Balance weights on an ED80 on an AZ EQ6 mount

[alcol620]

I have been reading up on how to achieve balance with the above set up when using an Atik383 camera and a filter wheel with 2" filters - lots of out of balance without some additional weight at the front end!

I currently velcro about four and a half pound of weight on the front end to achieve balance.

Simple question: What are the pros and cons of not bothering with the addition at all and imaging with the above set up with the DEC axis significantly out of balance? I would rather not be hanging this amount of weight on the end of the ED80.  Can damage be caused to the mount motors etc?

The same problem occurs with a similar imaging set up using the Celestron 8SE scope - which is pretty heavy to start with.

Thanks for looking

Alec

[Tinker1947]

Can't the scope move up or down the dovetail.....

[alcol620]

No it's all at the limits of movement and way from balance. Very light scope the ED80 and relatively heavy gear hanging on the end.

[alcol620]

Simple question: What are the pros and cons of not bothering with the addition at all and imaging with the above set up with the DEC axis significantly out of balance? I would rather not be hanging this amount of weight on the end of the ED80.  Can damage be caused to the mount motors etc?

[Skipper Billy]

If the gears in the mount are set correctly with close to zero backlash there is a good chance the motors will stall with it so far out of balance.

Your setup is very similar to mine - I just bought a much longer dovetail bar and it balances without any extra weights at all - which is a good thing!

 

 

[Tinker1947]

You do need to balance, if your guiding a ST-80 with a CCD attached near the front of the ED80 might help with the balance, or as SB mentioned a longer dovetail bar, or both bits...

[sloz1664]

I use a longer dovetail on my rigs & using an OAG adds even more weight.

Steve

[Davesellars]

Not the Az-EQ6 but I user the Eq-6 and found the same balance problem.  Solved by fixing another dovetail on the top of the rings  and moving the guide-scope (an Altair 60mm) almost to the end of the tube rather than it hanging near the back.  Makes a big difference.

[alcol620]

Thanks everyone for helpful comments.

 

SB and Steve  can you remember which dovetail you bought?

Daves - good idea, will have a look at moving the guide camera forward

 

Regards

 

Alec