Meade Ultrawedge Operating Instructions

For use with all Meade
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Fig. 1: Ultrawedge. (1) Tilt-plate; (2) Attachment screw; (3) Fine
latitude control knob; (4) Mounting slot at top of tilt plate; (5) Vernier
pointer; (6) Latitude Scale; (7) Azimuth Control Knob; (8) Wedge
Body; (9) Bubble Level; (10) Mounting slots; (11) T-bar bolt.
This optional Ultrawedge model is designed for the Meade
LX200GPS and RCX400 telescope series (Note: Not for use
with 16" models). The Ultrawedge fits onto both the Meade
Variable Height Field Tripods and the RCX Tripods, and allows
the telescope to be used in an astronomical, or "equatorial"
mode.
This Meade Ultrawedge is designed for use with the Meade
Variable Height Field Tripod and the RCX Tripod. Warning: If
the telescope is placed on the wedge without the tripod
attached to it, the wedge will be seriously overbalanced
and the telescope could tip over.
The following instructions assume that the Ultrawedge will be
used with the Meade Variable Height Field Tripod. The
assembly procedure requires two people who can lift up to 55
lbs. each.
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Meade
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Fig. 2: Mounting the Ultrawedge. (1) Position of nylon set screws;
(2) Manual knob/compass; (3) Wedge body; (4) Threaded rod;
(5) Tangent arm (LX Users only); (6) Azimuth thrust bar pin; (7)
Buttonhead crews.
Operating Instructions
®
Meade Ultrawedge
®
7" to 14" LX200GPS Schmidt-Cassegrain and RCX400 Telescopes
(not for use with 16" models)
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Fig. 3: Latitude Range Holes. (1) Tilt Angle Adjustment Screw;
(2) Vernier Pointer; (3) Optional Mounting Hole.
Ultrawedge Assembly
The required wedge hardware and manual knobs are shipped
within the wedge carton. Note: The tangent arm (5, Fig. 2) is
standard and already attached to Meade's RCX400 tripods;
if you have an RCX400 tripod, you do not need to attach the
tangent arm that is supplied with the Ultrawedge to your
tripod (step #2).
LX Model Users only: On the tripod, locate and remove
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the two 8-32 nylon set screws (1, Fig. 2) from the rim of
the tripod head.
2. LX Model Users only: Attach the tangent arm (5, Fig. 2)
to tripod using the supplied 8-32 X 1/2" socket cap screws.
3. On the tripod, push the threaded rod (4, Fig. 2) up so that
the rod extends above the top of the tripod.
4. Holding the threaded rod (4, Fig. 2) in position, place the
wedge body (3, Fig. 2) on top of the tripod so that the
threaded rod passes through the center hole on the
wedge floor. Align the azimuth thrust bar pin (6, Fig. 2) so
that it slips into the slot on the tangent arm (5, Fig. 2).
Thread the large manual knob/compass (2, Fig. 2) onto
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the threaded rod.
6. Pass the three 5/16-18 X 1-1/4" buttonhead screws (7,
Fig. 2) through the oval slots on the wedge floor and
thread them into the tripod head. Use of these three
screws, designed to provide extra stability for the
wedge/tripod system, is optional.
The tilt angle adjusting screw (1, Fig. 3) is installed in the
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factory to allow the tilt plate to be adjusted for any latitude
greater than 25° and less than 55°. If viewing in a region
with a latitude greater than 55°, unthread the adjusting
screw with the supplied hex key wrench and move the
screw to the optional mounting hole (3, Fig. 3).
Fig. 4: Back view of the Ultrawedge: (1) T-bar; (2) Fine latitude
control knob; (3) Steel reinforcement bars.
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