What Is the Ideal Counterweight?

I am going to be using the Askar 130PHQ refractor on the ZWO AM5 mount.
I know that there's a trade-off between mount stability and guiding.

I want to understand what the best counterweight would be for this setup. The scope and accessories weigh around 32 lbs.
I bought a 10 lb. counterweight (plus about 1 lb. for the shaft) but am wondering if a 5 lb. counterweight would be better.
How do I test this and how do I determine the best place on the shaft to put the counterweight?

Rather than give me a complex mathematical formula or equation, I prefer real-world experience if anyone has solved this problem so that guiding is under .7 on both axis and the tripod/mount is balanced. I am also putting weights in the center pouch of the tripod as well.

Thanks for any insight, deeply appreciated!

Jerry

Quick answer: a heavy weight close in is better than a light weight further out.

Geoff:
Quick answer: a heavy weight close in is better than a light weight further out.

Thanks Geoff, that's useful to know..

Geoff:
Quick answer: a heavy weight close in is better than a light weight further out.

Geoff, I assume this is because of possible flex in the counterweight shaft? vs the total payload on the mount/tripod

Just curious why that is

Nick Grundy:
Geoff:
Quick answer: a heavy weight close in is better than a light weight further out.

Geoff, I assume this is because of possible flex in the counterweight shaft? vs the total payload on the mount/tripod

Just curious why that is

Good question Nick,, I'd like to know that too.

Go to 49:36 of this presentation: https://www.advancedimagingconference.com/articles/secrets-long-focal-length-imaging-john-hayes

There is a discussion of mechanical stability including where to put your CWs and why.

John

John Hayes:
https://www.advancedimagingconference.com/articles/secrets-long-focal-length-imaging-john-hayes

so apparently i'm shopping more counterweights

thanks John, that was a great help. (ended up watching the whole thing)

John Hayes:
Go to 49:36 of this presentation: https://www.advancedimagingconference.com/articles/secrets-long-focal-length-imaging-john-hayes

There is a discussion of mechanical stability including where to put your CWs and why.

John

Thank you so much John for posting the link. I bookmarked it and will be watching it repeatedly.

I've decided, due mainly to time constrains and seeing conditions to limit my astrophotography to 1000mm focal length using two refractors, a Skywatcher 100ED and an Askar 130mmPHQ.

Being an amateur who just wants to take the best images I can with focal lengths from 358mm to 1000mm, I think it will make imaging a bit easier and more enjoyable.

Your sense of humor really made me chuckle and the image of 3 telescopes on top of each other on one mount was hilarious...

Jerry

I'm glad that you guys found that presentation useful. It's a talk about "long focal length" imaging but in reality, most of it applies to pretty much all kinds of imaging!

John

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