Counterweight Extension Bar

[Startrek (Martin)]

Has anyone used the EQ6 or EQ6-R counterweight extension bar on a HEQ5 mount ?
It looks like it may fit ?
I just need another 30 to 40mm of outward travel on my HEQ5 counterweights to be able to balance with confidence and spare adjustment , at the moment both counterweights are pushed to the end at the safety nut

Appreciate any experience with the above

NB: adding more counterbalance weight is not the answer as the payload is less than the total counterweights, I just need to move the counterweights down a bit and I’m in business

Thanks in advance

[bojan]

How much weight is missing?

Up to 1/2~1 kg should not be a problem.

Otherwise, try stainless steel shaft of appropriate diameter here...

[Wavytone]

Assuming your counterweights are iron, another solution is to slap on a couple of heavy magnets... the big ceramic ring-magnets from old hifi bass speakers would be ideal. Surely someone has an old old lying around that could be cannibalised.

[Ukastronomer (Jeremy)]

I have used THESE in the past

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xn8-Sports-...80759299&psc=1

[bojan]

Or this :-)

[Startrek (Martin)]

Thanks All
I have the extension bar from my EQ6-R so when I’m back in Sydney on the weekend I’ll see if it fits my HEQ5
If so I’ll order one from Skywatcher , I checked their website this arvo
If not , I just remembered there’s a guy I know in Ulladulla who has a metal fabrication business , he made a handrail for my decking over a year ago.He can turn one out for me. He can also chrome metal as well
So I’m covered both ends
I like the photo of the shifter spanner , a novel idea !! But it would work I suppose
Cheers

[doppler (Rick)]

It depends on the thread size of the lock nut at the end, older Heq5's had a smaller thread about m6 and need a custom made extension. I think that the NEQ6 thread is m12. You could get a bolt with the right thread and find a piece of pipe to sleeve it up to the 18mm bar thickness, if it was the m12 size.
Rick

[Startrek (Martin)]

Rick
My HEQ5 is a newer model with the big nut and thread
I’ll find out tomorrow when I’m back if it will work
Thanks for the info

Come to think of it, the counterweight bar is kind a short on the HEQ5 for a 13.5 kg visual rating ( 9 kg astrophotography rating )

I’ve seen guys with 3 x 5kg counterweights on these mounts , mine only requires 2 x counterweights but I need just another 30 to 40mm of shaft to be comfortable with my balancing

[Startrek (Martin)]

My EQ6-R extension rod does fit my HEQ5 counterweight rod so I’ve ordered one for the HEQ5 through Bintel
Currently imaging M17 with the extension rod on the HEQ5 and counterweights moved down 30mm which improved balancing. PHD2 guiding running extremely well with good Dither recovery
My HEQ5 was purchased new in late 2016 which has the larger safety nut.