Counterweight for the Meade UWA

[iceman (Mike)]

As I mentioned in the other thread, now that i've got my Meade UWA, one of the first things I noticed is that the UWA is darn heavy.. I need some magnets/weights for the back of my scope..

At around 20 degrees altitude and lower, and the scope starts tipping down, and that's with my 1 spring connected.

What do you recommend I use to weigh down the back of the scope? Ideally something that can be easily removed for when i'm not using the Meade EP.

Thanks for your advice.

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Hi mike,
When I had a Dob, I used two types of counter weight sytems.

1st, was a divers belt weight. Used velcro on the tube and weight, moved it along the back of the tube where needed.

2nd, i used a small container that had fishing sinkers in it. Just added more when needed.

Hope that helps

[jackenau]

I just use speaker magnets, move them up and down to suit. Works a treat.

Ken M

[Striker (Tony)]

I dont have a Dob anymore but I was going to say a heavy magnet will do the job....no need for straps or anything just a magnet......

Speaker's are great way as Ken just said...just dont pull apart the Bose home theatre system to do so.....lol

[RAJAH235]

Mike, See pic. L.
Only 1 strap req'd. It's what I use all the time. Just adj. when it's wet or with the UWA 14.

[iceman (Mike)]

That's a nice design Laurie, how do you get the stud into the base? I don't have much in the way of woodworking tools..

I'll try and find some magnets too, in the meantime. Any ideas of the best/cheapest place to get them from?

[Striker (Tony)]

Hmmmmm...not sure....maybe buy a really cheap pair of car speakers.......I dont know probably $10 from some el cheapo place.....


Ken may be able to help.....

If you want a professional finish...

http://www.magnet.au.com/

[Howzat (Phil)]

Flea Markets or garage sales
or if you want some really really good ones cheaply just hang around the carpark of your local shopping centre and wait for the white van to pull up....

[RAJAH235]

Mike, I just drilled a pilot hole (3/16"), & tapped it 1/4" whitworth.
I used 'clear nail lacquer' as a loctite sub.(cheaper), to stop the stud coming out. (no smart comments please).
L.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Already explained magnets a couple of times now. Find some junky speakers , preferably different sizes for different weights.

Place a flat screwdriver in between the magnet and the speaker body and tap the screwdriver with a hammer or something else. The magnet comes off easy as it is only held by a few aluminium rivets.

I glued some bicycle inner tube rubber to one side so they don't scratch the OTA.

See below for photo of them in use and one of them is turned upside down to show the rubber.

[robin]

This has probably been posted before but tell me, how ARE the new Meade series 5000 EP's? Are they as good as the Meade marketing guys will have us believe? I'm a Meade guy so I'm curious.

[RAJAH235]

Me too, Robin. hint; Try starting a new thread on the subject, might get more response. L.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks Ken i'll try and find some old junk speakers at a garage sale or the salvos store.

And robin I agree with Laurie

[RAJAH235]

Mike, You'll get heaps from the Salvo's. I did volunteer work in the Electrical section & you would NOT BELIEVE the stuff that people donate!!! You name it, they threw it away!!! L.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

<b>Any Telescopes?</b>

[RAJAH235]

Just JUNKIE ones. You know. L. (tongue in cheek).