ZWO Cameras USB, Cable, and Rotation Assistance

[@Astrobloke]

Oh its to hold cables !!! Great video Joe and very cool accessory.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Glenn, pretty much, yeah, it a cable holder, but really gets any pressure off the USB board on the camera.

[@gregoberfield]

Nice idea! One thing you'll want to check (and I'm pretty sure you're ok based on what I can see) is that you aren't exceeding the minimum bend radius of any of the cables.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Greg! Great point on the bend radius, especially in the winter. It can get so cold here the cables will snap instead of bend. I’m usually not imaging when it’s that cold though.

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

Great video Joe. You should go into the market and sell theses. Such a great idea ... and with the 10° tic marks, a bonus. Thanks for the shoutout

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks so much for trying to help me out. I thought about selling them, but between work, KZbin, astrophotography, and house chores, I just don’t have time. I may still try for those that can’t print their own, we’ll see lol

[@LogansAstro]

Clever idea. I must try and print one for my ASi2600 (will have to adjust things as the 2600 is a lot bigger). Thanks for sharing this Joe.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Logan, if you get a good working one please let me so I can share it out.

[@bloodstone2000]

You NEVER cease to Amaze me my friend! From cable Management, to the 10 degrees tick, to the Grip, to the just sheer Genius behind it all! Great Video! Ill Pass it around for sure!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks so much Blood, very appreciated!

[@mhamen2]

Quick tip. Most slicers have a scale parameter that can be adjusted to change the fit of the ring.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Mike! I just don't have one of the other size cameras to test fit with, but great tip for others who want to take the one I have for 78mm and test fit for their size.

[@GarnettLeary]

Fantastic topic Joe. Thank you man. The community is awesome. Learn something new every day. Thank you for sharing.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Garnett, much appreciated!

[@the_astro_garden]

What a fantastic idea Joe! My rig will proudly display your channel name on there, looking forward to fitting this to my 294MM-P - cheers, Bill. PS: For anyone trying to print these for other camera's diameters, internal diameters will shrink in the 3D printing process so I always start with holes that are modelled 0.15mm larger. You will hopefully be closer to the perfect fit without lots of wasted test prints.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Recusant! Much appreciated!

[@DavesAstrophotography]

Hi Joe, at the opposite side of the cable holder, you could put a couple of lugs and a couple mm gap in the ring, then use a thumbscrew to clamp onto the camera, rather than relying on getting a friction fit straight off the printer. This way your shrinkage tolerance doesn't really matter and just print for the OD of the camera specs.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Dave that’s a really cool idea! I’ll experiment with that.

[@johnadastra1754]

Some nylon thumbscrews would be the way to not mar the camera housing.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

@@johnadastra1754 Good call as well John!

[@lukomatico]

Great creation Joe! - well done mate, a fine solution! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks so much Luke!

[@astro_vino]

Great video Joe, what is ironic is I just ordered a zwo ring from Etsy for USB load/management for my 294MM Pro - but love the addition you made for rotation degrees, awesome idea!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks AV!

[@Br00se]

Joe, this is awesome. I just got the ZWO ASI2600MM Pro for Christmas to go along with my 183MC. I don't have my own printer (yet) but I have a local friend who has offered to do prints for me. I will definitely work on adapting your file for the 2600 and the 183. I had been looking for some way to put degree marks on the camera easier rotation, this is way better than Dymo labels with marks. Great work.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Bruce! The file I shared should work for the 183MC at least. If you do get a working one for the 2600 please let me know and I'll share it with the other ones.

[@Br00se]

@@JoesAstrophoto I will absolutely share back anything I come up with. I just measured my 2600 and the diameter at the rear of the camera is 89.8 mm. I had postponed getting a 3D printer this year because I really wanted a mono camera. I stretched myself a little thin getting the 2600, a 7 position EFW and a full set if LRGBSHO 2" filters. I went with Optolong for the time being, it will take me a while to outgrow them. Clear Skies!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

@@Br00se Thanks Bruce and yeah I know that’s pricey, I’m not happy about the cost of the filters but will be doing the same thing myself soon.

[@elmikol2443]

Great idea Joe!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks so much Elmiko!

[@avt_astro206]

Great DIY Hack joe. Interesting!👍

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks DSH!

[@AZ4Runner]

very nice!! Love the degree markings. very useful!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Jason! Wish I had more time to experiment more for other size cameras

[@whatmattersmost6725]

Thank you Joe!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Christopher, glad you like man!

[@DSOImager]

Seriously Brilliant!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thank you James!

[@philleng480]

Nice one Joe, made me think about running more of my cables back through the powerbox. Does your ZWO EFW slip (unscrew). I did note you had it sat on the right side - presumably to stop it unscrewing?

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Phil, it’s slipped before but not a normal problem. My problem is that I have the EAF on one side and if I have the EFW on the same side it throws off my balance. I need to keep them opposite sides or get even more cw for the front.

[@astrophoto_andy3335]

Where's your store Joe! I'd order one today! Very cool indeed.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Andy, I might sell end up selling them, but honestly, it’s $5 or less worth of plastic and another $5 to ship so already at $10 and haven’t taken the time into consideration yet. If you don’t have a way to print one, shoot me an email (address in about tab) and I’ll see what I can do.

[@hectoreyesc]

Great invent ! I have the 294mc & 6200mc, are you selling the ring ?

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Hector! At this time I’m not planning on selling them, which is why I shared the .stl file. If you are unable to print it, then shoot me an email, address under about tab, and I’ll see what I can do :)

[@NeilCorke]

Good idea - the USB ports are fixed to the main board and if there come loose you have to replace that which is $100+

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Neil, yeah, I'm guessing it quite a bit to fix that USB board if it breaks.

[@michaelasbury5473]

That’s a great idea!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Mike, glad you like it!

[@CosmicSandcastles]

That be nice for keeping my camera dew heater cord from flopping around

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks, glad you like it.

[@revolting887]

Hey Joe, thank you for this, a great idea indeed (I also have the 294). When I tried to download this from the link in the description, it shows the file as being of 0 bytes. Perhaps it didn't complete/fully upload last night? Can you verify it works fine? I'm very excited to try this out!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks revolting, I replaced the file with the correct one now. Please let me know if it works for you or not.

[@revolting887]

@@JoesAstrophoto that worked - thanks Joe! I have my friend printing it today. Very excited to clean up my messy rig ;-)

[@JoesAstrophoto]

@@revolting887 Awesome! Glad it’s working now.

[@masahico001]

great idea, but your usb cable on asi mini is too short when you rotate your camera

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks GD, I normally rotate the OAG with the camera to keep the prism from casting a shadow in my FOV. I just rotated the camera only in the video to demonstrate, but appreciate the tip.

[@RussellsAstrophotography]

Great idea Joe, looks like a really handy way to manage cables and the markings are a good idea. My brother has a 3d printer, so I'll ping the file to him and see if he can print one for my 2600. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks a lot for sharing this 👍

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks Russell! It would be great to get one working for the 2600!

[@CaptRescue2]

I just sent my 533 back RMA today for one of the usb ports not working. Tap a hole for a small set screw to hold a loose ring in place.

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Sorry to hear Cap, but thanks for the tip!

[@bullshitvendor]

Sweet! Great video. Thanks for sharing your creativity!

[@JoesAstrophoto]

Thanks BV!