Meade LX70 Series Instruction Manual page 8

5. Attach the counterweight shaft: Locate
the counterweight shaft (Fig. 1, #9) and thread
down the Locking Nut (Fig. 1, #13) until it stops.
Next, thread the counterweight shaft into the
threaded hole on the front side of the mount,
Figure 9: Attach the counter-
weight shaft
below the declination setting circle (Fig. 1, #14).
Tighten to a firm feel. Adjust the Locking Nut
upward toward the mount until it stops. Tighten
to a firm feel.
6. Install the latitude adjusting screws: Lo-
cate the two threaded latitude knobs (Fig. 1, #6)
in the box. Thread the longer latitude adjust-
ment knob into the rear of the mount and the
shorter latitude adjustment knob into the front of
the mount as shown.
7. Set the latitude: Setting the latitude is easier
if it is set before you attach the optical tube and
counterweights. Locate the latitude dial (Fig. 1,
#8); note that there is a triangular pointer above
the dial located on the mount. The pointer is not
fixed; it moves as the mount moves.
Determine the latitude of your observing loca-
tion. See APPENDIX C: LATITUDE CHART
for a list of latitudes, or check the internet. Move
the latitude screws in order to move the mount
until the pointer points to your latitude. The
two latitude screws work in a "push - pull" op-
eration—as you tighten one, loosen the other.
Pointer Pointer
Figure 11: Latitude pointer
Figure 10: Set the latitude
Figure 12: North tripod leg
When the pointer points at your latitude, tighten
both screws until they make contact with the
mount. At your observing site, set up the tele-
scope assembly so that the tripod leg below the
counterweight shaft, labeled "N", (FIG. 1, #7)
approximately faces True North (or True South
in the Southern Hemisphere). For more infor-
mations see page 14 LOCATING THE CELES-
TIAL POLE.
8. Attach the slow motion control cables:
The LX70 comes equipped with flexible slow
motion control cables for both the RA & Dec
axes. Each cable is securely fastened on each
axis by a small Phillips head screw. Locate the
RA worm shaft mounting location and notice
that it has a flat portion on one side(see Fig 13).
Slide one of the cables onto the shaft so the
Phillips head locking screw is aligned with the
flat portion on the shaft. Using the included Phil-
lips screw driver, secure the slow motion control
cable onto the shaft until firm. Repeat this pro-
cess for the declination cable(see Fig 14).
Figure 13: Attach the RA
slow motion control cable
9. Attach the counterweight(s): Look through
the hole in the counterweight (Fig. 1, #11) and
note the pin blocking the hole. Loosen the coun-
Figure 15: Remove the
safety nut
8 8
Figure 14: Attach the DEC
slow motion control cable
Figure 16: Install the counter-
weight