Control 2nd stepper from sharpcap

[stbkaiser]

Hi Robin
This is not strictly a Solar related question but it applies to my use of Sharpcap with my Lunt LS60Mt solar scope.
I currently use a ZWWO EAF stepper to adjust the focus on my Lunt scope. Works great.
I have just finished a addon to my Lunt that lets me adjust the pressure tuner using a "focuser" stepper motor.
(I got tired of standing out in the hot sun, trying to see the sun image on a laptop while I adjust the pressure tuner for best Solar features.)
I am using a ASCOM controlled stepper motor with a 3D printed gear set to rotate the Lunt pressure tuner to fine tune the filter frequency.
IS there a way to configure / control a 2nd stepper motor "focuser" with sharpcap ?
I know I could connect to the ZWO stepper to focus the scope
, then disconnect and reconnect to the 2nd Stepper to adjust the pressure tuner
but It would be nice to not have to go through that.
Thanks for any help with this.
Take care
Steve

[Jean-Francois]

Hello Steve,

To avoid to connect and disconnect the main focuser from SharpCap, you can start SharpCap a second time.
In the first instance of SharpCap, you will have the camera and the focuser (+ any other accessory).
In the second SharpCap, you will have only the additional stepper for the pressure tuning (but for that you need to open a test camera).

It would be fine as long you do not want to control all the motors from one script.

If you have 2 monitors, then you can have both SharpCap on 2 monitors.
So you can see the pressure tuning live on the camera image.

Regards,
Jean-Francois

[admin]

Hi,

sadly no real way to do this - you might be able to use scripting to access the other focuser driver and send it movement commands, but there is no way to load a second focuser into the UI (which is probably what you are really after)

cheers,

Robin

[stbkaiser]

Thanks for the response Robin & Jean-Francois
Had to ask just in case I missed seeing the option.
Jean-Francois
I will try using the 2nd instance of sharpcap with test camera and see how that works out.
My PC can handle 2 monitors so that may be an easy answer.
As mentioned , worst case, I disconnect from main focuser and connect to Pressure tuner drive.
I really should not need to play with focus once the scope is focused in.
in case you are curious, here is my Lunt with the pressure tuner gear drive.
The pressure gear is probably oversized but I wanted to be sure the stepper had enough torque when the tuner was compressed most oof the way.

take care
Steve