Notty Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 This is a long shot as most of you serious guys/gals have Moonlite or Baader focusers, but I upgraded my SW ED80 DS to the higher quality Skywatcher dual crawford (model no20171) and I'm trying to find a compatible stepper motor for it, ideally that doesn't require major engineering skills to fit. Rigel do a kit for all the other types (the reflector and SCT versions) but not the refractor. I've emailed them to see if they have any plans but in the meantime wondered if anyone else knows of anything else. The focuser seems good and solid so it would be a shame to have to bin it and spend best part of £1000 for a moonlite etc. Thanks. This is the one i have https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-focusers/sky-watcher-dual-speed-2-crayford-focuser-for-sky-watcher-refractors.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey-T Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 You can make your own motor focuser, a few versions in the DIY section on here. Most use cheap stepper motors but something like this has more torque and can be fitted straight to the focuser by removing a knob Dave http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/stepper-motors/3514631/?origin=PSF_421244|cav Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zakalwe Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Amazon or anywhere that sells remote control car/plane parts will have loads of different types of flexible couplers. There'll be one to match the motor and focuser shaft dimensions. https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=shaft+coupler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyBound Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Try here, they are superb and really helpful. http://pegasusastro.com/ i have two of there motor focusers and one was bespoke built for me, very easy to fit with an included adjustable bracket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notty Posted January 17, 2017 Author Share Posted January 17, 2017 Thanks guys, but I think the DIY route is beyond my time and tech skills, I have precious little time enough for astronomy anyway. For the benefit of anyone in the future searching on this, the guys at FLO put me on to IKI who supply the Lakeside Motorfocuser system which I believe fits my focuser. Yes its more expensive than a homemade one but not a bad price compared to getting a new focuser and motor kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey-T Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) 29 minutes ago, Notty said: Thanks guys, but I think the DIY route is beyond my time and tech skills, I have precious little time enough for astronomy anyway. For the benefit of anyone in the future searching on this, the guys at FLO put me on to IKI who supply the Lakeside Motorfocuser system which I believe fits my focuser. Yes its more expensive than a homemade one but not a bad price compared to getting a new focuser and motor kit. I've got 3 Lakeside focusers all working well. Hows the solar imaging going BTW ? Dave Edited January 17, 2017 by Davey-T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyBound Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 29 minutes ago, Notty said: Thanks guys, but I think the DIY route is beyond my time and tech skills, I have precious little time enough for astronomy anyway. For the benefit of anyone in the future searching on this, the guys at FLO put me on to IKI who supply the Lakeside Motorfocuser system which I believe fits my focuser. Yes its more expensive than a homemade one but not a bad price compared to getting a new focuser and motor kit. Did you see my post above, it's not a DIY one, and far cheaper than the lakeside version....?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notty Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 On 17/01/2017 at 12:54, SkyBound said: Try here, they are superb and really helpful. http://pegasusastro.com/ i have two of there motor focusers and one was bespoke built for me, very easy to fit with an included adjustable bracket. My apologies, when I first looked it looked like they were selling controllers to control a focuser motor of your choice i.e one you'd fitted yourself. Maybe thats not the case I'll take a closer look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notty Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 18 hours ago, Davey-T said: I've got 3 Lakeside focusers all working well. Hows the solar imaging going BTW ? Dave Good to hear Dave, I am hearing good things about the Lakeside. No solar done for coming up on 2y now due to work having me away from home for weeks on end. If I don't do any this year I'm going to have to consider selling my Solar setup :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyBound Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 19 minutes ago, Notty said: My apologies, when I first looked it looked like they were selling controllers to control a focuser motor of your choice i.e one you'd fitted yourself. Maybe thats not the case I'll take a closer look. No, they will sell them on there own, but also as a full kit with motor and mounting bracket included.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notty Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 Thanks I have sent them an email requesting further info. Can anyone tell me what the advantage of a temperature sensor is on one of these motors? For example I believe it is an optional add-on for the Lakeside one. I get that as the temp changes it will affect focus, but does the controlling software use a delta-t in order to trigger a re-focus? Or is the software always checking the focus of the image as it is being captured in real time (using some very clever metric)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey-T Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Never bothered with the temperature feature on mine. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkyBound Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 No I have never used it either, but yes you set the parameters and it checks very so often and adjusts as is needed.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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