[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Hi guys

I have just connected a new Robofocus to my Starfire and I am seeing some
horizontal ligt and dark banding in my images now..? the dark and light bands
are quite narrow, uniform and numerous.

I am testing on a bench with all cables quite seperated

With the RoboFocus system fully connected, the RoboFocus control box plugged
into power and my FLI PL11002 CCD camera on in normal imaging mode I am seeing
this horizontal dark and light banding in each dark frame I take.

The banding problem shows up whether the RoboFocus control box itself is
switched on or not, as long as there is power to the control box the bands
appear, it doesn't help to use a separate mains power point either.

If I physically disconnect the power supply to the Robo Focus control box OR
physically disconnect the cable to the RoboFocus motor then the banding
disappears.

So, the bands only show up in image frames when the Robo Focus system is fully
connected AND connected to power - whether the control box toggle switch is on
or off makes no difference, nor does using a different mains wall socket.

I have not been physically operating the RoboFocus during testing rather just
had it on or off as the case may be.

I haven't been able to see how the banding affects the focus window in software
focus mode but I suspect that best case is that it will still show the lines
(they would be fatter due to a small piece of the full frame being used for
focus) but I may still be able to see the star image and focus with it but I
cannot test this easily. Of course after focusing I would then have to
completely disconnect RoboFocus from power in order to image but then there will
be no power going to the stepper motor either so it may not be able to hold the
focuser in position?

For power to the Robo Focus control box I am using a new 1 amp "Power Tech"
switch mode AC Adapter giving 12vDC Regulated output

Any ideas?

Mike