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Subject: [M]: Balancing heavy payloads on LX200s
From: David Jones
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Sun Oct 12 00:06:47 1997

I'm eagerly sollicting ideas or working solutions to overcoming balance
problems on LX200s when using HEAVY payloads. In my case, I have an 8"
Schmidt Camera piggybacked on top of a 10" LX200.

I currently have three counterweight kits installed, but the over-turning
moment is still tremendous. I noticed Losmandby manufacture a counterweight
system for LX200s, where the weights are attached to a metal rod, which is
fastened at right angles to a rail system mounted under the LX200 tube
assembly. The weights can be moved to or away from the tube assembly as
well as up and down on the rail between the corrector plate and primary
mirror ends. How effective are they in handling heavy conterweights to suit
heavy payloads?

The mounting rings that I use to mount the Schmidt Camera to the top of the
LX200 contribute significantly to the balancing problem since the camera is
about seven (7) centimetres above the LX200 tube assembly. If anyone knows
of a better lower profile (significantly less than seven (7) centrimetres)
solution, I would be very grateful to hear of it.

Thanks - David Jones, Brisbane, Australia