Great video! I recently added the focus motor to my 9.25Edge and it's working well, but there were a couple issues at first that I think worth noting. To start, I found powering the focuser a bit flakey. With one laptop, and the USB hub on my Ioptron CEM70, the USB connection was all that was needed, but with another laptop, the connection would be lost as soon as I started the calibration routine unless I was also using an AC adaptor. I also tried using the AUX port on a CGEM mount prior to getting the CEM70 and would get errors, though that may be because a mud wasp once made a home in that port...... The second issue was reaching focus when using a reducer (pretty much always, for me). The problem was that the calibration range set by the focus motor is somewhat inside the physical range of the ota's focuser and with the reducer, the focus point was so close to the end of the physical range that it was outside of the calibration range. After much back and forth with Celestron, it finally got sorted out and they sent me a replacement longer pin/screw for the ota's focuser to extend its range and all works fine now. Have to say, though, that I was a little disappointed with Celestron in that at least one staff member knew of the issue (came up with another customer) but other staff members didn't, let alone the required part included with the focuser or at least a disclaimer in the marketing.
Thank you. My fingers are crossed. Looks like I am waiting another week to find out what my weather will look like. So many clouds, so little rain here.
@@AmyAstro One thing that seems a little odd, is even though it was a known issue at Celestron, it wasn't widely known there and I couldn't find any reports of it in the forums. Even if it's only 9.25 edge's, seems like there's enough of them out there that it would come up more often. I got my OTA used (on eBay, took a chance cuz' my backorder patience ran out...) and it's 7 or 8 years old, so maybe newer ones have the longer pin? Anyhow, had an unprecedented 6 clear-all-night's in a row (since I got a telescope, that is...), so settling in for 2 or 3 weeks of clouds to bring things back into proper balance...
@@scottbadger4107 Wow that is a great run! It could be the age and it is fixed now. Fingers crossed. Lots of turn over in all the companies in the last few years. So much knowledge lost.
@@AmyAstro Of course it was leading up to a full moon....but apparently weather Murphy didn't know I got an Ha filter! :) Given the lack of inventory to sell, I'm surprised so many manufacturers and retailers both have managed to stay in business. But yeah, I've had the 'pleasure' of speaking to a number of tech reps for advice and problem solving while getting going over the past year or so, and experience seems generally thin. It also seems like much of the industry is trying to catch up to the growth of AP vs observing....
Love your videos Amy. I installed a ZWO EAF on to my Celestron 14” Edge HD last fall. ZWO sells the special bracket required. Now It’s much easier to get sharp images of the planets
Hi Amy, Thanks for the install information. It was very helpful. I have pretty much the same setup and was wondering how you set up your computer, drivers, and PC for this focuser. This would be very helpful. Running SharpCap 4.0 on my dedicated mini PC. Win10
So I made the mistake of trying to do this on my 11" while it was on the mount.. even when it was pointed down i had some struggles... I think doing it on a table or something like you did is the better option for sure. Also when I pulled off the original focuser plate, I had two washers or something come off with it.. they were nice and greased.. I dropped them back on and continued. It should be noted I have the RASA 11" V2.. those washer/seals whatever they are were just rubber but they caught me off guard. I don't know if its just me, but I have had this focuser work its way loose two times now.. one night it fell off. I have zero complaints about this focuser..even when it fell off lol.. I was able to just put it back on and was back in business within minutes. I might be an edge case here.. I might have installed mine in a slightly weird angle where the mirror and gravity were not working in my favor... best of luck! looking forward to first light!
Thanks for a very thorough and detailed explaination how to do this. It's awesome when people don't go too fast! As a newbie, I'm still working on my RASA 8" setup. They seem critical on focus and it's hassle trying to get it spot on manually in Asi Studio / NINA I'm looking forwards to your updates and could well go down the focus motor route. Again thanks Clear skies BTW I don't have a pet but a really cool cat often visits me when I'm out in my yard late at night.
Amy Astro sweerheart, I just received the Celestron soft case for my SE8. I plan on watching lots of your great videos toward 2024 summer here in Oregon.(to get into it) I have had it for 5 years and never used it. I'm sure I must update the firmware first. I have always wanted the focuser. I also have the power flashlight/power supply thingy for the scope and assume it will run the focuser? Do you think this focuser will affect the ota fitting in my new nylon carry case? Love your channel. I am a member of NS45 here in Salem. We have a web site. Thanks for the call to prepare for some getting outside. Love your channel. Wish you lived next door so I would have a built in instruction manual. Best to your health and family. //John in Oregon
Probably going to find that you'll still need tape to hold the rubber covers in. Mine don't like to stay in the ports. I'm using the AUX port directly to an AUX port on my Celestron CGX. Focuser works really well overall. Looking into making it capable of autofocus through SGP. Think a separate temp sensing unit may do the trick. Just not 100% sold on the focuser playing well with the sensor.
I was contemplating adding the focuser motor to my EdgeHD 9.25. Seems like everything for the 9.25 is just a bit more intense than the lower and upper sized OTAs. Hope you have a clear view of the lunar eclipse tomorrow. Ciao for Fort Worth/Dallas.
Hello Amy,
Thank you for this video. I love this series that I have not seen in order
Glad you like them!
hey thanks, that helped a lot!
What a beutiful dog!
She is a doll!!
Great video! I recently added the focus motor to my 9.25Edge and it's working well, but there were a couple issues at first that I think worth noting. To start, I found powering the focuser a bit flakey. With one laptop, and the USB hub on my Ioptron CEM70, the USB connection was all that was needed, but with another laptop, the connection would be lost as soon as I started the calibration routine unless I was also using an AC adaptor. I also tried using the AUX port on a CGEM mount prior to getting the CEM70 and would get errors, though that may be because a mud wasp once made a home in that port......
The second issue was reaching focus when using a reducer (pretty much always, for me). The problem was that the calibration range set by the focus motor is somewhat inside the physical range of the ota's focuser and with the reducer, the focus point was so close to the end of the physical range that it was outside of the calibration range. After much back and forth with Celestron, it finally got sorted out and they sent me a replacement longer pin/screw for the ota's focuser to extend its range and all works fine now. Have to say, though, that I was a little disappointed with Celestron in that at least one staff member knew of the issue (came up with another customer) but other staff members didn't, let alone the required part included with the focuser or at least a disclaimer in the marketing.
Thank you. My fingers are crossed. Looks like I am waiting another week to find out what my weather will look like. So many clouds, so little rain here.
@@AmyAstro One thing that seems a little odd, is even though it was a known issue at Celestron, it wasn't widely known there and I couldn't find any reports of it in the forums. Even if it's only 9.25 edge's, seems like there's enough of them out there that it would come up more often. I got my OTA used (on eBay, took a chance cuz' my backorder patience ran out...) and it's 7 or 8 years old, so maybe newer ones have the longer pin? Anyhow, had an unprecedented 6 clear-all-night's in a row (since I got a telescope, that is...), so settling in for 2 or 3 weeks of clouds to bring things back into proper balance...
@@scottbadger4107 Wow that is a great run! It could be the age and it is fixed now. Fingers crossed. Lots of turn over in all the companies in the last few years. So much knowledge lost.
@@AmyAstro Of course it was leading up to a full moon....but apparently weather Murphy didn't know I got an Ha filter! :) Given the lack of inventory to sell, I'm surprised so many manufacturers and retailers both have managed to stay in business. But yeah, I've had the 'pleasure' of speaking to a number of tech reps for advice and problem solving while getting going over the past year or so, and experience seems generally thin. It also seems like much of the industry is trying to catch up to the growth of AP vs observing....
Love your videos Amy. I installed a ZWO EAF on to my Celestron 14” Edge HD last fall.
ZWO sells the special bracket required. Now It’s much easier to get sharp images of the planets
That is awesome! Thank you!
Hi Amy, Thanks for the install information. It was very helpful. I have pretty much the same setup and was wondering how you set up your computer, drivers, and PC for this focuser. This would be very helpful. Running SharpCap 4.0 on my dedicated mini PC. Win10
I will post a video about this in the next couple weeks. I am sorting all of this out now. :) Thank you for watching.
So I made the mistake of trying to do this on my 11" while it was on the mount.. even when it was pointed down i had some struggles... I think doing it on a table or something like you did is the better option for sure. Also when I pulled off the original focuser plate, I had two washers or something come off with it.. they were nice and greased.. I dropped them back on and continued. It should be noted I have the RASA 11" V2.. those washer/seals whatever they are were just rubber but they caught me off guard. I don't know if its just me, but I have had this focuser work its way loose two times now.. one night it fell off. I have zero complaints about this focuser..even when it fell off lol.. I was able to just put it back on and was back in business within minutes. I might be an edge case here.. I might have installed mine in a slightly weird angle where the mirror and gravity were not working in my favor... best of luck! looking forward to first light!
Thank you. I am getting close. I need some clear skies to line things up and focus
Thanks for a very thorough and detailed explaination how to do this. It's awesome when people don't go too fast!
As a newbie, I'm still working on my RASA 8" setup. They seem critical on focus and it's hassle trying to get it spot on manually in Asi Studio / NINA
I'm looking forwards to your updates and could well go down the focus motor route.
Again thanks
Clear skies
BTW I don't have a pet but a really cool cat often visits me when I'm out in my yard late at night.
Glad it was helpful! Clearly an astro friendly cat. Share away if you like!
Amy Astro sweerheart, I just received the Celestron soft case for my SE8.
I plan on watching lots of your great videos toward 2024 summer here in Oregon.(to get into it)
I have had it for 5 years and never used it. I'm sure I must update the firmware first. I have always wanted the focuser.
I also have the power flashlight/power supply thingy for the scope and assume it will run the focuser?
Do you think this focuser will affect the ota fitting in my new nylon carry case?
Love your channel. I am a member of NS45 here in Salem. We have a web site.
Thanks for the call to prepare for some getting outside. Love your channel. Wish you lived next door so I would have a built in instruction manual.
Best to your health and family. //John in Oregon
How do motor knows when to stop when focus knob is fully turned or maxed out and not force break the knob?
Probably going to find that you'll still need tape to hold the rubber covers in. Mine don't like to stay in the ports. I'm using the AUX port directly to an AUX port on my Celestron CGX. Focuser works really well overall. Looking into making it capable of autofocus through SGP. Think a separate temp sensing unit may do the trick. Just not 100% sold on the focuser playing well with the sensor.
Sorry miss spoke in first comment. Don't know what I was thinking when I said USB3. Not enough coffee yet this morning.
I know that feeling. I was wondering if they would stay put.
I was contemplating adding the focuser motor to my EdgeHD 9.25. Seems like everything for the 9.25 is just a bit more intense than the lower and upper sized OTAs. Hope you have a clear view of the lunar eclipse tomorrow. Ciao for Fort Worth/Dallas.
Thank you!
I tried installing the focus motor on my RASA and it destroyed my telescope! I sent it back along with the focused and they replaced the whole scope.
Sorry to hear that! I'm glad the took care of you.
Just a note of interest, Celestron doesn't have a driver for windows 7 pro for this focus motor. Windows 7 ONLY.