Orion 10018 XT8i, 10026 XT6i, 10020 XT12i, 10019 XT10i Assembly of the Dobsonian Base

C
N
	B
KL	M
D
E	G
F
A	J
	H
	I
Figure 2. Exploded view of the XTi IntelliScope Dobsonian base.

Assembly of the Dobsonian Base

Refer to Figure 2 during base assembly. The base need only be assembled once, unless you disassemble it for long-term storage. The assembly process takes about 45 minutes and requires, in addition to the supplied tools, a Phillips screw- driver, and two adjustable crescent wrenches. You can substi- tute a 7/16" crescent wrench for one of the adjustable cres- cent wrenches, or use a pair of pliers.

When tightening screws, tighten them until firm, but be careful not to strip the holes by over-tightening. If you use an electric screwdriver, do final tightening with a standard screwdriver to avoid stripping.

1.With a Phillips screwdriver, screw the plastic feet into the underside of the ground baseplate (A) using the self-tap- ping wood screws provided. Insert the screws through the feet and thread them into the predrilled starter holes.

2.Loosely attach the front brace (B) to the two side panels

(C) with six of the base assembly screws in the predrilled holes. Use the 4mm hex wrench to tighten the screws. The

Spacer washer

Figure 3a. The spacer washer goes between the azimuth encoder board and the top baseplate of the Dobsonian base.

Encoder board
mounting screw	Azimuth encoder board

Figure 3b. Installing the azimuth encoder board. Line up the large hole in the encoder board with the central hole in the top baseplate.

side panels should be oriented so the SkyQuest IntelliS- cope labels are facing outward. The front brace should be oriented so the threaded insert is facing the interior of the base. Do not completely tighten the screws yet.

3.Connect the two side panels (C) with the front brace attached to the top baseplate (D) with the remaining six base assembly screws in the predrilled holes. The side of the baseplate with the pilot hole near the square-shaped cutout should be facing downwards. Tighten all six screws firmly.

4.Tighten the six side screws installed earlier.

5.Attach the azimuth encoder board (E) to the underside of the top baseplate (D). Insert the encoder board mounting screw through the circuit board and install the small spacer washer (G) over the screw (Figure 3a). Insert the modular jack on the encoder board into the square-shaped hole in the baseplate and align the encoder board so that the small slotted hole in the board lines up with the predrilled starter hole, and the large hole lines up with the central hole in the baseplate. Thread the encoder board mounting screw into the predrilled starter hole with a Phillips screw- driver and tighten until just tight (Figure 3b).

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