Hello!
Curious if anyone can assist here. I have an EdgeHD 8 using a ZWO EAF. Been using it fine for well over 2 years now and everything has been fine until recently.
It can’t seem to find focus anymore using Nina/Hocus Focus. What happens is the focus point will seemingly be about 36000 however if I run autofocus a second time it shifts to 36700. Sometimes I can’t even get a correct curve (Starting in focus). This reads to me like the mirror may be getting stuck when moving in or out?
I have verified the EAF is functioning correctly. I can see it moving the focuser, and ensure all connections are tight
Mirror locks are not tightened to allow use of the EAF
Removing the EAF and turning the brass focuser knob seemed to be “ok” however it did seem slightly more stiff in one direction (Likely because the scope was pointed up and I was pushing against gravity in one direction?)
I will often get a failure during autofocus even if I have a good curve in that the HFR is worse than previous. This is seemingly because if it moves past the found focus point…getting back to that focus point seems to have “moved”
Backlash comp is set to OUT only at 150 steps. I have been using 150 for a step size as well.
I am imaging in cold Canadian winter sometimes down to -20C however the problem persists when the temps are closer to -5 to -10C as well. I have a dew heater wrapped around my EAF even though it seems to be running fine.
Any ideas there or things I could try? I’ve seen potentially lubricating the internals, but I’d rather avoid taking the scope apart if possible.
