Home Position And Balancing The Ota - Meade RCX400 Instruction Manual

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HOME POSITION AND BALANCING THE OTA

After power is applied and Autostar has initialized, press
32
MODE to move to the vertical home position (32).
Before using the telescope, you will need to balance it in
both the RA and Dec axes. Before you balance, attach
the eyepiece assembly, the viewfinder and all the acces-
sories you will be using with the telescope (cameras,
guide scopes, etc.). In other words, you need to balance
33
the unit with all the "weight" that will be attached to it.
TO BALANCE THE RA ASSEMBLY:
First you will balance the RA axis. You will balance it,
first, with the telescope positioned at a 45° angle and
then at a 90° angle perpendicular to the home position).
Use the scroll keys to position the RA axis at 45° (33).
Go to the Utilities menu.
34
Scroll down to "Balance Scope." Press the down arrow
key to see the two choices available: Balance RA and
Balance Dec. With "Balance RA" displayed, press
ENTER.
With "Balance RA" displayed, press ENTER (34). The
telescope assembly will move back and forth slightly on
the RA axis. It is now determining the torque needed to
move on this axis.
35
A balance readout will be displayed on the handbox. The
readout will display fractions close to the number one.
For example, ".95" and ".91."
Move the bottom adjustable counterweight one-half to
one full turn (35). You will only need to move the weights
in small increments. Then move the other adjustable
counterweights to butt up against it (Note: The tele-
scope will continue to move back and forth, while you
adjust the weights).
Looking at or near the Sun will cause irreversible damage to your eye. Do not point this telescope at or near the
Sun. Do not look through the telescope as it is moving.
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