Feather Touch

[richard ashbee]

Do you think an auto focuser is necessary for imaging the sun with a Lunt60mm Double stacked scope with a feather touch focuser, if so what would you recommend on a budget

[Dr Strange]

Richard

It really isn't. But if you want one the most budget friendly I have seen for FT specifically is the FT FocusBOSS system. It isn't cheap but it is designed to work specifically with FT and is made by them. If that is too far out of the budget a Rigel would be an option. It can be found here: http://www.rigelsys.com/focuser.html

[Altocumulus]

Necessary. No.

Useful, though, as part of a remote setup.

[Rusted]

I approve of motor focusing. It saves touching the telescope.
It provides micro control of focus. Which you'd never achieve manually.
No need for great expense UNLESS you want software repeatability.

I made a simple "Skywatcher" DC motor drive for my 3.5" Feather Touch focuser.
Even with the telescope vertical it easily overcame the weight of my massive 2" Lacerta Herschel prism.
Plus the weight of the massive FT draw tube.

A toothed "timing" belt runs from a small sprocket on the motor shaft.
It drives the black knob on the gold, slow motion side.
Controlled by a HiTech Astro DC focuser box.
The belt only slips [smoothly] when you go past the draw tube end stops.
No modification required to the FT.
I made a simple, plastic clamp for the motor from a kitchen cutting board.

https://fullerscopes.blogspot.com/2019/07/12th-july-2019-skywatcher-dc-motor.html?m=0

Covered in a series of of illustrated posts starting at that date.
I ran into difficulties with the HiTech Astro controller driver. Later sorted with an update.

 

[richard ashbee]

many thanks very helpful