As an update, it occurs to me that this sort of thing, whether it's just a cable or a hardware box, should be usable to convert a lot of manual electronic focusers to computer control.

My 8" Meade LX-200 Classic Microfocuser has a "stereo" cable connector but I'll bet if I test the hand controller I'll see that the voltages change polarity depending on moving "in" or "out". I'll do that this weekend and report back.

Again, sorry if this has been covered a zillion times--I didn't turn up any answers after many google searches.

Jeff

As a final follow up, it looks like either Shoestring Astronomy's FCUSB or Hitech Astro's DCFocus Basic Controller will work with both the JMI Motofocus and the Meade #1209 on my LX200 Classic.

I'm leaning toward the FCUSB because of the single USB connector to the XU4 and because I'm in the US.

I have the Shoestring FCUSB and use it to drive a JMI autofocuser on my Explore Scientific 102ED APO. Works fine, but you need to play around with pulse length (500 ms in my case) and tolerance % (start at 10% and adjust up or down, depending on what your system needs). I also built my own DIY autofocuser using a generic low speed DC motor, which works as expected through Ekos using FCUSB, but I still have to test it in the field.

If you can drive your stepper directly, you can use stepper motor controller and a driver. As an example see Astroberry DIY

I'm pretty sure the FCUSB is where I'll end up, for now at least. Thanks!

The JMI Mototfocus is not a stepper motor so that won't work thistime--interesting project, though! Thanks!