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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 15:47:42 GMT
Hi guys, Looking for some tips on how to balance my scope. Currently with nothing attached to the scope its already wayyyy out of balance (bottom heavy). Then when i attach all my stuff (2" diagonal, findercam, mallincam, all the cables, reducer and filter) it puts it even more out of balance. Now if im being honest i cant say i can notice any issues. My tracking seems fine up till around 55 secs in alt/az (no wedge). My GOTO's are normally pretty spot on considering my tiny FOV. And all that with the most basic and rushed alignments. (I just plonk the scope down, roughly point the fork arms at polaris, then roughly level the OTA). No compass or spirit-level or anything just done by eye. So based on that if i didnt know any better i would say 'nah mate my scope is perfectly balanced' lol. But clearly its a million miles off being balanced. If i unlock it the scope plummets to the bottom! I got this balancing kit a while ago. Its the first time ive unpacked it all to play around with it properly... and.... dont have a clue where to start! No idea what goes where... Has anyone seen this before or could point me in the direction i can find out more info on it please?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 15:49:52 GMT
I was thinking instead of all this hassle couldn't i just get some lead or something and glue it to my dew heater strip at the front of the scope maybe?
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Post by johnno on Feb 12, 2014 15:52:25 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 17:28:27 GMT
No idea man. I dont have a dovetail bar.
Yes thats exactly what i mean. It drops down very fast and is actually pretty heavy to hold up with my hand.
Thats a cool weight set in the link!
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Post by johnno on Feb 12, 2014 17:36:11 GMT
Think you'll have to fit one on the underside of the OTA then,
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 18:02:12 GMT
Ahhh i think i worked it out These wee blocks attach to the OTA like this. It all seems a bit overkill btw...even the smallest of the weights is really heavy! And its going to mess with my dew heater and shield
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Post by davy on Feb 12, 2014 18:57:55 GMT
Think its a very similar kit ..block top and bottom holding the two long rods.and weights go on threaded rod depending on weight required how many may be required
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 20:00:25 GMT
Got it all attached no probs However its just not possible to balance it lol. The right hand pic thats the best i can do. Thats it sitting unlocked. It goes back to that position when i move the OTA up or down.
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Post by davy on Feb 12, 2014 20:25:34 GMT
Looking good chris
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 20:43:25 GMT
What am I not understanding here then. Why can't you just slide the weight up to the front end to balance it.??
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 20:57:53 GMT
Thats what Im thinking, If you slide the weight forward the scope should sit level at some point unlocked?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 21:02:14 GMT
Moving it forward is just changing the 'home position' of where it goes back to. I just cant seem to get it so that no matter what angle i put it at it stays in place Edit: The setting i have it at in the second pic was the best i could get it in terms of when i let the OTA go the speed that it goes back to the home position. It just seems the least harsh if you know what i mean.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 22:05:33 GMT
I'm not getting your problem Chris. it is a simple balancing excersise. If I were you, I'd swap this long c/w bar with the short one and then put the long one right on the front end. Put the heavy c/w at the front and a smaller one in the middle. Now slide the small c/w back and forth along the rails until you find the point of balance where the scope stays still when the clutch is released. Obviously it will become front heavy when the camera is removed, so you need to think about its park or home position or the scope might hit the mount when you dissmantle it..
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 22:19:35 GMT
If i'm thinking right (I use eq mount which is different) The home position is nothing to do with the balance point. Should the scope not sit level with weights and camera on unlocked with Alt Az like a seesaw?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 22:37:35 GMT
Sorry forget i said 'home position' lol i just used that to describe its resting place when i let to OTA go when its unlocked Carl i can make it sit level but that makes it soooo front heavy that it requires a lot of force to push it up. And drops down rapidly when i let go. The way i have it in the second photo i can pull it down to be level and it gently rises to how it looks in the pic. The smallest counter weight is much heavier than all my stuff btw would it help if i found some kind of lighter weight?
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Post by johnno on Feb 12, 2014 22:57:37 GMT
maybe you have to use both bars, to counter balance each other out, have them both in the middle to start with and slowly slide them out. 1 going towards the front and the other going towards the rear so when its balanced the scope will stay put in any position.
you might have to use all 3 weights, 2 near the front and one on the rear bar as you said its rear heavy
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 23:04:53 GMT
Ok, I undestand now. I think all you have to do is move the c/w bar by small increments until you find the point where the scope settles at the slowest speed. You may even find that positioning the actual weight at a slightly different point on the threaded bar, (a few threads up or down) will alter the balance slightly. The scope should not really fall back or forward when the clutch is released.
but always lock the clutch before removing the camera or the weight.
I suspect you might be able to get this with just the one weight, as you are nearly there now.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2014 23:51:49 GMT
John i would really not like to try that... the bigger weights are far too heavy. Theres gotta be an easier way than that. Allan i did try moving the weight up and down the threaded bar too and it does totally change it. Maybe i should be more patent with it As Karl mentioned in another thread the wires add a huge amount of weight and throw the balance right out. I need to find a better way than just the 'dangle free' approach i think
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