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Pages: 1 CharlesW sage Reged: 11/02/12 Loc: Chula Vista & Indio, CA Balance CPC 800       #5590580 - 12/27/12 12:13 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I was trying to image Jupiter the other night using my DSLR and liveview. The video at times was a little jerky and I think it's because of a weight problem I've got six pounds of stuff on top of my OTA. I've read Starizona's balancing page. Has anyone come up with a nice home-brewed solution for balancing a CPC? Post Extras:       Larry F Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/24/04 Loc: Westchester, NY Re: Balance CPC 800 [Re: CharlesW]       #5591782 - 12/27/12 08:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If the scope is back-heavy, use a rail and a counterweight. You can slide one or more counterweights to balance accurately. I use ScopeStuff's rails and weights. If it's front-heavy, you'll need to jury-rig weights to the grip on the mirror housing. Post Extras:       Gastrol scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 11/04/11 Loc: los angeles Re: Balance CPC 800 [Re: Larry F]       #5591814 - 12/27/12 08:56 PM Attachment (58 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's my DIY solution: Post Extras:       MikeBOKC Post Laureate Reged: 05/10/10 Loc: Oklahoma City, OK Re: Balance CPC 800 [Re: CharlesW]       #5591856 - 12/27/12 09:42 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   If you are a bit too backheavy (the CPCs are naturally backheavy out of the box, but more accessories on the back end can tip that over into a realm where balance affects performance) the simplest solution is to add a dew shield, which also has the benefits of suppressing dew and shielding ambient light. Beyond that, the bottom counterweight systems offered by ADM and others do the trick nicely. Post Extras:       barbarosa professor emeritus Reged: 04/11/10 Loc: "lamorinda", CA Re: Balance CPC 800 [Re: CharlesW]       #5592790 - 12/28/12 02:34 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is my thread on a washer/T Bar system using hardware store parts. I just made new brackets and refited it to a CPC1100. I favor a DIY dewshield made from Reflectix, but when I need to use an Astrozap shield, there is a significant forward CG shift. The CPC mount will handle a substantial extra payload, however I speculate that having everything in balance will extend the life of the motors and gears. I can't say that tracking and go-to accuracy is improved (at least with a moderate extra load). Post Extras:       Digital Don Carpal Tunnel Reged: 01/20/04 Loc: Manteno, IL Re: Balance CPC 800 [Re: Gastrol]       #5593457 - 12/28/12 10:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Gastrol, Nice setup! What did you use as mounting blocks? Don Post Extras:       CharlesW sage Reged: 11/02/12 Loc: Chula Vista & Indio, CA Re: Balance CPC 800 [Re: Digital Don]       #5593513 - 12/28/12 11:04 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My problem is I'm very front heavy with a 65mm refractor and the ADM plate to support it. I do like the Rockler T Track but I'm thinking that I'll have to extend it out the back some. Post Extras:       barbarosa professor emeritus Reged: 04/11/10 Loc: "lamorinda", CA Re: Balance CPC 800 [Re: CharlesW]       #5593754 - 12/29/12 03:04 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: My problem is I'm very front heavy with a 65mm refractor and the ADM plate to support it. I do like the Rockler T Track but I'm thinking that I'll have to extend it out the back some. It does come in 24" and I think it will clear the grab handle, so you can make a test before you cut the track. The track looks sturdy enough to stand a modest cantilever load. Post Extras:       ariesangel newbie Reged: 04/11/11 Re: Balance CPC 800 [Re: Gastrol]       #5827573 - 04/28/13 12:42 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Where did u get rail and small mounts? Please Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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