Wanted: Electronics Genius. Needed: Electric focuser for PST

[[1ponders]]

Is there an electronic focuser available for the PST? If not would someone here be interested in designing and building one for me?

:thumbsup:

[sheeny]

Aaahhh yes, Paul! I'm interested too, though of late, I find it is getting easier to achieve focus, but it would be nice to be able to focus without the image jumping all over the place (and I'm not currently imaging!!!)

Al.

[[1ponders]]

I know what you mean Al. I'd also like to be able to work at my laptop inside, rather than sit out in the heat, hence the desire for an electric focuser with a loooong cable to operate it either by hand or from the laptop.

[RB]

Just wondering if JMI has anything to suit Paul ?

:shrug:

[[1ponders]]

I had a quick check Andrew, but couldn't see anything.

[Starkler]

Could an accu-focus be adapted?

[[1ponders]]

The knurled knob might be able to be modified Geoff (increased in size to fit the accufocus), but there is nothing to attach the focuser to. I was thinking along the lines of a stepper motor on a small platform that could be attached to my existing mounting plate ((40x5mm Aluminium plate) with a belt across to the PST focuser knob.

[mill]

I just found something interesting on the net that should work.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/telescope/Projects/ElectricFocuser.htm
These are some model car servo's.
Another one.
http://www.pk3.org/Astro/index.htm?astrophoto_ef.htm
Must try it out myself.:)

[mill]

Now i think about it, i can even make it remote controlled by using an old or cheap remote controlled rc car.
And only use the forward/reverse part of the circuitry.
Just tell me if interested.:)

[gbeal]

Ponders,
consider also the remote aspect of the StarMate mate, as long as it is a JMI style jack, it will fit the StarMate, and can be remotely focused.

[[1ponders]]

;) :thumbsup:

[Nathaniel]

http://www.store.shoestringastronomy.com/products_fc.htm

That might be of use.

:)

[[1ponders]]

Thanks Nathaniel. I ended up getting a skywatcher motor focuser (identical to the Orion Accufocus but $30 cheaper). All I need to do now is work out some way to attach it to the PST. :P

[alan meehan]

paul let me know if you find out how to attach one i brought the samefrom bintel its sopposed to fit skywatcher ed100 it dont

[[1ponders]]

Will do Al. I'm going to take it to work for the engineering guys to have a look at (hopefully next week) and see what they can come up with.

[Shawn]

Thinking out aloud here, how many turns of the little Knurled Knob do you need, I mean is it hyper sensitivem, Ive never used one, but am an engineer.. Might be a market here,,,;)

[[1ponders]]

There can be quite a few turns depending on the eyepiece, camera/adapter, barlow, reducer used. The skywatcher/orion focuser should do the job nicely, it's just working out how to attach it to mount/focus knob.

What I'd like to see is a plate with a bracket to attached the focuser to, and then the PST can sit on the plate and then have the bolts pass from the mount, through the plate into the PST. If you can follow that.

[h0ughy]

use a bracket and a rubber cup/socket, that will work