TheSkySearchers

Hey all, for the life of me I have not found ANY counter balance systems model #1401 available for the Meade 8" SCT, everyone has it on back order. I HAVE found the systems for 10" and 12" but not the 8".
SOOOOOO....being the ingenious person I am...I sort of figured the 10" and the 8" are basically the same with just the longer rod holding the weights.
Figured I might be able to shorten the rod using a dremel tool and make it work with the 8" OTA.
Bought the 10" system and you can see in the pics it is quite a bit longer on the 8" OTA.
Started by cutting the rod to length.
Then notched it out for the screw.
Installed on the OTA and everything is perfect!!!!!
I lost the tapped hole for the end rod screw to keep the weights from sliding off, not a big deal, figured I'd install a hitch pin clip. A little paint and it will look just fine!!!

Pics seem to have loaded backwards......

Nicely done! I have two problems with the Meade counter balance system : the price and after you have mounted it you cannot use a after market flexible dew shield. Also after experimenting with my 8" LX90 I found that on the horizontal the scope is heavier on the focuser side so with a RA/dec setup in mind your weights should be off centre away from the focuser. I managed to balance my LX90 perfectly with lead weight strips used to balance truck wheels, attached to Velcro strips. When I use my dew shield I attach less weights to the dew shield with Velcro.

Yea the price really sucks for what ya get.........as far as the dew shield I can cut a notch in to slide on to the OTA.
Biggest problem I have now is that using a GSO CRayford focuser, the focuser end is STILL too heavy, 6 lbs of weight are not enough. Was using that to get away from the mirror slop.
Also have a DSLR piggybacked on the back end of the OTA, so a chit load of weight.
HATE, HATE, HATE the stock focuser, too much mirror slop.
Ordering the Starlight Feather light focuser for it, see how that does.

I have made peace with the focuser, it does help to adjust it from time to time and spread the grease evenly. I found this tutorial from Meade it's written for a LX200 but it works for a LX90. Also to minimise slop it helps to always end focusing with a anticlockwise turn.

I've moved the mirror in and out many time s to move the grease around, still have the slop.
Have never seen that doc about the LX200 though, might give that a try before the new focuser arrives and see what happens.

Thanks!!!

A nice adaption