CEM120

[m.tweedy]

I am awaiting delivery of my CEM120 and am in the process of dismantling my NEQ6 from its Observatory pier.
when I say me I really mean my friends as I am in a sling 24 hours a day (yes that includes bed and shower etc) for 6 weeks following my tendons being screwed back on to my rotator cuff (shoulder).

i cannot seem to find anywhere the height of the CEM120 head.

ideally if anyone has one and is willing to let me know how high this beast is when in zero position at UK latitude I would appreciate it. From base plate to top of saddle.

i am just trying to work out if I need to adjust my pier height.

Many thanks

Michael

ps trying to type with my left hand (I am right handed) means I may be a little slow in my responses.

Edited January 24, 2020 by m.tweedy
Additional text.

[Davey-T]

Don't know if he mentions the height anywhere but Ray has a few videos on the CEM120 on his site.

Dave

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIMrJZT5raqG2tir1ZEcvMg/videos

[m.tweedy]

Thanks Dave. I have studied them in great detail (along with others) and everyone says that they are big. However I don’t know what “big” is.

i have an NEQ6 on a mini pier on top of my proper pier so was hoping it would not be any higher than that.

[old_eyes]

From CloudyNights CEM120 height is 500mm https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/608110-pier-size-for-a-cem120/

[m.tweedy]

Thank you old_eyes I had not found that. If it is 500mm high that does not seem much different to my NEQ6  height.

It always looks huge on the YouTube videos.

i will find out on Monday I guess.
 

Edited January 24, 2020 by m.tweedy

[wavydavy]

Good post was wondering that myself as Ive just done concrete pier in my obsy and had to extend it...……(haven't brought yet).

[m.tweedy]

I will keep the post updated with exact size comparisons for future reference.

[m.tweedy]

It arrived today so here are a few of the obligatory unboxing videos.

it will take a while until I get it mounted so I will not be able to measure the true height at my 55 degrees North until then.

 

[m.tweedy]

[m.tweedy]

[m.tweedy]

A little more progress.
Thank you Cristian for making the plate for the mount. Harry for making it fit my pier and lifting the mount in to position.
A few more small steps forward today thanks to Ken.
Still a long way to go but as I am in the sling for a few weeks yet there is no hurry. 
May update the firmware as that should be manageable one handed.
 

[m.tweedy]

An update on my painfully slow mount upgrade.

Due to a slow recovery from my operation and it’s potential failure I have not managed first light yet.

i was originally going to dual mount my C8 and GT81 but have given up on that idea for now (I cannot manage to lift the weight and lockdown means no one can assist) however over the last few days I have managed to get the GT81 mounted. Those counterweights are heavy! Waiting for custom made cables from Dew Control as I am sick of spaghetti junction. Anyway here are some photos.

onwards and upwards.

 

[m.tweedy]

After some great feedback I have changed my mount and scope configuration as the CEM120 has great through the mount to saddle power and powered USB3 connections. Bought some bespoke power connectors from Dew Control and some Lindy USB cables from FLO. They have made such a difference. The only thing hanging off the scope now is the Lakeside ribbon cable.

[m.tweedy]

Before

[m.tweedy]

After

[RayD]

Looking good.  

The through the mount cabling is excellent and not given a hiccup on mine to date, so definitely a good move there.

[m.tweedy]

6 minutes ago, RayD said:

Looking good.  

The through the mount cabling is excellent and not given a hiccup on mine to date, so definitely a good move there.

Thanks. One day I aspire to get somewhere near what you achieve with your imaging.

[m.tweedy]

Ignore the untidy cabling off the pier. It will get sorted however cleaning the block paving drive is more important-APPARENTLY. 

[JayStar]

Where did you get that silver losmandy plate - custom made?

Looks super.

[m.tweedy]

On 02/01/2021 at 19:29, JayStar said:

Where did you get that silver losmandy plate - custom made?

Looks super.

Oops just spotted this. It is a flat Aluminum plate bolted to the top of a standard Losmandy.

[JayStar]

On 09/02/2021 at 16:40, m.tweedy said:

Oops just spotted this. It is a flat Aluminum plate bolted to the top of a standard Losmandy.

Thanks  - my CEM120 mount has now arrived and I am in the middle of set up.

Always interesting to see what routes others take for mounting/wiring etc.

[m.tweedy]

On 10/02/2021 at 23:23, JayStar said:

Thanks  - my CEM120 mount has now arrived and I am in the middle of set up.

Always interesting to see what routes others take for mounting/wiring etc.

Ask any questions you want