Sam Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 After an annoying evening of trying to focus my 8" Newt with the webcam attached and having it wobble every time I touched the focuser I decided to look at a motorised focuser - even worse than that I decided to build one myself.It's powered by the 12V powertank with a reversible switch.I haven't had a first light on it yet and by looking outside it won't be tonight. But I've had a good number of tests with it inside. The controller has three buttons for different speeds but my memory of school boy electronics has not worked too well so only one speed works (that's full speed) but it's very slow so is great for the fine control. I have a rudimentary friction control to allow the motor to be disengaged for coarse adjustments of the focuser.It's held on with electrical tape at the moment but I'll get some double sided tape (the strong stuff) to make it a bit more secure.Here's the pictures:(click to enlarge)(click to enlarge)(click to enlarge)(click to enlarge)cheersSam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeP Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 Hi Sam,It looks pretty good for a Mark I version. Double sided tape for the Mark II. Computer control for the Mark III? Where did you get the cogs and bits from?Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 Hi Sam,It looks pretty good for a Mark I version. Double sided tape for the Mark II. Computer control for the Mark III? Where did you get the cogs and bits from?MikeCheers Mike, the gearbox thingy comes from Maplins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted December 19, 2008 Author Share Posted December 19, 2008 Fixed the speed control problem, now there's three options, full, a bit slower and quite slow (seems a 2200 Ohm resistor was a bit of an overkill ).Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starjumper Posted December 20, 2008 Share Posted December 20, 2008 Hi Sam, that is a nifty bit of work.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheThing Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Are you thinking of producing them for sale?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Are you thinking of producing them for sale?!?No way! I would never guarantee my work (just ask Mrs LB). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychobilly Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Nice one LB... how much did that copper coloured oversized washer cost Billy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted December 21, 2008 Author Share Posted December 21, 2008 Nice one LB... how much did that copper coloured oversized washer cost Billy.... about 2p if I remember correctly..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheThing Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Shame. I'm sure your work would be far beter than mine! My wife always asks her dad before asking me to do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychobilly Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 When coppers (coins not plods) were proper copper they made half decent and cheap heatsinks as well... not so good now they are only copper plated steel... but on the other hand they do make stronger tuppeny washers... Billy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 I've just added the double sided tape (same thing that number plates are held on with) to hold the motor to the telescope. It works surprisingly well! (usually these little projects don't go so smoothly!). The only thing I need to add is a little spring to hold tension on the focuser wheel, that will help with disengaging it to do coarse focus adjustments. Quite pleased with this little project - actually looking to the moon coming back so I can test it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centroid Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Very innovative Sam, and lot cheaper than my JMI Motor Focusers, at £140 each!! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheThing Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 How about a step by step guide of parts and how to make one instead then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astro_dt Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 Hi SamNice piece of kit!These gearboxes are really useful, I am using the same one to test a clock drive with a cordless drill gear (there are some pictures on my website, haven't got one to hand to post).Have you looked at the stepped-down d.c. motors that could replace the gearbox with a just a motor?CheersDanny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted December 24, 2008 Author Share Posted December 24, 2008 Hi SamNice piece of kit!These gearboxes are really useful, I am using the same one to test a clock drive with a cordless drill gear (there are some pictures on my website, haven't got one to hand to post).Have you looked at the stepped-down d.c. motors that could replace the gearbox with a just a motor?CheersDanny Wow Danny, you've done quite a few projects. I'm probably not going to mod my motor focuser any more than it is as it seems to do all I need at the moment - though if the rubbish weather continues then.......... Sam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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