Sky-Watcher EQ8 User Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
EQ8 Mount
Copyright © Sky-Watcher
100113V1
CONTENT
PART I : SETTING UP THE EQ8 MOUNT
1.1 Setting Up the Tripod ...............................................................................................3
1.2 Putting On the EQ8 Mount .......................................................................................5
1.3 Installing the Counterweights ..................................................................................6
1.4 Installing the Telescope ...........................................................................................6
1.5 Balancing the Mount Load .......................................................................................7
PART II : POLAR ALIGNMENT
2.1 Prepare the Mount for Polar Alignment ................................................................. 8
2.2 Polar Alignment Using the SynScan Hand Controller ............................................ 9
2.3 Polar Alignment with the Optional Polar Scope .................................................... 9
2.4 The Orientation of the Polaris in Polar Scope .......................................................11
2.5 Align the Polar Scope ...........................................................................................12
PART III : ELECTRONIC CONTROL INTERFACE
3.1 Control Panel ........................................................................................................14
3.2 Panel Interface Components ................................................................................14
3.3 Pinout of the Interfaces .........................................................................................15
3.4 Power Supply Requirements .................................................................................15
PART IV : OTHER FEATURES OF THE EQ8 MOUNT
4.1 Freedom Find Function .........................................................................................16
4.2 Permanent Periodic Error Correction ....................................................................16
4.3 Batch Exposures Function ....................................................................................16
4.4 Auto-Home Function ............................................................................................16
APPENDIX I : SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions ..................................................................................................................17
Specications ...............................................................................................................18
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PART I : SETTING UP THE EQ8 MOUNT
1.1 Setting Up the Tripod
1. Fully expand the tripod legs on level ground.
2. Install the hand control bracket on the tripod. (Fig 1.1a)
3. Place one or two counterweight(s) just between the bottom of the central post and the
ground if there is enough space between them. This is a critical safety effort because the
counter weight(s) will prevent users from putting their feet under the central post uncon-
sciously. (Fig. 1.1b)
Hand Control
Bracket
M3X10
Screws
Fig. 1.1bFig. 1.1a
3. Fully release the clamp of the central post by loosening the two hex nuts on it with a 19mm
hex wrench (Fig 1.1c).
• The central post might fall freely when the two nuts are loosened. The counterweight(s),
which is (are) placed between the bottom of the central post and the ground earlier, will
support the central post and prevent any potential damages in such case.
• While loosening the two clamp nuts, to reduce the possible impact of the falling of the
central post, it is recommended to hold the tripod top, or to ll the gap between the top
of the counter weight and the bottom of central post with some soft material.
• User should loosen the two hex nuts alternately to make sure both of them are fully
loosened.
Dowel
Central Post
Align
Clamp
Nuts
Fig. 1.1c
4. After the clamp is fully released, rotate the central post in the clamp to roughly align the
dowel on the tripod top with the gap of the clamp. (Fig 1.1c)
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PART I: SETTING UP THE EQ8 MOUNT
5. Assemble the 3 adjustable spider trusses as shown in F ig 1.1d and F ig 1.1e. Do not tighten
the thumb screws at this moment.
Thumb Screw
Spider Truss
See Fig. 1.4
Fig. 1.1d
Fig. 1.1e
6. Slide the central post up/down in the clamp (F ig . 1.1c) to the proper height and then tighten
the 3 thumb screws on the spider trusses to prevent the central post from falling.
7. Tighten both hex nuts on the clamp to secure the central post in the clamp. The two nuts
MUST be tightened in an alternate manner to avoid damage to the clamp. Do not over
tighten the two nuts.
8. The tripod can be placed directly on a level ground, or it can be placed on the 3 adjustable
stands as shown in Fig 1.1f.
• Put the tips of the tripod on the three adjustable stands.
• Turn the leveling screw to raise/lower a leg.
• Tighten the locking ring when the tripod top is leveled. (Fig. 1.1d).
• The small holes at the side of the leveling screw and the locking ring can accept a metal
bar for turning the screw and the ring.
Leveling Screw
Locking Ring
Adjustable Stands
Fig. 1.1f
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PART I: SETTING UP THE EQ8 MOUNT
1.2 Putting On the EQ8 Mount
1. Loosen the two azimuth adjustment knobs on the EQ8 mount until there is sufcient space
between the two knob screws (Fig. 1.2a). Remove the two azimuth locking screws and
washers on the tripod top.
2. Align the metal dowel on the tripod top with the gap between the two azimuth adjustment
knobs; and then put the mount on the tripod top. (Fig 1.2b)
Azimuth
Locking
Screw
*
Dowel
*
Loosen
Azimuth Adjustment Knobs
Loosen
Fig. 1.2a
*
Fig. 1.2b
3. Apply the two azimuth locking screws with washers to slightly x the mount on the tripod
top. (Fig. 1.2c). Do not tighten these screws yet.
4. Turn the primary locking knob in clockwise direction to engage the primary locking shaft to
the threaded hole at the center of the mount’s bottom. Turn the knob until it is tightened.
(Fig 1.2c)
Azimuth Locking Screw
Primary Locking shaft
Primary Locking Knob
Fig. 1.2c
5
PART I: SETTING UP THE EQ8 MOUNT
6. Slide the jackscrew handle in the hole at the end of the jackscrew shaft. Apply two ball
head screws on the handle. (Fig. 1.2d)
Ball-head Screw
Jackscrew Shaft
Counterweight Shaft
Fig. 1.2d
1.3 Installing the Counterweights
1. Screw the counterweight rod into the mount as shown in Fig. 1.3a.
2. Remove the stopper cap at the end of the counterweight rod.
3. Loosen the counterweight’s thumb screw and slide the counterweight onto the counter-
weight rod. Retighten the thumb screw to secure the counterweight on the rod. (Fig. 1.3b)
4. Replace the stopper cap to the end of the counterweight rod.
Counterweight
Rod
Lock
Stopper Cap
Fig. 1.3a
Thumb Screw
Fig. 1.3b
1.4 Installing the Telescope
1. Before installing a telescope, ensure:
• The counterweight rod is pointing towards the ground.
• All counterweights have been moved to the end of the counterweight rod.
• The R.A. Axis is secured by tightening the R.A. Clutch. (Fig. 1.4)
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