Optec FocusLynx TEC User manual

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 1 of 10
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation
Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing the QuickSync TEC Motor
Assembly to your TEC Focuser.
The QuickSync motor assembly fits directly in place of the coarse and fine focus knobs on the right side
of the native TEC Large Focusers.
The gold knob on the QuickSync will
attach to the smaller diameter shaft
of the pinion assembly and allow
fine manual focus when the motor is
disengaged. Coarse manual focus
can be accomplished by disengaging
the motor and adjusting the black
focus knob on the opposite side of
the focuser.
TEC Focuser Model
The native TEC Large Focuser is
supplied with new APO140 and
larger telescopes manufactured by
Telescope Engineering Company.
See www.telescopeengineering.com for the latest telescope models supplied with the TEC Large
Focuser.
Based upon the QuickSync FT40 design for the
FeatherTouch focusers, the installation procedure for the
QuickSync TEC is similar with a few changes.
Installation Video
For an overview of the installation process, review the
installation video for the QuickSync FT40 online
http://video.optecinc.com/view?q=512947ba48723.flv.

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 2 of 10
While this video discusses the QuickSync FT40 rather than the QuickSync TEC, the installation
procedures are very similar. The QuickSync TEC kit includes Contact Optec Support if you
have any questions or concerns when installing the QuickSync TEC.
Package Contents
Confirm the contents of your FocusLynx QuickSync TEC package. The package should contain the
following:
QuickSync TEC motor assembly
Cat-5e or Cat-6 Ethernet cable
Tool kit including long 1/16” and 7/64” Allen hex keys
Brass threaded expansion ring and spanner tool
If you’ve purchased the QuickSync TEC as part
of a FocusLynx package you will also have the
following items:
FocusLynx control hub
12VDC power supply with cord
USB/Serial cable
Cat-5e or Cat-6 Ethernet cable
Software CD

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 3 of 10
Installation Procedure: Step-by-Step
Step 1
Loosen the tensioning lock screw on the gold
fine focus knob by turning it counterclockwise.
Next, while holding the coarse black knob, grasp
the gold fine focus knob and unscrew it counter-
clockwise completely until it is removed from
the fine focus threaded shaft.
Step 2
Locate the felt washer (shown at right) and
carefully remove it. This will expose three
cross-tip screws that will need to be removed to
allow removal of the black coarse knob.

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 4 of 10
Step 3
Next, note the black anodized surface covering the
inner stainless “bell housing”. The bell housing
acts as the outer race of the reduction assembly
ball bearings. The outer black surface will serve as
our clamp base.
First, however, you must install the brass threaded
expansion collar. Carefully thread the expansion
collar onto the fine focus shaft. This is a fine pitch
thread so use extreme caution not to cross-thread
the expansion collar. It must fully seat against the
end of the fine focus shaft. Grasp the coarse
focus knob on the left side of the focuser and
tighten the brass expansion collar using the
included spanner tool.
Step 4
With the brass expansion collar in place, slide
the QuickSync TEC motor assembly onto the
pinion assembly. Use care to locate the gold
focus knob onto the expansion collar. Loosen
the setscrew in the gold knob if
needed.
The fit should be snug. Use a
gentle back and forth motion to
slide the motor assembly on the
shaft and then locate the clamp
onto the black anodized bell
housing.

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 5 of 10
Step 5
Rotate the motor assembly so that the knob will be easily accessible for your thumb during operation.
Ensure the clamp is pushed firmly onto the stainless housing before tightening. Use the 7/64” hex key
to tighten the clamp onto the stainless shaft.
Ensure the knob can move freely.

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 6 of 10
Step 6
With the gold knob still loose, disengage the motor by rolling the motor cap down about 30 to 40-
degrees (about 1/8th of a turn). The clamp
should hold the motor assembly in place.
Now rotate the original black knob on the
opposite side of the focuser, ensuring the
gold knob is centered and does not rub
against the housing.
Step 7
Use the long 1/16” hex key to tighten the
setscrew inside the gold knob against the brass
expansion collar. Rotate the black knob to
confirm the gold knob moves freely.
When satisfied with the feel, tighten the setscrew in the gold knob securely. It is important to tighten
firmly so that the brass expansion collar does not unscrew during typical usage. You should take care to
center the knob as best as possible once the motor housing is clamped in place.

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 7 of 10
Step 8
Roll the motor cover up to engage the motor
assembly. Ensure the internal gear engagement
is tight for best performance.
Step 9
Connect the Cat-5e Ethernet cable into the RJ45
socket on the end of the motor housing and
connect the other end to the FocusLynx control hub using either the Focuser 1 or Focuser 2 port.
Your QuickSync TEC should now be ready to connect to a PC. Refer to the next section for software
setup.

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 8 of 10
FocusLynx Software Setup
Your QuickSync TEC motor is now installed. Consult the FocusLynx Quick Start Guide to install the
FocusLynx Commander software. Once installed, you will need to configure the FocusLynx Commander
for your new QuickSync TEC motor. Configuration within FocusLynx Commander will also configure the
ASCOM driver so that the same settings will apply when using auto-focusing software such as Maxim D/L
or FocusMax.
FocusLynx Commander Focuser Type selection
Select the FocusLynx FT Hi-Speed Focuser Type option first. If you find the pinion assembly is slipping
try the FocusLynx Hi-Torque setting. With stepper motors, speed and torque typically work inversely.
That is, higher speeds will usually result in lower torque. If you find your pinion assembly continually
slips contact Optec support ([e-mail]).
If the motor begins to stall you may hear a buzzing or chattering sound. First, try the FocusLynx FT Hi-
Torque selection. In cases where there is exceptional friction in the pinion assembly you may need to
loosen the internal tensioning nut slightly. Alternatively, you may try selecting the FeatherTouch Motor
Hi-Torque setting which operates the stepper motor at an even slower rate. This setting is designed for
the unipolar motors in the original Micro-Touch and Feather Touch Motor assemblies shown below, but
will also work well with the bi-polar motor used in the QuickSync TEC assembly. Contact Optec support
([email protected]om) if your focus motor cannot be adjusted without slippage or stalling.
Sync the QuickSync position
With FocusLynx Commander running and connected to the QuickSync motor, manually set the focuser
near the center of travel. Re-engage the motor and enter 32,767 in the box next to the Sync button.
Press Sync and wait a few seconds. Test the In and Out movements to ensure proper operation.
NOTE: For some very long travel focusers like the TEC Large Focuser, Feathertouch FTF3545 and all the
FTM Micro Pinion Retro-Fits, you may need to manually re-focus and Sync again to utilize the full focuser
travel range. Each step corresponds to approximately 1 micron for the TEC and FTF focusers (much less
with the FTM) so the 16-bit resolution of FocusLynx will allow up to about 65mm of travel. In nearly all
cases, you will find that you will only need a few hundred steps to maintain focus once it has been
achieved.

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 9 of 10
FocusLynx QuickSync motor with Feather Touch
FTM Micro Pinion Retro-fit on a Celestron C11 HD.
Backward Compatibility for MicroTouch©
What if you already own a MicroTouch motor housing and want to continue using it? For owners of
existing MicroTouch motors, Optec offers a special
low cost cable option to control the unipolar
motor of the original Starlight Instruments
MicroTouch. While you won’t enjoy the higher
resolution, higher torque, and QuickSync
convenience the FocusLynx FT offers, the
FocusLynx controller can drive the MicroTouch
unipolar motor quite well with no other loss of
performance.
A simple MicroTouch motor control cable can be
made from any Ethernet Cat5 cable. Optec offers
complete packages which include the FocusLynx hub and this motor cable, or a full temperature probe
kit to allow temperature compensation with the FocusLynx controller and MicroTouch motor.

FocusLynx TEC with QuickSync
199 Smith Street · Lowell, Michigan 49331 · U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone] · Fax: [phone] · Toll Free: 888-488-0381
[email protected]m · http://www.optecinc.com · www.optec.us
FocusLynx QuickSync TEC Installation Instructions - Revision 1
Page 10 of 10
FocusLynx FT QuickSync shown with FeatherTouch Focusers