Meade LX850-ACF 10 inch User Manual - Page 20

AAsssseemmbbllyy To balance the telescope, unlock the Right Ascension or RA clutches (3-Places, Page 14, Fig. 10). When this axis is unlocked, the telescope pivots on the RA axis. Later in the procedure, you will also unlock the Declination or DEC clutches (3-Places, Page 14, Fig. 10). When unlocked, it pivots on the DEC axis. Try to become familiar with these locks and observe how the telescope moves on each axis. To obtain a fine balance of the telescope, follow the method below: Balancing the RA Axis 1. Firmly hold the optical tube secure so that it cannot accidentally swing freely. NOTE: An unbalanced OTA can swing quickly causing injury to the user. Loosen the RA Clutch. The optical tube now moves freely about the RA axis. Rotate the telescope so that the counterweight shaft (Page 20, Fig. 29) is parallel (horizontal) to the ground. TMooAvcehCieovuenRteArwBeailgahntce Fig 29: Balancing the RA axes 2. Rotate the counterweight along the counterweight shaft until the telescope remains in the horizontal position without moving in either direction. Now push the RA shaft from the end up and down. Adjust the counterweight position until it takes the same force to move the RA shaft up and down. Balancing the DEC Axis Again, hold the optical tube so that it cannot accidentally swing freely. NOTE: An unbalanced OTA can swing quickly causing injury to the user. Position the RA axis parallel to the ground and tighten the RA locks. Unlock the DEC Clutches. The telescope now is able to move freely about the DEC axes. Position the OTA parallel to the ground. Advanced Coma-Free OTAs: Slightly loosen the OTA dovetail adapter lock knobs (Page 8, Fig. 29) so that the tube assembly slides easily back and forth in the RA Axis Slide the OTA to achieve balance Fig 30: Balancing the DEC axes dovetail mount. Be careful that the OTA does not fall out of the dovetail adapter! Start with 1/2" of the OTA dovetail plate extended out of the DEC Saddle (See Appendix F, pg 56). Move the OTA assembly fore or aft, in the dovetail adapter until the telescope remains in horizontal position without tending to drift down in either direction. Once this is achieved tighten the OTA dovetail lock knobs firmly. Meade Refractors: Slightly loosen the cradle ring lock knobs so that the main tube slides easily back and forth in the cradle rings. Move the main tube in the cradle rings until the telescope remains in one position without tending to drift down in either direction. Once this is achieved tighten the cradle ring lock knobs. If the refractor is equipped with a dew shield, make sure it is fully extended prior to balancing. Balancing the StarLock When the StarLock is mounted on the saddleplate it is mounted off-center from the DEC axis, it must be properly counter-balanced to achieve optimum performance. With the DEC axis lock still loose and with the RA axis parallel to the ground, rotate the OTA so that points directly upward (Fig. 31). Start by loosening and moving the rectangular StarLock counterweight so there is a 1/2" gap between the weight and the DEC Saddle plate screws (See Appendix F). Move the weight until the telescope remains pointing upward, without tending drift in either direction. Once this is achieved tighten the StarLock counterweight knob and re-lock the DEC clutches. The telescope is now properly balanced. Return the LX850 to the original position with the counterweight shaft pointed to the ground and OTA pointed straight ahead. 20