Motorising a focuser for a ed120

[Carl]

Just got hold of my new Black Diamond Skywatcher ed120 and If my tests on the ed120 focuser show that it is all working fine i would'nt mind adding a hand controlled motorised system to the focuser so i can actually sit close to the computer screen instead of squinting my eyes from a great distance whislt fiddling with the fine focus knob. Not concerned about using a hand controller rather than connecting to the computer if i can get good results without great expense.

Any suggestions to the make that i would need to buy? A link would come in handy.

Christ I'm sick of the bad weather, hope it's clear and still next week.

Regards
Carl

[ballaratdragons]

Hi Carl

I have an Orion Electronic Focuser fitted to my scope and I have fitted the same motorised Focuser to all my scopes (Dobs, Refractors and SN).

It is an Orion Accufocus with a simple hand controller HERE (http://www.telescope.com/Accessories/Telescope-Focusers/Orion-AccuFocus-for-Dual-Speed-Crayford-Focuser-amp-Bracket/pc/-1/c/3/sc/51/p/24765.uts)

HERE (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=10782) is a thread I made about one type of adaptor I made which fits most Crayford style focusers.

and one style of bracket I made to fit it onto an ED80 HERE (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=170972&postcount=20)
which also worked on my 120mm refractor.
I have made different brackets for other scopes I have used it on.
It is currently on a Meade SN10 10" Schmidt-Newtonian and the bracket I made slips under the tube ring so it doesn't have to screw to anything :thumbsup:
For the adaptor to fit the 10:1 side I used the original flexi-drive they supply and I shoved a rubbery plastic tube up inside it made from the insulation from electrical wire (with the wire removed).

I took the unit and hand controller to a local Electronics shop to show them what plugs it uses and they crimped the right connectors on the ends of a 25 metre telephone extension cable for me :)

In the 6 years I have had it I have only changed the 9v battery once and I use it a LOT!