Skywatcher AZ-GTi & TS Counterbalance System

[johninderby]

Skywatcher AZ-GTi & TS Counterbalance System& 

Already had the TS counterbalance system that I was using with a manual Alt -Az mount and thought it would be ideal with a Skywatcher AZ-GTi mount.The counterbalance system allows for perfect balancing of a scope in the Alt axis which will reduce the loading on the gears and will increase the max load of the mount. 

Used a Geoptik 80mm dovetail and a small TS vixen clamp that fits into the stock saddle. Replaced the upper saddle clamp on the TS counterbalance with a WO saddle. Had a set of Skytee II counterweights.

Put the Omegon 127 Mak on the mount and used both counterweights and it balanced perfectly. With the clutch released the scope could be moved to any angle with a fingertip and just stayed there. 

Tried slewing the mount and movement was perfectly smooth and did notice noise was reduced and gave the impression the mount wasn’t working hard  at all.

So far so good. Now just need the clouds to stay away for a bit. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[johninderby]

Update

Have now replaced the stock saddle with a mounting puck I machined up earlier today. Much neater. 👍🏻

Edited June 15, 2020 by johninderby