Lacerta FMC User manual

LACERTA FMC
User Manual
v1.1.xx
Thank you very much for choosing our product!
The LACERTA FMC is an ASCOM compatible focusmotor controller for the MFOC
motor with position and temperature feedback. It is an alternative to the standalone
Handbox with display and buttons. Precision is 1 m and lifting power 5kg.
Key features of the full package:
- completely encapsuled gear and powerful stepper motor driving and holding >5kg
- temperature probe (approx. 180cm)
- max. positions definable (min = 0)
- backlash compensation
- Goto function (filter offset positions via Ascom compatible software)
- 250000 steps, reproducibility 0,001mm (if focuser allows for)
- ASCOM driver compatible to most software (FocusMax, MaximDL, APT, ...)
- free download of new firmware
- manual focussing possible
LACERTA FMC 12022

he content of the package (may vary if you buy part of it):
- LACERTA FMC controller
- capsuled Motor unit
- inlay spacer rings to mount the coupling on 4, 6, 8 and 9.5mm worms
- Temperature probe 1,8m
- USB cable, 1,9m (for PC connection)
- RJ45 cable 2m (for motor unit connection)
- DC power cable 3m with cigarette lighter plug.
Please visit Lacerta FMC website to check for drivers and additional information,
firmware updates (free), or links to user discussions. Download the latest firmware
files from the Support Tab (and check the readme file there):
https://lacerta-optics.com/FMC
Connection details:
Connections on the hand controller:
12V DC socket(5,5/2,1mm center positive) _ Power Led_Serial Led _ USB-B mini and RJ45 to motor unit
Connections on the motor unit:
Left side:
2,5mm stereo socket (from MGEN's camera port, in the absence of a compatible program, FMC does
not handle it.)
3,5mm stereo socket (to DSLR, in the absence of a compatible program, FMC does not handle it.)
Right side:
RJ45 (from handbox)
3,5mm stereo socket (temperature probe)
LACERTA FMC 22022

Connection to the focuser:
The Lacerta FMC is compatible to a growing number of focusers. For some focusers
you will need an extra adapter ring (please refer to the MFOC website or ask), but it
will fit all Lacerta and Skywatcher focusers (except the older simple R&P found on
Achromates).
Using one of the 3 provided Inlays and the proper hex screws the MFOC coupler fits
worms of different diameters:
- smallest Inlay - for 4mm worm
- medium Inlay - for 6mm worm
- large Inlay - for 8mm worm (Takahashi)
- without Inlay - for 9.5mm worm (Feathertouch)
Slip the spacer Inlay over the worm and align the holes with the threads in the
coupler, so the screws are able to contact the worm directrly. Using the proper length
hex screws (2 pcs, 180° positions) fix the coupler to the worm, but at first not tightly.
Move the focuser worm manually to let the coupler align with the worm, when done
only then fix the coupler to the worm tightly, and the motor to the worm housing.
echnical data:
Size: 79x117x24mm (120gr)
Main power: 12V DC (9-15V)
Plug size: 5.5/2.1mm,
center positive polarity (with polarity
protection).
Fuse: built-in regenerating fuse
LACERTA FMC 32022

Stepper motor: 200 step/revolution, 2 phase bipolar,
800mA / coil max. current.
Motor connection: RJ45-8p8c, pinout:
1 = Temperature signal
2 = Motor coil A-Plus
3 = Exposure signal
4 = Motor coil A-Minus
5 = +5V
6 = Motor coil B-Plus
7 = GND
8 = Motor coil B-Minus
Only use with 1:1 UTP cable. NEVER
use reverse U P (cross-link) cable!
PC connection: USB-B mini
Temperature Probe 180cm long with hole to be screwed
somewhere, 3,5mm stereo jack
version 1.1.08:
- first version
Installation
For comprehensive use of device, it’s necessary to install the USB driver and PC
applications first. You can see below the installation steps on a Windows 7/64 bit
system
Installing the F DI USB driver:
Connect LACERTA FMC to PC and your power supply using accessory cables.
Turn on the device. The Operating System recognizes the device and it’s looking for
a suitable driver. If it does not find the driver automatically, the screenshots below
help you to successful install the driver after opening the Device Manager. The FTDI
USB driver is found either in the firmware zip file at the USB_driver folder, or you can
download the newest version from the FTDI website:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/D2XX.htm
(a setup executable is provided in the column at right, and you find more installation
advices there, if needed)
LACERTA FMC 42022

LACERTA FMC 2022

LACERTA FMC 62022

LACERTA FMC 72022

Installing the ASCOM driver:
LACERTA FMC 82022

The required setup.exe is found in the firmware file at x86 (32bit OS) or x64 (64bit
OS) subfolder of ASCOM_driver folder. ASCOM 6.4 platform at least is needed! If
it’s not installed, you can download it from
http://ascom-standards.org/index.htm
If an older Ascom driver was already installed, it must be deleted first. After the
deletion is complete, run the Ascom Profile Explorer. If Motorfocus is visible in the list
that appears, right-click on it and delete it using the delete key:
Only then start the installation:
LACERTA FMC 92022

LACERTA FMC 10 2022