Meade Instruments LX600 - Manual (Page 55)

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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
N N N
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.
H H H H H H H H H H