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Pegasus Astro - Dual Motor Focus Controller v2.0 

Pegasus Astro – Copyright 2016   

Thank you for choosing Pegasus Astro - Dual Motor Focus Controller v2.0.  

Introduction 

The evolution of technology in astronomy requires a system which will assist the focusing of 
the telescope with great accuracy. Fast optics and modern camera devices require automatic 
focusing in every small period of time as temperature can affect focal length and modify the 
optimal focus position. 

Pegasus 

D

ual 

M

otor 

F

ocus 

C

ontroller  (

DMFC

)  has  been  developed  to  meet  these 

requirements. Designed in high quality with modern electronics it can provide digital precise 
control of compatible motor focusers from a PC or from manual operation. 

DMFC  is  suitable  for  visual  astronomers  and  astro-photographers.  Its  unique  design  can 
support two modes. It can drive DC motors, by its Pulse Width Modulation duty cycle control 
or unipolar stepper motors for absolute position focusing.  By the slide of one switch on the 
left side of the controller, the mode can be instantly changed from ‘stepper’ to ‘dc’ motor. 

The controller can be operated by PC by its USB2 connectivity.  Moreover, a manual operation 
by utilizing the digital encoder on the top of the controller emulates the knob of your focuser. 
Turn the knob as it was your telescope focuser. If you press it, the steps of the motor will be 
reduced by 1/10. 

There  is  a  standard  2.1mm  center  positive  DC  power  connection  which  powers  on  the 
controller.  

A  dual  color  light  emitted  diode  (Green  /  Red)  is  fitted  on  the  top  of  the  unit.  Each  color 
indicates  a  mode  and  the  led  can  be  turned  on  or  off  by  its  software  during  an  observing 
session.  

Motor output is fully compatible with “Robofocus 

©

 pin out. A cable converter (serial to 

mono jack) can be used for simple DC pulse motors. 

 

An external digital temperature sensor input is located near the motor connector. The digital 
probe  of  length  1.5m  is  supplied.  The  probe  can  be  placed  near  the  focuser  so  the  exact 
temperature  of  the  focuser  /  environment  can  be  seen  through  the  supplied  software  or 
ASCOM driver. 

Controller  supports  absolute  focusing  and  it  stores  the  exact  focuser  position  so  it  can  be 
retrieved in the next observing session. Moreover, it can store max speed of the stepper motor 
to comply with motor specification. 

The  controller  can  be  operated  by  the  standalone  DMFC  software.  (Available  for  Windows 
OS). It is also fully compatible with ASCOM 6. 

Controller  firmware  supports  reprogramming  via  the  USB  2.0  connection  using  upgrade 
software, for future upgrades which may become available. 

The controller has its own software drivers, applications, allowing full functionality to be quickly 
and effectively. 

Summary of Contents for Dual Motor Focus Controller

Page 1: ...nob of your focuser Turn the knob as it was your telescope focuser If you press it the steps of the motor will be reduced by 1 10 There is a standard 2 1mm center positive DC power connection which powers on the controller A dual color light emitted diode Green Red is fitted on the top of the unit Each color indicates a mode and the led can be turned on or off by its software during an observing s...

Page 2: ...are Controller is not waterproof and it should be kept clean and dry Moisture can damage electronics and connectors Do not allow solvents or chemicals to come into contact with the device Store controller indoor in a dry room when not in use Do not touch the internal components as they may get hot when in use Controller Design Overview ...

Page 3: ... can accept DC 9V minimum to DC 15V maximum Please use apower supply that can provide DC 12V 1 2A Insert the 2 1mm plug on the DC power cable Controller will initialize and the status LED will stay illuminate in green color Motor Connector The controller is fitted with a D Sub 9 Pin Female Connector Unipolar Stepper Motors utilize first four 4 pins of D Sub 9 female connector Simple DC Motors util...

Page 4: ...right 2016 Female D Sub FOCUSER CONNECTION IN STEPPER MODE PIN 1 COIL 1 PIN 2 COIL 1 PIN 3 COIL 2 PIN 4 COIL 2 PIN 5 9 NO CONNECTION FOCUSER CONNECTION IN DC MODE PIN 1 POWER PIN 2 POWER PIN 3 9 NO CONNECTION Stepper Motor ...

Page 5: ...s temperatures from 55 C to 125 C Accuracy of the probe is 0 5 C from 10 C to 85 C The controller detects the presence of the probe and requests temperature readings at 30 sec intervals When using multiple controllers and probes the reported temperature may differ slightly between units due to small differences between individual sensor readouts This does not affect the operation of the units as t...

Page 6: ...Controller not operational or LED switched off from software Permanently Orange Light Digital Encoder functionality is disabled knob on the top Rotary Encoder Knob On the top of controller there is an infinite rotary knob This digital encoder knob simulates your focuser s knob In every small step turn motor will respond clockwise or anticlockwise Rotary encoder has two presets The fast step 50 ste...

Page 7: ... exact position of the motor Technical Specifications Supply Voltage 9 15V DC 12V preferred Motor Compatibility DC motor adjustable frequency PWM Unipolar motors Bipolar models Motor Output DC motor max 0 8 Amp Unipolar Bipolar stepper motors max 1 6 Amps 0 8 Amps per phase USB Connectivity USB 2 0 Type B plug Thermal Sensor Resolution 9 bit Celsius temperature measurements Power Input Connector 2...

Page 8: ...r motor requires 4 cables Check cable order is correct and retry or replace serial cable Stepper motor makes strange noise or step gaps when accelerates You have specified a max speed larger than motor can support Go to Settings and limit the max speed try between 400 600 Knob on the top does not work Check that LED is not orange colored This means you have disabled the knob encoder functionality ...

Page 9: ...application does not require ASCOM drivers and it can configure and operate the Dual Motor Focus Controller In order to connect from the supplied software to the controller you need to first configure the serial port Click on Settings icon The following window will appear ...

Page 10: ...section of the taskbar Mode will be reported as Stepper Motor DC Motor Notice that you cannot change the mode from the software Switch the mode slider on the left side of the controller enclosure to select mode Motor Settings Max Speed It s critical to set Max speed of stepper motor All stepper motors have limits in max speed they can achieve If you set a speed faster than your motor can support i...

Page 11: ... controller will not move motor Controller will only change value of reported current position This is very useful when you need to zero the position of the focuser or set another value You can also zero the position of the focuser by clicking the 000 button in the top taskbar of the application Custom Rates You can easily set and save custom names and step pulse values in the following section of...

Page 12: ...steps the motor will move forward steps or backwards steps Notice that Position indicator will change its value and will confirm your command There are also two more buttons that will forward reverse accelerate the motor Keep mouse down and the motor will start accelerating to the director you clicked Use these buttons only if you need to fast move in or out the focuser In every motor movement fin...

Page 13: ...o the new position you defined Emergency Motor Stop Click the STOP yellow button and the motor will instantly stop This can save you if you specified a wrong position and the focuser is extending very fast Temperature of sensor Existing environmental temperature of the sensor can be seen in the following reading Click the temperature and a graph which displays temperature over time will appear You...

Page 14: ...hat you have selected this option Maximum Position You have the option to specify the maximum steps of the motor This will enforce the controller to disallow a motor move to the direction you are about to exceed this limit This is a useful option to prevent the focuser to fully move in or out Move to settings and type the numeric limit in the Max Position section you need to enforce Click the On c...

Page 15: ...st make sure the amount specified is more than needed to remove the backlash To enable backlash compensation choose the extra steps you need to calculated in compensation select the direction of it and click the On check box An indication on the main status bar will notify you that the backlash compensation functionality is enabled Knob Encoder Disabled If you want to disable knob on the top of th...

Page 16: ...ersion of the controller including the version of the standalone application Keep in mind that software supports new feature combined with the latest firmware release Please check http pegasusastro com support for latest firmware software updates of Dual Motor Focus Controller ...

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