Re: [ATM] Focuser speed reducer

[Alexis Cousein <al@sgi.com>]

Michael Lindner wrote:
> I've seen lots of great focuser plans out there, but I've never seen 
> plans or even a commercial source for a speed reducer like the ones used 
> on feathertouch and moonlite focusers to get dual speed focusing. 
> Anybody have plans or a source for such a beast?
> 
> Thanks, and clear skies!

I bought my Vernier reducer from Conrad:

http://www.conrad.be/goto/?product=712175

I did put an extra knob that is slightly wider on the reduced axis. All
you then need is a ring with two small holes to hold the pins of the
knob that shouldn't budge (I've glued them in) and a bracket to affix
it to anything that's a stable reference point (the UTA, some screws
on the focuser, the locking bolt if you aren't using it, etc.).

You usually also need a small axis and some converters if your current
axis on which the normal knobs are fastened isn't the correct
diameter, but that's usually easy to do (I had to convert from 4mm
to 6mm using a collar and a small PVC section of 6mm axis).

It's 6:1, so there's still a chance that it'll work - many 10:1 reducers 
don't work when a Crayford focuser's tensioning is set to hold even 
heavy eyepieces.

The manufacturer is Mentor components, so you'll probably be able to
source it from a US source. Here's Mentor's US importer:

USA
Elma Electronic Inc.
44350 Grimmer Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538 USA
Tel.: +1 / 510 656 - 5829
Fax: +1 / 510 656 - 8008
Internet: www.elma.com
E-Mail: sales@elma.com


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