sticky z focusser

[garret]

Hello.

I have a z focusser on my ASA, a few weeks ago  I want to unscrew the camera from the focusser tube,

because it was firmly attached at the focusser tube I use force to unlock the camera.

The result is I have now a sticky Z focusser; when I click  '0,1mm move' once (+ or -) at the OK3 software nothing happened but the I do hear the motor!,

a second click '0,1mm move' still nothing, only  after 0,3mm/ 0,4mm of movement on the software the focusser tube is moving a large amount.

For tiny movements of 0,02mm i must click 10 times or so before the focusser actualy moves.

I can check focus with 'Life-view' on the canon camera (if there is a clear night).

 

I know you can make adjustments with the two brass screws on the Z focusser housing, But How?

(Or send the focusser to ASA, but then I receive a large repair bill and cannot use the scope for a couple of  months).

 

What I already have done is make a tiny locking screw in the focusser tube; no more fixed cameras!, and grease the ball bearings with Dupont Krytox teflon grease.

 

 

Garret

 

 

[D.Weinzinger]

Dear Garret,

 

Please contact the support@astrosysteme.at If we must change the focuser, it will take a few days not months.

 

Best regards,

Dietmar Weinzinger

[garret]

Disaster after 'pushing' the home button!

 

Last week I had finally some clear nights to test the focusser after the repair at ASA.

Right after pushing the Home button a disaster  happens;

very louds noise from was coming from the focusser, first a thought it was a tangled  cable connector, but it was't,

it was the focusser it self, the motor was not stopping at end of the travel;  it was very hard trying to push out the focusser draw tube!

I quickly cut of the 12 volt power, but the damage was already made: several brass parts (teeth) was coming out of the focusser.

 

I learn from a fellow astronomer, inside the focusser there is a end-switch, after we open the focusser, first  we saw the brass-gear was completly damaged.

We found out a wire inside the motor- housing at the connector side was lose, after solder it back on the connector-pin, we try homing,

and this time it works fine, however, the focusser needs  several new parts because for now its useless.

 

My question for now is May this happen after a repair?, and May this happen for a focusser only 1.5 years old?

 

At this time I consider the FLI Atlas focusser.

 

I will also e-mail ASA.

 

Garret van der veen