8 replies to this topic

[hickoxn]

Does anyone know if the Meade #1209 Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser handbox is electrically the same as #1244 handbox?

 

Physically they look the same. I'm pretty sure the #1209 handbox used an audio type connector, while the #1244 handbox uses a telco connector. But if I built an adapter cable, would it work? Would the #1244 handbox sold on an ETX-90 focuser (07077) be able to control the 07079 microfocuser used on the LX200?

[OzAndrewJ]

Gday hickoxn

Does anyone know if the Meade #1209 Zero Image-Shift Microfocuser handbox is electrically the same as #1244 handbox?

Nope

The 1244 "focusser" was designed to sit on the Aux Bus of the 497 type controllers

ie it has an embedded controller that talks in Meades Aux bus protocol.

As such, you plug the 1244 into the Aux port on the mount, or into the 1244 "controller"

and they send a specific command to the focusser unit, and it then moves as requested.

 

The Meade 1209 is a bog std DC motor, that just gets PWM from the main CPU

( via  HBridge motor control ) so anything that supplies normal voltage can drive it.

 

as such, the 1244 controller wont work with the 1209,

but any simple DC motor controller would work

 

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia

[hickoxn]

Thanks Andrew for the response. You confirmed what I suspected. I have used a handbox from a JMI NGF-S and it seemed to work for the 1209. Not sure what voltage it outputs, but do you know what voltage the 1209 is supposed to use? 12v?

[OzAndrewJ]

gday hickoxn

The 1209 is a std DC motor and gets fed the raw voltage that the scope supply is sending.

For speed control, the CPU uses PWM on the 12V supply.

ie it can use anything you want up between 0 and 14V,

even a simple switched resistor feed, or an inline potentiometer will do

( just work out the max current draw and use a suitably rated part )

The motor will then go at whatever speed you set it to.

Just reverse the voltage to change direction

I dont know specifically what the NGF-S does, ( as they mention 9V OR 2xAA batteries ),

but with direction by button and speed by potentiometer it sounds like it should work OK,

just it wont go at the max speed possible for a 1209 )

 

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia

[dcaponeii]

Andrew. - I just bought a Meade Microfocuser and it didn't even come with a handbox.  It that a separate part number.  It works great on the LX600 focus jack but if it's the same handbox that would work for the JMI NGF-S then I want one.  Don't want to hassle Meade unless it's supposed to be in the kit.

 

Thanks for any info you might have.

[OzAndrewJ]

Gday Don

AFAIK the 1209 never came with a handbox as it was always designed

to be powered via the panel ( so the normal handset or serial commands can drive it )

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia

[dcaponeii]

Gday Don

AFAIK the 1209 never came with a handbox as it was always designed

to be powered via the panel ( so the normal handset or serial commands can drive it )

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia

It works great running of the panel too.  Much better response than my NGF-S ever did.  It was always a bit too much voltage for the NGF-S.  Fine speed on the Meade is perfect.
 

[hickoxn]

Gday Don

AFAIK the 1209 never came with a handbox as it was always designed

to be powered via the panel ( so the normal handset or serial commands can drive it )

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia

I've seen multiple pictures of the #1209 handbox online like this one from https://www.worthpoi...ctric-307393054

 

 

But from what I read, Meade stopped including it at some point.

[OzAndrewJ]

Gday hickoxn

Well today i learned something new

I have never seen or heard of a Meade supplied hand controller for the 1209

 

Andrew Johansen Melbourne Australia