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To balance the telescope, unlock the Right Ascension
or RA clutches (3-Places, Page 14, Fig. 10). When
this axis is unlocked, the telescope pivots on the RA
axis. Later in the procedure, you will also unlock the
Declination or DEC clutches (3-Places, Page 14, Fig.
10). When unlocked, it pivots on the DEC axis. Try to
become familiar with these locks and observe how
the telescope moves on each axis. To obtain a fine
balance of the telescope, follow the method below:
Balancing the RA Axis
1. Firmly hold the optical tube secure so that it cannot
accidentally swing freely. NOTE: An unbalanced
OTA can swing quickly causing injury to the user.
Loosen the RA Clutch. The optical tube now moves
freely about the RA axis. Rotate the telescope so
that the counterweight shaft (Page 20, Fig. 29) is
parallel (horizontal) to the ground.
Fig 29: Balancing the RA axes
2. Rotate the counterweight along the counterweight
shaft until the telescope remains in the horizontal
position without moving in either direction. Now
push the RA shaft from the end up and down.
Adjust the counterweight position until it takes the
same force to move the RA shaft up and down.
Balancing the DEC Axis
Again, hold the optical tube so that it cannot accidentally
swing freely. NOTE: An unbalanced OTA can swing
quickly causing injury to the user. Position the RA axis
parallel to the ground and tighten the RA locks. Unlock
the DEC Clutches. The telescope now is able to move
freely about the DEC axes. Position the OTA parallel
to the ground.
Advanced Coma-Free OTAs: Slightly loosen the OTA
dovetail adapter lock knobs (Page 8, Fig. 29) so that
the tube assembly slides easily back and forth in the
20
Slide the OTA to
achieve balance
Fig 30: Balancing the DEC axes
dovetail mount. Be careful that the OTA does not fall
out of the dovetail adapter! Start with 1/2" of the OTA
dovetail plate extended out of the DEC Saddle (See
Appendix F, pg 56). Move the OTA assembly fore or
aft, in the dovetail adapter until the telescope remains
in horizontal position without tending to drift down in
either direction. Once this is achieved tighten the OTA
dovetail lock knobs firmly.
Meade Refractors: Slightly loosen the cradle ring lock
knobs so that the main tube slides easily back and
forth in the cradle rings. Move the main tube in the
cradle rings until the telescope remains in one position
without tending to drift down in either direction. Once
this is achieved tighten the cradle ring lock knobs. If
the refractor is equipped with a dew shield, make sure
it is fully extended prior to balancing.
Balancing the StarLock
When the StarLock is mounted on the saddleplate
it is mounted off-center from the DEC axis, it must
be properly counter-balanced to achieve optimum
performance. With the DEC axis lock still loose and with
the RA axis parallel to the ground, rotate the OTA so
that points directly upward (Fig. 31). Start by loosening
and moving the rectangular StarLock counterweight
so there is a 1/2" gap between the weight and the DEC
Saddle plate screws (See Appendix F). Move the
weight until the telescope remains pointing upward,
without tending drift in either direction. Once this is
achieved tighten the StarLock counterweight knob and
re-lock the DEC clutches.
The telescope is now properly balanced. Return the
LX850 to the original position with the counterweight
shaft pointed to the ground and OTA pointed
straight ahead.
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