EAF William Optics Compatibility?

james474789

Is the eaf compatible with the zenithstar 73?

Thanks,

katherine.tsai

Yes, it is compatible.

chuckwagon

As a related question, Is the EAF compatible with the WO Star71 (1st Gen) or is some DIY work required to use it?

katherine.tsai

Sorry we do not have WO 71 and did not test it, but other customer has and it is supported.

chuckwagon

Thanks Katherine.

Just to clarify, you are saying that ZWO hasn't tested the EAF with the Star71, but a customer has used the EAF with a Star71 and it worked. Do you know if worked right out of the box, or did they need to do anything special or make modifications to get it to work? If it needed some work, did they post their success story on the forum?

I'm just trying to figure out prior to purchase if I will need to plan on making mods to get the EAF to work with my Star71, or if it just works out of the box.

Thanks.

katherine.tsai

The screws in blue circle can be uninstalled, and find another screw to fix the adapter into the focuser via the screw hole in red circle.

chuckwagon

That's very helpful. Thanks Katherine.

katherine.tsai

Anytime.:)

james474789

Do you have a similar image for the zs73? I can only see one focus lock screw on the focuser so not sure where the second screw should be located?

katherine.tsai

Sorry I do not have image for the ZS73.:(

gatsbyiv

I have written step-by-step instructions on how to attach the EAF to a William Optics Star71, complete with photos. It is possible with the provided hardware (though it can be improved with a quick trip to the hardware store for a longer screw and spacer).

https://digitalstars.wordpress.com/2019/11/08/how-to-install-a-zwo-eaf-on-the-william-optics-star71/

I hope this is helpful to others with this scope and similar ones. I think the instructions should work with any of the WO scopes that have a thermometer in the focuser knob.

Charlie

chuckwagon

That's excellent!

Does not having a focus lock screw after the mod affect performance at all? With my focus lock completely loosened it seems a little sloppy. I usually leave that screw loose enough to adjust focus, but with a bit of resistance.

Thanks!

gatsbyiv

It doesn't seem to. If it is a problem, you can put the focus lock screw back in its normal place, and buy a 10 or 12 mm long M4 screw to put where I currently have it. The 8 mm long screw included with the EAF is not long enough to reach, though.

chuckwagon

Ah, I see. Cool. Thanks for the clarification, and the how-to.

astroandy

With my mk1 once i'd removed the focus knob i also removed the silver section then the bracket lay flat no need for washers.

chuckwagon

Another handy tip. Thanks!