Experiencing challenges with maintaining sharp focus when using Voyager’s autofocus routine during significant temperature drops. It seems that the autofocus needs more frequent adjustments than expected; particularly in the early hours.
Has anyone else faced this? Are there any configuration tips ; strategies to improve focus consistency as temperatures shift overnight? I have checked SCT autofocus HFD Parameters determinationsfmc documentation guide but the issue remains unresolved .
Additionally; I am excited if there are specific settings that can make the autofocus more responsive to subtle temperature variations.
By what you have posted, I assume you are using an SCT? I used to image with a C925 and to be honest they are challenging to keep in focus with temperature changes. They tend to have a lot of focus shift with changes in temp, and you can not successfully just use temperature change as a focus trigger as the focus run will be triggered by the temperature change at the end of the current exposure, but the tube will likely take time to cool down (Or warm up) and the focus will keep shifting for some time.
I found the best way with mine was time triggered focus runs and lots of them, trading a handful of exposures each night lost to focus runs, for the subs that were shot all being in better and more consistent focus.
SCT are not really well suited for AP. With this telescope you must have at least a couple of hour of thermal stabilization before you use. If for example you have an observatory and you open and start doing sequence without waiting for thermal stabilization the focus is unpredictable and this is not a question of Voyager’s autofocus.
Is not unresolved just doing the first light wizard at thermal stability.
I have checked SCT autofocus HFD Parameters determination sfmc documentation guide but the issue remains unresolved .