Meade 4504 instruction manual How to Assemble Your Telescope

Leg lock knob

Threaded hole

Sliding inner leg

Fig. 3: Tripod leg lock knob.

Fig. 4: Accessory shelf installation.

Lock knob

Pin

Fig. 5: Counterweight and pin.

Thread shaft into base

Fig. 6: Attach counterweight assembly to the mount.

How to Assemble Your Telescope

The giftbox contains the optical tube assembly and the tripod with the equatorial mount. The accessories are located within compartments custom-cut into the styro- foam block inserts. Refer to Figures 1, 2a, 2b, and 2c for images of the parts and the overall assembly of the 4504 telescope.

1.Remove the components from the giftbox: Remove and identify the telescope’s standard equipment. For a listing of parts that are included in the giftbox, see pages 4 and 5. When removing the tripod from the giftbox, hold the assembly parallel (horizontal) to the ground or the inner tripod leg extensions will slide out as they are not locked in place.

2.Install the lock knobs on the tripod: Place the tripod in a horizontal position on the floor before performing this step. The three tripod lock knobs (7, Fig. 1) have been removed from the bottom section of each tripod leg to insure safe arrival of the tripod assembly. To install, thread each tripod lock knob into the threaded hole located at the right side of each of the three gray-colored castings at the bottom of each tripod leg. See Fig. 3, and 29, Fig. 2c. Tighten the tripod lock knob to a "firm feel" only to avoid damage to the tripod caused by overtightening.

3.Stand the tripod: Hold the mount for support (the mount will be loose) and stand the tripod in a vertical position. Slide the cardboard sheath upward to allow it to come free when the tripod legs are spread out during the next step.

4.Adjust the tripod legs. Spread the tripod legs as far as they will open, so that the leg braces (28, Fig. 2c) are taut. Should one of the leg braces slip out of the center triangle fastener, reposition the brace and slide it back into the triangle fastener.

5.Attach the accessory shelf to the tripod: Remove the mounting knob from the round accessory shelf (6, Fig. 1). Place the accessory shelf on top of the center triangle leg brace fastener so that the threaded stud protruding from the bottom of the shelf (Fig. 4) passes through the hole in the center of the triangle fastener. Next, thread the mounting knob shaft into the threaded stud. Tighten to a firm feel.

6.Attach the counterweight to the counterweight shaft: Look through the hole in the counterweight and note the pin blocking the hole (Fig. 5). Tilt the counterweight slightly and the pin moves out of position, clearing the hole. If the pin does not move, slightly unscrew the counterweight lock knob (Fig. 5) until the pin moves. Holding the counterweight (8, Fig. 1) firmly in one hand, tilt the counterweight to move the pin from the hole and slip the counterweight onto the counterweight shaft (9, Fig. 1). Tighten the counterweight lock knob (Fig. 5) to a firm feel.

7.Attach the counterweight assembly to the mount: Attach the counterweight shaft assembly by supporting the counterweight firmly in one hand, while threading the counterweight shaft into the base (Fig. 6) of the Declination axis of the telescope’s equatorial mount with the other. Once firmly attached, loosen the counterweight lock knob, slide the counterweight to the midpoint of the counterweight shaft, and re-tighten the lock knob firmly in place (Fig. 5).

NOTE: If the counterweight ever slips, the secured threaded safety washer/knob (12, Fig. 2a) prevents the counterweight from sliding entirely off the shaft. The safety washer/knob is pre-attached at the factory. Make

sure that this safety washer/knob always remains in place.

page 8