Advertisement
Quick Links
Advertisement
Related Manuals for Software Bisque Pyramid Portable Pier
Summary of Contents for Software Bisque Pyramid Portable Pier
- Page 1 Pyramid Portable Pier ™ User Guide Revision 2.5 May 2018 © 2018 Software Bisque, Inc.
-
Page 3: Packing List
The Pyramid Portable Pier is a lightweight and extremely stable platform designed to directly accept various telescope mounts (adaptor plates for the Paramount MX and Paramount ME mounts are available). Designed to shoulder up to 113 kg (250 lb.), the Pyramid Portable Pier has many innovative features: •... -
Page 4: Optional Accessories
Qty. Photo Description 3/8–24 x 2½-inch bolt 3/8–24 Acorn nut Clamp nut (upper and lower; upper remains in place during shipping). 3/16-inch wrench for coarse adjust clamp screw. See “Coarse Leveling” on page 13. Optional Accessories Extension tube(s). See “Optional Accessories” on page 18. - Page 5 Pyramid Pier Parts Figure 1: Pyramid Portable Pier components. Pier Assembly The tripod arms that hold the center dish in place are disassembled to prevent damage during shipping. There are currently two versions of the tripod arm assemblies: tripods shipped before July 2013 and tripods shipped on or after July 2013.
- Page 6 The legs of the tripod should be spread out to place the tripod arms in the correct position for assembly. Tripods shipped in or before July 2013 are assembled as follows: The tripod arms must be assembled in the correct order! Each tripod arm is permanently mounted to one of the tripod legs in a different vertical mounting position (top, middle, or bottom;...
- Page 7 Figure 2, the arm is in the middle position. When assembling the arms, make sure to “stack” them in the same order as they are mounted. The arm mounted in the top pin must be placed nearest the center dish, followed by the middle arm and then the bottom arm. If the arms are placed in a different order, the center of the arms will not be properly aligned, and the legs will not expand or collapse properly.
- Page 8 Figure 4: Sticker or etching placement to help with initial assembly. Page 8 of 19...
- Page 9 Figure 5: Tripod arm assembly: top (1), middle (2) and bottom (3). * *Tripods shipped after July 2013 required one washer to be installed between the bottom arm and knob. Page 9 of 19...
- Page 10 Otherwise, moving the portable pier is simple and can be carried by any of the legs (Figure 6). Figure 6: Carrying the Pyramid Portable Pier. Expanding the Pier Legs Figure 7: Loosen the clamp nut before expanding the legs.
- Page 11 Figure 8: Extending the pier legs. 2. Place one pier leg on the ground and use both two hands to simultaneously pull out the other two legs. You can also pull out one leg at a time, provided each leg is extended about 1/3 of the way at a time.
- Page 12 Leveling the Top Plate There are several benefits from leveling the top plate before placing the mount on top of the Pyramid Portable Pier, including: • Doing so ensures that the load is stable once the mount and other equipment are added.
- Page 13 Make sure to get the tripod very close to level before placing the mount on the top plate. Though you can make leveling adjustments with equipment on the tripod, it is much easier when there is not any additional weight. Also note that the leveling adjustments change the footpad location;...
- Page 14 wrench to loosen the coarse adjust clamp screw and make leveling adjustments. Once loosened, position the coarse adjuster to get close to level, then tighten coarse adjust clamp screw. Notice the coarse adjuster has a specially machined “rough” surface to achieve maximum friction when clamped.
- Page 15 Figure 13: Top plate with integrated bubble level. Page 15 of 19...
- Page 16 Rotating the Top Plate The ME II/MX Pyramid Portable Pier top plate has tapped holes to accept both the Paramount ME II and Paramount MX/MX+. On the ME II/MX Pyramid Portable Pier, the Paramount MX/MX+ can be mounted in two positions; in the center of the rotating top plate or offset so the edge of the base plate on the Paramount MX/MX+ meets one edge of the Pyramid Portable Pier’s rotating top plate (see Figure 15).
- Page 17 At lower latitudes, it is best to have one of the legs pointing towards the celestial pole as the center of mass of the payload tends to be near the edge of the top plate. Once mount is at the correct azimuth, tighten up the clamp nut again and you should be ready to use your mount.
- Page 18 Figure 18: Photo sequence showing how to collapse the legs. Next, grab two of the legs and lift them up and towards yourself, then with the remaining leg still touching the ground, push the two legs you are holding towards the leg contacting the ground to collapse all legs simultaneously.
- Page 19 6. Add the white Delrin washer then screw on the upper clamp nut followed by the acorn nut. 7. Firmly hand-tighten the upper clamp nut. Figure 20: Pyramid Portable Pier with extension tube. Page 19 of 19...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the Pyramid Portable Pier and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers