EAF in the cold

mfender

Will the EAF (5V version) work flawlessly at temperatures of -10 degrees (Celsius)?

Matt

ckoos

I've used my two EAF's at -25 Celsius without any problems.

mfender

Thanks, ckoos!

The reason why I ask is this webpage:
https://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p13174_ZWO-EAF-Motor-Focus-Fystem-with-5-V-Power-Supply-via-USB.html
There I find the remark:
"Important note
The manufacturer specifies an operating temperature range of -5 to +50 °C. It therefore makes sense to use heaters in winter".
I cannot believe that ZWO offers a focuser motor for astro that has to be heatened in winter...

Any comment from ZWO?

Matt

Domanski

I used my EAF at -20°C with no issue.

Tech@ZWO

The working temperature of the EAF is -5 to 50 degrees.
We can not guarantee all EAFs will work fine at -10 or 20 degrees, so it's better to use heaters in winter.

mfender

Tech@ZWO
Thanks a lot for this precise information!
So I will better buy a focuser motor from another manufacturer. Having to heat
a focuser at temperatures that are totally normal at night is too cumbersome for me
(and kind of ridiculous).

Matt

Tech@ZWO

mfender We also received some similar feedback on this from other users, our team will consider improving this in the future.

mfender

Tech@ZWO our team will consider improving this in the future.

sounds like a good plan...
but this time I purchased a blue one, because I need a motor focus in the present ;-)

ttomasik

So in regards to the cold weather issues, Is it a function of poor torque/ motor inefficiency in the cold? or cold stiff grease making it difficult for the motor in the EAF to work well? or a combination of the two? the reason to ask is that I had the issues last PM and wish to find a way to fix the EAF function in cold weather. A dew heater may be the answer , but where to place it? on the focuser ? The EAF or on the draw tube?

Hara

I have been shooting in -28 C without any problems with all ZWO systems I have. I have not done any modifications to ZWO gear. But, it requires that you have made cold weather maintenance all of your other system (focusers and head). That is, cleaning all factory grease from all bearings and threads and substituted it with grease having proper lowest temperature. Stuff I used is SuperLube Multi-purpose Synthetic Grease, which has lowest limit of -43 C.