Caterpillar Full Control is Lunaticoastro’s single-controller solution for dome rotation and shutter control, featuring both Wi-Fi and USB connectivity.
The Caterpillar Full Control system automates and protects both dome rotation and shutter operation in professional and custom-built observatories.
The Caterpillar Full Control system is supplied without an enclosure.
We provide 3D enclosure designs, and the corresponding STL files can be downloaded free of charge for 3D printing.
We are also working on a plug-and-play version with an enclosure, which we expect to be available in the coming months.
Not sure which Caterpillar you need?Answer two simple questions in our Setup Finder to find out exactly which controller and hardware you need.
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Available Configurations
Caterpillar Full Control is available in four configurations.
Important: Each Caterpillar-MB board controls a single observatory component: either the dome rotation or the shutter. Therefore, a complete installation will normally require two Caterpillar-MB boards: one for dome rotation and one for the shutter.
a) Caterpillar Main Board (Caterpillar-MB board only)
Includes the Caterpillar-MB main board only.
It is intended for users who:
- already have a compatible external motor driver, or
b) Caterpillar-MB + Relay Expansion Board
This configuration includes the Lunatico Relay Expansion Board.
It is intended for installations where the motor is controlled via digital outputs, as is common with many Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and other industrial controllers.
c) Caterpillar-MB + Cytron MD13S Driver
Includes the Cytron MD13S 13 A motor driver, suitable for DC motors up to 13 A.
d) Caterpillar-MB + DM860I Driver
Includes the DM860I stepper motor driver (2.4–7.2 A, 20–80 VDC).
Optional Flap Control
The board assigned to the shutter can also be expanded to control a second moving element: the flap.
This requires:
- one additional Cytron MD13S motor driver, and
- one dedicated interconnection cable.
Required Sensors
Regardless of the selected configuration:
For dome rotation, the following are required:
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- one Home sensor (e.g. a Hall-effect proximity sensor), and
- one encoder to accurately determine the dome position.
For the shutter, the following are required:
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- two limit switches (open and closed), for example mechanical limit switches or safety limit switches.
Why choose the Caterpillar Full Control system?
- Controls the dome rotation; if the dome has a motorised shutter, a second Caterpillar-MB controls the shutter.
- Option to control a second moving element on the shutter: the flap.
- Automatic communication between boards using a dedicated second Wi-Fi channel.
- Compatible with three-phase, DC and stepper motors (using external motor drivers).
- USB and Wi-Fi connectivity to the PC.
- Automatic position recalibration when passing the Home sensor.
- Multiple safety features: limit switches, Home sensor, communication failure detection and encoder monitoring.
- Supports external safety sensor inputs, including CloudWatcher and Hydreon RG-11.
- Compatible with ASCOM and INDI.
- Based on the Beaver platform (used by NexDome), with hundreds of installations worldwide.
Configuration Details
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Caterpillar-MB (Main Board only) When your dome already has its own motor driver, or you plan to use an existing external motor driver (please contact us to confirm compatibility). Caterpillar supports two types of external motor drivers:
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Caterpillar-MB + Lunaticoastro Relay Expansion Board Adds relay outputs for controlling variable frequency drives (VFDs) or power switching devices. Typically used with three-phase motors. |
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Caterpillar-MB + Cytron MD13S 13 A DC Motor Driver Board Includes the motor driver for DC motors up to 13 A. |
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Caterpillar-MB + DM860I Driver Includes the driver for stepper motors with peak currents of up to 7.2 A (6 A RMS). |
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Flap Module (requires a Caterpillar-MB) If you also want to automate a flap driven by a DC motor or linear actuator, all you need is an additional Cytron MD13S and a dedicated interconnection cable connected to the shutter board. |
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What’s Included
- Caterpillar-MB main board
- Corresponding motor driver (depending on the selected configuration)
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Details |
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| Connectivity | USB + Wi-Fi |
| Supported motor types | Three-phase, DC and stepper motors (using external motor drivers) |
| Position feedback | NPN quadrature encoder (required for dome rotation, optional for the shutter) |
| Limit switches | Required for the shutter and flap |
| Home sensor | Required. Hall-effect or mechanical. Used to resynchronise the dome rotation position. |
| External inputs | Safety and weather sensors (CloudWatcher, Hydreon RG-11) |
| Manual controls | Physical CW/CCW, Open/Close and Calibration buttons |
| ASCOM drivers | Dome + Switch |
| INDI | Available (compatible with the NexDome Beaver driver) |
| Auto-calibration | Dome rotation and shutter |
| Enclosure | Supplied without an enclosure. Optional 3D enclosure available separately. Free STL files available here. |
Compatibility & Integration
Caterpillar is controlled through ASCOM or INDI drivers from your preferred observatory automation software, and can be integrated with Dragonfly or Starling for complete observatory coordination.
It also accepts safety signals directly from the CloudWatcher, allowing the observatory to close automatically in the event of bad weather.
Further Information & Documentation
Visit the product page on our website for more information.
Software Screenshots
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3D Frame Designs Available
For custom frame designs or variations of these models, please contact us.
| Caterpillar-MB (Main Board only)
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| Caterpillar-MB + Lunaticoastro Relay Expansion Board
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| Caterpillar-MB + Cytron MD13S 13 A DC Motor Driver Board
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