Hi everyone,
I am trying to DIY a 16” F4 Newtonian reflector with truss tube, and tend to use Sky Watcher EQ8R mount, in my remote observatory. The tube frame will consist of a truss tube for loading and an internal carbon fiber tube for shading mirrors. Here is the approximate specifications:
Design length: 1380mm
Max diameter (truss tube diameter): 550mm
Internal carbon fiber tube diameter: 450mm
OTA weight: 26kg (with Sandwich primary mirror 8kg)
Total weight with all equipment: ≈30kg
Center of balance: 290mm height, 1/3 of length
Observatory dome: 3.5m diameter
Based on these specifications, can any users of Sky Watcher EQ8R help me to estimate if it is competent to my 16” Newtonian reflector? Has anybody used EQ8R mount to load 16" Newtonian or other telescopes with the similar specifications? Since Sky Watcher does not clarify the torque of mount motor, I am not sure if EQ8R, with consideration into center of balance, can load 16” Newtonian reflector and guide stably and precisely. I fear the impact of wind on telescope, which may make guiding data bad. But I am planning to use an observatory dome for my gear, which may diminish the impact of wind and reduce the requirements for heavy load capacity mount.
Many thanks
Marshall
