AT/GSO 6" RC Focuser issues.

[3ggman]

I just picked up one of these scopes second hand and while messing about with there at lunch I found that there seemed to be an awful lot of play/slop in the focuser (TS Focuser) to the point that I would be afraid to put a camera on it. There is no resistance in it and I can very easily push it in and out with my finger, with very little force.

Does anyone else have any experience with these focusers or had the same issues and would know of a solution to it.

Regards,

Johnny

[kookoo_gr]

i have the gso rc 8 scope with the ts focuser and it has two thumbscrews. the bottom screw adjusts how smooth the focuser will be when focusing, the tighter the screw the more difficult it is to move the focuser in/out. if you loosen that screw then you will not be able to adjust the focus and the focuser tube will come in and out easily without any force. the top screw locks the focuser.

[r3i]

Concur with Kookoo.

The bottom thumbscrew is used to apply the necessary level of tension for the instrument payload you've got installed. The top thumbscrew is to lock/unlock the focuser.

Loosen the top thumbscrew then adjust the lower thumbscrew until you get the rght amount of control on the focus for your payload. Once you've found a sweet spot you shouldn't need to make many further adjustments unless you alter your payload.

You can then just use the top thumbscrew to lock and unlock the focuser as required. It is recommended to lock the focus each time you've got your target into focus, just to be on the safe side in case there isn't enough tension supplied by the lower thumbscrew setting and the payload begins to slide - particularly important if you're slewing the scope towards the zenith.

[3ggman]

Thanks guys, i will have a look at this when I get home, both the thumbs screws you mention were present but not installed when it arrived, so I may have them in the wrong holes.