Can't balance short Refractor to mount.

[Taff]

Hi' I am looking for some advice please. I can not balance my Sky-watcher 500mm refractor to my NEQ6 mount because the dovetail is to short. What i like to know would a longer dovetail  help to balance the Refractor to the mount, Thanks for reading. Mark

[scotty38]

It should allow you to slide the scope up/down more so I'd say yes assuming that's the plane you need help with. It's what I did with mine....

[Taff]

Thanks for your help scotty38' I managed to balance the scope with one weight on the RA. But on the Dec the scope was just going up could not balance the scope because the dovetail is to short. Mark

[scitmon]

Yes longer dove tail will do it, or  bit of a bodge solution would be to try some ankle weights https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=ankle+weights&crid=2AXMNEF6XE0TR&sprefix=ankle+we%2Caps%2C168&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_8

 

[Taff]

Thanks scitmon' For your help great idea with the ankle weights. Mark

 

[RobertI]

The longer dovetail is the usual solution - the main challenge with this and short scopes is that the dovetail might have to extend over the focuser depending on where your balance point is. This means you may need ‘riser’ to stop it interfering with the focuser, depending on where your balance point is. It may also prevent the focuser from rotating (if you have a rotatable focuser). A good example can be seen here:

https://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/rvo-horizon-72-ed-doublet-refractor-full-imaging-package.html

I have this solution on my 66mm refractor and I can rotate the tube ok, so not always an issue. 
 

 

[Taff]

Hi Rob' Thanks for your time and help showing me the riser. Mark

[69boss302]

You can get a longer dovetail or you add a front threaded (1/4-20) weight. I got a couple of small ones off amazon but also machined my own for a little bigger one, and it worked great!