Meade-instruments LX600 User Manual download pdf (Page 55)

Appendix D

APPENDIX D: SPLIT FORK ARMS

With the removal of eight (8) boltss the OTA is easily separated

from the telescope. This detachable OTA is a departure from the

original design LX200 series design that preceded your LX600.

This feature facilities easier assembly as the telescope can be

broken down into two, easier to lift units. This feature is most

useful when assembling the larger 12”/14” models and when

mounting the LX600 onto the X-Wedge.

The LX600 is shipped from the factory with the OTA fastened

to the base. Depending on the model and your situation, it may

not be necessary to ever separate the OTA from the base. It is

possible for a single person to mount the 10”/12” models without

breaking them down. It is also possible for two people to mount

the 10”/12” and 14” models as one unit. In the previous scenarios

it is not necessary to break the telescope down.

In situations where the weight of the assembled OTA and base

presents a physical challenge to safely mounting the telescope

you should take the time to break the telescope into its two,

easier to lift components. Below is the procedure to break-down

and reassemble the LX600’s OTA and telescope base.

Break-Down Altaz Mode

If the telescope is not mounted on the tripod, place the telescope

assembly on a ﬂ at and stable surface. Remove the two jumper

cables. Loosen the DEC lock and rotate the OTA so that the

objective points down, towards the base, and relock the DEC to

prevent it from rotating during break-down. Locate and loosen

the eight (8) screws using the supplied 5/16” hex head wrench.

Note that there are four screws per side, with a ﬁ fth screw which

is used as a “hanger pin” when mounting on a wedge. This ﬁ fth

screw has been permanently locked in place at the factory; do

not attempt removal. Once you have removed all eight screws

the OTA can be separated from the base by sliding slightly to

disengage the hanger pins and lifting. Place on ﬂ at and stable

surface. Note that only the DEC lock fork arm will remain

immobilized; the opposite arm will always swing freely.

Reassembly: Altaz Mode

Reassembly in this mode is straight forward. Attach the

telescope base securely to the tripod or if you are reassembling

after observing, make sure that it is on a stable surface. Lift and

slide the OTA onto the mounting plates, making sure to engage

the hanger pins into their dedicated slots. Remember that one of

the arms will swing freely, so it may be helpful to enlist someone

to help stabilize and locate that arm. Once you have determined

that the OTA has been successfully located on the base, you can

begin to thread on the eight (8) screws. Tighten the screws to a

“ﬁ rm”, consistent feel.

Reassembly: X-Wedge

Attach the X-Wedge to the tripod as detailed in Appendix F:

X-Wedge Installation (page 62-66). You will mount the telescope

base only, to the X-Wedge as described in the procedure starting

on page 63. As the mounting plate is indexed to receive the

hanger pin on the OTA, you will need to rotate the fork arms so

that the RA Lock is pointing away from the control panel. Lock

the RA in this position. In this conﬁ guration the receiving slots

Note position of RA lock

Slots to receive Pin

OTA Base

The LX600 separated

Loosening fasteners connecting the OTA to the

telescope base

Orient the fork arms to receive the OTA

Hex Head fasteners —

four per side.

Hanging Pin —

two per side.

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Meade-instruments LX600 User Manual Page 55

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