More weight or longer bar

[Davey-T]

Is it better to add more weight to balance the mount or the same weight on a longer bar ?

Remember this being discussed before but can't remember what the consensus was.

Dave

[Tinker1947]

Its less likely to flex with a shorter bar......

 

 

[Bizibilder]

And you are less likely to trip/fall over it in the dark.

In theory light/long and heavy/short are equivalent so it makes no difference.

[pete_l]

Short bars with weights nearer the centre of gravity (and telescopes nearer the centre of gravity) are technically superior. They have a lower "moment of inertia" - you were paying attention during physics lessons, weren't you.

So it needs less effort to start, stop or change any motion in the system: such as slewing or guiding. In practical terms, a short bar is less "whippy".

[Davey-T]

Thanks for replies every one, guess I'll have to buy another counter weight.

Dave

[Tinker1947]

9 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

Thanks for replies every one, guess I'll have to buy another counter weight.

Dave

Get 2 and be future proof'ish

[pete_l]

41 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

Thanks for replies every one, guess I'll have to buy another counter weight.

Dave

This is astronomy, you know in your heart that the correct answer is always the most expensive option.

[Davey-T]

Lashed up a temporary weight out of doorstops and it balances fine in RA.

This is a iOptron iEQ45, it has a built in balance checker which says OK in RA but the Dec one wants more weight on the front end but the scope is all ready well forwards and if I loosen the Dec clutch it rotates so the front is hanging vertically down so can it really want more forward weight ?

Dave

[Stub Mandrel]

15kg of weights in two sizes for £15 in Lidl recently. They would probably need sleeving and some way of locking them in place, unless you sandwich them between two existing weights.