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View Full Version here: : Counterweights for lighter scopes?


04Stefan07
12-10-2014, 09:01 AM
I currently have two of these counterweights:

http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tripods/Counterweights/Sky-Watcher-EQ6-Counterweight/125/productview.aspx

One of these is enough for my 127 MAK however when using my PST one is too heavy for it.

Are there counterweights maybe half the weight of one of those that I can get somewhere? Wondering if they exist or not...?

Even second hand would be better!

I am trying to align my mount with the Sun but it always starts to drift out of view. I am just using the PST on the mount with the L bracket adapter. Is not having the counterweight making the Sun drift out of view or would it be my true North heading?

Cheers,
Stefan.

mithrandir
12-10-2014, 09:33 AM
Stefan, I would have thought a PST was light enough an HEQ5 could cope without much in the way of weights. Maybe a good size fishing sinker and some gaffer tape. Did you slide the weight as far up the shaft as it would go? Everything is clamped down tightly enough so the adapter is not slipping?

The Sun drifts in declination so even if you are tracking at a solar rate it won't stay centered. Having said that, the drift is small. Any error in polar alignment will cause a bigger drift.

04Stefan07
12-10-2014, 11:56 AM
Oh crap, I forgot to do a proper polar alignment!

I slid the weight as far up as possible but it was still not enough and everything was clamped down.

MattT
12-10-2014, 04:15 PM
Skywatcher do a 1.8kg weight. Bintel had one a couple of weeks ago, give em a ring.
Matt

raymo
12-10-2014, 06:21 PM
Might sound silly, but I assume that you are sliding the shaft up, as well as the weight.
raymo

Merlin66
13-10-2014, 10:01 AM
Those Velcro wrist weights you see at Target/ KMart might be what you need.

LewisM
13-10-2014, 11:33 AM
Vixen weights fit the HEQ5 without any alterations required, and their smallest counterweight is 1.9kg.

You can get it here: http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-033L

04Stefan07
04-11-2014, 06:49 PM
Was able to get one from a member here.

Cheers everyone!