Scope counterbalance tips

[azrabella]

Any practical tips for counterbalancing a slightly top-heavy closed tube 150mm Dob. When angled at anything lower than 45 degrees the scope slowly drifts downwards due to heavy eyepieces. Need some kind of moveable weight (magnets) around the prime mirror end of the tube. I'm sure I am not alone with this niggle, so it would be interesting to know if there is a very simple solution, apart from the obvious, as I don't intend changing eyepieces.

Edited October 22, 2022 by azrabella

[cajen2]

I use lots of small magnets rather than one big one, allowing me to achieve a balance more easily. Plus, at least one is always within easy reach when I'm at the eyepiece.

[markse68]

a simple magnetic strip and steel weight will likely work but really you need distance from pivot AND height adjustment to get perfect balance in all axes. ADM make a nice looking kit but it’s not cheap- 

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-counterweight-kits/adm-mini-dovetail-counterweight-celestron-8-kit.html

Baader do a rail mounted weight too.

I made a counterbalance weight from roofing lead and spaced it with packing foam sheet to get the height right. It’s held to the tube with a luggage strap so easily adjusted for different eyepieces and no mods to the ota. It’s spaced further than this image now with an extra layer of 20mm foam.

Mark

[starhiker]

I am glad that I see this post before I play with all knobs around. I met this problem but I blamed to some loose knob/screws around.

[ollypenrice]

I attached an arm to the mirror box, in the same axis as the optical path of the telescope, and had a sliding counterweight on that.  It pointed down just below the bottom of the box but clear of the ground.

Olly