Balancing the Mount in DEC
Although the telescope does not track in declination, the telescope should also be balanced in this axis to prevent any sudden motions when the DEC clutch knob is loose. To balance the telescope in DEC:
1.Loosen the R.A. clutch knobs and rotate the telescope so that it is on one side of the mount (i.e., as described in the previous section on “Balancing the Mount in R.A.”).
2.Tighten the R.A. clutch knobs to hold the telescope in place.
3.Loosen the DEC clutch knobs and rotate the telescope until the tube is parallel to the ground.
4.Release the tube — GRADUALLY — to see which way it rotates around the declination axis. DO NOT LET GO OF THE TELESCOPE TUBE
COMPLETELY!
5.Slightly loosen the knobs that holds the telescope to the mounting platform and slide the telescope either forward or backward until it remains stationary when the DEC clutch is loose. Do NOT let go of the tele- scope tube while the knob on the mounting platform is loose.
6.Tighten the knobs on the telescope mounting platform to hold the tele- scope in place.
Once the telescope is balanced in declination, slide the dovetail bar safety clamp down the front of the telescope's slide bar until it touches the mounting platform and tighten the locking bolt (see Figure
Like R.A. balance, these are general balance instructions and will reduce undue stress on the mount. When taking astrophotographs, this balance process should be done for the specific area at which the telescope is pointing.
Dovetail Slide Bar
SafetyClamp
Dovetail Slide Bar
Figure
With the standard accessories attached, the end of the dovetail bar should be almost flush with the end of the telescope mounting platform.