My Sharpsky Pro focuser arrived this week from the UK.
The Sharpsky Pro is an evolution of a product that was initially offered as a Kit and which some IIS members have already built and use.
After seeing the proliferation of remote focusers at Astrofest I decided it was time to jump. Allan Gould had shown me his own kit built version of this focuser at Astrofest and after seeing a mention in another thread I couldn't resist the urge to hit the buy button....
The focuser arrived in perfect order (well packed) in just 8 days from order, a refreshing change from the often 40+ days or not at all for stuff from China. All hardware is beautifully built and easy (logical) to operate.
The Sharpsky Pro was developed by Dave Trewren in the UK. In it's present form it consists of a PC capable remote focus controller, manual control paddle, focus motor with encoders and an additional remote temperature sensor as well as cleverly designed 4 port dew controller.
Here is the package including a tape measure to give an idea of size. The cord on top of the main control unit is the additional temperature sensor, more about that later.
Last edited by acropolite; 14-09-2013 at 12:54 PM.
The main controller is a double purpose interface with opposing sides having different functionality.
On one side is the focus section, consisting of a manual controller/sensor port, DB9 connector for the motor/sensor cable, USB and some indicator LEDS. The indicator LEDS indicate Rate, Focus IN Focus Out and USB connect. The USB connect has the option of indicating on or off for connection status, selectable via software, a nice touch if you don't want your mount looking like a christmas tree.
The focus motor has both an inbuilt encoder to track position and a temperature sensor which can be used for focus compensation as temps drop. The manual focus controller paddle allows several rates of adjustment selectable by pressing the focus knob in, the rate indicator show the rate selected by flashing momentarily 1 to 4 times. Manual focus and PC focus can be used at the same time, manual changes update the client software so your PC doesn't lose track of the focus position.
If you don't need/want to use the manual focus knob, there's an option to allow automatic temperature adjustment using the optional probe (included) on the first of the dew controller ports, or the optional sensor can be used in lieu of the one built in to the focus motor.
Last edited by acropolite; 14-09-2013 at 12:59 PM.
The dew controller side of the unit consists of 4x RCA sockets, standard for dew straps, a 3 way toggle switch (spring loaded centre home position), LEDS and a power connection for 12V (centre positive).
The dew controller operates in a simple manner, pushing the toggle to the right selects a controller output, once an output is selected pushing left toggles the controller output to one of 4 preset levels or off. If there is no load, or your dew strap is open circuit, the level leds flash to indicat a fault. The 4 level presets are adjustable in software, e.g. level 1=10%, 2=25%, 3=50% , 4=100%. Once you set your preset levels they're set in non volatile memory, the unit then basically performs in stand alone mode.
Here's an image of the controller side, the silver button in the centre of the motor is the inbuilt temp sensor.
Last edited by acropolite; 14-09-2013 at 12:52 PM.
I've yet to mount the focus motor on my ED80, included in the kit is a blank plate which needs to be drilled to fit the focuser shaft in my case Dave also included some spacers which he thinks may be needed for my SW focuser.
The focus motor attaches to the focuser shaft with a flexible coupler.
Here's the diagram of the focuser mount from the documentation, I'll add a couple of images once I get the beast mounted.
Last edited by acropolite; 14-09-2013 at 12:43 PM.
The Sharpsky unit will run quite happily without any PC connection, a prerequisite for integration with your choice of controller software is installation of the Ascom platform (a free download). Ultimately I intend using Main Sequences' Sequence Generator Pro once I work out that can of worms.
I downloaded the latest Ascom 6 platform and installed, followed by the Sharpsky pro software which was included on a mini CD with the kit. The unit is firmware updateable so the disk also includes a firmware bootloader. At this stage I've run up SGP and tested the focus options.
Some screenshots of the various options available on the Sharpsky via the Ascom client.
Image 1 Ascom chooser showing the Sharpsky selected.
Image 2 Focus motor settings including range etc.
Image 3 Manual Paddle settings, including increment adjustment for all 4 focus step options.
Image 4 Temperature compensation options and temperature logging (a temperature log can be saved in the root directory of your HDD.
Image 5 Dew Controller output settings, note this sets the output level presets which are manually selectable via the toggle switch.
Last edited by acropolite; 15-09-2013 at 12:19 PM.
Excellent write up Phil. I hope to get one of these in the future, very compact and looks great.. I hope you will provide some additional real-world reviews once you have it up and running and have used it.
I'll post some more once I get the motor mounted and software sorted.
Dave's support is second to none, we had exchanged several emails before I even pushed the buy button, Dave gave helpful suggestions without being asked, the quality of the hardware is exceptional and the package complete, no add ons to buy!
Here's a cut and paste from the temperature log file created by the device, the temps are sitting on the kitchen table, from the last 2 entries you can see where I moved the focus motor.
Temperature = 26.25 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:10:39 AM
Temperature = 26.31 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:10:52 AM
Temperature = 26.31 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:11:12 AM
Temperature = 26.31 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:11:25 AM
Temperature = 26.44 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:11:38 AM
Temperature = 26.56 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:11:51 AM
Temperature = 26.69 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:12:04 AM
Temperature = 26.81 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:12:17 AM
Temperature = 26.81 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:12:29 AM
Temperature = 26.88 * Position = 29467 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:12:42 AM
Temperature = 26.81 * Position = 29492 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:12:55 AM
Temperature = 26.75 * Position = 29482 * Motor Sensor * 14/09/2013 10:13:08 AM
Good write up Phil. It really looks the business and very well made. I built one the focus kits when Dave was doing them and I am very happy with it...although I could upgrade?
Look forward to your first use report and maybe some piccies with it on your ED80.
Cheers
Jeremy
Excellent write up Phil and I trust you will get a whole lot of use out of it. Dave is excellent in communication re his device and Im sure it will do well.
Allan
Dave has also written a (free) simple client app to allow access to the various Sharpsky modules, he mentioned it as an alternative in an earlier email to me but I'd forgotten. Just tried it out, it's nice and simple, I'll probably use it until I get my head around SGP.
I am very pleased you are happy with the SharpSky Pro focuser. Many thanks for the excellent and very positive report. It makes all the time & effort worth while when guys post up such positive feedback. One of the motivations for developing the SharpSky Pro equipment was the amount of interest and positive feedback I received from imagers in Australia and elsewhere 'down under' following the SharpSky kit version. I was sad to have to stop producing the kit but unfortunately there are only so many hours in the day.
I have been doing quite a bit of testing with Sequence Generator Pro in the last few days. This client seems to be very popular in Australia. I personally have had a very positive experience with the tool and the level of support from the development team is second to none. The SGP guys were very helpful and have even provided me with a license so I can carry out long term SharpSky testing and support.
As Phil mentioned in his report I have written a very simple client which is handy to get a feel for automated focusing. Once you get into it something like SGP is definitely the way forward.
Again, many thanks Phil and I look forward to hearing how you get on using SharpSky Pro in anger on those lovely southern skies (envy )
Nice to see you pop out of the aether Dave, did you learn that trick from Gary Kopf (of Argonavis fame)....
I've had a bit of a fiddle with the focuser option on SGP. One nice feature in SGP that isn't available on the freebie Sharpsky client is the ability to directly enter a step position and go to.
Note that the Sharpsky Pro menus aren't available from the focus control in SGP but are available if you go in to SGP setup and disconnect from the focuser temporarily. It's no real bother as once the initial setup is done other than to change the dew heater % settings there's no real need to access the menus.
Screenshots from the focuser control, temperature compensation and the section where you access the Sharpsky menus if necessary.
Last edited by acropolite; 15-09-2013 at 12:20 PM.
Adding a direct step go to entry input on my SharpSky client is not a problem and I will have a look at implementing this shortly - not sure why it is not present at the moment ....
Interestingly, I was only speaking to the SGP developers on Friday evening regarding making setting changes to the driver when connected. As you correctly pointed out when SGP connects to an ASCOM device you lose the ability to pop open the settings dialog window. This is a client specific author choice as I an not aware of any ASCOM standard directive regarding this operation.
So some clients, (eg MaxIm) allow the user to open the settings dialog window when connected and some (SGP) do not. As the SGP developers point out there is no driver property indicating whether it is 'safe' to make changes when connected and so they have decided to air on the side of caution and prevent the operation.
In the case of SharpSky Pro any driver setup window changes are noted and on connection committed to driver persistent storage and if necessary transmitted to the control box for commitment to non volatile memory. The driver also pops up a courtesy message just to let you know you are making a change in a non connected state.
So as you correctly mention when using SGP it is necessary to first disconnect make any required setup window changes and then re-connect.
Safe and effective
A question on the focuserspindle size - If I am reading it right, the mtor adapter collar has a 3mm spindle clamp. Is this so? Can you make them larger? The focuser spindle shaft on my astrograph is a 6mm shaft, and wanted to try your gear. I won't modify the stock focuser apart from removing the knob
As standard the flexible shaft coupler has a 3mm diameter hole at the focuser side (the motor is 5mm). Both sides of the coupler have a clamp but in addition I drill and tap both ends and fit with 3mm grub screws. I fit two grub screws the focuser side and one on the motor side. The motor shaft has a flat so only one grub screw is required whereas the focuser side is generally a round shaft and so two grub screw are a better idea.
A focuser with a 6mm shaft is not a problem. I can drill out the 3mm hole to 6mm on my lathe. It's worth checking as accurately as possible - as my old metalwork teacher used to say 'taking metal off is much easier than adding it back in'
Following a suggestion from Phil I have added a 'Goto' feature to my simple client application.
When the application is invoked the Goto value is populated with the current absolute position. This initial value can be modified either by typing a new value or using the up/down input. The focuser will then adopt this new absolute position when the Goto button is pressed.
Dave, I'll check all dimensions, then I will send you an email with my order. Your offering is JUST the ticket in many ways for what I need to do (and NOT alter my existing scope in any way apart from removing one focus knob).
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