account's pairing process. The code uses the digits 0–9 and letters A–F.

A paired device is linked to your account. It may still show as disconnected if it cannot reach the cloud. Removing the pairing disconnects the device and removes its saved cloud login details. You can use local controls without cloud pairing.

Follow Another DragonLAIR

Select a Follow Device in Settings to follow another DragonLAIR on your network. The controller saves its serial number, so an IP address change does not break the link. Turn on an automatic mode to use this feature.

The following roof opens only when the other roof allows it and its own safety checks pass. Its own weather, voltage or sunlight checks can still cause it to close.

Follow Timeout defaults to 30 seconds. You can set it from 10 to 300 seconds. Once the other device has sent a status update, a longer gap can cause the following roof to close. This timeout does not close the roof if it has never received an update.

An open, close or abort command on the following device can pause following. Following resumes when both roofs are fully open or both are fully closed. The wired safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors must allow every movement.

Firmware Updates

Dark Dragons Astronomy releases firmware updates to add features and fix bugs.

Checking Your Version

Current firmware version is shown in:

Control → STATUS sub-tab
Settings page header
Network tab device list

Update Procedure

Download the firmware for DragonLAIR from Dark Dragons Astronomy. If it is a ZIP file, unzip it to get the .bin firmware file.
Open the DragonLAIR web interface
Go to the UPDATE tab
Drag and drop the firmware file (or click to browse)
Make sure the roof is stopped. Click UPDATE
Wait for the controller to install the update and restart. “Firmware verified” means the file passed its checks. The update is not finished yet.
The roof cannot move while the update installs. The web page may lose its connection. Wait for the controller to return, then check the version on the STATUS tab.

⚠️ Do not disconnect power during the update.

After Updating

Settings are preserved across firmware updates. Verify the new version number on the STATUS tab.

Downloading Diagnostics

In Settings, select Download Diagnostics. Send the ZIP file to support.

It contains settings, recent logs and device information in diagnostics.json. If the controller saved information about a crash, the ZIP also includes coredump.elf. Support can use these files to help find the problem.

Troubleshooting

Cannot Connect to Controller's Access Point

The dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX network doesn't appear:

Verify power is connected (check for any LED activity)
Wait 30 seconds after power-on
If previously configured for WiFi, the AP won't appear unless that network is unavailable
Try factory reset

Phone Keeps Disconnecting from Controller WiFi

Cause: Phone prefers networks with internet access.

Solutions:

Temporarily disable auto-join on your regular network
Turn off mobile data temporarily
Use a laptop instead
Work quickly during initial setup

Cannot Find Controller on Network After WiFi Setup

Solutions:

Try mDNS: http://dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX.local
Check router's DHCP client list
Use network scanner app
Ethernet connection provides a second path

Roof Won't Move — "Not Safe to Move"

Check each safety input:

Go to Control → SAFETY sub-tab
Identify which input shows "disabled" vs "safe" vs "unsafe"
Address the blocking condition

Common causes:

Safety sensor misaligned or dirty
Mount Park Sensor reporting telescope not parked
Weather condition unsafe
Voltage too low

Roof Moves Wrong Direction

Solution: Swap the motor leads at the DC MOTOR OUT connector. Either reverse the wires in the PowerPole, or swap which wire goes to which terminal.

Motor Stalls or Trips Overcurrent

Possible causes:

Motor Stall Current set too low
Obstruction in roof path
Mechanical binding
Motor or gearbox failing

Solutions:

Check for physical obstructions
View actual current draw on CHARTS tab during movement
Increase Motor Stall Current if normal draw exceeds threshold
Inspect drive system for wear or binding

Roof Doesn't Stop at Limits

Possible causes:

Limit switch not triggering
Limit switch wiring loose
Switch position needs adjustment

Solutions:

Manually actuate limit switch and verify status changes in web interface
Check wiring connections
Adjust switch position for reliable triggering

GPS Not Acquiring Fix

Solutions:

Ensure antenna has clear sky view
Move antenna away from metal obstructions
Allow several minutes for initial fix
Use manual lat/long entry as alternative

Weather Safety Keeps Triggering

For ASCOM Alpaca mode:

Use TEST URL button to verify endpoint responds correctly
Check timeout setting (increase if network is slow)
Verify weather station is actually reporting safe

For FTP Upload mode:

Verify weather station is uploading files
Check file format (Boltwood II, Field 21)
Verify FTP connectivity to controller

Factory Reset

To reset all settings:

Open web interface
Go to Settings
Click FACTORY RESET
Confirm

The controller erases all settings and restarts in access point mode. You'll need to reconfigure WiFi and all settings.

Technical Specifications

Motor Control

Specification	Value
Motor Output	DC motors up to 45A continuous
Voltage	12V nominal (10V–15V range)
Control Method	PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
Speed Range	30%–100% configurable
Current Monitoring	Real-time with configurable stall detection

Power

Specification	Value
Input Voltage	12V nominal (10V–15V)
Maximum Input	15V
Idle Consumption	1–2W
Fuse Protection	30A / 40A automotive fuses (included)

Connectivity

Specification	Value
WiFi	2.4GHz 802.11 b/g/n
Ethernet	10/100 Mbps RJ45
Protocol	HTTP with ASCOM Alpaca
mDNS	`dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX.local`
ASCOM	Alpaca Dome, SafetyMonitor (when voltage monitoring enabled)
INDI	Driver included in INDI source

GPS

Specification	Value
Provides	Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, Time
Antenna	External SMA (included)
Backup	NTP for time, manual entry for location

Safety Inputs

Port	Type	Quantity
Safety Sensors	3-wire NPN (12V, GND, Signal)	4
Weather Sensor	2-wire relay contact	1
Limit Switches	2-wire NO contact	2
Mount Park Sensors	Wireless (auto-discovered)	Unlimited

Environmental

Specification	Value
Operating Temperature	10°F to 105°F (-12°C to 40°C)
Tested Range	10°F to 105°F field deployments

Physical

Specification	Value
Enclosure	Anodized aluminum with end caps
Mounting	DIN rail clip (35mm standard rail)
Connectors	Anderson PowerPole (power), pluggable terminal blocks, RJ45, SMA

Access Point Mode

Setting	Value
SSID	`dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX`
Password	`darkdragons`
IP Address	`192.168.4.1`

Support

Discord Community: https://darkdragonsastro.com/discord

Email: support@darkdragonsastro.com

Documentation: https://darkdragonsastro.com/support