A little auto focus help

Sequence Generator Auto Focus
1

I’ve been having a hard time getting the auto focus to complete with one of my scopes (info below) .
One thing I have noticed is, if there is a bright star or two in the frame, it will not count that star on the first or second image(s). Then it will count out and the average will jump up then start dropping again. I will get a message that “smart focus failed due to too many data shifts”. I have smart focus disabled becausr it is recommended to be disabled with scopes with a central obstruction.
Is there a setting that can have it ignore started off a certain size similar to the minimum star size?
Anybody have the same or similar setup willing to share their settings or amount have some tips on what to tweak?
Equipment and settings that have seemed work best last night.

6" rc (native focal length)
P.L.L. Sesto Senso 2 electronic focuser.
Telescope service 2 1/2 focuser.
ZWO 2600 duo camera.
Settings now are.
250 steps
Minimum start size 10
7 data points
6 second exposure
Bin 2x2
Smart focus disabled
Crop image 20%

2

Try bin 1x1 with a 3-second exposure.

FYI,
Jared will likely need to see a log file from when focus failed.

3

I use 7 second exposures for autofocus and bin 1x1. I first do a manual focus with five second repeat exposures on enlarged stars, and then run autofocus.

4

I always bin 2x, my focus lengths are usually 10 seconds LRGB, SHO up to 25 seconds. I have a 9.25 Edge HD with Essato 2” robotics focuser . Lately I’m in perfect focus every filter change ( ie HFR under 3, 95% plus. I was frustrated for a while too, but using 2x bin was the ticket for me.:pray:

5

I only bin 2x for focus. I image at 1x.

6

Thanks for all the tips.
I had some success Sunday night.
I tried bin 1 at 4 seconds and bumped the steps to 300.
I was imagining the Dumbbell nebula but there aren’t any bright stars so I’m not real sure how it will work on other targets, but at least I had some success. I was thinking the 3 nights were going to be a bust for me so I’m happy.
Thank you again.
Harvey.