FCUSB problem with Televue focusmate

[ghsmith45]

My FCUSB works fine with a moonlite focuser, but when I connect to the Televue focusmate, nothing happens. The FCUSB panel says the motor is running, but it's not so.The obvious suspect is the cable connecting the FCUSB unit to the focus motor ( the cables for the two motors are different). Is there a quick way to check this, other than buying and trying a new cable?
Geoff

[dpanderson]

If you have a multimeter, you can check continuity through the cable by itself.

Does the Televue focusmate run off of 5 Volts, or is it a higher voltage motor? If it is higher voltage and there is a substantial load on the focuser, there may not be enough power available out of the FCUSB to drive the loaded motor.

[ghsmith45]

Hi Doug
It uses a 9v battery. However, the Shoestring website does say that the FCUSB has been tested with the Televue focusmate. Also, I was trying to run it with no load at all (motor disconnected from focuser), so load wouldn't have been a problem.
Geoff

[dpanderson]

Sounds like the cable is the next thing to check.

[ghsmith45]

Tried with a new cable--same result. Runs the Moonlite with one kind of cable, but neither Televue or Skywatcher with another cable.
Geoff

[dpanderson]

If you would like to ship the FCUSB, cables, and Focusmate motor to me, I can take a look at it. Send email to me at doug@shoestringastronomy.com if you would like to give this a try.

[ghsmith45]

OK Doug, I found the problem. It was a faulty input socket to the FCUSB unit. If you pushed the cable against the socket in just the right way, it would work. Dealer has replaced it and it now works fine. Don't know why it worked with the Moonlite--maybe a slightly different jack with a tighter fit.
Geoff