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
Firmware Updates
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 interlocks — 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 (also its MAC address), 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

Access the controller using mDNS:

http://dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX.local

Replace XXXXXXXXXXXX with your serial number.

If mDNS doesn't work:

Check your router's admin page for connected devices
Use a network scanner app
The MAC address matches the serial number

Ethernet connection: If you connect an Ethernet cable, the controller gets a second IP address on the wired network. Both WiFi and Ethernet work simultaneously.

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, Longitude, and Altitude populate automatically
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 has three main tabs accessible from the header:

CONTROL — Roof operation and status monitoring
SETTINGS — Configuration options
UPDATE — Firmware updates

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 — Physical safety sensors and Mount Park Sensors all report safe
SAFE TO OPEN — Safe to move AND automation conditions are met (weather, voltage, sun) or automation is disabled

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: Safety sensors take priority over all other controls. If enabled and not reporting safe, the roof will not move under any conditions.

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

Safety Sensor Priority

The DragonLAIR has two levels of safety interlocks:

Block ALL movement (no exceptions):

Safety Sensors (physical ports 1-4)
Mount Park Sensors (wireless)

These cannot be overridden by any control method. If enabled and not reporting safe, the roof will not move.

Checked only when Auto Close or Auto Open/Close is enabled:

Weather Safety Monitor — Network-based weather
Weather Sensor Input — Hardware rain sensor
Voltage Monitor — Battery level
Sun Altitude — Daylight check

When automation is enabled and any of these conditions is unsafe:

Web interface, ASCOM, INDI — Cannot open the roof (prevents accidental remote opening)
Hand Controller — CAN open the roof (requires physical presence to verify conditions)

This design prevents any remote control method from accidentally opening the roof during unsafe conditions, while allowing manual override when you're physically present and can assess the situation yourself.

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

Discovery doesn't automatically enable the safety interlock:

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 the sensor loses connection, the DragonLAIR treats it as unsafe (fail-safe)

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: Weather conditions are only enforced when Auto Close or Auto Open and Close is enabled. When enabled and conditions are unsafe:

Web interface, ASCOM, and INDI cannot open the roof — Prevents accidental remote opening

Hand controller CAN open the roof — Requires physical presence to verify conditions

This prevents any remote control from opening during bad weather while allowing manual override when you're on-site.

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 polls the endpoint every 10 seconds. If no valid response is received within the timeout period, the roof closes automatically (if auto-close is enabled).

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
FTP server runs on port 21
Any username and password accepted
File must be in Boltwood II format
Field 21 (alert flag) is used: 0 = safe, 1 = unsafe

If no file is received within the timeout period, the roof closes automatically.

Weather Timeout Behavior

The timeout defines how long to wait for weather data before assuming unsafe conditions:

30 seconds (default): Reasonable for most setups
0 seconds: Close immediately when communication fails
Longer values: More tolerant of network hiccups

When timeout occurs:

Weather safety reports "unsafe"
If auto-close is enabled, the roof closes
Safety sensors still respected (roof won't close on telescope)

Voltage Monitoring

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

Important: Voltage thresholds are only enforced when Auto Close or Auto Open and Close is enabled. When enabled and voltage is below the unsafe threshold:

Web interface, ASCOM, and INDI cannot open the roof — Prevents opening on low battery

Hand controller CAN open the roof — Allows manual override when on-site

How It Works

Power fails, system switches to battery
Battery voltage gradually drops under load
At Unsafe Threshold, system reports "unsafe to open"
At Force Close Threshold, system initiates emergency roof closure
Roof closes (respecting safety sensors) before battery is depleted

Configuration

Go to Settings → Voltage Monitor
Toggle on Enable Voltage Monitor?
Set Voltage Monitor Unsafe Threshold (default: 11.0V)
- Below this, system reports unsafe to open
Set Voltage Monitor Force Close Threshold (default: 10.5V)
- Below this, roof closes immediately
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

Recommended settings:

Unsafe Threshold: 11.0V–11.5V
Force Close Threshold: 10.5V–11.0V

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

Force Close Behavior

When voltage drops below the Force Close Threshold:

Roof begins closing immediately
Safety sensors are still respected
If telescope isn't parked, roof will NOT close (preventing damage)
System waits for safe condition before closing

This ensures equipment protection while preventing roof collisions with unparked telescopes.

Sun Altitude Automation

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

Important: Sun altitude is only enforced when Auto Close or Auto Open and Close is enabled. When enabled and the sun is above the threshold:

Web interface, ASCOM, and INDI cannot open the roof — Prevents daytime opening

Hand controller CAN open the roof — Allows manual override for testing or maintenance

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 enabled

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.

Fail-Safe Behavior

If the DragonLAIR cannot determine sun position:

Missing latitude/longitude: Roof will NOT open
Cannot reach NTP server: Roof will NOT open
GPS has no fix and no manual coordinates: Roof will NOT open

This prevents accidental daylight exposure of your equipment.

Automation Settings

Sun altitude works with the automation toggles:

Enable Auto Open and Close:

When all conditions are true (sun below threshold, weather safe, etc.), roof opens
When any condition becomes false, roof closes

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 (latched, continues after release)
FULL CLOSE	Close completely (latched, continues after release)

Override Behavior

The hand controller is the only control method that can override automation conditions.

Cannot Override (blocks all movement):

Physical Safety Sensors (ports 1–4)
Mount Park Sensors
Motor stall detection
Limit switches

Blocked by automation conditions (when Auto Close or Auto Open/Close enabled):

ASCOM and INDI commands
Web interface OPEN ROOF button
Draco cloud commands

Can Override automation conditions:

Hand controller only

This design serves an important safety purpose: The web interface, ASCOM, and INDI cannot open the roof when automation conditions are unsafe, preventing any remote control—whether from imaging software or a browser—from accidentally opening during rain, low voltage, or daylight.

Only the physical hand controller can override these conditions, because using it requires you to be physically present at the observatory where you can visually confirm conditions are actually safe.

Override Mode

When you use the hand controller to open the roof while an automation condition is blocking:

The roof opens (overriding weather/voltage/sun checks)
Manually Opened flag is set
Auto-close is suspended for this session
Override remains active until roof is fully closed

This prevents the automation from immediately closing the roof after you've manually opened it.

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: When Auto Close or Auto Open and Close is enabled, remote commands cannot open the roof if weather, voltage, or sun conditions are unsafe. This applies to ASCOM, INDI, and the web interface—any control method that could be used remotely. Only the physical hand controller can override these conditions, because it requires you to be on-site.

ASCOM Alpaca

The controller presents as an ASCOM Alpaca Dome device, enabling control from any ASCOM-compatible software.

Additionally, if Voltage Monitoring is enabled, the controller also presents as an ASCOM Alpaca SafetyMonitor device. This allows imaging software to check battery status as part of its safety logic.

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.

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 firmware from Dark Dragons Astronomy (.bin file, less than 4MB)
Open the DragonLAIR web interface
Go to the UPDATE tab
Drag and drop the firmware file (or click to browse)
Click UPDATE
Wait for completion—the controller reboots automatically

⚠️ Do not disconnect power during the update.

After Updating

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

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