Motorised focuser

[wackyscot]

Hi all, just wondered if there is an electric focuser available for a skywatcher pds newt ???

I've seen the one for a single speed focuser but not sure if it will work with the dual speed.

David

[Russe]

I'm interested too. Sorry, just anchoring myself to your question.

[MarkMittlesteadt]

I was looking for an electric focuser and since i'm pretty inventive and handy with tools and such, I came across a non-battery operated electric focuser that is cheap, easy to make and can be mounted to any type of focuser out there.

It's made out of two RC servos. Just Google "Non-battery operated electric focuser" and you'll get a lot of hits on how to make one.

Spinning one servo (the one you hold in your hand) sends an electric charge to the other servo's motor and turns it, which in turn turns whatever focuser it's mounted to. I'll try to post pics of the one I made for my ETX (although the idea works on any style focuser).

[Nibor]

It may be worth having a chat to Bernard at Modern Astronomy.

He sells them (I have just bought one for my Orion (US) ED80 - very easy to fit!!)

I am sure he would be able to advise.

http://www.modernastronomy.com/

[StuW]

The standard one works with the pds as well, just a little more work to fit.  There's a good youtube video of someone fitting it to a ED120 with a PDS if you search for it.

[lukebl]

I fitted the Skywatcher one to my 250PDS with no problems, although I read on another thread that they'd been discontinued.

[StevieDvd]

I think that was a  source who later said that perhaps they were not being discontinued, if we saw the same post.

I've fitted the SW focus motor to a dual-speed focuser, it came with a bracket for that type (apparenly it never used to and only had a bracket for the single speed).

[wackyscot]

Thanks folks, I'll speak to "uncle" Bern

David

[wxsatuser]

Just recently bought one for my ED80, got it from FLO.

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/skywatcher-auto-focuser.html