Leisure Time 1. 8 Equatorial Wedge For 7 and 8 LX200, Appendix A: Equatorial Wedge

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APPENDIX A: EQUATORIAL WEDGE

There are two equatorial wedges used on Meade LX200 telescopes. Please read the section, below, that applies to your telescope.

1. 8" Equatorial Wedge (For 7" and 8" LX200)

The equatorial wedge permits use of the 8" LX200 telescope in an astronomical, or "equatorial," mode. The wedge fits onto the field tripod, described below, and accepts the base of the 7" or 8" LX200 fork mount (Fig. 8).

NOTE: The Meade equatorial wedge is designed solely for use in conjunction with the Meade field tripod. The wedge should never be used without the field tripod (e.g., by placing the wedge alone on a table top and then mounting the telescope on the wedge). The 7" or 8" LX200, placed onto the equatorial wedge alone without the field tripod attached to the wedge may become seriously imbalanced, to the point where the telescope may actually tip over.

The equatorial wedge for the 7" and 8" LX200 telescope is of modern design, with several important features incorporated to simplify and facilitate telescope operation. After using the wedge, you will find that the functional design features included are of very significant value in routine telescope operations. Features included are:

•Attachment of the wedge to the field tripod by means of only one manual knob.

•Quick azimuth adjustment by loosening the manual knob as described above.

•Bubble level for rapid tripod/wedge leveling.

•Etched latitude scale for fast adjustment of the latitude angle.

To assemble the equatorial wedge, follow this procedure (note that all required wedge hardware and manual knobs are shipped within the wedge carton);

a.The wedge consists of two basic parts: the tilt plate and wedge body (1 and 4, Fig. 8). Attach the tilt-plate to the wedge body by threading in the four knobs provided. Two knobs, with washers, should be used on each side of the wedge body so that a total of 4 knobs attach the tilt plate to the wedge body.

b.Place the wedge onto the field tripod with the central threaded rod of the tripod fitting through the center hole in the floor of the wedge. Thread the 2-1/2" diameter manual knob onto the threaded rod of the tripod and firmly tighten the manual knob.

a. Azimuth Control

The azimuth control(Fig. 9) for the Meade equatorial wedge and field tripod is shipped in a plastic bag and includes the following parts:

•Azimuth base (large U shaped piece of aluminum)

•Azimuth arm (small T shaped piece of aluminum)

•2 - Azimuth knobs

•2 - 8-32 x 1/2" flat-head machine screws

•2 - 8-32 x 1" round-head machine screws

To attach the azimuth control to your wedge and tripod, follow these steps:

1.Remove the 4 set screws from the wedge and field tripod (which plug the attachment holes) using a screwdriver.

2.Attach the azimuth arm to the equatorial wedge using the 2 ea. 8-32 x 1/2" flat-head machine screws.

3.Attach the azimuth base to the field tripod using the 2 ea. 8-32 x 1" round-head machine screws.

4.Thread the two azimuth adjustment knobs into the azimuth base, until they just touch the azimuth arm.

The azimuth control is now ready to use. To adjust in azimuth, loosen the 3" central wedge knob. Rotate the wedge by using the two azimuth knobs in a push-pull manner. After positioning the wedge, tighten the central wedge knob.

b. Deluxe Latitude Adjuster

The deluxe latitude adjuster (DLA) attaches directly to the equatorial wedge and permits very precise adjustments in latitude angle by the simple turning of one knob.

The equatorial wedge for Meade 7" or 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope is shipped with the main crossbar of the DLA already installed. Loosen the two socket-head screws that lock the main crossbar in place, to allow the crossbar to rotate slightly if needed. Thread the long adjustment knob (3, Fig. 14) into the main crossbar and position the end of the adjustment knob into the cavity on the underside of the equatorial wedge tilt-plate. Tighten the two socket-head screws locking the main crossbar into place.

The DLA is now ready to use. To make fine latitude adjustments, follow this procedure:

1.Slightly loosen the knobs (5, Fig. 8), on each side of the wedge.

2.Turn the DLA's adjustment knob (pressing against the bottom of the tilt-plate), so that the tilt-plate moves in latitude angle.

3.Re-tighten the two knobs, which were loosened in step 1, above.

NOTE: When installing the tilt-plate to the wedge, note that it is a tight fit and the sides must generally spread slightly to accept