Right Ascension Lock; Behind The Power Panel; Factory Servicing And Repairs - Meade LX200 Instruction Manual

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Fig. 27: De-focused Star Images.
d. Turn the set screw that you found with the pointing
exercise while looking in the eyepiece. You will notice that
the star image will move across the field. If while turning,
the out-of-focus star image flies out of the eyepiece field,
then you are turning the screw the wrong way. Turn the
opposite direction and bring the image to the center of the
field.
e. If while turning, you feel the screw get very loose, tighten
the other two screws by even amounts. If while turning,
the set screw gets too tight, unthread the other two by
even amounts.
f. When you bring the image to center (3, Fig. 27), carefully
examine the evenness of the ring of light (concentricity). If
you find that the dark center is still off in the same
direction, continue to make the adjustment in the original
turning direction. If it is now off in the opposite direction,
you have turned too far and you need to turn in the
opposite direction. Always double check the image in the
center of the field of the eyepiece.
g. You may find after your initial adjustment that the dark
center is off in a new direction (e.g., instead of side-to-
side, it is off in an up-and-down direction). If this is the
case follow steps b through f as described above to find
the new adjustment screw.
h. Now try a higher power (e.g., 9mm or less) eyepiece and
repeat the above tests. Any lack of collimation at this point
will require only very slight adjustments of the 3 set
screws. You now have a good collimation.
i. As a final check on alignment, examine the star image in-
focus with the higher power eyepiece as suggested
above, under good seeing conditions (e.g., steady
atmospheric conditions). The star point should appear as
a small central dot (the so-called "Airy disc") with a
diffraction ring surrounding it. To give a final precision
collimation, make extremely slight adjustments of the 3
set screws, if necessary, to center the Airy disc in the
diffraction ring. You now have the best alignment of the
optics possible.

3. Right Ascension Lock

After a period of time, it is possible that the R.A. lock (7, Fig. 1)
of the LX200 will not tighten sufficiently due to internal wear of
the clutch mechanism. In such an event, remove the R.A. lock
lever using one of the hex wrenches supplied with the
telescope. Then, with a pair of pliers, tighten the shaft
protruding outward from the drive base until you cannot easily
rotate the fork arm in R.A. (Take care in this operation not to
damage the cosmetic finish of your LX200). Replace the R.A.
lock lever so that the handle points straight out from the cross-
bar connecting the fork arm.

4. Behind the Power Panel

The LX200 power panel houses the back-up replaceable
battery (1, Fig. 28) for the clock and calendar and a replaceable
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standard 1.0 amp slow-blow fuse (2, Fig. 28). The long-life
lithium battery (Panasonic CR2032 3 vDC or Duracell
DL2032B) is stored behind the front panel of the Drive Base.
The battery does have to be changed every few years, and is
done by unthreading the four phillips-head screws that secure
the Front Panel to the Drive Base. Then with a thin flat-head
screw driver, lift the small coin-size battery out of its holder. The
new battery simply slides in place.
The 1.0 amp slow-blow fuse will sacrifice itself to protect the
LX200 electronics in the event that the telescope is prevented
from completing a GO TO function (e.g., the tube runs into
something that keeps it from slewing).
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Fig. 28: Reverse Side of Power Panel. (1) Fuse; (2) Battery.

5. Factory Servicing and Repairs

Meade LX200 models have been designed and manufactured
for years of trouble-free operation and repairs should rarely be
necessary. If a problem does occur, first write or call our
Customer Service Department. Do not return the telescope
until you have communicated with us in this way, since the
great majority of problems can be handled without the return of
the telescope to us. However, should the occasion arise that
the instrument requires factory servicing, a Meade Instruments
Customer Service Representative will issue a Return Goods
Authorization (RGA) number and give you full instructions on
how to use it. Product returned without the RGA number may
greatly delay any servicing or repairs. When telephoning or
writing, please explain the exact nature of the problem so that
we may offer a prompt remedial procedure. Be sure to include
your full name, address, phone and fax numbers where you
can be reached.
Should you live outside of the United States, contact your
Authorized Meade Distributor.
You can reach the Meade Instruments Customer Service
Department either by mail, phone, or fax at: Meade Instruments
Corporation, 6001 Oak Canyon, Irvine, CA 92620-4205,
telephone (949) 451-1450, or fax (949) 451-1460. Outside of
the U.S.A., dial your International Access Code, then 1, then
the ten digit number above in the 949 area code. Customer
Service hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Pacific Time, Monday
through Friday.
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