Focus without the wobbles

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denababy
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Focus without the wobbles

Post by denababy »

Hi here I am again. I hope you can help me as always, I am thinking of getting an auto focuser, the type powered by a small battery. When I adjust the focus the scope dances around and takes a moment to settle down, although not a major problem I can overcome this issue by fitting an auto focuser, but which one for my Explore Scientific ed80. I have tried the scope on both my mounts (eq3-2 and AVX) but the results are the same. It, the auto focuser, must be easy to fit, reliable and accurate. Anyone advise please.


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MapleRidge
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Re: Focus without the wobbles

Post by MapleRidge »

Dena...

I think you refer to a motorized focused as opposed to autofocus. Adding a motor is usually pretty easy and removes finger induced jiggles making focusing quite easy. I used JMI units for years until I started to upgrade the entire focuser to Moonlite which includes integrated motors. Quite a step up n cost too.

I’m sure there are other companies offfering motor kits as well, but I can’t recommend a motorized unit enough. They make focusing so much easier.

Brian


Brian Colville

Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums

10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM

2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
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Merlin66
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Re: Focus without the wobbles

Post by Merlin66 »

I have and use various ED80 scopes (as well as the spectroheliograph) and on all of them I've fitted the SkyWatcher electronic motor (Identical to the Orion motor). Works 110% for me.
I use a 100 tooth 6mm wide XML timing belt, 30 tooth pinion to drive the 10:1 focuser knob. Gives good and reasonably precise control.
Highly recommended.
SW motor on PST mod
SW motor on PST mod
100_3451.JPG (268.05 KiB) Viewed 831 times
(To allow the focus motor to be controlled from the inside office I have a 4mtr four wire, RJ9 connector cable between the SW handcontroller and the motor.)


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MapleRidge
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Re: Focus without the wobbles

Post by MapleRidge »

Looks like a great setup to motorize the focusing Ken!!!

Brian


Brian Colville

Maple Ridge Observatory
Cambray, ON Canada

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/185395281@N08/albums

10'x15 Roll-off Roof Observatory
Takahashi EM400 Mount carrying:
C14 + Lunt 80ED
Deep Sky Work - ASI294MM Pro+EFW 7x36/Canon 60D (Ha mod), ONAG
Planetary Work - SBIG CFW10, ASI462MM

2.2m Diameter Dome
iOptron CEM70G Mount carrying:
Orion EON 130ED, f7 OTA for Day & Night Use
Ha Setup: Lunt LS80PT/LS75FHa/B1200Ha + Home Brew Lunt Double Stack/B1800Ha on the Orion OTA + Daystar Quantum
WL, G-Band & CaK Setup: Lunt Wedge & Lunt B1800CaK, Baader K-Line and Altair 2nm G-Band filter
ASI1600MM, ASI432MM, ASI294MM Pro, ASI174MM, ASI462MM
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