Zwo eaf ?

[Albir phil]

According to all I have read you can't use the focus knobs when eaf is fitted, when I have mine powered I cannot use the knobs, however when I have no .power to it I can focus with the knobs.Anyone else found thiis

[PhilB61]

Whilst it may be physically possible to use the focus knobs, especially the fine focus (as it exerts a geared reduction) what you are doing is forcing the reduction gearbox in the EAF the wrong way with consequent very high torque which could potentially strip the gears. I have previously seen ZWO support on their forum saying it shouldn't be done and that manual focus should only be done via software or the optional hand controller. The reason it's harder with power applied is that the stepper motor exerts an electronic braking force.

[Ouroboros]

I believe clutches are available to disengage the ZWO focuser to enable manual focus.  I don’t know where to buy them from. Maybe something for a homemade solution? 

[Ratlet]

Weirdly I was looking athe the same thing.  A guy in the us is selling them:

https://mwdastronomy.com/wp/product/autofocus-clutch-manual-release/

No idea on the quality, but looks good

 

[Albir phil]

22 minutes ago, PhilB61 said:

Whilst it may be physically possible to use the focus knobs, especially the fine focus (as it exerts a geared reduction) what you are doing is forcing the reduction gearbox in the EAF the wrong way with consequent very high torque which could potentially strip the gears. I have previously seen ZWO support on their forum saying it shouldn't be done and that manual focus should only be done via software or the optional hand controller. The reason it's harder with power applied is that the stepper motor exerts an electronic braking force.

Ok thanks for reply. I was under the impression that it was not possible to even turn the knobs. It was just so easy to turn that it seemed no harm could be done again thank for info I will leave it alone and use the hand control 👍

[Tomatobro]

you would loose the position count sync with the clutch. I always ask the EAF to wind the focuser fully in (position 0) so the scope will fit into the case. When set up again I command it to move out to 9200 which is roughly the focus position. With a clutch undone winding out the focus manually would leave the EAF still at zero count so it would not move the focuser in even if told to do so.

[Ouroboros]

@Tomatobro  Hadn’t thought of that. 🤔