Zhumell Kepler 152mm Refractor Focuser Modification
Overall, for the price I paid for the Kepler, I am very pleased with the quality 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 is that it's a single-speed focuser, so I modified it by adding a GSO dual-speed microfocuser kit.
The GSO kit came from Agena Astro. I had to modify the microfocuser's black plastic body to fit the Wyorock and I 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.
The Wyorock is great, it can be collimated and the action is very smooth. The only downside is that it's a single-speed focuser, so I modified it by adding a GSO dual-speed microfocuser kit.
The GSO kit came from Agena Astro. I had to modify the microfocuser's black plastic body to fit the Wyorock and I 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.
The original focuser removed from the tube (not the original knobs which were plastic)
 The rack and pinion focuser was cut off the tube adapter. The cut end of the adapter was then threaded to receive the new parts. (photo courtesy of Wyorock)
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 The finished parts of the new Wyorock focuser assembly.
(photo courtesy of Wyorock) |
 Wyorock focuser modified with the GSO dual-speed focusing knobs
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 Bottom view of the Focuser.
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