Dew Controller Counter Weight

[sharpiel]

I doubt I'm the first to think of this, however I've noticed many place their dew controller on the top mounted rail on their OTA. Being at the end of a lever arm this means extra counter weight solutions are needed on the counter weight bar.

I like to use the top rail on the rings on my TOA as a handle to carry and manage it mounting and dismounting. So I cam up with the idea of mounting the dew controller onto the top counter weight instead. Let's me move the counter weights slightly closer to the OTA as well to compensate for the (negligible) weight of the controller.

See below:

[sharpiel]

The whole set up.

[HenryNZ]

That's very clever. I may try to move the USB hub, focuser control and dew heater there too. May be fashion something like a platform that will clamp onto the shaft so it can slide up and down a bit. I never like mounting things on top of the OTA esp with the not so clever Takahashi tube rings as I am always worried about scratching the OTA. That may be the ticket.

[sharpiel]

Cheers. More weight on the counterweight bar and less on the telescope!