Dark Dragons Astronomy
Documentation/DragonLAIR/Quick Start

Quick Start

Quick Start

DragonLAIR documentation

DragonLAIR WiFi Controller — Quick-Start Guide

Get your roof controller installed and operational in about an hour.

What You Need

  • DragonLAIR WiFi Controller
  • 12V DC power source (battery or power supply)
  • WiFi antenna (included)
  • GPS antenna (included)
  • Phone, tablet, or computer for setup
  • Your observatory WiFi network name and password

For a complete installation, you'll also need:

  • DC motor (600W motor recommended)
  • Limit switches (2× included)
  • Power cables (included)

Step 1: Connect the Antennas

Attach both antennas to the controller:

  • WiFi antenna → SMA connector labeled "WiFi" (end panel)
  • GPS antenna → SMA connector labeled "GPS" (opposite end panel)

Position the GPS antenna with a clear view of the sky for satellite reception.

Step 2: Connect Power

Connect 12V DC power to the 12V DC INPUT port (Anderson PowerPole connector).

The controller accepts 12–15V DC. You can power it from:

  • A 12V battery (for testing or battery backup operation)
  • A 13.8V power supply
  • Your observatory's existing 12V distribution

The controller powers on automatically when power is connected.

Step 3: Connect to the Controller's WiFi

On first power-up, the controller creates its own WiFi access point:

Setting Value
Network Name dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX
Password darkdragons
IP Address 192.168.4.1

The XXXXXXXXXXXX is your controller's serial number (printed on the device and shown in the web interface).

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

Tip: Your phone may auto-disconnect because this network has no internet. Temporarily disable auto-join on your regular network if needed.

Step 4: Configure Your Observatory WiFi

  1. Open a browser and go to http://192.168.4.1

  2. Click the WiFi icon (📶) in the top-right corner

  3. Click Scan to find available networks

  4. Select your observatory network and enter the password

  5. The controller saves settings and joins your network

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

Step 5: Access the Controller on Your Network

After the controller joins your WiFi, access it at:

http://dragonlair-XXXXXXXXXXXX.local

Or find its IP address in your router's admin page. The controller's MAC address starts with the same characters as its serial number.

You can also connect via Ethernet—the LAN port provides a second network connection that works simultaneously with WiFi.

Step 6: Connect the Motor

Wire your DC motor to the DC MOTOR OUT port (Anderson PowerPole connector).

Polarity determines direction. If the roof moves the wrong way during testing:

  • Swap the two motor leads
  • Or reverse the connector orientation

Step 7: Connect Limit Switches

Wire the included limit switches to the OPEN and CLOSE ports (2-pin terminal blocks).

Switch Triggers When
OPEN Roof reaches fully open position
CLOSE Roof reaches fully closed position

The switches are normally open (NO)—they close when the roof reaches the limit.

Adjustment tip: Position switches so they trigger just before the roof reaches mechanical stops. Test by manually moving the roof and watching the ROOF STATUS indicator in the web interface.

Step 8: Test Basic Operation

  1. Open the web interface and go to the Control tab

  2. Verify ROOF STATUS shows "Fully Closed" or "Fully Open" based on your current position

  3. Click OPEN ROOF or CLOSE ROOF

  4. Watch the roof move and verify it stops at the limit switches

  5. Use ABORT to stop movement at any time

If the roof moves the wrong direction: Swap the motor leads and try again.

Step 9: Run Calibration

Calibration teaches the controller how long your roof takes to open and close, enabling smooth deceleration as it approaches the limits.

  1. Go to Settings → Calibration

  2. With roof fully closed, click CALIBRATE OPEN TIME

    • The roof opens completely while the controller times it

  3. With roof fully open, click CALIBRATE CLOSE TIME

    • The roof closes completely while the controller times it

After calibration, the roof will slow down smoothly before reaching the limit switches.

Step 10: Set Your Location

For sun-based automation, enter your observatory coordinates:

  1. Go to Settings

  2. Enter Latitude, Longitude, and Altitude

    Or wait for GPS to acquire a fix—it will populate these automatically.

  3. Verify the NTP Server (default: pool.ntp.org) for accurate time

You're Up and Running!

Your DragonLAIR is now operational with basic open/close control.

Next steps to explore:

  • Safety sensors — Prevent roof movement when telescope isn't parked
  • Weather integration — Auto-close when conditions turn unsafe
  • Voltage monitoring — Auto-close on low battery
  • Sun altitude automation — Auto-open at dusk, auto-close at dawn
  • ASCOM/INDI integration — Control from N.I.N.A., SGP, or other software

Connecting to Imaging Software

The DragonLAIR appears as an ASCOM Alpaca Dome device. Most software auto-discovers it:

N.I.N.A.:

  1. Go to Equipment → Dome
  2. Click the search/refresh icon
  3. Select your DragonLAIR from the discovered devices

Other ASCOM software:

  • Use the Alpaca discovery feature, or
  • Manually enter the controller's IP address and port 80

INDI users: The DragonLAIR INDI driver is included in the INDI source code.

Need More Help?

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