I have Zwo EAF's on 3 different scopes and they all worked well until a few months ago when 2 of the 3 started to
not focus correctly. The nice Curve with the red dot started to become a flat curve with maybe a red dot or a vertical stack of green dots.
Enough focus that the Autorun would begin and the camera would start shooting.
The results keep getting worse and worse.
I removed the EAF''s and will manually refocus the scopes tonight with Bat masks and re-install the EAF'S tomorrow.
My question is whether the EAF begins slipping over time somehow or what exactly is going on and if this is common?
One of mine is still focusing correctly but 2 out of 3 need to be re-done.
They are all a few years old but kept indoors in immaculate condition.
Hopefully taking off and on will work to correct the problem.
Anyone have any other thoughts?
Thanks.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
My first thought would be to make sure the set screws in the coupler are tight. They can loosen up with use and cause the focuser to slip.
CS,
Loran
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
The EAF has a flat side along the shank that connects via the coupling. Ensure that one of your grub screws is tightened to this flat surface to reduce slippage. It sounds like the grub screw on the coupling is likely slipping.
It could potentially be worth replacing the grub screws.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Have you tried different cables? I’ve had a few issues with my ZWO EAF in the past, and it turned out to be the cable. Once it was actually the power supply—the EAF wouldn’t work properly when powered through the camera, even though other devices worked fine that way. Another time, it just didn’t like a particular USB port.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Loran Hughes:
My first thought would be to make sure the set screws in the coupler are tight. They can loosen up with use and cause the focuser to slip.
CS,
Loran Agree, I have had this happen after the initial setup, you will likely need to recheck this and your backlash setting as the first step.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Another thing might be to update the firmware. Mine quit completely one night, wouldn’t even move manually with the handheld remote. I updated the firmware and all was fixed.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
double check the screws , flat curve mean ,focus no moving ( stars size is the same after each step) , so check if zwo focucer is moving or not ,if the answer is yes , them check the telescope focuser is moving too
if not , is the screws
CS
Brian
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Whatever is happening, you will easily figure it out if you put eyes on it while it's focusing.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
I agree with Brian's suggestion. I had my EAF fail and that it was the EAF rather than the coupling could only really be diagnosed visually. I note the comment about updating the firmware - I didn't try that myself and perhaps I should have - maybe that would have saved me the cost of a new EAF.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Had the same issue the other night. Discovered that the cylindrical adapter that connects the focuser shaft and the focus shaft on the telescope was binding on the surface of the EAF. Also, the focus knobs on the other side of the scope were too tight against the focus bearings and each other, causing binding and jerky movements during focus runs. I created a small gap between the EAF, telescope shaft, and cylindrical adapter and also readjusted the opposite focus knobs and that solved the problem. Runs very smooth now with no binding and I get accurate focusing all night long. In addition, some of the other screws had come loose, so tightened those as well as suggested by the others here. Hope this helps.
Patrick
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
I've experienced similar problems three times. the causes were: - The screws that mounted the EAF onto the scope focusing mechanism came loose and needed to be re-tightened.
- Dirt in the helical focusing rack which was preventing the EAF from moving the focuser properly. Dismantled, cleaned, lubricated. All worked perfectly afterwards.
- Like you, I have multiple EAFs. I had all my rigs dismantled for transport, and when I reassembled them, I accidentally put the EAF that had been on my Williams Optic ZenithStar61 on my Celestron EdgeHD9.25. The EdgeHD requires the autofocusing "max step" to be set to 200 otherwise the EAF doesn't move the focuser enough and I was getting a "flat" curve, with the EAF unable to find a focus point. I'm using ASIairs so I just had to go in and modify that configuration setting.
I hope this helps Clear Skies, Chris
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Thanks for all the helpful responses.
I put the EAF's back on and shot last night. I used new screws to mount the EAF. The focus racks in and out like it should and settles and shoots but I still got flat curves and the stars were not great….Bat mask focus is much better.
I am pretty frustrated since they have worked well in the past. I guess it is possible that the EAF's have just gone bad which doesn't say much for ZWO products unfortunately.
I will take off and re-install and try them one more time the next clear night.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Dan Kearl:
Thanks for all the helpful responses.
I put the EAF's back on and shot last night. I used new screws to mount the EAF. The focus racks in and out like it should and settles and shoots but I still got flat curves and the stars were not great....Bat mask focus is much better.
I am pretty frustrated since they have worked well in the past. I guess it is possible that the EAF's have just gone bad which doesn't say much for ZWO products unfortunately.
I will take off and re-install and try them one more time the next clear night. Do you mean focus racks in and out with the EAF installed? Or without it installed? Also, what step size do you use for autofocus? What focal length is the imaging train? Perhaps the autofocus step size somehow got changed? One troubleshoot I might suggest is manually focusing on an object in the distance during the day without the EAF installed. Then install the EAF, and take note of the focus position of the EAF after you've installed it (let's just say it's 10000, for example), then command the EAF to move to various manual focus positions (like 10100, 10200, 10500,11000, etc) and back to the original focus position, and watch to see if and how focus changes. If focus doesn't change, the EAF may be done for. If it does change, you can visualize how much each overall EAF step size impacts the focus change, and then you can adjust your autofocus step size accordingly and see if that helps the autofocus routine.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
What software are you using to focus? Try increasing the the number of steps the focuser moves between focus samples. Also, backlash may have increased with use. (The internal gears of the EAF are not the best). Increase the backlash steps. Any number greater than the actual backlash should work.
The individual nucs I use are tied to the mounting and may have different OTA and EAF's from night to night… I have a profiles in my software (SGP) for each OTA and EAF settings that match the individual focuser/EAF combination…
I hope this helps…
CS Tim
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
David Foust:
Do you mean focus racks in and out with the EAF installed? Or without it installed?
Also, what step size do you use for autofocus? What focal length is the imaging train? Perhaps the autofocus step size somehow got changed? The focus racks in and out with the EAF installed and I am running the AF routine. The focus knobs of course are frozen with the EAF installed and I install the EAF after I have set the focus with a Bat mask. I know almost exactly where the focus is on these scopes and install the EAF at the approximate correct focal length. For some reason they just are not working as they should. I am using them on 600 and 700mm Askar refractors. It runs like it should except not getting proper focus. I use the default EAF settings on the Asiair. 30 for the step setting, all others are default. I have always used those and the EAF worked fine, not sure why they would change?
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Got it, just wanted to make sure I understood correctly. So the focus motor works as it should, racking focus on and out, but the autofocus routine itself isn't achieving the correct focus. Perhaps the backlash of the EAF has changed as you've used it and needs updated to a new value? Maybe resetting the step size to a new value like 35 might reset the autofocus routine? Not sure, but worth a try!
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
David Foust:
Got it, just wanted to make sure I understood correctly. So the focus motor works as it should, racking focus on and out, but the autofocus routine itself isn't achieving the correct focus. Perhaps the backlash of the EAF has changed as you've used it and needs updated to a new value? Maybe resetting the step size to a new value like 35 might reset the autofocus routine? Not sure, but worth a try! I will try it, Thank you very much.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
Something that can mess with auto focus is a manual locking screw on the focuser. If it's just a bit tight it will fight the EAF and cause hard-to-diagnose problems. Even if that isn't a problem it might be wise to compare how smooth manual focusing feels on your good system compared with your troubled systems. It seems clear that your EAFs are not moving the focus well.
A trouble-shooting step you might take if that doesn't help is try swapping the EAFs between the working system to one of the troubled systems. That should help you figure out if the problem is really with the EAFs or with the focusers.
It is immensely odd that two of your three systems degraded. I would expect one if it was a mechanical problem and three if it's software.
|
You cannot like this item. Reason: "ANONYMOUS".
You cannot remove your like from this item.
Editing a post is only allowed within 24 hours after creating it.
You cannot Like this post because the topic is closed.
Copy the URL below to share a direct link to this post.
This post cannot be edited using the classic forums editor.
To edit this post, please enable the "New forums experience" in your settings.
