More Takahashi balancing issues

[Entropy]

Hey Guys, me again with yet another balancing question.

So all my equipment now sits happily on top my mount, but when I use the 'classic' balancing method I used on my Newt I have noticed that the telescope isn't balanced in all directions. I remedied this on my newt by making sure that the focuser (with camera attached) was facing 'downwards', but I don't see how I can do this with my current setup.

I have a Tak106 with Orion 80mm short tube on top and a 7x50 finderscope on the Tak.

Thanks guys

[omegacrux (David)]

You balance it horizontal
Slide it VIA rails or the tube in the rings
till it equalize's

David

[Joshua Bunn (Joshua)]

It realty helps to try and get the rig symmetrical on either side of the OTA axis when looking at it from behind (or front) and straight up the declination shaft. so maybe you need something to balance your finder, assuming the 80mm and Tak is already symmetrical.

Once that is done place your RA shaft horizontal and also the scope horizontal. Balance the scope in Declination. While keeping the RA shaft horizontal, point the scope at the zenith. the OTA should stay there and be balanced at all declinations.

Put the OTA horizontal again and balance the RA axis by sliding the counterweights.

Josh

[Entropy]

Thanks for the help. Looks like I might have to ditch the Tak finder and by a finder to sit on top of the guide scope. That should make it symmetrical, I think. Will try after work.

[Joshua Bunn (Joshua)]

You could Try strapping some weight to the other side of the OTA on the oposite side to the finder to counterbalance the finder scope.

Josh

[gbeal]

Perhaps post a picture.
If the tube can be rotated within the rings, try that, even just a little to get the finder closer to the "top".
Gotta ask though, is the radial balance all that critical?
Gary

[Joshua Bunn (Joshua)]

Originally Posted by gbeal

Perhaps post a picture.
If the tube can be rotated within the rings, try that, even just a little to get the finder closer to the "top".
Gary

didnt think of that.
I guess it cant be to critical, but would depend on the weight of your finder and how the mount handles the current payload.
Josh

[Entropy]

Unfortunately I don't think the tube will rotate to well. The balance isn't THAT bad but I was worried as I want to image with the scope and I read that this is critically important to have perfect balance for guiding, is this an exaggeration?
I think I am definitely in the upper limits of my mounts weight capacity ( Skywatcher EQ6pro). Once I have enough money I intent buying a new mount (probably an MX or similar) just want to get it all nice for SPSP though)

Entropy

[Entropy]

Bit of a thread resurrection sorry but have new balancing issues.
I saw someone (on you tube) with an ADM counterweight system that had a counterweight perpendicular to the mounts counterweights but attached to the dovetail itself.

link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sErl_MEcE94 at about 2:20

I have been looking around ADM's website for something similar but cant seem to find anything, does anyone know what bit of kit that is? Also does anyone know if you can order it within Aus or have to ship it in?

Thanks

[raymo]

Perfect balance is not critical for imaging; good balance is. Many people, including me, deliberately unbalance our rigs a little, against the direction
of the R.A. drive in order to eliminate any backlash in the drive train. This
would not be necessary of course, if you have belt drive instead of gears.
raymo

[Visionoz (Bill)]

Originally Posted by Entropy

Bit of a thread resurrection sorry but have new balancing issues.
I saw someone (on you tube) with an ADM counterweight system that had a counterweight perpendicular to the mounts counterweights but attached to the dovetail itself.

link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sErl_MEcE94 at about 2:20

I have been looking around ADM's website for something similar but cant seem to find anything, does anyone know what bit of kit that is? Also does anyone know if you can order it within Aus or have to ship it in?

Thanks

Perhaps you did see these but missed the purpose:
http://www.admaccessories.com/V_Seri...nterweight.htm
http://www.admaccessories.com/D_Seri...nterweight.htm
http://www.admaccessories.com/DV_Ser...nterweight.htm

HTH
Cheers
Bill

[Entropy]

Originally Posted by Visionoz

Perhaps you did see these but missed the purpose:
http://www.admaccessories.com/V_Seri...nterweight.htm
http://www.admaccessories.com/D_Seri...nterweight.htm
http://www.admaccessories.com/DV_Ser...nterweight.htm

HTH
Cheers
Bill

I saw these ones but thought that the counterweight bar would only point perpendicular to the ground and not horizontal to it.
Can the counterweight bar be removed and placed in a hole on the side of that device?
I saw in the Item # drop down box on that site a reference to a DCW-S and thought the S may have stood for side (well hoped at least) .
If that is the case, with the bar being removable and able to be placed horizontal to the ground, are there any Australian suppliers for ADM or should I just order direct?

Thanks