Question and problem with EAF 5V

MapleRidge

1st, the problem. I have been using the EAF 54V version (not the latest 'upgraded' one on my C14 and it worked very well to auto-focus deep sky images with my ASI294 MC and MM Pro cameras. It worked well for maybe a month and then after a break in usage, when I started to image again I cannot get it to work properly. I either get an error about less than 900 steps (do not have the exact wording) or it starts to plot focus positions and then goes on and on driving the scope more out of focus. If I use the manual focus control on the software I can move the motor both ways and focus manually but that wasn't what I expect to happen. Any ideas on correcting this?

2nd, is the question. If I buy a second EAF unit it looks to be the newer Pro version is the only option (unfortunately it has no improvements for my use over the current one I have). Do they use the same driver or do the two install and "play nice" and recognize which focuser I have connected to the camera/computer?

Any assistance/guidance on both topics would be appreciated.

Brian

Tech@ZWO

The first question: You need to check if the maximum travel of the EAF is correct and its current position. Retract the focusing stage back to position 0, set the current position to 0, then test the maximum travel of the focusing stage, set the maximum travel, and then test again to find the best focus. The second question: Two EAFs can be installed simultaneously to use two sets of cameras; you can label the EAFs with names and control the corresponding EAF for focusing using computer software.

MapleRidge

Thanks for the follow-up on both.

I will check the EAF travel...I found that was a limit earlier but it has not reached the step limit and the physical focus still has room to move. It can be focused with the push-buttons in ASIImage focus control, but the auto focus is where it either focuses in the wrong direction or goes past focus and doesn't stop.. Last night I though it was working, but it stopped and claimed to have focus but the stars were donuts in the preview image.

Brian

Tech@ZWO

MapleRidge
1.Please check if the EAF's max step setting is smaller than the actual travel range, which may cause movement restriction. First return the focuser to zero position and recalibrate max steps.
2.When autofocus moves wrong direction, first determine if it's intra-focal or extra-focal, and verify
if the zero position and maximum travel range of the focuser are set in reverse. The algorithm will attempt 3 times before reversing direction.
3.For focus overshooting, check if step size is too large. Also please advise your telescope brand/model.