Q: I need a high accuracy motor for my Ultimate Powerbox

Please check our powerful and dead accurate Motor Focus Kit (Universal or SCT model) https://pegasusastro.com/motor-focus-kit/ https://pegasusastro.com/motor-focus-kit-sct/

Question 1

Can I drive a second stepper motor with my Ultimate Powerbox v2

Accepted Answer

Yes, You can drive lots of stepper motors in the astro-market by using the eXternal Motor Controller was designed to expand the focus capabilities of the Ultimate Powerbox v2 (supports a 2nd focus controller).

Supported Motors

We have successfully tested and controlled the following stepper motors:

Please note that each motor requires its own cable due to different pin-out selection of each manufacturer. * We optionally provide any of these cables. Check cable type SKU at below table.

STEPPER MOTOR	CABLE TYPE
Pegasus Motor Focus (v1 & v2)	Straight RJ45 Network Cable
Starlight HSM 25 / 30 / 35	PEG-CMOT-HSM
Starlight MSM 25 / 30 / 35	PEG-CMOT-MSM
Starizona Micro-Touch	PEG-CMOT-MSM
Rigel nStep Motors	PEG-CMOT-MSM
Moonlite Stepper Motor	PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9
Robofocus Stepper Motor	PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9
Lakeside Stepper Motor	PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9
Lacerta Motor	PEG-CMOT-LCRT

Question 2

Do they support Indilib or Indigo?

Accepted Answer

Yes 100%. There are native drivers for both platforms.

Question 3

Does it work with TheSkyX Pro

Accepted Answer

Ultimate Powerbox and Ultimate Powerbox v2 have a 3rd party X2 Plugin that works flawlessly with TheSkyX.

TheSkyX X2 plugin for Ultimate Powerbox v2

TheSkyX X2 plugin for Ultimate Powerbox (v1)

Please check https://pegasusastro.com/support/ for more information

Question 4

Does the Powerbox work as a battery pack

Accepted Answer

No, Powerbox relays and distributes power from an external power source. It does not have batteries inside so it cannot store energy.

Question 5

I have a USB device which requires more power than a normal USB port.

Accepted Answer

UPBv1: 6th USB port deliver up to 3Amps of current

UPBv2: Each USB port provides up to 2.5Amps of current.

Powerbox Advance: First USB3 native port can deliver up to 3Amps. All other USB3 ports deliver up to 900mA

Question 6

I need a high accuracy motor for my Ultimate Powerbox

Accepted Answer

Please check our powerful and dead accurate Motor Focus Kit (Universal or SCT model)

https://pegasusastro.com/motor-focus-kit/

https://pegasusastro.com/motor-focus-kit-sct/

Question 7

Is there a comparison page between Powerbox products?

Accepted Answer

Sure, Here it is:

https://pegasusastro.com/comparison-between-powerbox-series/

Question 8

My observatory is in a very cold place. Is there any issue with the electronics of the device?

Accepted Answer

All electronic components are selected to support temperature ranges from -40 to +80 °C. Moreover, UPBv2 USB3.1 Hub controller is an industrial grade model which fully complies with this temperature range.

Question 9

What if I accidentally reverse input polarity?

Accepted Answer

All of our Powerbox products have an input reverse polarity protection. Device will not power on and of course will not allow any voltage to leak to outputs.

Question 10

What if I accidentally short-circuit an output?

Accepted Answer

All Powerbox products have an internal protection for their 12V outputs. In less that 5 milisecs controller will cut off the power of the output and a warning message will be appeared on the software.

Question 11

What if I short-circuit a USB hub port?

Accepted Answer

Device has a USB short-circuit / overcurrent protection per port. It will instantly isolate/disable the selected USB port. Just remove the USB device and replug it to bring it to life.

Question 12

What kind of power supply do I need?

Accepted Answer

We strongly suggest to use our certificed 12V/10A sealed type power supply unit.. Cheap PSU might cause voltage drops on high load and introduce ripple effect. This will cause issues and artefacts to your precious CCD Camera.
A battery (deep cycle type is suggested) is also an option but you will have to calculate your average load and the time you can use the battery.

Question 13

Why don’t you place a mini PC inside the Ultimate / Advance Powerbox?

Accepted Answer

We really don’t support this idea. Why to buy something and pay noticeable amount of money for a mini PC that will be obsolete (for its specification) after 6-12 months? We strongly suggest to just get a mini factor PC (E.g Intel NUC), plug it on a 12V output and use it as your astro-computer.! If you don’t like it after some time, buy another one with higher specs and lower price for sure! Check the user shots for an example of this approach!

Question 14

Baader Diamond Steeltrack

Accepted Answer

Bellow photos show how to attach the motor on a Baader Steeltrack Focuser

Question 15

Baader Steeltrack

Accepted Answer

Remove the plastic grub-screws (the do not have an actual usage) from the bottom of the Steeltrack Focuser.

Align the L shape bracket with the focuser and use the supplied screws, spacers to attach the L shape bracket as shown below.

Question 16

Explore Scientific Focuser

Accepted Answer

We have successfully installed our motor on:

Explore Scientific ED Series (ED80, ED102, ED127, ED152)
Explore Scientific ED-FCD100 Series (ED80-FCD100, ED102-FCD100, ED127-FCD100)
Explore Scientific FPL53 (ED140, ED115)

Question 17

MoonLite Focusers

Accepted Answer

Moonlite-Howto Download

Question 18

Skywatcher Esprit Series Focuser

Accepted Answer

We have successfully installed our motor to:
Skywatcher Esprit Series (80 ED, 100ED, 120ED, 150ED).

Locate the set screw pointed with red arrow at below photo. Use a hex key tool to remove this set screw.

Remove the coarse knob

Use the supplied 5 to 6mm motor coupler and attach it to the focuser's shaft.
Pass through your hex key tool into the small hole (pointed with red arow) and securely tighten the set screw of the motor coupler.

Turn using your hand the focuser knob to reveal the 2nd set screw of the coupler. Make sure to tighten both set screws very well.

Remove the two outer bolts using the hex key tool (check below photo).
You do not need these screws anymore. Keep them in a safe place.

Please note that the thumb screw of the finder holder collides with the motor L shape bracket so there are two options to avoid this.
a) Rotate the finder holder 180 degrees, as displayed below.

b) Detach and place the finder holder on the opposite side where there is a hidden screw thread under the label (as shown in the image below)

Place the motor on the bracket and align the motor shaft to the "already placed" motor coupler. Secure the motor with the bracket by tightening all 4 bolts.

Be sure to have the set screws of the motor coupler on top. This is required to allow you to have access to them by using the hex key tool. Do not tighten the coupler set screws of the motor side yet!

Use the longer supplied screws (M4x30mm) and spacers and use them to attach the L bracket on the focuser. Place these screws into the 3rd slot from the left of the bracket (check the photo below)

Do not fully tighten them yet!

Push the motor close to the telescope (as displayed below).

Tighten all set scews of the motor coupler

Please note that the brake clutch should not be used. Motor has a powerful gearbox which acts as a brake when motor is not rotating.

Tighten both large screws under your focuser

You are ready to focus!

Question 19

Starlight Feathertouch Series

Accepted Answer

We have installed the motor to all Starlight Feathertouch Focuser Series (from 2'' to 3.5'').
Installation is very easy and the supplied bolts and spacers ensures that motor is securely attached on the focuser

Below photos are from a TEC140 with a 3.5'' Starlight Focuser

Question 20

Stellarvue Focusers

Accepted Answer

Stellarvue 2" focusers has a nice flat surface underneath. It is very easy to place the L shape bracket by removing the brake thumbscrew and use that thread to grab the bracket. One screw /washer is enough to hold the bracket in place. Motor has a powerful gearbox which acts as a brake so you will never need to engage this brake thumbscrew.

Question 21

Takahashi Focusers

Accepted Answer

We have successfully installed our motor on:

FS-60CB, FSQ85-EDX, FSQ106ED, TSA-120, TSA-150, TOA-130, TOA-150

Below photos display how you can attach the motor to a Takahashi Focuser.

As the Takahashi Focuser has a flat surface it is very easy to use the long screws (supplied in the package) and replace two of the the stock Takahashi screws with these two in order to grab the motor onto the focuser.

Question 22

Vixen ED81S

Accepted Answer

Vixen-ED81S-Howto Download

Question 23

William Optics GT71

Accepted Answer

* Please check below photos on how to attach the motor to a William Optics GT71 or a W.O. with a similar focuser

Remove the brake thumbscrew pointed with red arrow
Remove the coarse knob
Align the bracket (place the 6th slot of the bracket on top of the brake hole) and use a bolt and a spacer to secure it in place (you will find different sizes of bolts/spacers in the box)
Use the appropriate motor coupler from the 6 x motor coupler bag and connect motor shaft with focuser's shaft. Make sure to tighten all coupler grub-screws.

Question 24

William Optics RedCat

Accepted Answer

Our optional Lens Kit (pulley and large size timing belt) allows the adaptation of our motor to a WO RedCat

Question 25

Can I drive a second stepper motor with my Ultimate Powerbox v2

Accepted Answer

Yes, You can drive lots of stepper motors in the astro-market by using the eXternal Motor Controller was designed to expand the focus capabilities of the Ultimate Powerbox v2 (supports a 2nd focus controller).

Supported Motors

We have successfully tested and controlled the following stepper motors:

Please note that each motor requires its own cable due to different pin-out selection of each manufacturer. * We optionally provide any of these cables. Check cable type SKU at below table.

STEPPER MOTOR	CABLE TYPE
Pegasus Motor Focus (v1 & v2)	Straight RJ45 Network Cable
Starlight HSM 25 / 30 / 35	PEG-CMOT-HSM
Starlight MSM 25 / 30 / 35	PEG-CMOT-MSM
Starizona Micro-Touch	PEG-CMOT-MSM
Rigel nStep Motors	PEG-CMOT-MSM
Moonlite Stepper Motor	PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9
Robofocus Stepper Motor	PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9
Lakeside Stepper Motor	PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9
Lacerta Motor	PEG-CMOT-LCRT

Question 26

Do they support Indilib or Indigo?

Accepted Answer

Yes 100%. There are native drivers for both platforms.

Question 27

Does it work with TheSkyX Pro

Accepted Answer

Ultimate Powerbox and Ultimate Powerbox v2 have a 3rd party X2 Plugin that works flawlessly with TheSkyX.

Please check https://pegasusastro.com/support/ for more information

Question 28

Does the Powerbox work as a battery pack

Accepted Answer

No, Powerbox relays and distributes power from an external power source. It does not have batteries inside so it cannot store energy.

Question 29

I have a USB device which requires more power than a normal USB port.

Accepted Answer

UPBv1: 6th USB port deliver up to 3Amps of current

UPBv2: Each USB port provides up to 2.5Amps of current.

Powerbox Advance: First USB3 native port can deliver up to 3Amps. All other USB3 ports deliver up to 900mA

Question 30

I need a high accuracy motor for my Ultimate Powerbox

Accepted Answer

Please check our powerful and dead accurate Motor Focus Kit (Universal or SCT model)

https://pegasusastro.com/motor-focus-kit/

https://pegasusastro.com/motor-focus-kit-sct/

Question 31

Is there a comparison page between Powerbox products?

Accepted Answer

Sure, Here it is:

https://pegasusastro.com/comparison-between-powerbox-series/

Question 32

My observatory is in a very cold place. Is there any issue with the electronics of the device?

Accepted Answer

All electronic components are selected to support temperature ranges from -40 to +80 °C. Moreover, UPBv2 USB3.1 Hub controller is an industrial grade model which fully complies with this temperature range.

Question 33

What if I accidentally reverse input polarity?

Accepted Answer

All of our Powerbox products have an input reverse polarity protection. Device will not power on and of course will not allow any voltage to leak to outputs.

Question 34

What if I accidentally short-circuit an output?

Accepted Answer

All Powerbox products have an internal protection for their 12V outputs. In less that 5 milisecs controller will cut off the power of the output and a warning message will be appeared on the software.

Question 35

What if I short-circuit a USB hub port?

Accepted Answer

Device has a USB short-circuit / overcurrent protection per port. It will instantly isolate/disable the selected USB port. Just remove the USB device and replug it to bring it to life.

Question 36

What kind of power supply do I need?

Accepted Answer

We strongly suggest to use our certificed 12V/10A sealed type power supply unit.. Cheap PSU might cause voltage drops on high load and introduce ripple effect. This will cause issues and artefacts to your precious CCD Camera.
A battery (deep cycle type is suggested) is also an option but you will have to calculate your average load and the time you can use the battery.

Question 37

Why don’t you place a mini PC inside the Ultimate / Advance Powerbox?

Accepted Answer

We really don’t support this idea. Why to buy something and pay noticeable amount of money for a mini PC that will be obsolete (for its specification) after 6-12 months? We strongly suggest to just get a mini factor PC (E.g Intel NUC), plug it on a 12V output and use it as your astro-computer.! If you don’t like it after some time, buy another one with higher specs and lower price for sure! Check the user shots for an example of this approach!

By amateur astronomers for amateur astronomers

By amateur astronomers for amateur astronomers

Ultimate Powerbox v2

Falcon Rotator

FlatMaster 150

FocusCube v2

Pocket Powerbox Advance

eXternal Motor Controller

Pocket Powerbox

Dual Motor Focus Controller v3.2

Ultimate Powerbox v2

FocusCube 2

Pocket Powerbox Advance

Connectivity ways to control your equipment

Pocket Powerbox Micro

Support Forum

Uranus Meteo Sensor

Scops OAG – A motorised OAG for your remote imaging setup

Control your Ultimate Powerbox v2 via N.I.N.A

Short USB Cables