| This JMI Motofocus electric focuser is designed for use with the Meade LX5, LX6, Premier, and non-GPS versions of Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrains. The variable speed push-on motor plugs into the telescope drive base and is controlled by the telescope’s standard equipment hand control. Older LX200 telescopes do not have enough power on the low speed setting of the focus motor’s variable speed control to operate the focus motor. The variable speed control on the motor should be set at its high position for the motor to work properly. Many observers with an LX200 prefer to add an optional separate #2440 hand control so they don’t have to look away from the eyepiece to enter the proper keystroke sequence on their hand control to operate the focuser, as you do when the focuser is plugged into the LX200’s drive base. The #2440 separate hand control makes focusing easier and quicker than focusing through the LX200’s hand control menu. The older LX5, LX6, and Premier scopes have focus control pushbuttons on their hand controls and do not need a separate #2440 controller. The focuser consists of a plastic replacement focus knob, a plastic focus collar, a variable speed DC motor, and all necessary mounting hardware. The telescope focus knob is removed using the supplied Allen wrench and the supplied JMI plastic focus knob is installed in its place. The focus collar attaches in minutes to the rear cell of the telescope, around the new focus knob, using a supplied Allen wrench. The push-on DC motor slips over the focus collar. A rubber O-ring inside the motor provides a secure grip on the focus knob centered within the focus collar. The motor is held in place on the focus collar by a nylon thumbscrew in the motor housing. The motor can be easily removed for traveling or storage. The O-ring gripping the focus knob acts as a slip clutch to prevent damage if the normal telescope focuser travel is exceeded. The telescope focuser can still be used manually if the electric focus motor is removed from the focus collar, which can be done in only 10-15 seconds. The cable permanently attached to the motor plugs into the telescope drive base. Alternatively, the coiled cord permanently attached to the push-on motor can be plugged into the separate optional #2440 hand control box. The control box holds a 9-volt battery (supplied) that will power the focuser for 6 to 8 months of normal use. Pushbuttons control the direction of focuser travel, while a variable speed control adjusts the focus speed. The variable speed control on the motor should be set to the high speed position, as the motor speed will be controlled by the #2440 hand control. The #2440 hand control includes an electronic brake which stops the motor as soon as you quit pressing the direction buttons. Meade systems do not include this brake. |
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