Paramount GEM User Guide
91 | P a g e
Balancing the Payload
After attaching the counterweights, mount your optical tube assembly, camera, and all other equipment
(focuser, filter wheel, field rotator, dew heater, etc.) to the Versa-Plate, then begin balancing each axis,
starting with hour angle. The Paramount operates best when the payload is properly balanced, which
means that, when the worm and gear are separated for a given axis, the axis does not tend to rotate in
either direction. An unbalanced payload can cause numerous problems, such as stalling or “gear
chattering” described above.
By design, there is no clutching mechanism on the Paramount. To freely rotate the axis when balancing
the payload, the worm must be completely disengaged from the gear. When balancing the hour angle
axis, orient the counterweight shaft vertically, then slide the counterweights up or down on the
counterweight shaft to change the balance point.
Always use extreme care when balancing the telescope!
• Make note of the weight distribution on the telescope before placing the mount’s
mechanical switch in the balance position.
• Always firmly grasp the telescope or counterweight shaft so that you can maintain
control of the payload to avoid sudden unexpected rotation.
To balance the hour angle axis, slide the counterweights up or down the counterweight shaft until the
system has no tendency to rotate in either direction. To balance the declination axis, either adjust the
position of the Versa-Plate, or slide the telescope forward or backward.
If you routinely swap cameras or other components, the difference in weight might be enough to cause
slewing problems. In this situation, you can rebalance the system by marking the positions of
counterweights on the counterweight shaft for each configuration.
Counterweight Safety Knob
The counterweight safety knob screws into the threaded hole on the end of the counterweight shaft.
Always attach the counterweight safety knob immediately after adding counterweights to prevent an
improperly mounted counterweight from sliding off the end of the shaft.
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