How to Assemble Your Telescope, Tip

Caution:

Use care to install batteries as indicated by the battery compartment. Follow bat- tery manufacturer's pre- cautions. Do not install bat- teries backwards or mix new and used batteries. Do not mix battery types. If these precautions are not followed, batteries may explode, catch fire, or leak. Improperly installed batter- ies void your Meade war- ranty. Always remove the batteries if they are not to be used for a long period of time.

Fig. 5: Battery installation.

Note:

The microfocuser is shipped with the microfo- cuser adapter (B) threaded to the SC accessory adapter (L). Unthread the adapters from each other before attaching the micro- focuser.

Tip:

Although you can set up the telescope to face any direction to perform Automatic Alignment, you will achieve optimal per- formance when the com- puter control panel faces South.

Notes Concerning the Tripod:

If the tripod does not seem to extend or collapse easily, do not force the tripod legs in or out. By following the instructions above, the tripod will func- tion properly, but if you are unclear on the proper procedure, forcing the tri- pod into an incorrect position may damage the extension strut system.

Do not overtighten the 6 lock-knobs used to fix the inner tripod leg sections at various heights. Tighten to a firm feel only.

Be sure the spreader bar (4, Fig. 3) is not upside-down on the threaded rod.

How to Assemble Your Telescope

Assembly of the LX200GPS telescope requires eight C-cell (user-supplied) batteries or the optional #547 Power Adapter with Cable connected to a standard 115v home outlet or to an optional #607 Cigarette Lighter Adapter (see OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES, page 43). Plug an adapter into the 12vDC In port of the computer control panel (13B, Fig. 1).

To install batteries:

1.Position the optical tube: Turn the Dec. lock (17, Fig. 1) counterclockwise to unlock the the optical tube (19, Fig. 1) and move it through the fork arms. Move the optical tube to the position depicted in Fig. 1 and turn the Dec. lock clockwise to a firm feel to relock the position of the optical tube.

2.Install batteries: Remove the battery compartment covers (8, Fig. 1) and care- fully remove the battery holders, being mindful of the connector wires. Insert four user-supplied C-cell batteries into each battery holder, oriented as shown on the diagram on the battery slots inside the battery holder. Return the battery holders to their respective compartments and replace the covers. (See Fig. 5.)

3.Plug in the Autostar II handbox: Be certain that the power switch on the com- puter control panel (13A, Fig. 1) is in the OFF position. Plug the coil cord of the Autostar II handbox into the HBX port (13F, Fig. 1).

Note: The Autostar II handbox and the microfocuser do not require bat- teries; the telescope supplies their power.

Fig. 6: Microfocuser and eyepiece assembly. (A) Rear cell of telescope (shown separate from the telescope assembly for the sake of clarity, see 5, Fig. 1); (B) Microfocuser adapter; (C) Microfocuser; (D) 1.25" accessory adapter. SC accessory adapter (L) may be used in this position instead if Schmidt-Cassegrain accessories are being used. Do not use either adapter if using a 2" diagonal diagonal mirror; (E) Eyepiece holder thumbscrew; (F) Eyepiece; (G) 1.25 "Diagonal Prism. 2" diagonal mirror may also be used in this position (12" models); (H) Adapter Thumbscrew; (I) Microfocuser Thumbscrews; (J) Microfocuser bearings; (K) Hex screws; (L) Microfocuser SC Accessory Adapter (see margin note).

4.Attach microfocuser: Remove the dust cap from the rear cell port (5, Fig. 1) of the telescope. Thread the microfocuser adapter (B, Fig. 6) onto the rear cell port thread. Slide the microfocuser (C, Fig. 6) over the microfocuser adapter and tighten the three hex screws (K, Fig. 6) using the provided hex key.