Note that, on the CEM-60, you have direct control over backlash. The manual says that the gear switches should be adjusted to 1/4 turn off fully-engaged to avoid wear and bad noises. I was getting backlash at that setting, so now I adjust them to 1/8 turn off fully-engaged. I am liking the result.
CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
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CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
Note that, on the CEM-60, you have direct control over backlash. The manual says that the gear switches should be adjusted to 1/4 turn off fully-engaged to avoid wear and bad noises. I was getting backlash at that setting, so now I adjust them to 1/8 turn off fully-engaged. I am liking the result.
DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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Re: CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
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JT
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
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Re: CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
I restart the laptop and all is well (back to rms error of 1).
That is absolutely amazing Kathy!
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
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Re: CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
Balance is either perfect or it isn't.JayTee wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:57 am What if you can't get perfect balance. I can only get average balance, meaning that if it is perfectly balanced on one of the Meridian it is NOT perfectly balanced on the other side of the Meridian, so I strive to get the same level of imperfection on both sides of the Meridian.
Balance
DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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Re: CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
an example i need 0.64 ''/ but some nights i get 0.9 - 1.0 ,limited to sky conditions my
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .
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Re: CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
Kathy,
Can you briefly explain how to balance in
Thanks
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
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Sky: Bortle 6-7
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Hardware: Meade 8" ACF, Mallincam CF VRC-8 & 0.75 reducer w/ Moonlite 2" CS focuser & High Res Stepper, WO Star 71 w/ Moonlite High Res Stepper,
iOptron CEM60, Modified Canon 450D, Atik 383L+ mono, Lodestar X2, 2" Atik EFW2, Astrodon 36mm 3nm NB Ha/Sii/Oiii Filters, LRGB Gen2 E-Series Tru-Balance Filters, PoleMaster
Software: SkySafari Pro, Sequence Generator Pro, PHD2, PixInsight
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Re: CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
Start with the scope balanced in
Typically, the scope will "fall" to one side or the other. If is has thick, sludgy consumer-grade grease in the bearings, you might have to give it a shove; typically it will shove easier to one side than the other. iOptron mounts have excellent bearings and no thick grease, so my CEM-60 will move on its own if it is out of balance. Whichever side it falls towards, that is the heavier side. You should be able to guess that load is making that side heavier: focuser (Newt), diagonal (
If your
Note that, with a Newt, the focuser will end up above or below the tube. Either is fine. Focuser-up is good for mount clearance and is comfortable for visual use (except when looking at Polaris!), but it requires more counterweight moment to balance
Mount interference is a particular issue with the CEM mounts and their large counterweight hub. Be sure to test the configuration for mount clearance. I slid my
The focus on the guide scope is definitely weird. I can't seem to get rid of the haloes around the stars. However, since it is working well - particularly last night - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Fiddling with it is rather far down my list of priorities.bradleybcraig wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 2:07 pm Congrats and thanks for sharing. I am interested in you guide camera focus. I've heard slightly out of focus is ok, your's looks pretty out. Do you find better results with that too?
DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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Re: CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
KathyNS wrote: ↑Tue Sep 08, 2020 4:37 pmStart with the scope balanced indec longitudinally, and parked in the home or zero position (i.e. counterweights down, pointing at the pole). Ensure thatRA is locked, and release the lock on thedec axis.
Typically, the scope will "fall" to one side or the other. If is has thick, sludgy consumer-grade grease in the bearings, you might have to give it a shove; typically it will shove easier to one side than the other. iOptron mounts have excellent bearings and no thick grease, so my CEM-60 will move on its own if it is out of balance. Whichever side it falls towards, that is the heavier side. You should be able to guess that load is making that side heavier: focuser (Newt), diagonal (SCT or frac), finder, guide scope, etc..
If yourOTA is mounted in rings, loosen them and rotate theOTA in whatever direction will move the off-centre load towards the centre. You'll have to guess how far to rotate it. Clamp down the rings and re-check the balance. Repeat until it does not pull to either side.
Note that, with a Newt, the focuser will end up above or below the tube. Either is fine. Focuser-up is good for mount clearance and is comfortable for visual use (except when looking at Polaris!), but it requires more counterweight moment to balanceRA . Focuser-down requires less counterweight moment, but is very inconvenient for visual use, and has more risk of mount interference.
Mount interference is a particular issue with the CEM mounts and their large counterweight hub. Be sure to test the configuration for mount clearance. I slid myOTA forward so the camera clears the counterweight hub, and balanced longitudinally by sliding the guide camera back on its rail.
I have heard about lateral balancing, but was never quite sure what it meant.
Excellent description. Thank you!
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
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Re: CEM-60 likes perfect balance!
I am not even sure if I can bin my guide camera. I shoot 4.0 second subs for guiding, specifically to ride out poor seeing. I used to use 2 sec subs, but the guiding was all over the place on poor nights. There was a noticeable improvement when I increased to 3 and then to 4 seconds.
DSO AP: Orion 200mm f/4 Newtonian Astrograph; ATIK 383L+; EFW2 filter wheel; Astrodon Ha,Oiii,LRGB filters; KWIQ/QHY5 guide scope; Planetary AP: Celestron C-11; ZWO ASI120MC; Portable: Celestron C-8 on HEQ5 pro; C-90 on wedge; 20x80 binos; Etc: Canon 350D; Various EPs, etc. Obs: 8' Exploradome; iOptron CEM60 (pier); Helena Observatory (H2O) Astrobin
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