Astrophotography-DIY: HELP!! EQ6-R Pro ALT adjustment
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
- Hey folks,
I have issues adjusting my ALT-knob on my trusty EQ6-R PRO mount.
Because the weight of the scope is not leveled along this axis (but along RA/DEC) there is much torque and fine-tuning the ALT-axis is a pain.
I tried to find a solution and want to hear your thoughts about this down in the comment section!
THANKS FOR ANY ADVICE!
Clear skies!
-Chris
Thanks for the tip. I constructed a version of this after seeing your video and it works perfectly! It is too bad the the stock adjuster is so flawed on my very old EQ6 mount.
Great that it worked!!!
I think you are putting too much thought into the matter. I experience the same issues with the HEQ-5 - moving the altitude up is a real pain, since you have to lift the counter weights. That's why I approach the NCP from "above" (seeing that with the ASi Air polar align makes more sense). The alt screw facing the counter weights, moving the scope down, does not need to be super tight. If the balancing is good, any rotation on the RA/DEC will not affect a screw that is not that tight. As I said, by moving the scopes axis into the NCP from above, tightening that screw, I am able to get good results, within 2". No need to tighten it fully. Hope that was clear
That was clear sir :-)
The "top to bottom" approach seems clever, thanks a lot!
I always was concerned about the "tightness" of both screws and was in doubt of stability during the session. So I always tried to tighten them in a consistent manner.
Anyway: the hinge-method works like a charm. 1/8 turn corrects for ~1" and that it super sweet! The ALT screws stay tight and don't concern me anymore.
Thanks for your thoughts mate!
Thanks again Chris for the tips!🍵
You are very welcome Thomas!!
Hi Cris, join the club! I eventually replaced the lever with a normal knob which considerately increased my abillity (and decreased my time) spent on polar aligning my EQ6R-Pro. Check: shop.deepskydad.com/product/skywatcher-eq6-r-pro-altitude-adjustment-knob-replacement/ Hope this helps!
Agree completely with Wido on this.After struggling with this same issue for a few months I also replaced the lever with the deepskydad knob,best upgrade ever you could buy for this mount.
Hey Chris, i agree with Tim. On the HEQ5 i approach as well from the "top" in the polar scope. So estimate the tightness of the lower bolt and i adjust the position of polaris in the scope with the upper bolt. If it is too lose in the final position, i losen the upper bolt again and correct the position of the lower one. So you dont always have the same tightness on the bolts, but its fine.
If you move any weights after polar alignment i would be afraid to get any error due to flexibility of the mount. You basically would polar align an unbalanced system, cant be good :D
Thanks pulsar!
The "from top" method sounds good.
But the inconsistency in "how tight shall I tighten the knobs" drove me crazy during fine adjustment...
After polar alignment I don't shift any weights anymore... I just pass the fine alignment from the ALT bolts to the front leg. Both are equally suitable to lift the scope/mount...
Don't you need a (near) perfect leveling of the tripod? I found out that this is crucial for accurate tracking and guiding, so I level the tripod first and then adjust an altitude using knobs only (even though it's a pain in the arse).
Thanks for your problem, you helped me solve making mine dobsonian better :)~
Thanks Darco! In what way? I'm curious to see other experimental fiddlings :-)
Clear skies!!
@@catchingphotons I like your thinking outside the box. People would break their heads thinking how to fix that thread, You got away and saw the bigger picture. You have come up with a more elegant and easier solution. Your solution helped me solve the leveling of the Dobsonian pedestal on a larger scale when I start making it. Today I'm finishing a do-it-yourself laser cutting tool that will help me make the stand out of the box crazy :)~
Great design man 🤞 i have already a design for this
Thanks buddy!
I have the same mount unfortunatly this hoby is insanly expensive and this is relatively cheap mount so you you need to fidle with it. what I do is tighten the back knob little bit more than it needs to be and adjust with front know. you have to be real close to perfect polar alignment before you try this. I am using sharpcap and try multiple times. Good luck.
I actually built my "diy front leg lifter" (see my second video on that) and it works like a charm!! Drastically decreased alignment time.
Cheers 🥂!
@@catchingphotons I seen that Ibelive if I try that I will create more problems and it is not very good option for my curcumtances.
No sorry your mount brace will no longer be level. My suggestion would be to remove the adjusting screws and add a small amount of Greece to the thread and the end of the screws, or get some engineering help and have the casing redrilled and cut with a finer thread and new screw’s made to match , the finer the thread the more leverage over the mass and the finer the adjustment, shouldn’t cost all that much if you shop around ( never over titan fine treads they have power to damage, which is probably why the manufacturer hasn’t fitted a finer thread ? )
It works fine.
Why should it matter if the mount brace is not perfectly level? All that matters is the rotational axis of the mount head, isn't it? And anyway: we are talking just a few degrees.
I'm interested in your opinion on that.
Cheers!
Weight distribution. Need a larger circumference (and heavy) weight placed toward tube as far as possible (reduces torque by decreasing distance to fulcrum). ideal adjust with weight and not distance down the weight shaft... imo.. gl
Thanks but can't change weight distribution on my setup...
I have to say, for what the mount costs, the build quality is shocking. Does anyone have a solution to the awful height adjusting bolts on the legs.
I generally like the mount very much. Some things are not perfectly designed though. The knobs for ALT on the EQ6 do count as such. The height adjustment isn't an issue for me because of permanent setup...
Clear skies!!
The problem I see with your approach is that the tripod should be level prior to seating the mount head. The work around to those atrocious knobs that I use is just keeping tension on the polar side bolt. I have both hands on it the entire adjustment. It’s a real pain but ultimately lots of folks replace those crappy bolts. That truly is a terrible design that monstrosity they produced.
Yep true.
But the tripod stays leveled anyway. It's all about arc-seconds and no mount on earth is leveled by this amount of precision anyway. So a quarter of rotation of the screw in any direction won't make any difference.
It's even a reconnected method on the SharpCap webpage for peer owners.
Thanks for your thoughts!!! Clear skies!