ZWO EAF temperature probe vs hand controller

[g__day (Matthew)]

I am planning to add a ZWO temperature probe to my ZWO EAF focuser. I wonder why ZWO didn't include them and allow for both a hand controller and a weather probe to be connected at the same time?

Wonder it you added a two pin splitter -if one could indeed connect both a hand controller and a temperature sensor simultaneously?

Does anyone kwow or have tried this - a single dual to mono jack could test this out!

Also has anyone used these and been happy with the results? APT reads my ZWO focuser reported temperature - but it alwys seems to be around 23.5 in my astro lab - I am wondering if the reading is always wrong - or just the internal temperature of the focuser when powered if an external probe isn't connected!

[joshman (Josh)]

The EAF has an internal temperature probe, but ivefound that to be inaccurate due to the heat generated by the electronics inside the focus unit.

The need to have both a hand controller and temperature probe connected at the same time is almost nil. you only need the hand controller if you're doing manual focus. otherwise it's a little pointless. the opposite is also true, if you're using manual focus, why wouldyou need an external temperature probe?

I've got an EAF and temp probe on each of my scopes to allow for temperature based autofocus trigger.I've also got a single hand controller in case i need to manually rack a focuser in or out during setup/packupwithouth having to fire up any control software.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Hi Josh,

On you first point - that was what I suspect too - the internal electronics heat the temperature sensor so without an external sensor it gives readings of its own electronics ecosystem - rather than the surrounds of your telescope.

Second point is moot - I agree but these units can be hard to plug in - so why bother switching them over last moment at need? Why not have them both plugged in 100% of the time - knowing only one is ever likely to be in use as you say. I just want to avoid needless plug in and remove actions! A $10 adapter plug would make a simple solution if that worked - just wondered if anyone before me tried it - and if it worked or not? I have asked ZWO the same on their FB messenger.

[joshman (Josh)]

Each to their own I suppose, It is a simple 3.5mm styles audio jack, so not that difficult to swap as needed. for me the inconvenience of finding a place to put the hand controller and cable while imaging far outways any inconvenience experienced in unplugging/pluggin on the very rare occassions that i need a handcontroller.

As for your actual question, I'm not sure how the EAF recognises or communicates with the hand controller, but I don't think a simple splitter cable would work.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Neither do I - but you never know - might get lucky - but thought I would simply ask folks and ZWO first before experimenting!

Only when I switch cameras over or change backfocus do I ever touch my hand controllers - 98% of focus changes are automated software controlled via SGP or APT.

[g__day (Matthew)]

Recieved the temperature probe today and it works a dream with APT - it is measuring the temperature of the astro lab correctly now - and is within 0.3 degrees of what the Moonlight focuser's thermometer reports to SGP.

So entirely happy with this. Still wondering if I add a dual headphone jack will both devices work without switching out one for the other...