ZWO EAF Stuck at zero - and beeping 😞 My fix and additional tip
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- čas přidán 15. 04. 2024
- My Patreon: / cuivlazygeek
Note: there can be many other reasons for the ZWO EAF to be stuck, but this was my issue and fix!
ZWO EAF Tool: github.com/tjhayko/ZWO-EAF-Tool
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Note: there can be many other reasons for the ZWO EAF to be stuck, but this was my issue and fix!
ZWO EAF Tool: github.com/tjhayko/ZWO-EAF-Tool
Amazon affiliate: amzn.to/49XTx01
Agena affiliate: bit.ly/3Om0hNG
High Point Scientific affiliate: bit.ly/3lReu8R
All-Star Telescope affiliate: bit.ly/3SCgVbV
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Dwarf 2 Smart Telescope: bit.ly/3SyChXua
Seestar S50: tinyurl.com/3n62hpzx
I’m so glad that I’ve picked a hobby that is full of people way smarter than me!!
😂😂😂
You’re right it’s a hobby for some, but for most of us… it’s an OBSESSION 😆
I'm the author of the ZWO EAF Tool, and I'm glad you found it useful!
BTW, the ZWO EAF Firmware was updated some time ago to support 600,000 steps versus the 65535 that the previous versions supported, although there were (and may still be!) some issues that prevent the standard ASCOM driver from recognizing the 600,000 steps of travel. If the problem still exists, there is a thread on Cloud Nights where I describe how the fix the issue.
The legend!! Thanks for your work and for the additional tip!
You are a life saver, thank you Cuiv! I thought I was going to lose a night shooting in bortle 2 zone, the EAF tool fixed the issue and got me back on track. Time to sign up for your Patreon!
Brilliant fix - this just happened to me. I'd previiously resorted to unscrewing the focuser, but I thought there has to be a smarter way to fix it. Googled the issue, and your video came up with TJs tool. Had it fixed in 5 mins. Hats off to TJ for this fix!!!👏👏👏👏👏
Not had any EAF problems , but bookmarking this in case! 👍
I have a ZWO EAF, but I have never had any issues with it. However, it's good to know there is a fix if I ever need it 😊 Thanks, Cuiv 👍
Fingers crossed you never have that issue!
Thank you Cuiv, I don't have this problem, but I emailed myself the video link just in case the situation arises. It's the Murphy's law kind of thing ! Cheers... ;-)
Hopefully you'll never need to check this video again :)
Haha.. I recently had that issue where the position was at zero, so I just clicked the Reverse checkbox and to move the focuser in the opposite direction and then reset it to zero when the focuser in as far as I could get it. But it took me a few minutes of cogitating to to finally decide to do it, to make sure I wasn't going to screw something up!
But the one thing I hate about these autofocusers is the "Max Step" terminology.
It should really be called "Maximum Travel Distance".
Because Max Step is kind of confusing and meaningless.
And then it's even more confusing in NINA where they call the distance "Step Size" when it really should be "Number of Steps"!
This confused me, unnecessarily for longer than I'd like to admit because I thought I had to change the minimum step size, and also the number of steps.. 🤣
Set it to 0, when you are in focus. In the ascom window, check the reverse box. Goto 30.000. Set it to zero again. Uncheck the reverse. And your focus position is 30 000. No extra software needed.
You got it ! As I mentioned in my post, it seems to work much better if you also set the limit to something a reasonable for the actual range you expect to use. with my 3 inch f4.6 refractor and the ASI 2600MC that turns out to be about 3000. It greatly reduced focusing time for me.
Thanks for the tip! Definitely a bit more cumbersome, but as you say no extra software needed!
Thanks for raising this issue with the EAF in your video. This error usually happens to my focuser when I swap it to another telescope ie the SW ED80 Evostar to the SW Quattro 250mm F4 reflector as I only have the one EAF. If you open the focuser controls in Asicap it is possible there to work out the zero position again easily. Checking the reverse box can help to get it moving again. Then run it all the way in , set zero again after this run it all the way out to make sure it doesn’t stop too soon. It can be left in reverse as long as you remember the in/out arrows are reversed the next time your out imaging with it. I like the setting the zero at 30000 idea. I’ll try this when I change scopes again.
Thank you for sharing your experience. I've yet to install my EAF but this gives me a bit more info to accomplish the task.
Thank you so much Cuiv you saved my life so many times
Glad I could help!
Thanks for a useful video. I had this problem with an EAF I bought second-hand, it arrived beeping, and took a bit to sort out. The manual controller didn't work either, so I had to build a new one. Caveat emptor!
Sounds like you had a bad time with it but got it working, well done!
Hello Cuiv. First, the ASI EAF can be confusing on a good day. Second, I believe there was a recent update which caused me grief for a while starting last week. In the end, I think it is not so complicated that you need and additional program to make it work. My experience: You can always call whatever position you are at whatever you want, and EAF will accept it. Yes, the position can be readdressed! In fact, that is how I start off each session. I start by putting the EAF in REVERSE, give it a big number to drive it to the actual full zero position - it will stop when it can't go further. THEN, I rename the position "0". From there, I change it back to forward (that works for my scope) and go from there. Last week however, I could not get it to focus well at all - it would go back and forth for ten minutes then say it was focused when clearly it wasn't. I believe this was due to an update. Typically, the focus point for my regular rig is about 2200. But I found it would start its sampling around 15000 or some ridiculous number and with the rough focus step set up at 30, it would never get where I needed. Here was my solution: I changed the limit from 60000 to 3000. Suddenly everything worked like a charm, and focusing took only 3 minutes, or so, instead of 10 minutes and failing. Limiting the max range to something a bit above your actual focus solution gives it an optimized place to start. The sequence goes: 1). Rough steps (adjustable, but 30 works fine for me) will start to develop the focus curve. 2). Fine focus (mine was set at 5 and I left it) will trim it for optimal focus, which for me seems to be with a star size of 2.2 or so. My big "DOH!" moment (using the ASIair) was the graph's X axis is your focus rack position, and the Y axis is your star size. Suddenly my controls experience kicked in. It's similar to a PID loop, but without a time element, nor a setpoint. It is just looking for the minimal star size, first using big steps, over-shooting a bit, then using the fine steps. I spent the next three nights in focus HEAVEN!
It would be nice if ZWO would provide an instruction sequence on this unit. It would have saved me hours of fiddling in the field. Sadly, ZWO documentation and customer support is about as bad as it gets....
Great video and information. Another use I have in mind is when breaking down the travel rig and needing to bring the focuser into its travel position (in as far as possible) setting the in focus position to 30000 instead of trying to remember 27648 as the focused position would be a great help for next set-up. Thanks for this and thanks to the programmer.
That's a great idea too!
I'll have to give that utility a try. Thanks for sharing!
Also, something that worked for me on my Edge9.25 when going from HyperStar to 0.7x reducer which required a major change in the focuser, was to drive to zero, check "reverse" in the settings, drive it up to like 30,000, uncheck "reverse" drive it another 30,000, and so forth until I got it where I wanted it.
The reverse trick works too!!
Didn't know that was the problem. I use ASIAIR since I got EAF. In there it is very easy to setup current position to whatever value you want it to be.
Yep, same in Stellarmate - it should be included in the ASCOM driver...
Hey Cuiv...I wish I had seen this video a few weeks ago. I too have had this problem too many times, and did not know how to resolve it. I finally gave up, and have purchased a Starfield Oasis focuser for my Celestron 8. The jury will be out if I run into any new issues with that focuser, but I got tired of the ZWOs just stopping, and not know how to fix it. I even sent one back for repair, and they sent me a new one! So we will see how the Starfield works. But thanks for doing this video. I still have a EAF on my Stellarvue 102! PS, I also like to try to find products where I don't have to be a software engineer to get them to work the way they are supposed to!! HAHA
Strangely, mine did exactly the same thing just a couple of days ago. I resolved the step size issue the same way as you, but I confess I undid the clamp on the drive to allow me to reposition it. I was convinced it was my fault, as I had just taken my Hyperstar off my C8 for galaxy season.
For repositioning, many commenters added the tip you can reverse the focuser direction!
I had a similar issue where the focuser would not auto focus because it would only go out, but not go back in because it thought it was starting from position 0. I had to loosen the coupler and return the focuser manually to the 0 position and start over. Then, when starting over, it would only move 1000 steps , then beep. Then I would have to tell the software that it was at position 0 again to get it to go out another 1000 steps. Somehow, in the EAF software, Max Step had been set to 1000. Like you, I reset that to 60000, moved the focuser back to the 0 position manually and all worked fine after that.
Had that issue twice this year already, from one night to another the EAF stopped dping anything and just beeped.
I resolved it by updating the Firmware both times.. super annoying as I didnt know any better solution 😂
Thanks for the video, very helpful!
Updating the firmware sounds like a nuclear solution!
Spectacular! Thanks again, Cuiv!
My pleasure!
If you are using the ASIAIR the ability to set the start position is built in. So this issue only exists when using the driver utility in third party systems
It should really be part of the driver for Windows though...
Really useful, thanks man !
Hey Cuiv
Thank you so much for this video. I regularly have the opposite issue i.e. the EAF behaving like it’s at the maximum position. In that case I pull my Newton focuser manually at the max and moving it in again with the controller. Very annoying making me loose a lot of time during the very rare clear nights. So many thanks for the advice. I will definitely give it a try next time it happens.
Clear skies
Bert
Yeah that sounds very cumbersome! Hopefully that third party app helps!
Thanks Cuiv!
My issue I had the other night is I had initially had connectivity issues, so only cable I had spare was USB A to USB B, found out fast USB ports dont supply enough power, in the end it was a connectivity issue between the camera and PC, which was giving a connection to the camera but the hub on the camera wasn't passing thru properly. Re-plugging the camera into the PC fixed my issue.
thanks Cuiv!
Based on Cuiv's video about it, I went ahead and got one of the QHY Qfocusers. That driver has the ability to set a position value right from the configuration screen accessible from NINA. No need for a custom tool. 🙂
You can do the same with the ASIair and the EAF. It took me a number of sessions to figure it out....
Yep, more complete ASCOM driver
Hi Cuiv, had the same issue with one of my EAF units the other week, soon had it sorted though. Thanks for sharing this info all the same. I have to say I prefer the PLL Sesto Senso focuser as it has a more comprehensive dialog box for setting everything up and you can actually dim or turn off the led indicators on the focuser. My main scope has one of these. I do like the simplicity of the EAF though and of course as my grab and go rig is controlled by an ASIAir mini, I have to use one with that anyway.
Glad you had it sorted through already! Yeah I hear a lot of good things about the Sesto Senso! On my side maybe I'll use my Astroasis focuser next
I use INDI and the ZWO EAF driver has a location sync that lets you set the current location value. I've used it a few times when moving equipment around. Stellarmate should have the same capability.
Yep, I have that in SM as well, but was using NINA on that day!
Very useful video, that option should be part of the ZWO driver to be able to sync the focuser to any position, you can do it with most other focusers, certainly with Pegasus you can…
Yeah I agree - apparently it's available in ASIStudio, but it should be in the ASCOM interface directly
Thanks for explaining the issue and the solution. I just received that focus motor last week, it's still in the box waiting for the new telescope.
I wonder if ZWO will ever fix the software.
Fingers crossed!
As a few others have said the ASIAir allows you to set current in its interface. When I first installed it on my Askar FRA300 I got a good focus manually, I then carefully fitted the EAF and set the current to 30,000. I’ve not seen it go more than a couple of hundred +/- since then. It’s never reset to zero.
Good it hasn't reset!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek it’s out there right now on NGC7822 😀
4:38 of course it’s not ZWO that came to rescue 😂
Cuiv - FYI your link to the TOUPTEK IMX585 Cooled camera is failing... Enjoyed the video even though I'm not using the EAF. I made a Moonlite compatible focuser and hijacked a bit of their protocol to allow -1000 steps 🙂
Thanks for letting me know! I fixed it now! Well done on your focuser!
Excellent, Thank you. This has been bugging me with my SCT. I am amazed I have not smashed it to pieces yet! Not a big fan of this focuser.
CS Don
Hopefully this helps!
Great video! Very handy to know once the EAF goes mad. I just had the case with the latest one that I have bought that it still had old firmware. So NINA or the EAF Ascom window was not able to talk to it. I then had to update the EAF firmware. Maybe it's a video idea for you how to update the EAF firmware.
For those guys and gals who also have a AsiAir the current position can also be set in there.
Yeah ASIAir and apparently ASIStudio can do that! It should be in the driver though...
@CuivTheLazyGeek I think so too. The driver should support the setting of the current position too. This setting of then min. - max steps was fully new to me. Finally I know what else I can check once any of my three EAF goes made. 😄
ASIAIR already has that option to set focuser position in case anyone experiences this.
Also ASIStudio apparently!
I'm pretty sure you don't have one but the ASIAir can set the position of the ZWO EAF. At the end of every session I run my focuser draw tube full-in so the weight of the camera and filter wheel aren't hanging on the tube. There are two boxes in the ASIAir focus window, Current Position and GoTo Position. Sometimes I hit the wrong one and set the value to zero by mistake when it should really be about 10,000. Oops.
I see! Thanks for sharing - also indeed oops on the position :)
Grate.
I had a similar problem with the ZWO EAF stuck at 60,000. I shoot with my using my Hyperstar and from the back of the scope which really created a problem for me since the index number was artificial. I downloaded the newest ZWO EAF Ascom driver and it fixed the problem. I don’t know how ZWO could have missed this problem especially for SCT users where there is a large focus range especially with a Hyperstar.
Apparently a firmware update also allows a max step of 250000 for SCT users, but I haven't tested that yet
@@CuivTheLazyGeek I can go to 301,000
That's one of the reasons that I don't like to be locked in to 1 brand. There's all kinds of good equipment to use out there, some better and some worse. I want to be free to choose. Not saying that zwo is a bad choice by any means, but if there's a deal on an eagle, I want to be able to take advantage of it without having to retool... Good video! 👍👍
Yeah it is the weakness of the ASIAir...
Small update Cuiv. The new firmware update allows to move the maximum steps up to 250000 in order to solve the problem with SCT. If you do the firmware update you need to do an aditional adjust in the dll file of the driver in order to achive beyond the 60000 steps. If you want I can send the info by email.
Good to know! I'm fine with 60000 steps :)
Hi, Tx, Bye!
The ability to set the current position is already included in QHY's Qfocuser. I wouldn't want to miss it, and i can't understand why driver developers don't include this functionality by default.
It should be in the driver for sure...
Hitting reverse in settings and backing off to whatever desired position and resetting to zero is what i did in the past. Only takes a minute or so.
Also you can tick reverse on ascom driver and go down and set zero.
I would definitely set a max step, while the eaf probably cant really damage equipment, it could damage itsself. It has a small gearbox inside with sensible gears, which could definitely be damaged when it runs into the end of travel, especially with a R&P Focuser. If you are using a crayford, it will probably slip beforehand.
That would be a frustrating issue! Luckily my Pegasus Astro Unity software allows me to set or reset the zero position wherever I want. Oddly, I had to reconfigure my backlash & step size settings in NINA during my last session to get the autofocus routine to run correctly. I'm not sure what caused that change either!
Interesting, that is odd indeed... No slippage anywhere?
@CuivTheLazyGeek I don't believe so. I have set my 0 position to all the way racked in and set the focuser to goto pos 0 at the end of my sequences, and it appears to indeed be at the zero position after that last imaging run. 🤷🏽♂️❓️
4:10 Use reverse checkbox in ZWO driver
That works too! Cumbersome, but it works!
Interesting video Quiv, for me I resolved it with the inverse button en go to 30000 and there I have set the zero position and unchecked the inverse button. So no extra software needed.
But it looks like some interesting software though
Yep, that works too, but more cumbersome!
@@CuivTheLazyGeek yes exactly
I had this issue twice in the past, both caused by a not fully plugged in USB cable (especially EAF side can be tricky).
Interesting, I don't think that was the case for me since I even tried changing the cable
Very interesting it's not baked into the driver. In ASIair I had to do this to focus my newt. It's a menu option.
Apparently it's also in ASIStudio, but I feel it should be in the driver!
you can set it at midway with the asi air.. but with ascom driver you have the option to click it and set it to zero..
I did this a couple years back and the way i fixed it was loosened the grub screw that turns the focuser and then turn the motor to 30k with the motor controller remote, tighten back up the grub screw and sorted.. I thought it was common sense to set the scope to focus manually then set the eaf to midway.. only then attach the eaf to the scope...
so yes ZWO SHOULD TELL YOU THAT ON THE QUICK guide note in the box with the EAf.. so the new tool is handy for a LAZY person ;) or you could just loosed the grub screw heh
The set to zero works but only if your max steps is also non-zero :) Easier to simply set the target position directly!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Still using a Bahtinov Mask. 🙂
Haha that works! Well it works if you're willing to refocus manually throughout the night :)
Ah I'm old school... Bahtanov mask lol
The source of the issue for me was a bad USB cable.
Interesting! I did change the cable, but good to know!
Ciao Cuiv posso chiederti un parere? Cosa pensi del Ritchey-Chretien 6"? È un buon prodotto economico per avvicinarsi alle galassie? Posseggo un solo campi larghi.
Grazie bravissimo come sempre
I've heard terrible things about the RC6 and RC8 collimation I'd personally stay away
@@CuivTheLazyGeek ahahah ok! Niente galassie allora :)
Hi Cuiv. Been an avid watcher for a very long time but now wanted to make a comment as this was a very annoying issue with the EAF. I use ATP and thought it reset to zero if I didn’t disconnect the EAF before quitting? To solve the issue was to go ASI Studio and in the EAF settings you can manually enter its current position and as I know roughly where it is (eg 8500) I just set it there enter the max steps and I’m back up and running. APT also sees it at that value. So happy days again. I don’t get why it doesn’t remember the last position and max steps?! Bad programming I guess!!
Interesting the functionality is in ASIStudio when it should be in the ASCOM driver!
I’ve only used the native Zwo driver via APT. Either way it’s very frustrating! Glad it’s not just me though.
for me, if I touch the focuser while in use, it disconnects from my asiair mini, or just stops moving. I usually have to restart the mini to get things working again.
That sounds weird, definitely haven't had this one yet!
I see the WD-20 you reviewed earlier still in the background .. still happy with it?
Yes, very happy with it actually
Do you have backlash on focuser? If yes, is level of backlash consistent from day to day? Thanks
Yes, and as far as I can tell it stays consistent. If it doesn't there's likely some slippage somewhere, which may not necessarily be at the EAF level...
@@CuivTheLazyGeek Ok. Great to know.
That is the reason why i choose a pegasus astro focuser. The software is smarter and has 10 times more functions.
I hear good things about Pegasus focusers!
Pour la 2ème partie de ton problème, pourquoi n'a tu pas simplement coché (voir à 3min46) "Reverse". Tu fais tes X pas dans l'autre sens jusqu'à être totalement inséré, tu décoches "Reverse", tu set la position à zero, et voilà😉
Ça marche aussi ! C'est beaucoup moins pratique mais ça marche!
5:14 We can see the new firmware 4.35 for IMX585 touptek with HDR 14bit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN?
Testing :)
i have the ZWO EAF reset software ... pick a# hit apply and your back to 30 000 or whatever. ? let me know.
I would like to comment on a subject unrelated to this video, I'm asking you because you appear to be the most approachable of the astro technicians!!. I am a bit irritated that about a few things, why are we still waiting for firmware updates sycnscan, had my scope 5 years and haven't had o ne, I have the latest software? Why can't you plate solve with asi air on a alt at mount, why can't I drive a 16 " skywatcjer 400p with asi air? Why does everyone cover new s ones and cameras when the public have all bought the gear that was recommended last month ? Ragards Paul.
même quand ton eaf ne marche plus tu as toujours l'air content!
J'étais pas super content quand j'avais le problème lol
I have had this issue and resolved it by first scratching my head and then by updating the firmware.
Seems it has worked for others too!
nothing a hammer wont fix JK 😁🤣
The ultimate solution lol
EAF is crap! Get the primaluce lab Sesto senso😂
I wouldn't say it's crap, but sometimes it has issues :)
@@CuivTheLazyGeek nha it’s very poor in my opinion
What i heard is if yours is the second edition then there is issues if first edition then no issues at all so far
Second edition indeed