c14 and a EQ6

toc (Tim) · #1 23-02-2011, 01:45 PM

Sorry if this is out of order on this forum, but for visual and Planetary webcam work, would the 12 inch be ok on an EQ6? I don't expect it to be rock solid...

el_draco (Rom) · #2 23-02-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toc

Sorry if this is out of order on this forum, but for visual and Planetary webcam work, would the 12 inch be ok on an EQ6? I don't expect it to be rock solid...

It would probably crush it...

robz (Robert) · #3 23-02-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toc

Sorry if this is out of order on this forum, but for visual and Planetary webcam work, would the 12 inch be ok on an EQ6? I don't expect it to be rock solid...

Tim, in my opinion, after having talked to many who have used the 12 with the EQ6, it will be fine for planetary visual and photography/capture.

Bear in mind that the any extras that are going to be mounted on or hanging off that tube may bring you to thin ice territory.

The mount can handle 20kg(conservatively - and can be tweaked to handle more)............the 12 inch Meade SCT OTA is a tad over 16kg, so you could still use a large eyepeice or compact camera and a Telrad, star diagonal and still be within limits.

trek1701 (Mark) · #4 23-02-2011, 10:13 PM

The Duckadang Celestron C14 sitting on an NEQ6Pro

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=60499

robz (Robert) · #5 24-02-2011, 11:27 AM

I have been informed by one person here in Perth that the EQ6 when heavily tweaked/worked on has been used successfully in imaging with a payload of 28kg.

This of course is is an exception to the rule, but does indicate that 16-20 kg for non critical work is definately possible with the EQ6.

macsen2 (Mac) · #6 25-02-2011, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toc

Sorry if this is out of order on this forum, but for visual and Planetary webcam work, would the 12 inch be ok on an EQ6? I don't expect it to be rock solid...

.................using a 12 on an EQ6,no problem..for guiding using a gso finder scope[shortened 30mm]with a dsi pro 11[very light system]................................... ..

pmrid (Peter) · #7 25-02-2011, 08:02 AM

The thread title refers to a C14 but the discussion seems to centre more around a 12". The C14 in the Duckadang thread mentioned below is mine and I did indeed mount the C14 on an NEQ6Pro. But only to get it off the ground and to try some preliminary collimation tweaks - not to actually use either visually or for imaging. The weight that had to be carried on the weight bar to balance the bare scope was huge - and balancing really difficult. I would not recommend that course to anyone.
The C14 weighed 25 kgs or so with the rings and Losmandy bar attached and nothing else. If you add a decent eyepiece and diagonal, you can add another 1-2 Kgs to that.
A 12" SCT would be another issue if the weight was significantly below that - and I see from the discussion that there may be a difference of 6 Kgs or more in the bare OTAs. That may bring it within an EQ6's range but it would still be at the top end of that range and therefore not much use for imaging. It would be OK for visual and it would track OK though. You'd have to try to keep the slew rates down to reduce stress and load on the motors and other components but it would be manageable.
Peter

Paul Haese · #8 25-02-2011, 09:00 AM

I own a C14 too and I would not recommend putting it on an EQ6. The mount is not built for that sort of stress. If you are going to buy a C14 don't skimp on the mount.

Merlin66 (Ken) · #9 25-02-2011, 04:44 PM

I've just weighed my 12" Lx OTA with Losmandy dovetail and ADM minirail guide bar it's 17.2Kg
I was considering taking it off the forks (which weigh 15.7Kg by the way)
and putting it on the NEQ6pro....by the time you add the spectroscope/ cameras etc etc I don't think the NEQ6 is up to the job....the OTA is going back onto the forks.

icytailmark (Mark) · #10 25-02-2011, 04:49 PM

a losmandy g11 should handle a c14.

renormalised (Carl) · #11 25-02-2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icytailmark

a losmandy g11 should handle a c14.

Should....they can carry 60lbs (about 27kgs).

toc (Tim) · #12 25-02-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrid

The thread title refers to a C14 but the discussion seems to centre more around a 12".

Yes this little discussion was originally part of a for-sale thread for a Meade 12" ACF scope. I think the moderator made little boo boo when they moved it here.

FWIW, Ive bought the 12 inch, so it served its purpose

toc (Tim) · #13 25-02-2011, 05:42 PM

In another thread, there is a comment about how Meade put a heavy iron counter weight in the back of the 12 inch scope, apparently to balance it on a fork mount. Im probably to much of a wimp to try and remove it though. I have a bad track record of 'improving' stuff

Merlin66 (Ken) · #14 25-02-2011, 05:43 PM

yes, but did you also buy a NEQ6 mount??

Merlin66 (Ken) · #15 25-02-2011, 05:45 PM

Tim,
could you link to that thread?
I've had the 12" for the past six years and never heard of the "big iron weight" - mind you I've never pulled the OTA apart!

robz (Robert) · #16 25-02-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toc

In another thread, there is a comment about how Meade put a heavy iron counter weight in the back of the 12 inch scope, apparently to balance it on a fork mount. Im probably to much of a wimp to try and remove it though. I have a bad track record of 'improving' stuff

Now that's interesting!...............anyone else care to comment?

toc (Tim) · #17 25-02-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin66

yes, but did you also buy a NEQ6 mount??

Nope - That is the next task

Im actually considering a GOTOless G11 as well - not sure I can come up with the 4+ grand for the full GOTO'ed G11. Im only going to be using the 12 inch for Visual for the semi long term, so I can probably get by with an EQ6 I think.

toc (Tim) · #18 25-02-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlin66

Tim,
could you link to that thread?
I've had the 12" for the past six years and never heard of the "big iron weight" - mind you I've never pulled the OTA apart!

This is the link for removing the weight from the 7inch MAK:

http://www.astromart.com/articles/ar...article_id=658

Apparently they put them in the 10 and 12 inch SCT's as well, but I havent seen pics of that

toc (Tim) · #19 25-02-2011, 09:41 PM

Just further on this: Found a link on the Meade yahoo group that details removing the internal counter weight on the LX200 12 inch:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/s...A-disassembly/

Merlin66 (Ken) · #20 26-02-2011, 12:27 AM

Just waiting on membership so I can access the info....