Celestron CGE925, CGE1100, CGE800 Attaching the Equatorial Mount, Installing the Counterweight Bar

5.Tighten the screws to hold the column securely in place.

Attaching the Equatorial Mount

After the tripod is set up, you are ready to attach the equatorial mount. The equatorial mount is the platform to which the telescope attaches and allows you to move the telescope in right ascension and declination. To attach the equatorial mount to the tripod:

1.Insert the base of the equatorial mount into the top of the electronics pier.

2.Rotate the equatorial mount on the electronics pier until the holes in the mount line up with those in the pier and the dec opening (where the counterweight shaft will go) is positioned directly over one of the tripod legs.

3.Insert the three remaining 3/8-16 cap screws and washers provided through the holes in the central pier and into the equatorial mount.

4.Tighten the screws to hold the equatorial mount in place.

Installing the Counterweight Bar

To properly balance the telescope, the mount comes with a counterweight bar and at least one counterweight (depending on model). The counterweight bar is located in the same box as the Equatorial Mount Head —in a cutout along the bottom of the shipping box. To install the counterweight bar:

1.Locate the opening in the equatorial mount on the DEC axis It is opposite the telescope mounting platform.

2.Thread the counterweight bar into the opening until tight.

Once the bar is securely in place you are ready to attach the counterweight.

Dec Axis

Counterweight

Bar

Figure 2-3

Since the fully assembled telescope is quite heavy, position the mount so that the tripod leg with the counterweight bar over it is pointing towards north before the tube assembly and counterweights are attached. This will make the polar alignment procedure much easier.

Installing the Counterweight

Depending on which CGE telescope you have, you will receive either one or two counterweights. To install the counterweight(s):

1.Orient the mount so that the counterweight bar points toward the ground .

2.Remove the counterweight safety thumbscrew and washer on the end of the counterweight bar (i.e., opposite the end that attaches to the mount).

3.Loosen the locking screw on the side of the counterweight.

4.Slide the counterweight onto the shaft.

Counterweight

Locking Screw

Safety Screw

and Washer

Figure 2-4

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