AutoFocuser for SW Esprit 80 or 100?

[Z3roCool]

Hi there, currently use a Canon 400mm lens but at some point soon will purchase a SW Esprit 80 or 100.

Once I get comfy with my setup I will want to go down the Auto Focus route with SGP running the process.

I have taken a look into what I would need to get this up and running but cannot find much info.

Can anyone advise on this at all? Probably fairly simple but have no knowledge at all.

 

Many thanks for your time,

Tom.

[NigeB]

Hi Tom,

I have experience of only one autofocus solution - the Lakeside system which Ian King Imaging is the dealer for. I've fitted these on all my telescopes to date - C14, TOA150, C11 and Altair Wave 80. I find they work very well, including integration into SGP (there's an ASCOM driver). Lakeside provide the motor, mechanical connectors, control unit and mounting bracket - if there's not an off-the-shelf bracket already available for your chosen 'scope, they'll make one - all you do in this case is make a few simple measurements of your telescope focuser geometry, using a diagram which Ian King will provide.

Other solutions available etc etc, but I've been very happy with my experience of Lakeside's offering.

Regards

Nigel

 

[Z3roCool]

30 minutes ago, NigeB said:

Hi Tom,

I have experience of only one autofocus solution - the Lakeside system which Ian King Imaging is the dealer for. I've fitted these on all my telescopes to date - C14, TOA150, C11 and Altair Wave 80. I find they work very well, including integration into SGP (there's an ASCOM driver). Lakeside provide the motor, mechanical connectors, control unit and mounting bracket - if there's not an off-the-shelf bracket already available for your chosen 'scope, they'll make one - all you do in this case is make a few simple measurements of your telescope focuser geometry, using a diagram which Ian King will provide.

Other solutions available etc etc, but I've been very happy with my experience of Lakeside's offering.

Regards

Nigel

 

Many thanks Nigel for the info. Sounds promising  I will look into that for sure.

[SamAndrew]

Deepskydad another option. Happy with mine.

[RolandKol]

I did one myself, with thermometer and etc.

Total price around £60, works perfectly with SPG and APT, one step = 2.42 microns.

Not electrician... So had to buy soldering equipment and multimeter (just in case, - handy to have anyway).

took a bit to read and learn, - but I have now the tool, which is kinda "unbreakable", if something will go off, - easy to fix as I know every part

https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinofocuscontrollerpro/files/

The guy who shares his project, - worth Gold!

Edited March 11, 2019 by RolandKol

[Z3roCool]

10 minutes ago, RolandKol said:

I did one myself, with thermometer and etc.

Total price around £60, works perfectly with SPG and APT, one step = 2.42 microns.

Not electrician... So had to buy soldering equipment and multimeter (just in case, - handy to have anyway).

took a bit to read and learn, - but I have now the tool, which is kinda "unbreakable", if something will go off, - easy to fix as I know every part

https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinofocuscontrollerpro/files/

The guy who shares his project, - worth Gold!

That sounds brilliant

May have a look at this...even though I did an Electronics & Engineering course many years ago...I am not the best when it comes to DIY but will have a go

[RolandKol]

He has video tutorials and even other members did some vids, like this one https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5CMEGxixMP1wuNk-1mmfhA

Long, but tells all from A to Z, - he did a very basic one and software changed a bit since, but quite good introduction.

I used NEMA17 PG27 motor and DRV8825, - with direct shaft connect, almost Zero backslash, but if you will decide to use pulley, I am almost sure such a precise and expensive is motor is actually NOT needed, so total price can be even  50% lower.

[GraemeH]

+1 for going down the DIY route.

I made one of these https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinoascomfocuserpro2diy/ for my EdgeHD8 without really having a high level of soldering skill.  The instructions are excellent and Robert is responsive to questions on the sourceforge forum.  I think mine cost around £40, including buying loads more than I actually needed (I found it cost around the same to buy some components by the 100 as it does to buy 3 or 4) so when I make another for another scope it will cost even less.

[cjdawson]

29 minutes ago, Z3roCool said:

That sounds brilliant

May have a look at this...even though I did an Electronics & Engineering course many years ago...I am not the best when it comes to DIY but will have a go

I'm currently in the process of building one of these for my telescope.  Actually, I've for enough parts to build 3!

I got it working at the weekend using a NEMA 14 Stepper motor, works like a charm.    My version even has a Bluetooth connection so there's no need for a cable from the computer.

[bottletopburly]

+1 for deepskydad autofocus unit ?

https://deepskydad.com/

Edited March 11, 2019 by bottletopburly

[RolandKol]

42 minutes ago, GraemeH said:

+1 for going down the DIY route.

I made one of these https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinoascomfocuserpro2diy/ for my EdgeHD8 without really having a high level of soldering skill.  The instructions are excellent and Robert is responsive to questions on the sourceforge forum.  I think mine cost around £40, including buying loads more than I actually needed (I found it cost around the same to buy some components by the 100 as it does to buy 3 or 4) so when I make another for another scope it will cost even less.

Totally agree!

I am already on the second Autofocuser project, - for my piggyback setup

[cjdawson]

On 11/03/2019 at 13:07, bottletopburly said:

+1 for deepskydad autofocus unit ?

https://deepskydad.com/

I personally cannot support deep sky dad. Not sure if things have been resolve, but check out this thread...

Turns out that Deep Sky Dad has been accused of plagerism.

I don't want to restart the debate / argument that hijacked my thread, just wanted to highlight that things are not all as it seems.

 

My opinion is to go for one of these https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinoascomfocuserpro2diy/ as it's well supported by Robert, he's done a fantastic job.

[sloz1664]

On 11/03/2019 at 11:56, RolandKol said:

I did one myself, with thermometer and etc.

Total price around £60, works perfectly with SPG and APT, one step = 2.42 microns.

Not electrician... So had to buy soldering equipment and multimeter (just in case, - handy to have anyway).

took a bit to read and learn, - but I have now the tool, which is kinda "unbreakable", if something will go off, - easy to fix as I know every part

https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinofocuscontrollerpro/files/

The guy who shares his project, - worth Gold!

I have built 3 of Robert Browns Auto Focuser units and cannot fault any of them. As noted they work with SGP and also MaximDL. I have also build another of Robert's projects MySQM A fully functional sky quality meter with added rain and cloud sensors.

Steve

[RolandKol]

I have not checked it yet, but I guess Robert does sell his Mini or Similar focuser.

If he does, 

At the end, I will buy one as a Thank You gesture.  Even if I do not need it.

I learned a lot from him and I do have Actually Working Auto-focuser for peanuts!

As per DSD, - I had the same suspicion... It looked very very similar, I even thought maybe DSD is Robert himself....

[bottletopburly]

39 minutes ago, cjdawson said:

I personally cannot support deep sky dad. Not sure if things have been resolve, but check out this thread...

Turns out that Deep Sky Dad has been accused of plagerism.

I don't want to restart the debate / argument that hijacked my thread, just wanted to highlight that things are not all as it seems.

 

My opinion is to go for one of these https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinoascomfocuserpro2diy/ as it's well supported by Robert, he's done a fantastic job.

The world has moved on since then just for the record- all code has been rewritten from the ground up , and newer version AF2 has WiFi built in , hand controller  and temp sensor as optional add ons .

Edited March 13, 2019 by bottletopburly

[AndyThilo]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread. I've ordered everything for the DIY focuser apart from a case for the electronics and a mount for the stepper motor. 

Anyone have any photos of their creations?

[tomato]

Here is a home built focuser drive for the Esprit 150, courtesy of @Tomatobro, it is controlled with a Hitec Focusmaster controller and works superbly, really fine control but it’s rock solid even with a heavy camera/filter wheel load. I’m not sure if he has any drawings for this but he will be embarking on another build soon for another 150.

[Tomatobro]

Just to add a bit to Tomato's write up one of the key requirements at the time was that the Espirit Pro 150 had to live in the carry case it came in so the stepper motor arrangement had to be as compact as possible, second the telescope focuser should have no additional modifications that might impact on resale value.

I tried a small stepper motor with reduction gearbox but it did not have sufficient torque and with this kind of self build the motor chosen had to work rather than being subject to continual trial and error. This motor will be changed to a smaller number 17 at some point in the near future. The Hitec controller requires a 6 wire stepper motor rather than the more common 4 wire.

One other point is that the toothed drive belt does not place any side loads on the 10:1 reduction shaft. If you look at the large toothed pulley you can see a brass pin drive plate. This means that the pulley rides on its own bearings and not on those of the 10:1 focuser

Hope this helps

Edited November 13, 2019 by Tomatobro
update

[Skipper Billy]

+1 for the lakeside solution.

Easy to fit, works reliably, robust driver, accurate focusing every time.

Not as elegant as the Primaluce solution but it works - night after night after night and that's what counts.

[AbsolutelyN]

Get a sesto senso and your sorted

Edited November 14, 2019 by AbsolutelyN