Hi Dave . Astroblender did a "Celestron requested" video on how to install the Focus Control Motor so as to prevent binding (and Warranty calls) There were a few "tips" I used when installing mine and I haven't had a problem since . My buddy had an issue with his though . An Internal grub screw on one of the main gears came loose and everything started to slip . Easy fix . Also increased the length of the plate mounting screws to 12mm as per James Lamb's Site . Thanks for the Video ./SRK
Thanks Dom, just wish it had been clearer on the docs the difference between the Rasa v1 and v2 and the negation of the need for the retrofit kit, might have saved me some effort / heartache and struggle as my brain was trying to fathom wtf was going on!
Hey Dave, I've been having lots of issues with my focuser on my Rasa 11, and I just found the problem last weekend. The screws holding the Focus motor mounting plate weren't countersunk enough and the heads were slightly proud. This leads to the motor catching on them when it turns. I can't quite see if you have the same in the video, but I recommend you check - mine made a noise like yours before it was fixed. I just made the countersink a bit deeper to make the screws flush.
Thanks Lee, yeh, come to think of it, I think my screws are also proud, I did end up having a few seize moments and when I ran the calibrate it ran fine in one direction, but not in the other, I think I ended up pulling back along the shaft a fraction and not tightening down the two focuser mounting screws too much. I'll maybe have another look next time I have it off the mount. Cheers!
@@DavesAstrophotography Yes, the screws they supplied to me were not compatible with the mounting plate. It took me 10 minutes to fix, but I had wasted many evenings struggling with focus. The other issue I had won't affect you, as you used the aux port connector, but the USB connection won't work reliably unless it is connected directly to a dedicated USB on my PC (of which I only have 2) . It would randomly lose connection if connected through The ZWO camera hub or my other USB3 hub.
@@MasseyLee I originally thought I had knocked things out of alignment when I tried to do the retrofit kit addition, and then of course found out I didn't need to do it with the V2. Arrgghh!
@@DavesAstrophotography It is very nerve wracking, taking your nice new scope apart! I bought the V1 and it comes with a microtouch focuser, which you then take off to replace with the retrofit kit. Keep making the videos, it's great to see someone with similar kit.
Dave hello, I know it's been a while since you posted this video but I am going through the installation of the focuser on my Nexstar 8se, when I took off the original cover plate I'd the scope slightly tilted at an angle and the focus shaft came out a bit. This worried me that I messed up the focus completely. Did you have any issues after you had pulled the shaft out to perform the retrofit? Did everything work ok once you restored it back the original state? I put mine back in but wasn't sure if it had to be aligned somehow. Your video is the only one I've come across where I saw the shaft removed so that is why I am curious. I still need to play around with the focus and I am going to remove the focus motor and try to get manual focus but if I can't I am wondering if it's because of when the shaft came out and now mechanically it can't focus. Any thoughts? I will post anything I find out here.
Yeh, no issue with the shaft, I had mine come out a lot! just push it back it, the key thing to watch is any seals are but back into place, if I remember right there was a a small rubber flat ring seal on mine that was a bit fiddly to get to sit right.. Just never force anything!
Hi Dave . Astroblender did a "Celestron requested" video on how to install the Focus Control Motor so as to prevent binding (and Warranty calls) There were a few "tips" I used when installing mine and I haven't had a problem since . My buddy had an issue with his though . An Internal grub screw on one of the main gears came loose and everything started to slip . Easy fix . Also increased the length of the plate mounting screws to 12mm as per James Lamb's Site . Thanks for the Video ./SRK
Yeh after the initial first install, things were fine, but then I did have one stall, so need to rejiggle it, but been fine since.
Great video! Thanks, Dave for sharing your experience doing this.
Thanks Dom, just wish it had been clearer on the docs the difference between the Rasa v1 and v2 and the negation of the need for the retrofit kit, might have saved me some effort / heartache and struggle as my brain was trying to fathom wtf was going on!
Hey Dave, I've been having lots of issues with my focuser on my Rasa 11, and I just found the problem last weekend. The screws holding the Focus motor mounting plate weren't countersunk enough and the heads were slightly proud. This leads to the motor catching on them when it turns. I can't quite see if you have the same in the video, but I recommend you check - mine made a noise like yours before it was fixed. I just made the countersink a bit deeper to make the screws flush.
Thanks Lee, yeh, come to think of it, I think my screws are also proud, I did end up having a few seize moments and when I ran the calibrate it ran fine in one direction, but not in the other, I think I ended up pulling back along the shaft a fraction and not tightening down the two focuser mounting screws too much. I'll maybe have another look next time I have it off the mount. Cheers!
@@DavesAstrophotography Yes, the screws they supplied to me were not compatible with the mounting plate. It took me 10 minutes to fix, but I had wasted many evenings struggling with focus. The other issue I had won't affect you, as you used the aux port connector, but the USB connection won't work reliably unless it is connected directly to a dedicated USB on my PC (of which I only have 2) . It would randomly lose connection if connected through The ZWO camera hub or my other USB3 hub.
@@MasseyLee I originally thought I had knocked things out of alignment when I tried to do the retrofit kit addition, and then of course found out I didn't need to do it with the V2. Arrgghh!
@@MasseyLee Did you still get drop outs with a powered hub (or have you not tried that), alternatively, did you try a 12v supply and a usb connection?
@@DavesAstrophotography It is very nerve wracking, taking your nice new scope apart! I bought the V1 and it comes with a microtouch focuser, which you then take off to replace with the retrofit kit. Keep making the videos, it's great to see someone with similar kit.
Dave hello,
I know it's been a while since you posted this video but I am going through the installation of the focuser on my Nexstar 8se, when I took off the original cover plate I'd the scope slightly tilted at an angle and the focus shaft came out a bit. This worried me that I messed up the focus completely. Did you have any issues after you had pulled the shaft out to perform the retrofit? Did everything work ok once you restored it back the original state? I put mine back in but wasn't sure if it had to be aligned somehow. Your video is the only one I've come across where I saw the shaft removed so that is why I am curious. I still need to play around with the focus and I am going to remove the focus motor and try to get manual focus but if I can't I am wondering if it's because of when the shaft came out and now mechanically it can't focus. Any thoughts? I will post anything I find out here.
Yeh, no issue with the shaft, I had mine come out a lot! just push it back it, the key thing to watch is any seals are but back into place, if I remember right there was a a small rubber flat ring seal on mine that was a bit fiddly to get to sit right.. Just never force anything!
Thank you