Optec QuickSync FT20 User manual

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 1 of 10
FocusLynx FT QuickSync Installation
Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing the QuickSync FT Motor
Assembly to your FeatherTouch Focuser.
The QuickSync motor assembly fits directly in place of the coarse and fine focus knobs on the right side
of the FeatherTouch manual
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 usually be
accomplished by disengaging the
motor and adjusting the black focus
knob on the opposite side of the
focuser.
FocusLynx FT Model
Be sure you have the correct size
QuickSync Ft motor assembly for
your focuser. Review the table
below if there is any doubt as to which model FeatherTouch or QuickSync motor assembly you possess.
FeatherTouch Model
Nominal Drawtube Size
Housing / Shaft Dia.
FocusLynx FT Model
FTF20xx series
2-inch
1.000”/ 0.109” (7/64”)
QuickSync FT20
FTF25xx series
2.5-inch
1.330” / 0.156” (5/32”)
QuickSync FT30
FTF27xx series
2.7-inch
1.330” / 0.156” (5/32”)
QuickSync FT30
FTF30xx series
3-inch
1.330” / 0.156” (5/32”)
QuickSync FT30
FTF35xx series
3.5-inch
1.460” / 0.156” (5/32”)
QuickSync FT40
AP series scopes
4.0-inch
1.460” / 0.156” (5/32”)
QuickSync FT40
FTM-xxx series
n/a –Feather Touch
Micro replacement for
SCT standard focuser.
1.000” / 0.109” (7/64”)
QuickSync FT20
MPA-xxx
Micro Pinion Assembly
varies
Contact Optec

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 2 of 10
Installation Video
Review the installation video for the QuickSync FT40 online
http://video.optecinc.com/view?q=512947ba48723.flv.
Package Contents
Confirm the contents of your FocusLynx QuickSync FT
package. The package should contain the following:
QuickSync FT motor assembly
Cat-5e Ethernet cable
Tool kit including 1/16” and 7/64” Allen hex keys
If you’ve purchased the QuickSync FT as part
of a FocusLynx package you will also have the
following items:
FocusLynx control hub
12VDC power supply with cord
USB/Serial cable
Software CD

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 3 of 10
Installation Procedure: Step-by-Step
Step 1
Remove the gold fine focus knob using the
1/16” hex key.
Step 2
Remove the larger black focus knob using the
1/16” hex key.

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 4 of 10
Step 3
Slide the QuickSync FT motor assembly onto the pinion assembly. Use care to locate the gold focus
knob onto the small shaft. Loosen the setscrew in
the gold knob if needed. The fit will likely be snug.
Use a gentle back and forth motion to slide the
motor assembly on the shaft and then locate the
clamp onto the stainless housing.

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 5 of 10
Step 4
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 FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 6 of 10
Step 5
(NOTE: This step applies only to the FTF and MPA type focusers.)
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 6
Use the 1/16” hex key to tighten the setscrew
holding the gold knob against the small shaft.
Rotate the black knob to confirm the gold knob
moves freely. Test the fine focus gold knob.

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 7 of 10
Step 7
Roll the motor cover up to engage the motor assembly. Ensure the engagement is tight for best
performance.
Step 8
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.
FocusLynx Software Setup
Your QuickSync FT 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 FT motor. Configuration in FocusLynx Commander will also configure the
ASCOM driver.
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]). You may need to slightly tighten the internal
tension nut inside the pinion assembly.

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 8 of 10
If f 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 similar to the
unipolar motor settings for 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 FT assembly. Contact Optec
support ([e-mail]) if your focus motor cannot be adjusted without slippage or stalling.
Sync the Zero position
With FocusLynx Commander running and connected to the QuickSync motor, manually set the focuser
to the beginning of travel (all the way IN). Re-engage the motor and enter “0”in the box next to the
Sync button. Press Sync and wait a few seconds. Test the OUT and IN buttons to ensure proper
operation. If the focuser moves in the wrong direction you will need to check the Reverse box in setup.
NOTE: Effective with version 2.0 of FocusLynx Commander software and firmware, long travel focusers
like the FTF3545 and the FTM Micro Pinion Retro-Fits can move throughout the entire travel range
without the need to reset the zero point. Refer to the FocusLynx Commander Help documentation for
additional details for configuring the step size, step range, and “Sync”technique for best results.
FocusLynx QuickSync motor with Feather Touch
FTM Micro Pinion Retro-fit on a Celestron C11 HD.

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 9 of 10
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 Controller Hub configured for MicroTouch motor.
(Shown with FeatherTouch MPA/TRF pinion assembly on Takahashi TOA-130)

FocusLynx FT 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 Installation Instructions - Revision 2
Page 10 of 10
FocusLynx FT QuickSync with FeatherTouch Focusers