Motorised-Focuser for 150PL

[Stub Mandrel]

Has anyone found a neat way of attaching a motorised focuser to one of these scopes? Is it possible to non-destructively remove one of the knobs from the end of the adjuster?

[bottletopburly]

Does the focus knob not have a grub screw keeping it on ?

[Stub Mandrel]

 

2 hours ago, bottletopburly said:

Does the focus knob not have a grub screw keeping it on ?

I can't see one! I will take a closer look.

[Floater]

Hi, Neil. Don't often find myself in the DIY section so my question may seem dumb.

Skywatcher do an 'Auto Focuser' for the Skyliner 150 which I fitted to mine (before changing to a Moonlite). Is that the sort of thing you mean? If you Google auto focuser, you'll see it on the Tring website, I think.

[Stub Mandrel]

11 hours ago, Floater said:

Hi, Neil. Don't often find myself in the DIY section so my question may seem dumb.

Skywatcher do an 'Auto Focuser' for the Skyliner 150 which I fitted to mine (before changing to a Moonlite). Is that the sort of thing you mean? If you Google auto focuser, you'll see it on the Tring website, I think.

"Note: If your telescope's focuser does not have removable focus knobs this product will not be suitable." :-/

[Floater]

Ah. There you are. Sorry.

[Stub Mandrel]

Don't apologise - it confirms that some SW scopes have non-removable knobs saves me trying to force one off and breaking it, so at least I know I need to find a clever solution - probably a split pulley.

[Gina]

On one of my scopes I just used a timing belt running on the 10:1 knob, turning it by friction.  A small stepper motor with timing pulley drove it.

[Stub Mandrel]

I only have single speed knobs that appear to be cleverly designed to stop you running a belt on them.

[Gina]

Urrck!

[stash_old]

It does come off its glued on - I drilled mine(sw250) to fit a diy direct fit focuser but then found out that its just held on with very strong glue - note it does have a thread - guess the glue is just to "bung" things up.

[Stub Mandrel]

59 minutes ago, stash_old said:

It does come off its glued on - I drilled mine(sw250) to fit a diy direct fit focuser but then found out that its just held on with very strong glue - note it does have a thread - guess the glue is just to "bung" things up.

I'll see if I can get the rubber off and then use some gently heat from a rework gun to see if I can soften the glue.

[stash_old]

Oops - sorry when you said rubber that reminded me - it was my Bresser that was glued on - my SW 250 had a locking screw and was easily removed !- sorry must be getting old 

[Stub Mandrel]

Well, these are locked solid, but with the grip removed, it's a reasonable pulley, so I'll see if I can track down a suitable belt.

[nightfisher]

An idea i have is to get a small toothed belt and "turn it inside out" so that the teeth are on outside then fit this to focuser wheel, then a second belt to a motor, keep planning on doing this with 150 pro mak

[Steve Ward]

They are threadlocked on , you just need to take the bull by the horns and give it a good twist ... pad the ends to prevent damage and a pair of pipegrips on each end will release one or other ...