16 replies to this topic

[Phoenix]

Does anyone know the correct way to use ADM D series counterweights with the 16 inch RCX400? Thanks. I have the rails but not sure how to weight it so not sure how many weights I'll need.

[Mark Sibole]

do you have the bar and weights installed?What else do you have mounted on the  OTA.This will determin how to weight it.

[Phoenix]

Mr. Sibole I haven't bought any weights yet and was hoping to get someone who knows how many 3.5 lb and 1.75 lb weights are needed for the telescope. 

[Phoenix]

At 20.00 to 25.00 a piece I don't want to overdo it but also don't want to come up short so I was hoping someone with a 16 or knowledge of the 16 counterweighted could give me a rough guess of the weight needed in general. Thanks again Mr. Sibole.

[Mark Sibole]

OK here is some info to ponder on.

Weights will vary depending on what you add to the scope.

On my LX200 I have a weight bar on the bottom of the OTA to counter balance the Guide scope or second scope mounted on top. Counter weight will vary in weight depending on the weight  applied on the top .

You will usually have to add a side weight on the east side of the scope to counter weight the drive motor and board if you dont use the batterys in the east fork.

Weights will then be slid forward or backwards depending on the weight of the diagonal and eyepiece or weight of a camera filter wheel ect.

you dont want to work the motors hard and want to keep it close to balance as you can.

Generally you want to keep it a tad top heavy and a tad east heavt to keep a constant pressure on the drive gears.

Not a real good pic to show you but here is mine.You can see on tp a 80 mm refractor

On the bottom you can see the weights.and on the east fork arm a small weight to compensate for no batterys to balance it out but still keep it a tad east heavy.

[Mark Sibole]

some better images.

 

[Mark Sibole]

on the bottom of the ota it is basically a 3d weight system where tou can slide the weights forward and backwards and also closer to the tube or further from the tube to get a good balance all the way around.

I hope this explained a lot and helps you in your decision making and i helped to clarify a few things

 

Regards

 

Mark

[Phoenix]

Ok thanks and let me know if you can give me a guess of how many weights to order. I will use a bogen camera mount on top sometimes with a dslr I haven't settled on and want to mount a five inch short tube refractor like a televue at other times but haven't purchased either yet just the rails.

[Phoenix]

I already have the ADM D series rails but haven't gone further yet so maybe I should buy two or three to slide on the bottom rather than one alone at the rear that I see done on the smaller RCX's.

[Mark Sibole]

Im not sure what they offer but id think a 1 pound weight a .5 pound weight and a 3 d weight.Let me run over to the adm site real fast and see what they offer.

[Mark Sibole]

which adm series is your bar?Losmandy style or  mds series?

[Mark Sibole]

sorry i read back at the d series

http://admaccessorie...unterweight.htm

1 3.5 and 1   1.75 should do the trick for anything you need to do

You can always pick up an additional 1.75 if needed

[Phoenix]

D series the wider one NOT the vixen. they offer 3.5 lb and 1.75 lb weights.

[Mark Sibole]

This gives you the needed forward and back weight adjustment as well as the 3d weight to and from OTA.

[Phoenix]

just got your reply 1 3.5 and 2 1.75s thanks that's what I was looking for. Great site here. Thanks for getting back so quick.

[Mark Sibole]

Never a problem.If you need more help feel free to ask or e mail me direct.

I try to get here a few times a day but im an unpaid volunteer and e mail i check always

[Phoenix]

Absolutely and thanks so much.