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Zhumell Kepler 152mm Refractor Focuser Modification

Overall, I am very pleased with the quality of my Kepler refractor, except for the rack & pinion focuser. After considering the options available I decided to upgrade the focuser to a custom made crayford from Wyorock Telescope Works. I sent them the entire R&P focuser assembly, and they sliced off the old focuser and custom fitted a rotatable crayford with a 6-inch draw tube.

The Wyorock is great - it can be collimated and the action is very smooth. The only downside of my Wyorock is that it is a single-speed focuser, so I modified it by adding a GSO dual-speed microfocuser kit.

The GSO kit came from Agena Astro. I modified the microfocuser's black plastic body to fit the Wyorock and ordered a new stainless steel focuser shaft from Wyorock. The original Wyorock shaft was too short to fit into the GSO microfocuser and the shaft that came with the GSO unit was not the correct length or diameter. I attached the GSO body to the Wyorock using automotive grade double-sided tape to avoid drilling any holes in my new focuser. The tape actually works fine.

Picture
The original focuser removed from the tube (not the original knobs which were plastic)

Picture
The rack and pinion focuser was cut off the tube adapter. The cut end of the adapter was threaded to receive the new parts. 
(photo courtesy of Wyorock)
Picture
The finished parts of the new Wyorock focuser assembly.
(photo courtesy of Wyorock)

Picture
Wyorock focuser modified with the GSO dual-speed focusing knobs
Picture
Bottom view of the Focuser.

Picture
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  • Home
    • Contact
  • Astrophotography
  • Observatory
    • New Observatory
    • Lancaster Dome
    • ExploraDome
  • Equipment
    • Accessories >
      • RA Drive Corrector
    • CCD Cameras >
      • Orion Starshoot Pro
    • Mounts >
      • Orion HDX110 (EQ-8)
    • Telescopes >
      • 1956 Questar 3.5
      • Astro-Tech AT6RC
      • Celestron C-11 XLT
      • Zhumell 152mm Refractor
  • Projects
    • C11 XLT Mods
    • Dome Automation
    • Orion SSPRO Camera >
      • Disassembled Views
      • Noise Reduction Mod
      • Temp Controller Mod
    • Ultima 8 Mods
    • Zhumell Refractor Mods
  • Non-Astronomy
    • Amateur Radio >
      • Accessories >
        • Station Boom Microphone
      • Ameco >
        • Ameco AC-1
        • Ameco OCM
        • Ameco PT-2
        • Ameco R5A
      • Vintage Equipment >
        • Knight Kit T-60 Transmitter
        • Heathkit SB-102 Station
      • Yaesu FT-817 >
        • Yaesu FT-817ND
        • LDG Z-817 Autotuner
        • Windcamp LiPo Battery
    • Antique Radios >
      • Building A Radio Workbench
      • Radio Dial Neon Clock
      • Radios >
        • Boat Anchor Radios >
          • BC-348N Receiver
          • Collins 51J4 HF Receiver
        • Eltz Radione 2
        • Knight Kit Span Master II
        • Panasonic RF-5000A
        • Silvertone Model 4465
      • Test Equipment >
        • Hickok >
          • Hickok 19X RF Generator
          • Hickok 225K VTVM
          • Hickok 288X RF Generator
        • Simpson >
          • Simpson Genescope
        • Supreme Instruments >
          • Supreme Model 385 Automatic
          • Supreme Audolyzer
          • Supreme Vedolyzer
        • Military Test Equipment >
          • BC-221-AF Frequency Meter
          • LM-21 Frequency Meter
          • TS-323/UR Frequency Meter
          • TS-505D/U VTVM
        • Other Test Equipment >
          • Tektronix 326 O'scope
        • Radio Analyzers >
          • Rider Chanalyst
        • Tube Testers >
          • Alternating Current Sink
          • Drug Store Tester
          • Hickok 550X
          • I-177 Tube Tester
          • MX-949 Adapter
          • Precision Model 10-12
          • Supreme Model 385
          • TV-3C/U Tube Tester
    • New Homestead >
      • 2015 - 17 Getting Started
      • 2018 - Log Home Progress
      • 2019 - Finishing Up
    • Star Trek Communicator