Back to forums

EQ8-R has trouble with declination stop after 90° offset

Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro Equatorial Mount Troubleshooting
7 replies•203 views
Henning Schmidt avatar
Henning Schmidt avatar
Hello everyone!

I'm having trouble with the declination stop on my EQ8-R after I set a 90° offset. I would like to use two telescopes in parallel on a double fork. You can set a 90° offset for this. The problem is that, in contrast to the old EQ8, the new EQ8-R now also has a hard stop in the declination axis and the manufacturer did not take the offset into account. With low-lying objects, the mount runs at speed towards the stop on one side. Ouch! Supposedly this stop is intended to protect the internal wiring. Does anyone have any advice on how to solve this problem?

CS Henning
Well Written Engaging
Nico Gärtner avatar
Nico Gärtner avatar
Hi Henning,

just use another dovetail bar and build a "crossed" dovetail, like here: https://forum.astronomie.de/threads/eq8-r-mit-doppelbefestigung.295818/post-1515013

Best Regards,

Nico
Henning Schmidt avatar
Henning Schmidt avatar
Hello Nico!

Many thanks for your response.
Unfortunately, this is not a solution for me as the additional elements make the system unstable.
My EQ8-R has to carry over 40 kilos and I can't afford any more weak points.

CS Henning
Well Written Respectful
jmarinotero avatar
jmarinotero avatar
I run a dual set up on my EQ8-R in a remote observatory. To make it work, I purchased the following accessory: 

https://www.admaccessories.com/product/cgx-sbs-celestron-cgx-side-side-adapter/

I changed the bottom dovetail for a longer one to have more stability. This arrangement leaves the mount in its original configuration and it might work for you (it will depend on how much total weight you carry I think; this elevates the payload slightly)
Helpful
Henning Schmidt avatar
Henning Schmidt avatar
I cannot understand why the mount allows a 90° offset and is then not fully operational. This is a serious flaw, especially since the old EQ8 worked. No one needs a hard stop in the declination axis, it's all done via Rec. The stop only serves to solve an obvious design error. I spent the whole day setting up the dual system with a friend, wiring it up and balancing it, and in the end it was such a mess.😫😤

It would take another whole day to take everything down and put it back together again.
Henning Schmidt avatar
Henning Schmidt avatar
For the interim period:
Up to what declination height could I still target objects taking into account the 90° offset?

In any case, Saturn was no longer possible with a declination of -8.
Christian Klemkow avatar
Christian Klemkow avatar
Hi Henning, hab leider nichts dazu gefunden, was dir helfen kann. Ich hab dazu mal was gelesen gehabt aber fand das so scheiße und kompliziert, dass ich mich für meine Lösung entschieden habe ... und sie funktioniert, wie du weißt.

Du brauchst nur eine Losmandyschiene mit vielen Bohrungen, um das zu bauen wie bei mir. (Siehe Bild)IMG_0336.JPG
Xenofon Nastos avatar
Xenofon Nastos avatar
Hi Henning,

I own also a EQ8 and run half a year ago into the same problem. The only thing that works is to take off the prismrail holder and turn the mechanic part beneath 90 degrees counterclockwise. As already mentioned you have to be very careful with the cables, they can easily snap off if squeezed (happened to me….). But now it works, in the picture you can see my two scope setup.
Helpful Concise Supportive