Focus Key; Map Key; Object Keys; Prev And Next Keys - Meade LX200 Instruction Manual

7. FOCUS Key

The FOCUS key (9, Fig. 6) allows 2 speed electric focus control
of the optional Meade #1206 Electric Focuser (or equivalent
corded electric focusers such as the Meade Model #1200A). To
activate, press either the SLEW or FIND key (for fast focusing),
or the CNTR or GUIDE key (for slow focusing), press and hold
the FOCUS key, and then press and hold the PREV or NEXT
keys for near and far focus.

8. MAP Key

The Map key (11, Fig. 6) turns on and off the red LED
'flashlight' that is located at the top of the keypad. The deep red
LED light will protect your night vision while you search for a
particular accessory or examine a star chart.
9. Object Keys (M, STAR, and CNGC)
These keys (10, Fig. 6) allow direct access to the LX200's
Object Library any time that you are not editing a value or
setting a parameter, or selecting a file menu. Use the Object
keys when you are at a "top level" of a mode. After pressing one
of these keys, the keypad's display will give a blinking cursor,
allowing you to enter the catalog number for objects listed in
the library (see APPENDIX C, page 31). After entry press the
ENTER key. To see the entered object press the GO TO key. A
brief description of the catalog key symbols are; M (Messier
objects), STAR (stars and planets), and CNGC (Computerized
New General Catalog).
The 16" LX200 has several object libraries which are accessed
with the STAR and CNGC keys.
When you press the STAR or CNGC keys, the display will show
which object library you are currently in and wait for a number
entry, as described above.
To switch to a different library, press the ENTER key instead of
entering a number.
The keypad display will show a menu of libraries available.
Move the cursor to the desired library and press ENTER to
select.
The 16" LX200 will "remember" the database you last
accessed. Each time you press the STAR or CNGC keys, the
same object database will be displayed on the first line of the
keypad display.

10. PREV AND NEXT Keys

The PREV and NEXT (up and down arrow) keys (12, Fig. 6)
move the display LCD arrow up and down the menu files and
menu file options, so that you may choose an individual
selection to enter. These keys are also used when adjusting the
RET brightness range, or when activating the electric focuser.
PREV and NEXT work as well to select the objects from the
Object Library when using START FIND.
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Fig. 7: 16" LX200 Power Panel. (1) Ammeter; (2) RS-232 Connector; 3) Aux Connector;
(4) Focuser Connector; (5) Reticle Connector; (6) Keypad Connector; (7) ON/OFF Switch,
(8) N/S Switch; (9) 12v DC Power Connector; (10) CCD Connector; (11) DEC Motor Connector.
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THE LX200 POWER PANEL

The power panel incorporates a power switch and LED
indicators showing power on with a current ammeter to show
power draw.
The power panel has all of the connectors for the AC or DC
power input, the DEC Motor, and the keypad. There are
connectors designed to accept optional accessories such as a
CCD autoguiding camera, the optional Meade Field De-
Rotator, the Meade #1206 Electric Focuser, and an illuminated
reticle eyepiece. There is even a connector for RS-232
communication that will allow you to perform every function of
the keypad from your personal computer. An illustration and a
description of the 16" LX200 power panel features follows:

1. ON/OFF Switch

When the ON/OFF Switch (7, Fig. 7) is moved to the ON
position, the power light indicator, the Current Ammeter, and
the keypad all light up. You will hear the drive motors rev which
momentarily pegs the Ammeter, then the drive motors shift to a
slower speed which allows the RA worm gear to find its
centering position for calibrating the Smart Drive, then
resuming to an even slower tracking speed. The keypad
display reads "Meade," then the version of the software is
indicated briefly before defaulting to the TELESCOPE/OBJECT
LIBRARY. Within 15 seconds, the planetary orbital calculations
with their corresponding apparent sizes and magnitudes, and
current stellar precession calculations are made. Every
computer function is checked, and the LX200 diagnostics are
complete.

2. N/S Switch

The recessed N/S Switch (8, Fig.7) converts the LX200 for
operation in the Northern or Southern hemisphere, making the
drive reverse its' tracking direction. Before power up, the
appropriate N or S switch position should be made, as the
LX200 will not recognize a change made on the N/S switch
afterwards. Use a pen or small tool to slide the switch
appropriately. Be sure before you travel across the equator,
that you are setting the proper + or - latitude SITE entry for your
final destination.

3. Ammeter

The Ammeter display (1, Fig. 7) is a series of vertical red LED
bars. Each bar that is fully lit represents 0.3 ampere (300 milli-
amperes) of current draw. The LED Ammeter represents its
lowest value on the extreme left of the scale. During normal
tracking speeds, the Ammeter will show about three fully lit LED
bars and at times a fourth that is partially lit, indicating about
900 to 1000 milli-amps or 0.9 to 1.0 amps of current draw
(when a slew is initiated, the ammeter will peg the scale
momentarily showing the inertia load, this effect is entirely
normal). The current draw information can be useful if you are
trying to calculate how much battery life you will have during an
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observing session. As an example,
if the ammeter has four bars lit,
indicating 1.2 amps and you are
using a 12 amp hour battery, then to
know the approximate number of
hours of life the battery would yield
by dividing 12 by 1.2. This indicates
a battery life of 10 hours.

4. DEC Motor Connector

The DEC Motor Port (11, Fig. 7) is a
DB-9 socket, designed to accept
the supplied coil cord. One end of
the supplied coil cord plugs in to the
power panel and the other plugs
into the DEC MOTOR socket in the
right fork arm to power the
declination motor.