Easy Cheap Counter Weight

[Mav359]

Hi guys

I'm in the process of building my Auto focuser for my SCT, like any new accessory it will add weight and in this case the only mounting point is on the rear cell of the scope.

This means the whole rig will need to be rebalanced, no big deal however in the DEC Horizontal the scope will have to be slid further up the dovetail in order to achieve balance, there is room for that on the dovetail however the camera & hyperstar are getting to the point where they are touching the walls in the OBS (i built my OBS to just fit due to a lack of space).

The obvious solution is to add more weight to the front of the OTA to counter the weight of the new focuser but i don't really fancy paying £100 for some weights and a dovetail when there maybe a Quick and easy DIY option.

Any Suggestions?

[Earl]

Well the first thing is to work out how much weight is needed, or at least a range of weight, it could be as simple as hanging a sea fishing weight off the lowest front ota screw

[crashtestdummy]

I used the Velcro type ankle weights for my dob as a cheap counterweight.just get a pair of them and buy some adhesive Velcro strip and bibs your mother's brother

[Mav359]

LOL

"here's my latest M42 & a 12lb cod from last night"

No a bad idea that, I'd have to check the drop of anything like that to ensure it wasn't clattering the mount though

[Mav359]

I used the Velcro type ankle weights for my dob as a cheap counterweight.just get a pair of them and buy some adhesive Velcro strip and bibs your mother's brother

LOL who's this bib?

Also a good idea

[Earl]

LOL

"here's my latest M42 & a 12lb cod from last night"

No a bad idea that, I'd have to check the drop of anything like that to ensure it wasn't clattering the mount though

If it was attached with a stiff wire or a ridged strip of ally that should not be a problem.

[Alien 13]

Ive made counterweights from threaded rods and a load of washers with nuts to tighten them in place..

[Mav359]

Any pics?

[Mav359]

i was just thinking about the saftey screw that is in either end of the dove tail which prevent the scope sliding off the mount should the dovetail be loose. I was thing about getting a longer threaded screw that i could feed through a weight perhaps

[Alien 13]

i was just thinking about the saftey screw that is in either end of the dove tail which prevent the scope sliding off the mount should the dovetail be loose. I was thing about getting a longer threaded screw that i could feed through a weight perhaps

 

Got no pics but this is exactly what i did i used 100mm long M5 bolts with M5 washers but any bolt or threaded rod of the required size would do

[crashtestdummy]

Bib would be Bob with autocorrect enabled

[Naemeth]

Weight lifting discs if you've got any lying around.

[faulksy]

have a look at my counterbalnce system that i just made in the diy section, only posted it about a week ago

here it is http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/199019-cpc-counter-balance-system/