Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

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yltansg
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Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

Post by yltansg »

Hi,

As you may have read, the Ioptron produced the mount for 5-70 deg lat. As I don't have a pier, I set the lat to 5 deg. Caution: For safety reason, [glow=red]do not attach counter weight [/glow]at this juncture.

Set Lat to 5 Deg

Next, I changed the location of the alignment peg on the tripod head to prevent the counter weight from hitting the legs.

Picture: Change Position of Alignment Peg

Picture: Align equatorial mount

Picture: Secure the Mount

Picture: Assembled Mount

Picture: Comfortably with William Optics FLT 132
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Gary
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Post by Gary »

Hi Alfred. Thanks for sharing! Congrats on coming out of lurking mode. :)

I have embedded one of your photos for the benefit of those who are lazy to click on links. :)

iEQ45 with Sky90+SF-70:
Image
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yltansg
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Re: Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

Post by yltansg »

yltansg wrote:Hi,

As you may have read, the Ioptron produced the mount for 5-70 deg lat. As I don't have a pier, I set the lat to 5 deg. Caution: For safety reason, [glow=red]do not attach counter weight [/glow]at this juncture.

Set Lat to 5 Deg

Set Lat to 5 Deg

Next, I changed the location of the alignment peg on the tripod head to prevent the counter weight from hitting the legs.

Picture: Change Position of Alignment Peg

Picture: Align equatorial mount

Picture: Secure the Mount

Picture: Assembled Mount

Picture: Comfortably with William Optics FLT 132
lamgagnon
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Joined: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:42 am

Post by lamgagnon »

Hi,
I am thinking to buy this mount. How is the mount so far? Does it hold pretty well upto 45lbs? And how is the tracking for astrophotography?
Thanks
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Mariner
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Re: Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

Post by Mariner »

Hi Alfred,

I've got the same mount except that the latitude groove have been machined to go down to 0 degree. The CW and shaft do not clear the tripod legs easily even though the mount has been reversed to hand between the legs. I have the half pier fixed on but because of the low clearance, I was unable to fix on the CWs at all.

Because of this unresolved issues, I have yet to bring out my 9.25" for first light. Would you have any suggestions to make the mount work?

Cheers.
OCULARHOLIC ANONYMOUS!!!
Keep Calm and Carry on Observing.
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yltansg
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Re: Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

Post by yltansg »

Hi Mariner,

I faced the same problem. So I cut an opening in the half pier and also made 2 more smaller diameter CWs.

Here are the pictures.

Image

Image

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31073495@N ... otostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/31073495@N ... otostream/
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Gary
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Re: Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

Post by Gary »

Very nice! Thanks for sharing. Embedding your photos here:

Image

Image
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yltansg
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Re: Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

Post by yltansg »

Thanks Gary. Mariner - hope to hear about your first light with the 9.25" soon.
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Mariner
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Re: Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

Post by Mariner »

Thanks for the photos guys. The opened half pier was the same concept found for staroptics' option but rather than cutting, I'm opting for a custom wedge to push out the eq head to get more clearance. Hopefully will work.
OCULARHOLIC ANONYMOUS!!!
Keep Calm and Carry on Observing.
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yltansg
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Re: Setting up the iEQ45 - 2. Set Lat and Secure the Mount

Post by yltansg »

Hi Mariner,

Both ways are workable. Wish you all the best in your innovation :) Do remember to share with us your results.

Clear skies.

Alfred
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