Optec Model TCF-Si, 2" Integrated Temperature Compensating Focuser
Starting Price: $725.00
Price as Configured: $725.00
Price as Configured: $725.00
Brand: Optec / SKU: OP-17668
Complete 2” TCF-Si focuser with integrated control circuit
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omplete 2” TCF-Si focuser with integrated control circuit
Mechanically, the TCF-S is a robust Crayford style motorized focuser with high repeatability, no play and nearly zero backlash of only 0.0013 inch. Optec's implementation is ideal for applications which require exact focus such as CCD imaging or film astrophotography. A geared stepper motor rotates the drive shaft with one step rotation of the motor equal to a 0.000086 inch movement of the drawtube. The unit adds 3.5 inches to the telescope's back-focus as measured from the front to the end of the drawtube when at the mid-focus position. The total travel of the drawtube is 0.6 inches or 7000 steps. A pair of pushbuttons control the direction of focus and the DRO (digital read-out) displays the current position. The TCF-S focuser can easily handle cameras and instrument packages weighing up to 10 pounds. The TCF-S can be used by itself or with a PC for automatic focus with some of the popular camera control software.
- Heavy-duty Crayford style 2" focuser
- Compensates for focal shift due to temperature
- Supports instruments up to 10 pounds
- Easy to use control box
- Use with or without a PC
- 4-digit readout for position
- Simple Learn procedure for determing TC
- Shut-off procedure remembers last position
- Compatible with major camera control software for autofocus
- Free control/interface program
Unique to the TCF-S focuser, an electronic controller system monitors the telescope's tube temperature and compensates the focus accordingly. A small temperature probe is attached to the side of the telescope tube and monitors temperature with a resolution of 0.1° C. For a typical Schmidt-Cassegrain of 8 to 11 inches aperture and f/10 focal ratio, the back-focus will move approximately 0.010 inches for every 1° C change in temperature. It is not unusual during an observing session for the ambient temperature to change by as much as 10° C within the time span of a few hours. This change in focus due to temperature is a serious problem for most telescope designs and requires frequent re-focusing during long exposures. A typical RGB exposure sequence can last one hour or more making it imperative that the focus be checked and corrected after each filter change.
A simple setup procedure is used to find the temperature coefficients specific to the user's telescope system. The TCF-S system allows for two different coefficients (corresponding to two different f-ratio configurations) to be calculated and stored in the EEPROM memory. Once learned, either coefficient can be selected with a simple slide switch. A manual mode allows the user to set the focus manually at any time.
The digital nature of the TCF-S allows opportunities for truly intelligent focusing. With the TCF-S focuser, programmers can communicate directly with the focuser's controller (located in the hand control) via any serial port. The simple ASCII protocol is easily programmed and has been implemented in many popular imaging and camera control software packages. For example, CCDSoft Version 5 offers the @Focus routine which communicates with the TCF-S via a serial port to provide truly automatic focus control. MaxIm DL/CCD version 3 and above provides remote and automatic focus control with the TCF-S focuser.
At the end of an observing session, the TCF-S focuser remembers the last temperature and position. When the unit is turned back on for a new session, the TCF-S computes a new position using the current tube temperature and moves to that position. Assuming no changes to the optical configuration, the object will snap into sharp focus. It is possible to observe many days without the need to focus again.
The TCF-S comes with its own PC control program for Windows. The source code for the program is available in the TCF-S folder after the install program is run. Users are encouraged to write their operating program using the TCF-S.bas routines as examples. You can download the setup program for TCF-S_Control by going to our Software Download page. The navigation button is on the left.
