Hello
I have not really had any major issues with Focusmax, but of late, I have had a number of focus runs complete in something like 950 seconds; and its happening a lot.

On inspection of the logs, I can see that there are multiple, multiple instances of Focusmax reporting 'star is too close to the edge, or too weak'

My system is FSQ106, STL11K, and I use a 300 pixel focus window. My focusser is a Robofocus. I also notice that when focusmax is moving to the start and focus HFDs, that the star is kicked off right to the edge of the focus box. This would almost suggest mirror flop, but its a refractor.

I suspect that doubling the width of the focus box might help, but is there something else I can be looking at?
thanks
Martin

Hi Martin,

A couple of thoughts/things to try...

If the focus star does indeed move to the edge, there is a simple test you can make. Set up on a reasonably bright star to take continuous, short exposures. sub-framing will increase the effective image rate. Then, using RoboFocus, move the focuser in and out by a significant degree and confirm the star stays centered in the image - it should. If it doesn't, there may be some play in your focuser. This is highly unlikely with an FSQ but it is worth checking.

If the star is staying centered but seems dim, you may need to choose brighter stars for focusing.

Thanks John

Martin

Hi John. Hmmm...might need to check that drawtube as the lateral shift occurs when manually adjusting the robofocus...whether I chose an inward or outward focus direction.

What would overcome it as well, is if I could adjust the focus window dimensions. It is just too small. There does not seem to be a parameter in Focusmax to adjust that.

cheers
Martin