Back to forums

Balancing a wedge mounted SCT

Celestron NexStar 8SE Equipment Equatorial Mount Guiding
4 replies•144 views
Heather Charron avatar
Heather Charron avatar
I recently added a wedge and auto-guiding setup to my Celestron NexStar 8SE fork-arm mount and am concerned about the weight distribution and stability of the 60mm guide scope and camera. I mounted the guide scope on the side opposite the fork arm, but now I'm worried that it should've been on the other side because it was really unstable the first night I took it out. Also, the guide scope is only attached with a tiny universal dovetail (that looked a lot bigger online).

Does anyone have some suggestions on how to better balance the mount and SCT as well as what I should use to stabilize the guide scope. I was looking into larger dovetail bases and rails, but I'm really not sure what to choose and how to go about mounting them to the SCT. 

Also, I know I'm pushing the mount and am either at or over it's limit, but I'm on a tight budget and trying to do the best I can with what I've got. 
Engaging
Jean-David Gadina avatar
Jean-David Gadina avatar
Can you change the position of the tube on this model?

If not, balancing would probably require adding counterweights on the OTA.
I know I'm pushing the mount and am either at or over it's limit.

Are you sure about that? You should probably weight your current setup and check the maximum capacity of your mount.
Jean-David Gadina avatar
Jean-David Gadina avatar
Never mind, I just checked the specs, and it looks like you're at the limit as soon as you put something on the scope…
I thought the mount would have a little more room for extra weight.
Heather Charron avatar
Heather Charron avatar
@Jean-David Gadina I can slide the OTA, but I actually found a forum on Cloudy Nights all about adding longer mounting bars. 

https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/310985-rail-extension-options/

I think that answered my question and will give this a shot - unless anyone else has a different idea.
Rostokko avatar
Rostokko avatar
The similarities of the path you are following with what I went through at the beginning of this year are impressive. I understand you do have financial constraints; I can only tell you that it took me a while going through frustration, the thought of stopping and not going deeper into the hobby and the investment in several "patches", before I did realize the nexstar mount is just not designed/the right piece of hardware for doing astrophotography beyond moon and planets (maybe).

Yes, I did spend money on a better mount, but there are good opportunity with used items and I also recovered 20/30% of the cost by selling the nexstar. I don't have to worry anymore during clear nights whether the mount will let me do what I am planning to do. I have been having plenty of fun since, and I now enjoy different kind of challenges (but intellectually stimulating ones!) as I progress through different DSO targets.

I know everyone's situation is different; I am just telling you that I believe you are trying to squeeze out something from the nexstar mount that the hardware is not able/meant to support. Take it for what it's worth it.
Helpful Insightful Respectful Engaging Supportive