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Lacerta Concrete Pier Adapter for Skywatcher mount EQ6 and EQ8

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299,00 EUR

19 % VAT incl. excl. Shipping costs

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Product no.: PIEReq68-beton

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MPN: PierEQ6-Beton

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Products description

Lacerta Concrete Pier Adapter for Skywatcher mount EQ6 and EQ8

Lacerta Concrete Pier Adapter for Skywatcher EQ-6 to EQ-8 Class Mounts
Mounting the mount onto a concrete pier
The optimal solution for private observatories: stable, easy to install, and versatile. This version of our concrete pier adapter fits SkyWatcher EQ6, EQ6-R, AZ-EQ6, and EQ8 mounts, as well as US-market mounts with identical connection interfaces (such as the Orion Atlas); with minor adjustments, it also fits Takahashi EM-11 and EM-200 mounts. All holes and threads are pre-drilled.

Construction
The concrete pier adapter consists of three levels connected by four heavy-duty M16 threaded rods:
The bottom level—the "stabilizer level"—consists of two crossed aluminum alloy profiles that are fully embedded in the concrete. They hold and stabilize the four threaded rods, acting much like the metal reinforcement in reinforced concrete.
The middle level—the "deck level"—is a solid metal plate, 10 mm thick and 20 cm in diameter. This plate remains visible and caps the top of the pier. The threaded rods are secured with nuts from both above and below; once the unit is cast in concrete, only the upper nuts remain accessible.
The mounting level is specific to the mount being used; this is where the mount itself is attached. The space between the deck level and the mounting level needs only to be large enough to allow the mount to be attached or removed from below (using hands or tools). Thanks to the continuous threading on the rods, users can adjust this spacing to their preference before embedding the adapter in the concrete.

The North Alignment Peg
Many amateur astronomers have encountered the issue that EQ6 mounts from different production years feature north alignment pegs of varying lengths. To eliminate the need for tedious sawing or extensions, we redesigned the "North Stud" in 2017. The characteristic North Stud profile—secured by horizontal set screws from the left and right—is mounted on a long M8 threaded rod, allowing for individual height adjustment.
For damage-free transport, the stud is mounted in reverse, pointing downwards (see photo, bottom left).

Installation
This concrete pier adapter requires a suitable formwork tube (not included) to shape the finished pier. For transport, the North Stud (or South Stud, depending on the mount type) is screwed *in reverse* into an available threaded hole; do not pour concrete over it—instead, unscrew it and install it in the designated mounting hole. The stud's height can be adjusted using the two nuts (locked against each other). Before pouring the concrete, it is advisable to test-fit the EQ6 or EQ8 mount on the top plate (specifically, screw it on and then remove it to verify there is enough hand clearance to tighten the central mounting bolt). This test can also be performed shortly before pouring. For stability, the platform should maintain a small gap above the concrete (distance from the top of the concrete to the mounting surface). The middle plate can be raised or lowered using the four nuts. Ideally, the middle plate should "float" on the wet concrete, and the gap between the middle and top platforms should be wide enough to allow room for your hand or a tool.

A concrete foundation is required to ensure the stability of the entire pier. When casting the foundation, the reinforcement bars should protrude at the location where the pier will be attached to ensure a stable connection between the pier and the foundation. Place the concrete form tube onto the foundation and provide lateral support to ensure it remains vertical during the subsequent concrete pour (and during any prior checks of the cardinal directions with the mount attached).
It is recommended to reinforce the form tube with rebar (ideally by connecting it to the rebar protruding from the base slab, provided it is long enough).
Pour concrete into the form tube from the top until it is filled to the brim.
Now, press the concrete pier adapter—with the crossed profiles facing downward—into the concrete until its top surface is flush with the rim of the form tube. Ensure the alignment pin is pointing in the correct direction (NOTE: For the new EQ8-R, the pin must face south).
Once the concrete has cured (which can take several days depending on the mix and temperature), the lateral supports can be removed. The form tube can then also be removed.
The mount can then be bolted into place.
In addition to standard cardboard form tubes, PVC or metal tubes may also be used.

NOTE: The North/South alignment pin must be oriented toward the North or South during the concrete pour to allow for proper polar alignment of the EQ6 or EQ8 mount.

The central mounting bolt is part of the mount itself; we never supply it. EQ6, EQ8, Takahashi, and similar mounts require different central bolts, and it is impossible to provide an assortment of M8, M10, M12, 3/8", etc., bolts in various lengths and types (hex head, Allen/hex key, etc.).

This Product was added to our catalogue on 01/04/2020.