ATM Alt Balance and Eyepieces

[Doug Tanaka <dtanaka@seanet.com>]

I am wondering what other folks do to keep the optical tube on a well-balanced Dob from 
rising up when removing a large eyepiece - like a Nagler - to put in another eyepiece?  I 
adjust my balance using combinations of bungee cord, but the loss of two-plus pounds 
invariably causes the tube to rise and I lose whatever I was looking at.  My own solution 
to the problem is to make a solenoid, mounted in the mirror box, that will push opposing, 
rubber tipped rods through holes in the mirror box, applying friction against the rocker 
box.  The solenoid will activate through a small switch mounted next to the focuser.  
Theoretically it works, but the solenoid I made (thin 1/2" tubing, wrapped along 2-1/2" 
of its length with 150' of #26 magnet wire) gets pretty warm in a short amount of time - 
not a good thing to have in the mirror box.  I am thinking about adding more wire to 
increase resistance, (it's now about 6 ohms @ 12VDC), and this should lower the heat 
some.  Short of putting in a heat shield, does anyone have thoughts on how to reduce the 
heat without reducing magnetic strength?  I tried adding a 50 ohm resistor, but this 
reduced the magnetic pull too much.  I would also like to know how others handle the 
problem.  I understand that Mel's system would do it, but short of an equatorial 
platform, I enjoy star-hopping and want to keep things simple.  

Thanks,

Doug Tanaka