Seestar Equatorial Wedge for ZWO S50

A Seestar Equatorial mount for the Southern Hemisphere

 

There are a number of models online for equatorial mounts but they are largely for the Northern Hemisphere so tip over at our latitudes without some sort of counter balance. This mount balances the Seestar perfectly over the tripod with no need for counter balance weights.

 

Print settings

 

Go to ‘Download stl file’ to see all the print profiles including the screw handle.

 

Test printed on an A1 and A1mini with 3D fillies PLA+ and eSun PLA. 15% honeycomb infill at both .20mm Standard and .16mm Optimal.

 

To print the model insert a pause at layer 50 (double check your own slicer settings) to insert the tripod nut and at layer 150 to insert the Seestar nut. The top nut is not strictly necessary but I found it held the Seestar more securely so I highly recommend it.

If you expect heavy use, obviously increase your infill and/or print on a different plane so your layer lines are vertical rather than horizontal to the Seestar. 

 

Supplies

 

You will need two imperial 3/8" UNC thread nuts and a 1¼ inch bolt. I got these from United Fasteners. In Australia, Bunnings only stocks 2 inch 3/8" thread UNC bolts. If this is your only option, they do sell a coupler in the right thread to bridge the gap but I highly recommend United Fasteners or similar specialty business. Do not make the mistake of buying a UNF (fine) thread, only the UNC (course) thread will fit the Seestar (and most tripods). Metric nuts and bolts do not work.

 

A dab of super glue fixes the bolt into the screw handle. Not necessary but saves losing it in the dark.

 

Because of the bolt, when you mount the Seestar, you either need to turn the device to get the bolt fully in, or turn the wedge before you mount it on the tripod. 

 

Latitudes

 

PLEASE NOTE: I have only tested this model at 35 degrees (Canberra). 

 

I have included models for the latitudes of major Australian and New Zealand cities. Sorry Darwin, your latitude is too steep for this model. 

 

I have also included the Fusion360 .f3d file and an image of the sketch adjustment point if you want to fine tune it for your location. I may add more print profiles as I print them for my own use but the Seestar is pretty forgiving with a little tripod adjustment.

 

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Thanks

 

With thanks to catalin59_8491 for the screw handle design. This maker has every latitude published on Printables and Northern Hemisphere observers may find that model better for your latitude.