[ss-22 (Martin)]

Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone had used one of these SW electric focusers before. I installed it on my SW ED80 refractor the other day as per the very good instructions on youtube but soon ran into difficulties.


At several points along the drawtube's travel the motor strains and struggles and simply can't move the drawtube. I tried loosening the focuser screws slightly to reduce the tension on the focuser pin but in order to get the motor to move the drawtube past the point of resistance the drawtube can virtually be pushed in by my finger.


I have tried gently wiggling the drawtube from side to side as I tighten the focuser screws to ensure that the flat section of the drawtube is well seated on the focuser.


I also tried a very light dry lube but that seems to make no difference. I was hesitant to try a stickier slide oil until it was absolutely necessary.


Given that the motor always struggles at the same points on the drawtube, I had considered that perhaps the drawtube is not entirely flat and hence was sticking. I have a straight aluminium block with adhesive abrasive paper that I use for levelling frets on my guitars, I had considered trying to gently level the flat section of the drawtube to see if that helps. Good idea or no?


Thanks.