Advice on electric focuser required

Hi,

I'm looking to try and link the focusing mechanisms on my telescopes to my PC so that I can automate the focusing with Maxim DL. On my refractor, I have a rack and pinion focuser. On the SCT I have a William Optics rotatable SCT crayford focuser with 1:10 reduction.
For image of the scopes:


Ideally, I'd like to have two separate focusers so that I don't have to try and swap them back and forth all the time. However, need to think of cost too.
Anyone have experience of the Robofocus kits?
Any other suggestions?

Regards,

Hi Michael,

I have been using the RoboFocus from TI for some time now. I did the upgrade in 2005 from it's manual motorized focussing using a digital read out DRO to full automation.

I use Maxim DL for the focussing. However, regarding focus control and auto focus I use an ASCOM solution for using the free sotware FocusMax plus ASCOM focus drive.

The Focusmax can kick in any time you are taking many exposures. You can set this to every 30 minutes. When it has done a master test of deriving V curves, etc, it then is set for the night in auto focus mode.

Eamonn A

Sounds interesting Eamonn!

Does this auto focusing ever interfere with exposures. i.e do the 30min intervals coincide with the middle of an exposure? If so, is the software clever enough to know that it shouldn't try and focus during the middle of an exposure?

Thanks,

I've contacted TI re the Robofocus. Have a few queries for them.

I'll keep you posted...

Cheers,