Level your mount???

[DJVege]

Guys,

How do I level my mount? And by level, I mean...make sure that it's exactly horizontal and what not with the ground. I mean, how do I know if the ground is exactly level?

I have a digital inclinometer, but I dunno where to set it up so that it can calibrate what level is....

Is this making sense? Am I rambling on about nothing?

[sheeny]

G'Day DJV,

My mount has a bubble level built in which gets me close enough to drift align. I know a lot of others don't like the bubble level and use precision levels on the top of their tripods before attaching their mount.

I'm not familiar with your mount, but I'm guessing from your question that you don't remove your mount from the tripod when you pack up?:shrug: I imagine that if you take your mount off the tripod there will be a suitable flat surface you can use a level on.

Al.

[Lee]

Level is level - has nothing to do with the contour of the ground - if you are on sloping ground you'll probably need to adjust the heights of the tripod legs differently. I use a spirit level.

[DJVege]

I have an HEQ5 mount. I guess, as I'm thoroughly confused now :), that I should ask:

What is leveling your mount? What does it do? And why do I need to do it?

Sorry. Still a n00b at this. :)

[DaveO]

DJ

I have an EQ6, but the bubble level in the mount is useless.

I used to have a small builders level, but you have to keey moving it. Instead, I now have a small circular bubble level that I bought at Bunnings for $10.

I stick it in the centre well of the tripod, adjust the legs until it is level, and away I go. Add the mount and you are set.

Others do the same, and it is the easiest option I can think of.

[Geoff45]

Levelling the mount is not necessary, but if it is level, polar alignment is a bit easier. If you polar align by using a polar scope, it doesn't matter how unlevel your mount is. When you drift align, you have to switch between meridian and horizon and if the mount is not level you have to repeat this more times, but it will come right in the end. Near enough is good enough as far as levelling is concerned.

[ballaratdragons]

DJ,

the reason for levelling the mount is to get exact tracking. If you are out in any direction, the mount will not track properly.
As Geoff above says, you can get away with 'near enough', but to get tracking spot-on, you'll need to level it.

It is easily checked with a large bubble level, or a small straight level used in several direction.

Here is a link: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=16577

[Geoff45]

No
The only thing you need for exact tracking is that your polar axis points to the South celestial pole. It's easier to achieve this if the mount is level, but the mount doesn't have to be level. Trust me.

[Lee]

Tracking will be fine as long as you are polar aligned properly - and you don't need to be level for that - but a level mount makes drift aligning an equatorial mount simpler.

Or what Geoff said!

[Phil]

If you need to calibrate something. Best of making a water level best level in the world. Get some clear tubing as long as you like fill it with water making shore there are no air bubbles in it. Then to get a true level put level on the wall separating the two ends of the tube let the water settle and mark the two point where the water is in the tube on the wall. This will give your a true level to calibrate of.
Phil

[g__day]

Per the above, you could 45 degrees inclined, and with two axes of rotations on your GE mount its perfectly possible and easy to get as good SCP alignment as if you where level.

Of course your balance would not great as you point of suspension is closer to your tipping point. Once the primary axis is SCP aligned - you could rotate the body housing around this alignment point (and go far off level with the ground) and it wouldn't change tracking on iota.

[ballaratdragons]

I never considered that once it's polar aligned it doesn't matter about being dead level. :doh:
Makes sense though :)

And here I was getting it EXACT! :lol:

[Karls48]

To set your digital inclinometer to 0 degrees, fill some large container with water and then float dinner plate in it. Put your inclinometer on the plate and press zero button (or whatever sets 0 reference on yours). And there is your absolute 0 degrees reference

[DJVege]

Thanks guys!

Thanks Phil and Karls48 for the tip on how to set the inclinometer to 0.

Much appreciated!

Now I just need my rings to arrive so i can mount the scope!!!!!! :)

[Stephen65]

I bought a small builder's spirit level that contains three bubble levels, two at right angles and the third at 45 degrees to the other two.