Help! my redcat 51 focuser is super stiff and im not entirely sure why. When turning the focuser it feels like the tension ring is tightened despite it being lose. There is also a part of the focuser that when turned the focuser likes to get stuck at. Any ideas?
Redcat 51 Focuser is stuck!
Sounds like something may be out of place in the focuser assembly. I'd recommend contacting William Optics and your retailer about it.
I recently had mine serviced for an issue with the rotator. Was $150 for service and shipping both ways. I bought from AgenaAstro in Dec 2019. The folks there helped me by reaching out to their contact at William Optics. Seems like WO has good service, but they don't elaborate on details of the work needed or work done.
My scope was out for service for 2mo. I got it back in April.
Good luck!
Nikko
I recently had mine serviced for an issue with the rotator. Was $150 for service and shipping both ways. I bought from AgenaAstro in Dec 2019. The folks there helped me by reaching out to their contact at William Optics. Seems like WO has good service, but they don't elaborate on details of the work needed or work done.
My scope was out for service for 2mo. I got it back in April.
Good luck!
Nikko
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I had a similar issue with my Redcat, I thought the focus was stuck and so I wrenched it and it fell to pieces. Turns out its glued together. Mine was under warranty and they repaired it free of charge. I was very happy with their service. I worked through OPT as I bought it from them.
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I had the same issue, but found that it was temperature and/or humidity related: it moves freely in the Winter, but not in the Summer. There's a white gasket between the barrel and the focuser that appears to expand and contract at a different rate than the rest of the assembly. If yours is out of warranty (as mine is), try changing the temperature and/or humidity to see if this addresses the issue. Doing so gets me a few days of free movement of the focuser, but since I don't change focus all that much (as it never gets fully stuck and slight movement is enough for autofocus), I've just been living with it.
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I had the same issue as well but I think I have solved it. I removed the plastic lock ring from the helix focuser. Even with the fastener lose I think it was "falling" into place when the scope was pointed higher in the sky. This was causing issues with my focus motor making it difficult to turn. Now that I have removed it my autofocus has been flawless for the past few nights. During my test it as been over 90° F (~33° C) when starting my imaging session so the scope expansion would be high. It is easy to put back when I want to lock the focuser again.
I thought I would put this here in case somebody in the future comes looking for a solution like I did.
I thought I would put this here in case somebody in the future comes looking for a solution like I did.
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I sent mine back for a check and repair with William Optics (WO). It was a quick turnaround and the WO team found, replaced and fixed the issue. The Redcat was returned with a silky smooth focuser and it's been that way since.
If you your OTA is currently under warranty, send it back. If not, WO will still care for the product and service it.
Best to check with your local distributor and arrange for them to ship it to WO.
Cheers,
Rowan
If you your OTA is currently under warranty, send it back. If not, WO will still care for the product and service it.
Best to check with your local distributor and arrange for them to ship it to WO.
Cheers,
Rowan
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Gem28 stops tracking with ASIAIR
Hello, I recently acquired a GEM28 and have been using it some nights. I use it with a WO Redcat 51 and ASI533MC-PRO with the ASI120mm and miniguide scope. I Polar align it, frame, focus, guide and start an autorun session. My problem is that after a...
Discusses WO Redcat 51 setup; may contain relevant focuser troubleshooting information.