RE: [ATM] Counterweight system advice

["Richard Klappal" <klappal@xnet.com>]

The Cave 16" F/5.8 that I used to have access to had a set of sliding
weights mounted near the eyepiece, not unlike small barbell weights on a
shaft.  Heavy eyepiece and you moved weights aft; heavier eyepiece and you
slid the weights forward.  White paint markers were used to 'calibrate'
positions for known eyepieces.

Forward or aft placement of the entire adjustment bar would be dictated by
your desired balance point  and weight distributions.

Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: atm-bounces@atmlist.net [mailto:atm-bounces@atmlist.net]On Behalf
Of John Lynch
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2005 2:35 PM
To: atm@atmlist.net
Cc: John.P.Lynch@nasa.gov
Subject: [ATM] Counterweight system advice


To the ATM listserv:

Does anyone have experience with counterweight systems
for larger reflecting telescopes.  I've recently been
thinking about this for an 8" f/6.25 that will use
Nagler Type 4 eyepieces (1.5 lbs), potentially a
camera body, and Coronado SolarMax mounted on a plate
at the front of the telescope.  These, of course,
would be different configurations and not all in use
at the same time.  I was thinking that a small
counterweight system at the aft end equal to the
weight of each of the components mentioned previously
would prevent the need from readjusting the telescope
position within the clamp rings that I have.  I've
been trying to locate pictures of old telescopes (such
as the Cave Astrola) that used this sort of thing.  I
was thinking of making the compoents for this system
myself.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

John Lynch



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