Focus Motors and Controllers Troubleshooting Guide, F.A.Q.
This guide covers the FocusCube Universal, FocusCube Zero, Motor Focus Kit Universal and Motor Focus Kit Zero, eXternal Motor Controller and Dual Motor Focus Controller
Kindly verify the motor coupler’s secure fastening, ensuring all set screws are firmly tightened to prevent any undesired rotation of the motor shaft within the coupler.
This precautionary measure addresses one of the most frequently encountered concerns reported to our support team.
The motor has a typical backlash value of 50 steps.
This value is small if you consider that the motor has a 1:120 reduction gearbox.
The motor backlash is close to or less than 1 degree.
We have designed the L-shaped bracket to easily fit onto most focusers in the market.
The lower part of the redesigned bracket can be replaced with a slimmer rail (included) for better compatibility with Newtonian and other low-profile focusers.
This L-shaped black anodized aluminum bracket is hard to bend, has cut rails, and can be attached to a wide range of focusers.
We never had a problem with any setup out there!
I am afraid that this is not possible. The motor has a powerful reduction rate gearbox. Motor has to be installed on the coarse knob as its resolution is very high. If you install the motor on the 1:10 reduction, the motor movement will become extremely slow.
The motor acts as a brake when it is idle. Forcing the motor to move manually, will probably cause damage to the metallic and delicate internal gears.
You can use our hand controller to focus manually and vibration free. The knob on top of our hand controller gives the feeling of a manual focus. (it is like you turn the knob of your focuser).
Yes, it is fully compatible and works like a charm.
Please watch the installation video below:
You will need the PEG-LENS-KIT which consists of a set of pulleys and a belt.
Then you can use the FocusCube v2 in combination with the Lens Kit to focus the WO Redcat.
Of course! Our focus products are fully compatible with any software that works with ASCOM (including NINA, SGPro, APT, MaximDL, etc).
Ultimate Powerbox v2 has an embedded motor stepper controller which can drive most stepper motors in the astro-market.
We strongly suggest to acquire our high-resolution stepper motor named Motor Focus Kit Universal or Motor Focus Kit Zero (for SCTs) and plug it directly into the motor output of the UPBv2
You can also plug the following motors to the Motor Output of the UPBv2.
Make sure you have the correct cable for your motor. Every manufacturer uses its own pinout.
| Pegasus Motor Focus Kit (v1/v2) | Requires RJ45 to RJ45 common straight network cable |
| Robofocus | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 |
| Moonlite | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 |
| Lakeside | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 |
| Starlight HSM 20,30,35 | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM |
| Starlight MSM 20,30,35 | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM |
| Starlight DirectSync motors | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM |
| Starizona Microtouch | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM |
| Optec DirectSync or Quicksync motors | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM |
| Rigel nStep motor | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM |
| Starlight POSI Drive Motor | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM |
| Lacerta Motor | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-LCRT |
Yes, but you have to plug it into the USB Hub, like any USB device.
Same applies to Powerbox Advance
Please ensure that you must not plug the FocusCube v2 into the Motor Output of UPBv2.
The RJ45 port at the back of FocusCube v2 is only for the hand controller and the temperature sensor!
Below Focus controller:
can drive the following motors types:
Make sure you have the correct cable for your motor. Every manufacturer uses its unique pinout.
| Pegasus Motor Focus Kit (v1/v2) | Requires RJ45 to RJ45 common straight network cable |
| Robofocus | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 |
| Moonlite | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 |
| Lakeside | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 |
| Starlight HSM 20,30,35 | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM |
| Starlight MSM 20,30,35 | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM |
| Starlight DirectSync motors | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM |
| Starizona Microtouch | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM |
| Optec DirectSync or Quicksync motors | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM |
| Rigel nStep motor | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM |
| Starlight POSI Drive Motor | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM |
| Lacerta Motor | Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-LCRT |
Most astro-imagers lock the primary mirror of the Celestron SCT and attach a rack and pinion or Crayford focuser at the back of the SCT. This action disallows primary mirror movement and steady collimated optics when the telescope is slewing from east to west.
If you would like to keep the classic SCT focuser, then you can use the FocusCube Zero.
The embedded stepper motor provides a zero-backlash movement. The motor allows you to quickly move from any focus point to another. As there is no reduction gearbox the speed is suitable to move the primary mirror in or out at very fast rates.
Our SCT Bracket was designed to support Celestron SCT Telescopes. Although, we have seen that it perfectly fits on Meade SCT telescopes that have the round focus knob
