Meade LX200GPS instruction manual Telescope Assembly, To Assemble the 16 Super Field Tripod

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Fig. 44: The Super Giant Field Tripod: (1) Tripod head;

(2)Threaded rod; (3) Tension knob;

(4)Spreader bar; (5) Lock knobs;

(6)Extension strut; (7) Tension hub.

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Fig. 45: The Super Giant Field Tripod collapsed.

Fig. 46: Tighten the tripod spreader bar with the tension knob.

Fig. 47: Remove the pointed bolts from the drive base.

ing of the telescope in the GO TO mode. Do not attempt to turn the focus knob of the optical tube (6, Fig. 1) until you have read the following note.

Caution: Next to the base of the focus assembly is a red slot-head bolt, used only for safety reasons in shipment. Remove this bolt before attempt- ing to turn the focus knob. In its place, insert the rubber plug provided as a dust protector (this rubber plug is included with your hardware package).

The 16” LX200GPS should never be commercially shipped without the red bolt in place. This is essential during commercial transport, where rough handling may occur. Your transport and storage of the telescope never requires this bolt.

To re-ship the 16” LX200GPS commercially, be sure to follow this procedure:

1.Turn the focus knob clockwise until it stops so that it moves the primary mirror all the way back in the tube.

2.Remove the rubber plug and insert the red bolt. Thread it in to a firm feel (if you have misplaced the red bolt, you may use any bolt that is 1/4-20x1" long).

3.When packaging the 16” LX200GPS, be sure to release the R.A. lock (12, Fig. 1) and Dec. lock (17, Fig. 1) to prevent shock to the gears in the motor assemblies should the package suffer rough handling.

Commercial shipment of the 16" LX200GPS telescope without the red safety bolt in place as described above is done at the owner’s risk and your warranty may be void- ed if shipping damage results.

16" TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY

Use the following procedure to assemble your telescope:

To Assemble the 16” Super Field Tripod

The 16” Super Field Tripod (Figs. 44 and 45) for the Meade 16” LX200GPS telescope is supplied as a completely assembled unit, except for the spreader bar (4, Fig. 44) and the six lock-knobs (5, Fig. 44). There are two knobs for each of the three tripod legs. They are used to adjust the level of the tripod. These knobs are packed sepa- rately for safety in shipment.

For most observations, the drive base of the telescope’s fork mount is attached direct- ly to the super giant field tripod, in the altazimuth (altitude-azimuth or vertical-hori- zontal) format.

The telescope also can be mounted on a permanent pier in the equatorial format, which is set for the latitude of the observing location (see APPENDIX A, pages 50 through 54, for instructions on using the telescope in equatorial mode). The equatorial mode permits alignment of the telescope’s polar axis with the celestial pole.

After removing the field tripod from its shipping carton, stand the tripod vertically, with the tripod feet down and with the tripod still fully collapsed (Fig. 45). Remove the lower knob (1, Fig. 45), releasing the tension hub (7, Fig. 44). This knob is used only when storing the field tripod. Moving one leg at a time, gently pull the legs apart. As the legs are opened, the tension hub will move down the threaded rod (2, Fig. 44) until it is free from the threaded rod. Continue to move the legs apart to a fully open position.

Thread in the two lock-knobs (5, Fig. 44) for each tripod leg, near the foot of each leg. These lock-knobs are used to fix the position of the inner tripod leg sections. These sections are used to level the telescope (described below).

Note: Tightening to a firm-feel is sufficient. Over-tightening may result in stripping of the knob threads or damage to the tripod legs; it provides no additional strength.

Loosen the tension knob (3, Fig. 44), holding the spreader bar (4, Fig. 44), and slide the spreader bar down the threaded rod until you can rotated it so that the three arms align with the three tripod legs. Tighten the tension knob ( Fig. 46) to a firm feel; firm tightening of the tension knob is sufficient to result in rigid positioning of the legs. Do not use force in tightening this knob.

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