Tripod extension tube

[jambouk]

Has anyone used one of these for an equatorial mount:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-eq6-extension-tube.html

How is the stability when using the extension tube?

Thanks.

James

[Merlin66]

I use one of these on my NEQ6pro mount.

The C11 and spectroscopes needs 4 counterweights, so there's a fair load up top.

It works very well. No issues, no drama.

(I'm about to set-up a permanent pier - it will have a M12 x1.75 centre bolt to take the extension (rather than having the complex?! Owl cage arrangement) Much neater and functional)

[jambouk]

Cheers. FLO are checking the NEQ6 one fits the AZEQ6; i'm sure it will.

James

[Physopto]

Hi James,

Had one on my NEQ6 helped a lot when imaging by giving a lot of extra clearance for the camera, i.e. cleared the tripod legs.

Very solid and  stable if set up correctly and well worth the cost. Just be careful of the ball bearing, make sure it is centred correctly or the tube will move slightly as it does not tighten up properly. Done correctly it's a great addition.

Derek

[jambouk]

Cheers.

FLO have already shipped it

James

[jambouk]

There is a slight amount of rotation when attempting to turn it, where the extnesion sits on the top of the tripod, even when the central [original] bolt is screwed tight into the extension tube. I suspect this wouldn't rotate ynder normal circumstances but i'm conscious it would be relatively easy to knock the aet up and knock the PA out. I feel it needs a large rubber washer between the extension tube and the tripod head, but it doesn't come with one and i'm worried futting one may reduce stability innother directions.

Have others noticed this? Done anything about it?

James

[Merlin66]

You can use a BOA wrench on the extension to get it even tighter on the middle bolt.

I have heard of adding a fine emery paper pad/disk  to the top of the tripod to prevent any unwanted movement.

[jambouk]

Ordered a BOA wrench; never heard of one before. I'm slightly scared that something will break if i tighten too much. It wouldn't be the first time i've snapped a skywatcher bolt!

I'll experiment with the fine sand paper today. I still feel a large thin rubber washer would do the trick.

James

[Merlin66]

I've recently replaced the tripod on the NEQ6 with a pillar. This has a M12 x 1.75 central bolt.

The extension just screws onto the bolt (with the bottom disk inverted) - the BOA pulls it up nice and tight! - I don't think you'll break an M12 bolt!

Looks MUCH better than those "Owl Cage" attachments.

IMHO the rubber is too soft, and when you tighten down hard it will just shear.......

Edited April 12, 2015 by Merlin66

[jambouk]

I'll wait and try the wrench. Looking at the two surfaces, i think the point of contact is the outer rin of the extension tube (a couple of mm thick) which is painted white, on to the white paint surface at the top of the tripod, so is one slippy surface on another. The central puck inside the extension tube doesn't seem to sit on the tripod, it is sunken into the tube by a mm or so other than the nose piece which slits into the sunken hole in the centre of the tripod.

I'll experiment with various materials between the two slippy surfaces.

James

[Physopto]

James,

Are you sure that it is not the bearing not being centred. I had the

At problem at first. The roller bearing was not properly centred when Input it together the first time which allowed the movement.

Derek

[jambouk]

No, the bearing is the top of the extension tube, the rotation is at the bottom. I did have the bearings off centre initially but thought it looked wrong so did centre it.

James

[Physopto]

OK James,

I was hoping it was something simple/daft.  I really liked mine. After the bearing problem was realised, it was rock solid. Probably one of the best upgrades I did.

Best of luck.

 Derek

[jambouk]

Got the tool, now to see if it works

[Roy Challen]

Ahhhh! Boa! As in Boa constrictor! I get it now

[jambouk]

I had realised that either, until you said.

I can't get them to work as there is no room to rotate them as the tripod legs get in the way. Handy for the tool bag anyway

Jd

[damnut]

Hi James,

Use one of those extensions on pier, with a skytee II , loaded with a 152mm frac, 150mm mak and an st120. Its a solid piece of kit. Pete used to put his 10" snt on it...

[jambouk]

I think i'm overly worrying, as the rotation is only apparent if i apply a fair anount of lateral rotating force, not something i normally do when set up.

Thanks all

James

[Merlin66]

Are you applying the BOA to the extension tube???

There should be no interference with the tripod.....

[jambouk]

No, appling the BOA to the hand screw underneath which sits between the tripod legs. I can't see how putting it around the extension tube would help... Clearly i've got the wrong end of the stick [bOA]

James

[Merlin66]

Hmmm

OK

My central bolt is fixed in the pier...

I then assemble the extension and "wind" it down hard using the BOA around it....

If you can jamb the central bolt/ knob/ between the tripod legs you could probably use the same method - or a BOA on each?.

[GyCx]

Hi All.

I have just bought this extension (used) They had never used it so did not know how it was put together. Any way I only got the tube, the upper and lower plates and 3 outer bolts and 3 outer screws. I don't have anything else can you tell me what i'm missing?

Cheers.

[jambouk]

Does the top puck have a central bolt to screw into the base of your mount? If so, i think that is everything. A puck top and bottom, the tube, and a central bolt at the top to screw into the mount.

James

[GyCx]

No central bolt!  From an earlier post I noticed its a M12 1.75   do you know the length of it?

[jambouk]

The lower puck just has a threaded central hole through which the mounts existing bolt screws. The top puck (on mine anyway) has a bolt already in situ which is not removable from memory; no idea of length. Mine is currently all set up so i can't measure it for you. Astroboot sell a load of random bits, ask them.

James