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ZWO EAF stops

ZWO EAF Focuser Troubleshooting
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N Foldager avatar
N Foldager avatar
I use my ZWO EAF exclusively with the hand control.
During several sessions I have experienced that the EAF  suddenly stops. The draw tube is neither fully in nor fully out. Further presses on the controller just produce a beep.

I have had it for examination at Astroshop. They say there is nothing wrong. However, the problem is intermittent.

Is there some calibration that I should do even if I plan to only use the hand control?
If "yes": what software can I use for that purpose?

Any advice is gratefully received.

Best regards,
Niels
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Eddie Bagwell avatar
Eddie Bagwell avatar
My guess would be that the EAF has reached the ZERO setting and does not go any further unless you reset ZERO or REVERSE direction in settings. I use SharpCap and go into the EAF settings to make these changes.

I would pull the focuser all the way in and reset the EAF to zero and go from there.
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N Foldager avatar
N Foldager avatar
Eddie Bagwell:
My guess would be that the EAF has reached the ZERO setting and does not go any further unless you reset ZERO or REVERSE direction in settings. I use SharpCap and go into the EAF settings to make these changes.

I would pull the focuser all the way in and reset the EAF to zero and go from there.

Thank you for your kind reply.

Does the EAF have a memory so that the calibration is stored in it?  As I wrote, I only use EAF with the hand control.

Best regards,
Niels
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Tony Gondola avatar
Tony Gondola avatar
No, calibration is stored in the software you use to control the EAF. I don't believe to get that when using the hand controller. You have to remember that while the EAF can be used manually it's not really what it was designed to do which is highly accurate and repeatable positioning via software. If you are using one for visual use (I assume you are) you could just use a cheap and cheerful DC motor and DIY push button handbox.
Helpful Concise
Tony Carro avatar
Tony Carro avatar
I had the same thing happen with Zwo focuser with the beeping then it stops doesn’t move.  Known issue.  Got to the point of returning it.  Then was trying firmware update.   Not successful with update.  Powered it on and it works great with the hand controller which it wasn’t before.  The software that controls it you need to make sure your focus starts at 1 and not 0.  Focuser works now so didn’t send it back.
David Russell avatar
David Russell avatar
I believe the ZWO EAF has a fixed mechanical STOP like most gear driven devices.

when the gear gets to the end, it has to stop, and that is why it beeps.

when it reaches the end stop you should be able to reverse the direction OK.

with mine what I did was to run to the midd point, and then attach it to the focuser, which was already in the correct position. 

then the EAF has a zillion miles of travel available in both directions. in and out.

Good Luck.
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apennine104 avatar
apennine104 avatar
Hi, if it is a double beep, it’s usually due to sensing resistance over what it is capable of overcoming. I had this, and I removed and re-installed the focuser ensuring everything was square and there was no constrained stress in the system.
Concise
Mark Swierzewski avatar
Mark Swierzewski avatar
N Foldager:
I use my ZWO EAF exclusively with the hand control.
During several sessions I have experienced that the EAF  suddenly stops. The draw tube is neither fully in nor fully out. Further presses on the controller just produce a beep.

I have had it for examination at Astroshop. They say there is nothing wrong. However, the problem is intermittent.

Is there some calibration that I should do even if I plan to only use the hand control?
If "yes": what software can I use for that purpose?

Any advice is gratefully received.

Best regards,
Niels

Miguel T. avatar
Miguel T. avatar
Tell us the temperature at which you're operating.

At -15C, the tube was too stiff and mine did that as well, until a firmware update where they relaxed the detection threshold a little bit.
The older 12V version didn't have this issue.
Helpful Concise
N Foldager avatar
N Foldager avatar
Many thanks to all of you for kind suggestions. I will check out them all.


@ David Russel:
> with mine what I did was to run to the midd point, and then attach it
> to the focuser, which was already in the correct position.

How do you determine that the EAF is at its midpoint?


@appenine104:
>  if it is a double beep, it’s usually due to sensing resistance over what it is capable of overcoming.

Hmm. That shouldn't be the case, but I can't be sure. I will pay more attention to this possibility. Maybe connect a counterweight.


@ Miguel T:
> Tell us the temperature at which you're operating.

Last time the temperature was around -10 C. However, the first times I had the problem it was well above freezing.

> … and mine did that as well, until a firmware update where they relaxed the detection threshold a little bit.

Interesting. Do you know for sure, that they relaxed the threshold?

I will in any case try a firmware update.


Best regards
and a Merry Christmas to you all!

Niels
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patrice_so avatar
patrice_so avatar
I had that a couple of weeks ago. The EAF is stuck and keeps beeping.

You most likely need to reset the step read value. Cuiv has a video on that and this fixed the problem for me. 

https://youtu.be/Dzx892rxqiY?si=aJDOWvj20WNKrIjF

clear skies

patrice
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N Foldager avatar
N Foldager avatar
patrice_so:
I had that a couple of weeks ago. The EAF is stuck and keeps beeping.

You most likely need to reset the step read value. Cuiv has a video on that and this fixed the problem for me. 

https://youtu.be/Dzx892rxqiY?si=aJDOWvj20WNKrIjF

clear skies

patrice

Thank you very much, Patrice. I appreciate it.
Interesting video. Do you think this is the solution when I have the issue only while using the controller, not any software?

Best regards,
Niels
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Miguel T. avatar
Miguel T. avatar
N Foldager:
Interesting. Do you know for sure, that they relaxed the threshold?


Nowhere it is mentioned in a patch note. Recommendation from others having the same problem in extreme cold temperature was to update the firmware. I wasn't on the latest version so I did and since then I could operate the EAF in temperatures that would otherwise leave the EAF stuck beeping. Only assumption I can make is that the EAF was strong enough, just that it thought it was stuck.

If you had the issue above freezing temperature this is another story, or maybe not... Maybe your tube is as hard to move in normal temperature as mine at -15ºC, stuck cable that you didn't see or whatever.
patrice_so avatar
patrice_so avatar

 
Miguel T.:
N Foldager:
Interesting. Do you know for sure, that they relaxed the threshold?


Nowhere it is mentioned in a patch note. Recommendation from others having the same problem in extreme cold temperature was to update the firmware. I wasn't on the latest version so I did and since then I could operate the EAF in temperatures that would otherwise leave the EAF stuck beeping. Only assumption I can make is that the EAF was strong enough, just that it thought it was stuck.

If you had the issue above freezing temperature this is another story, or maybe not... Maybe your tube is as hard to move in normal temperature as mine at -15ºC, stuck cable that you didn't see or whatever.

Well, I must confess that I overlooked that aspect when I wrote my message. 

I do think that the EAF might counting the steps even if you use the remote. If this is correct, you may try to connect it to use Cuiv's method. But it is also possible that your problem is completely different. 

CS

Patrice