Meade Instruments LX850 - Manual (Page 15)

latitude scale has markings and a range that start at
zero (0) and ends at 70. Turn the Attitude Adjustment
Knob until the indicator points to your corresponding
latitude. Tighten the Attitude Adjustment Lock Knob.
Attach the Counterweight Shaft
Remove the counterweight shaft, with attached safety
nut, from its packaging. The safety nut is attached at
the factory for shipping. Removing the safety nut at
this time to lighten the counterweight shaft and make it
easier to attach on the DEC axis. Remove the retaining
nut by unscrewing it and set aside. Thread the shaft
into the receiver, making sure that the threads are
matching, not binding or cross threading.
Attach the Counterweight(s)
The counterweights are attached by threading them
onto the counterweight shaft to the desired position. If
the LX850 mount was purchased with a Meade optical
tube assembly (OTA), additional counterweights may
have been included depending on the OTA purchased.
Attach all counterweights that were included with the
mount. A good starting position for the counterweights is
to place them in the middle portion of the counterweight
shaft. When the mount is fully assembled with OTA
and accessories, the counterweights will be adjusted
to obtain a proper balance with the OTA. Note: 12”
and 14” f/8 ACF models please refer to Appendix F for
detailed counterweight instructions.
NOTE: WHEN ATTACHING THE COUNTER-
WEIGHT(S) TAKE CARE NOT TO DROP THEM
DURING ASSEMBLY AS THEY CAN CAUSE
SERIOUS INJURY, ESPECIALLY ON THE FOOT.
WHEN ATTACHING OR ADJUSTING THE POSITION
OF TWO (2) Counterweights PAY ATTENTION TO
THE POSITION OF YOUR HANDS SO NOT TO
PINCH THEM DURING ADJUSTMENT.
Screw the safety nut on then end of the shaft after the
counterweight(s) have been attached.
Routing Connector Cables Internally
Designed into the LX850 mount is a raceway that
routes cables through the body of the mount. Cables
connecting the RA, DEC motors and StarLock to the
control panel can be routed through this raceway,
eliminating worrisome “cable interference.” The
dedicated connecting cable(s) can be found in the
StarLock and/or the accessories box along with a
assisting cable routing tool. Cables for additional
equipment such as cameras can also be routed
through the internal raceway.
Note: the StarLock
cable has been installed at the factory. Starlock’s 6-pin
connector connects to the control panel and the 4-pin
connector should be threaded through the hole in the
saddle plate and connected to the StarLock.
Fig 13: Attach Counterweight.
Fig 14: Remove left OTA dove tail mount.
Remove these four
fasteners to gain
access to dovetail
saddle plate fasteners.
Fig 15: Access to left saddle fastener revealed.
Remove these
fasteners to remove
dovetail saddle plate.
15
Assembly