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DIY Astronomy Electronic Focuser JSCAS

This document describes how to build an electronic focuser for a telescope. It details using a $3 stepper motor and driver board from eBay to focus a 200mm Newtonian telescope. It explains interfacing the motor to the telescope's feathertouch focuser using a belt and pulley system. The document also discusses building a hand controller using logic gates or a programmable logic chip to control the motor direction and speed. With all the parts, the total cost of the DIY electronic focuser project is estimated to be $47.81, significantly less than commercial focuser systems costing $320-$835.

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José Vianney Alencastro
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212 views20 pages

DIY Astronomy Electronic Focuser JSCAS

This document describes how to build an electronic focuser for a telescope. It details using a $3 stepper motor and driver board from eBay to focus a 200mm Newtonian telescope. It explains interfacing the motor to the telescope's feathertouch focuser using a belt and pulley system. The document also discusses building a hand controller using logic gates or a programmable logic chip to control the motor direction and speed. With all the parts, the total cost of the DIY electronic focuser project is estimated to be $47.81, significantly less than commercial focuser systems costing $320-$835.

Uploaded by

José Vianney Alencastro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Fort McKavett Fall 2014

Cool Guy Astronomers


With electronic focusers

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Configuration difficult to focus


Manual Focus
Bracket Exposures
Mid f-stop (f/8, f/5.6)

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Could I be a part of the ultra Cool Guy Astronomers?

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Goal Electronic Control for Feathertouch Focuser on 200mm Newtonian

Options:
1. Company 1: $549
2. Company 2: $514
3. Company 3: $495
4. Company 4: $835
5. Company 5: $320

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Could this possibly be:

A:
DO-IT-YOURSELF
Project

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Step 1
Check the source of all good things:

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

1. The best commercially available focusing systems used stepper motors.


2. What would a stepper motor cost on eBay?
$3.42 Includes 28BYJ-48 stepper motor and driver board

Questions:
1. Will this motor have enough torque? Answer Yes
2. Will this have small enough steps? Includes gear box,
0.087 per step. Answer - Yes
S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Interfacing to: Miraculously Feathertouch Focuser teeth


Feathertouch Focuser are 2mm spaced, same as MXL belts

eBay stepper motor

48MXL025 belt
$3.84

Dining Room
flooring material 5mm MXL Pulley
$10.90

Wingnut contraption to
eBay motor driver board allow manual focus
1/16 Aluminum
S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Next Need a way to control motor

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Option 1 Gate Logic

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Option 2 Programmable Logic

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Programmable Logic Code


Performs same function as logic gates

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Board space required for the two options:


Programmable
Logic
Implementation
Logic Gate
Implementation

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Hand Controller
Circuit board parts placement

R = resistors
C = capacitors
Q = transistors
U = integrated circuits
PB = push button switch
VR = variable resistor

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Hand Controller
Direction of focuser

OUT IN

Motor rotation rate

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Cabling

AC to DC Converter
2.1mm x 5.5mm Plug RJ25 Cable
7 to 35VDC Connects Hand
Connects to Controller to Motor
Hand Controller Driver Board
Note Same as
Autoguiding Cable

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Cost of Project:

Motor & Driver Board: $3.42


Belt: $3.84
Pulley: $4.50
Electronic Parts: $31.05
Enclosure: $5.00

Total: $47.81
(Does not include shipping & tax)

S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Video of Focuser Operation


S. Douglas Holland
DIY Astronomy Electronic Telescope Focuser

Visit my web page:


www.holland-observatory.net

S. Douglas Holland

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