Leisure Time LX20 - Manual (Page 27)

Thread one of these knobs (or screws, as appropriate) partially
into the hole on the underside of the drive base, located at the
curved-end of the drive base (4, Fig. 12). This knob or screw
should be threaded in about 3 full turns, not fully threaded into the
hole.
Check that the knobs or bolts at the side of the wedge (5, Fig. 8 or
5, Fig. 10), are firmly tightened before placing the telescope onto
the wedge.
Grasping the 2 fork arms of the telescope firmly, with the power
panel towards you, place the telescope onto the tilt plate of the
wedge by sliding the knob (7" and 8" LX200) or screw (10" and 12"
LX200) into the slot at the top of the curved-end of the wedge tilt-
plate.
Insert the 2 remaining knobs for the 7" and 8" LX200, or socket
screws for the 10" and 12" LX200, through the underside of the tilt
plate and into the underside of the drive base. Tighten down all 3
knobs or screws to a firm feel. Extreme force is not necessary in
this regard.
The telescope is now fully mounted onto the wedge and field
tripod. Adjustments in wedge latitude angle and/or azimuth
orientation may be made with the telescope in place. Further
details on telescope polar alignment see APPENDIX B, page 30.
4. Magnetic Compass
The magnetic compass helps the observer to set-up the telescope
without actually seeing the pole star Polaris. This allows setting up
before dark or in locations where the view of Polaris is
obstructed. The magnetic compass has an adjustment to
compensate for the local angle of Magnetic Declination. Note:
Magnetic Declination is the difference between Magnetic North
(which the compass shows) and true north (where the telescope
should be pointed). Magnetic Declination should not be confused
with the astronomical term "Declination," which, when used with
"Right Ascension", describes the celestial coordinate system.
a. Setting Magnetic Declination
In order to obtain an accurate reading using the compass, you
must first adjust for the Magnetic Declination for your location.
1. First, determine the Magnetic Declination in your area using the
Isogonic Chart (Fig. 15)
2. Squeeze the clear central vial with thumb and index finger of
the left hand.
3. With the right hand, rotate the outer dial until the orienting
arrow (the black arrow painted on the inside clear surface) is
lined up with the desired Magnetic Declination angle on the
declination scale. Notice that East Magnetic Declination is
to the right of the "North" position and West Magnetic
Declination is left. As an example, Fig. 16 shows the correct
setting for 16 degrees West Declination, which covers
Providence, Rhode Island.
b. Compass Installation
The Magnetic Compass is now set for the correct declination angle.
To attach to the equatorial wedge, follow these steps:
1. Snap the Magnetic Compass into the 3" diameter wedge
attachment knob (after setting the Magnetic Declination as
described above). Position the compass into the knob so that
the 360 degree location on the direction scale (the "North"
position) lines up with one of the nine points of the knobs.
(See Fig. 16.) Press the compass firmly into the knob.
2. Assemble the equatorial wedge onto the field tripod as
described in the Instruction Manual using the
knob/compass combination to attach the wedge to the
tripod.
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