Astro engineering Meade 3D weight system availability?

[assouptro]

Hi all.

I have been struggling on balancing my 12" Meade with piggybacked rev ed100 in different configurations, depending which scope guides and which is snapping the universe.

it takes me a lot of time and a certain amount of trial and error as I have now changed my dslr for a heavier one and my guide cam for a lighter one the weight system I currently use is a simple bar with screw holes for threads and weights, I have slightly modified this with the addition of a longer threaded bar, and a larger 13lb weight from another scope I have.

it only just clears the forks at the moment!

ive included some photos of the current config.

I have read about the Astro engineering 3D weight system but i can't seem to find anywhere in the uk (via web search) that stocks it! 

Any suggestions? 

Thanks in advance 

Bryan

[Oddsocks]

Not sure if the original Astro Engineering as such is still going but I think this is the equivalent system from Meade:

https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/meade-lx/meade-balance-system-12-lx.html

They also carry this system which is less expensive but doesn't seem a whole lot better than what you already have:

https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/meade-lx/rail-weight-system-for-12-lx-series.html

If you browse the LX accessories they do a whole range of different counterbalance systems for the LX series.

When I used to run a LX200 10" with a heavy 35mm SLR I had low profile weights mounted on two bars, one above and one below below the OTA as I found it was impossible to place a large enough weight on the lower bar alone without fouling the fork.

You would be better off financially just looking in your local yellow pages, or web search for a local engineering company, and have a plain steel low profile weight made to screw to your existing rail, or a new dovetail rail and matching weight made with a simple screw-lock for positioning. If you paint it yourself you should be able to get something made for less than £100.

Otherwise, place a wanted add here on SGL, or check the used ads on AstroBuySell(UK) as the old 3d weight system does appear from time to time.

http://www.astrobuysell.com/uk/

HTH

Edited May 29, 2017 by Oddsocks
Extra info added.

[Davey-T]

I have a balance system from Telescope House but not like the one linked to, it has similar tubular weights but they can be rotated sideways to help balancing.

Dave

This one https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/meade-lx/seperate-weight-set-for-rail-systems.html

 

Edited May 29, 2017 by Davey-T

[assouptro]

43 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

I have a balance system from Telescope House but not like the one linked to, it has similar tubular weights but they can be rotated sideways to help balancing.

Dave

This one https://www.telescopehouse.com/accessories/meade-lx/seperate-weight-set-for-rail-systems.html

 

Thanks Dave

I have the system you linked to, but found I needed more weight, so I modified it using weights from an eq mount I had.

Idealy I'd like to be able to slide the weights forward and back along the system without having to unscrew them and only be able to place them where the mount holes are. 

It's fine when I get balance, but then when I add a  dewshield the weight changes and I need small adjustments to compensate.

maybe I should look at the on axis rear weight by Peterson engineering? That may help with the dewshield? 

Have you had any experience with these?

 

[Davey-T]

I have found that I need to rebalance the scope depending on the equipment and aiming point, I think this is unavoidable.

No experience of the Peterson rear weight.

There's a file on the LX200GPS Yahoo Groups site by Dr Clay on balancing theses scopes

I've done couple of mods to help, will try and do some pics.

Dave

[assouptro]

1 hour ago, Davey-T said:

I have found that I need to rebalance the scope depending on the equipment and aiming point, I think this is unavoidable.

No experience of the Peterson rear weight.

There's a file on the LX200GPS Yahoo Groups site by Dr Clay on balancing theses scopes

I've done couple of mods to help, will try and do some pics.

Dave

Thanks Dave , that would be really helpful.

ive carried out quite a few mods myself, upgraded the gears, the dec cutch, the focus kit. Etc, etc 

[Davey-T]

Here's what I've done to refine the balancing, couple of doorstops from Screwfix and they can be moved up and down the threaded rod to get balance just right.

Need to drill and tap one of the existing weights and drill through the doorstops.

Dave

 

Edited May 29, 2017 by Davey-T

[assouptro]

13 minutes ago, Davey-T said:

Here's what I've done to refine the balancing, couple of doorstops from Screwfix and they can be moved up and down the threaded rod to get balance just right.

Need to drill and tap one of the existing weights and drill through the doorstops.

Dave

 

Nice one Dave!

a couple of great ideas there, that's part of the charm with this hobby, I have to admit, I sometimes get more pleasure out of solving a problem with the equipment than processing the images you work hard to obtain!

Thanks for taking the time to post this pics! 

Bryan