17
THE FOCUSER
Stellarvue focusers are oversized and designed to be accurate,
very smooth, and stable. They can lift far more weight than is
necessary so heavier accessories may be used.
The focuser may be rotated 360 degrees so the user can put the
focuser knobs in the most convenient position. To rotate the
focuser, loosen the rotator lock thumb screw slightly and turn the
rotator. Once it is positioned where you want it, lock the thumb
screw. The white screws around the rotator serve as bearings.
They should all be maintained at the same tension so the rotator
is stiff.
The coarse focus knobs on either side of the focuser move the
drawtube in and out smoothly to attain focus. On one side there
is a separate brass colored fine focus knob. This knob rotates 7 -
10 times with every single rotation of the coarse focus knobs.
This permits extremely minute adjustments necessary to focus
precisely at higher powers.
Adjusting the Focuser:
The lower tension control thumb screw is located under the focuser as shown in the
image above. Use this to adjust tension for your various accessories. Place your heaviest diagonal and eye-
piece (or camera) in the focuser. If there is sideways movement when you focus or if the focuser drawtube
slips, increase the tension by slightly tightening the Lower Tension Control. Do not over-tighten or the focuser
will be harder to focus.
Upper Tension Control:
There is an upper tension control that applies addi-
tional pressure to the drawtube and makes it more stable especially when imag-
ing with a heavy camera. This tension control may be a set screw (as shown) or a
thumb screw. Tighten this screw very slightly if needed to stabilize the drawtube.
Use this adjustment screw only when necessary.
Focus Knobs:
If there is a little play in the focusing
knobs, use the supplied Allen wrench and tighten the
set screw in the knob. This will fix the problem.
If the focus knobs make a noise when they are turned, they may be rubbing on
one another or against the side housing. To eliminate this, loosen the knobs with
the Allen wrench and pull them slightly apart from each other and the side hous-
ing. This will eliminate any rubbing.
Motorizing your focuser:
Optec Inc. has developed some
great motorized focus systems for all Stellarvue focusers. They
offer a motor that can convert the focuser from manual to elec-
tronic with the turn of a lever. They also offer their FocusLynx
controller and fully ASCOM compliant FocusLynx Commander
software that works in conjunction with higher client level soft-
ware such as FocusMax, Maxim D/L as well as CCDSoft and
The Sky X.
Contact us if you have any questions and visit their website at:
www.optecinc.com.
Coarse Focus
Fine Focus
Upper Tension
Control
Lower
Tension Control
