Instructions on ASCOM Focus Control (electronic focuser)

[NightBikes]

Hi, it looks like with the premium edition you can incorporate an electronic focuser via ASCOM.  Does BackyardNIKON automatically check focus periodically or how does this work? Could you link me to any instructions on how to set this up?  Thank you!

[astroman133]

BYE does not "check focus periodically". It does allow you to adjust the focuser position, as you see fit, without touching the mount, telescope, or camera. It works with any focuser with an ASCOM driver, and the ASCOM Platform, installed.

You choose the driver to use by clicking on the "star" button to select "focuser" instead of other devices. Then you click on the "gear" button to select and configure the driver. Once that is done you click the "checkmark" button to connect BYE to the focuser. Once you are connected, the chevron buttons are used to move the focuser in and out.

When on the Frame and Focus panel, BYE shows the measured diameter of a star in the center of the zoom box. If you adjust the focuser while viewing a LiveView image of the star, you can see the size of the star change in near real time. Keep making changes to minimize the star's FWHM or HFD. Once satisfied you can return to imaging.

The downside to the current implementation is that you must cancel a capture plan to switch from Imaging to F&F. Then after focusing you need to return to Imaging and restart the capture plan.

When finished you just disconnect the focuser and the camera and shut BYE down.

I hope this helps.

 

 

[NightBikes]

Thank you, this is very helpful!

[admin]

I just added this to this how-to forum

Thanks astroman133!