Balancing left\right

[AlistairW]

Hello,

Just wondering what the impact is of having one side of the OTA loaded up. So for example, if the 'left' hand side of the scope, had a Finder, a heavy motor focuser, and maybe something else stuck on, - then there will be an obvious imbalance (if nothing on the right hand side). Should you look to balance this, even add lead weights to the opposing side ? - (Ultimately I am wondering how that could effect guiding - i.e. should I keep as much as possible of the tube ?)

Thanks

Alistair.

[Tinker1947]

If you have tube rings you can turn the scope to get it balanced..???

[andrew s]

You need to balance it. If you put the RA axis parallel to the ground and place the scope vertical with the dec clutch released it should stay upright and not drift one way or the other. As I can't rotate my tube I add lead weights as you propose. Don't forget to re-balance the other two dimensions afterwards! 

 

Regards Andrew