Can I use the Sky-Watcher EQ5 mount at -16.5 latitude (Cairns)?

[vesko]

As far as I am aware, some of the cheaper Celestron and Meade EQ mounts are unsuitable for the above latitude without certain modifications. So I was wondering whether the same applies to the Sky-Watcher mounts.

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Yes you can but... the counterweights may hit the southern leg when viewing near the horizon. They only just miss at -21.1 here in Mackay.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

Yes you can but... the counterweights may hit the southern leg when viewing near the horizon. They only just miss at -21.1 here in Mackay.

If you were to set up the mount with the leg pointing south made a bit shorter than the other two and then use a digital level or plumb bob and protractor to set the RA axis inclination (rather than the scale) you could get more clearance between the counterweights and the tripod leg.
Just don't shorten the leg much or you'll be in danger of the mount overbalancing. It might be a good idea to attach some weights to the two north oriented legs to improve the stability.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

You could use Vixen GP counterweights, which are a smaller diameter than the Skywatcher ones-this would give you more clearance if you need it.

[vesko]

How about the HEQ5 mount?

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

Originally Posted by vesko

How about the HEQ5 mount?

Sorry, mine actually is the HEQ5 pro.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by vesko

How about the HEQ5 mount?

EQ5 has same diameter counterweight shaft as Vixen GP or GPD2 Not sure about HEQ5-you would need to check.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Originally Posted by vesko

How about the HEQ5 mount?

Here is a photo of the clearance of my HEQ5 set at 18 degrees , as low as mine goes I cant use it here in Darwin at 12 degrees , it clashes , but Lauries idea about using Vixen CW's is a good one .
Photo* 2 is the standard tripod at 18*
Photo* 1 is the HEQ5 on my TV ash tripod at 12*.

And my HEQ5's CW shaft is 18mm and my Vixen Super Polaris's CW shaft is 20mm , so the Vixen one's will fit .

Brian.

[raymo]

If the load you are putting on your mount is well below it's designed maximum, you could add an extra weight, which would allow you to
slide the weight package further up the shaft, thus increasing the clearance.
I do that with my HEQ5 when I go up to Broome with my smaller travelling scope. Hope this helps.
raymo

[vesko]

Thanks e'one. Laurie's options looks like the best solution for me.

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

You can buy a half pier extension for the EQ6 pro that works around this problem. I don't know if you can buy a half pier extension for the HEQ5 but you could probably have one made or purchase a full pier for the HEQ5.

I used my iOptron iEQ45 for last years solar eclipse at Maitland Downs. It can go down to low latitudes but you need to load up the counterweights so that they are up close to the top of the counterweight shaft.

Tilting the leg not only destabilizes the mount but makes polar alignment more difficult because as you change azimuth, you also change altitude. Not such a big deal if using the finder but more difficult if using drift align to refine photographic alignment.

Joe

[Damienandwendy (Damien)]

I just purchased a second hand HEQ5 pro in Townsville and the previous owner had moved the post on top of the tripod across to the other side so no the "north" leg actually points north and there is a big open area for the counterweights to swing through.

He also had a pier extension but that was more so that the moderately large refractor (Vixen NA140) he had didn't hit anything when slewing around the sky.