The TCF-S Control program will run on any Windows based computer from WIN 95 through Windows 7. The program requires that the machine has the .NET framework 3.5 installed. The program uses very little of the system resources and should not interfere with any other operating programs. Neither printer nor graphic functions are used by TCF-S Focuser. It is necessary that the computer have an available COM port for communication with the TCF-S focuser. If the computer has no native comm ports, a USB-to-Serial port converter adapter may be used. Optec offers stock no. 17690, a USB-to-Serial converter known to work well with Optec devices. Any FTDI based converter should work equally well.
The connection from the TCF-S, TCF-Si, TCF-S3, or TCF-S3i Temperature Compensating Focuser to the PC requires a modular 6-wire cable with the appropriate 9-pin DB9 (serial port) and 6-pin RJ-12 connectors. Optec can supply this cable in any length along with stock no. 17695, our modular to DB9 converter for the modular Reverse cables. Users wishing to fabricate their own cables are referred to Appendix A of the TCF-S Technical Manual.
The program automatically sets the communications port settings to operate at 19.2K baud. At this data rate, the cable length should to be 100-ft (30m) or less and of good quality. Erratic operation may be due to communication errors when the serial connections are not secure.
Of course, an Optec TCF-S focuser is also required. The TCF-S focuser should be turned on with the temperature probe connected when attempting to "Connect" to the device within TCF-S Focuser software.
Installation of the ASCOM driver requires that the .NET framework 3.5 is installed (available from Microsoft as free download) as well as the ASCOM Platform 5.5 available on the ASCOM website.
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