COUNTER BALANCE DOB PROBLEMS??

[PARTY MARTY]

Hi SLG and all members!

I've come a cross a slight small problem, I only just installed the 2" Skywatcher low profile crayston focuser, and after trying out my Astro-vid Stella cam to fit. The scope decided to take a nose dive.

So an counter weight is needed to avoid this!!!

However I just looking for a perfect counter weight for it's size and weight which is suitable for counterbalancing when using the stella cam or 2" eyepieces which weigh an excessive weight of 1Kg, I would say.

Please does anyone have any suggestions???

[CGolder]

Magnets i think are the best, this way u can move them to the correct position on the tube and adjust for different loads

[Chris H]

Check out this link

Counter Balance Weights for Orion XT10 Telescope

[brantuk]

The Dob Users group has some great ideas for counterbalancing in the "Dob Mods" thread

[AdeyG]

Hi Marty,

I own a 10" Lightbridge and was having trouble with the scope dippind down with the 2"eyepiece and barlow in.

I got some aluminium channel

then made a nut to go inside

This was bolted to the mirror cell

For the weight i got a 2kg piece of round steel stock through which i fitted a 6mm stainless cap head screw and tightend and threadlocked into the weight, i also glued a fibre washer to the weight after it had been painted

This is then screwed into the nut and tightened down in position by simply turning the weight

If you need to adjust the balance for different weight eyepieces and other equipment then loosen slightly and slide it in the channel the just tighten it down

Hope this helps

Clear skies

[brantuk]

Nice elegant solution

[Rossco72]

Given the popularity of dobs, I really am surprised that there aren't commercial solutions available and everyone has to go and invent their own solution each time!

[AdeyG]

Thanks Brantuk,

Stuart, i know what you mean but it's fun coming up with solutions sometimes and they can be better designed and or cheaper than if the manufacturer did it! Just look at the altitude friction brake on the lightbridge! After thought?oh yes ! Could it be better? Definitely! mmmmmm what can i do about it?