Instruction manual

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In order to properly balance your telescope, you will need to
move your telescope manually at various portions of the sky to
observe different objects. To make rough adjustments, loosen the
R.A. and Dec. locking knobs slightly and move the telescope in
the desired direction. To make fine adjustments, when the knobs
are locked you turn the slow motion cables.
Both the R.A. and Dec. axis have locking knobs to clutch down
each axis of the telescope. To loosen the clutches on the
telescope, unlock the locking knobs.
Figure 2-21
Dec. Lock Knob on top of Dec.circle
& R.A. Lock Knob on top of R.A. circle
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To eliminate undue stress on the mount, the telescope should be properly balanced around the polar axis. In
addition, proper balancing is crucial for accurate tracking if using an optional motor drive. To balance the mount:
1. Release the R.A. lock knob (see figure 2-21) and position the telescope off to one side of the mount (make sure
that the dovetail mounting bracket knob is tight). The counterweight bar will extend horizontally on the opposite
side of the mount (see figure 2-22).
2. Release the telescope — GRADUALLY — to see which way the telescope “rolls” or falls.
3. Loosen the counterweight locking knob on the counterweights (one at a time).
4. Move the counterweights to a point where they balance the telescope (i.e., it remains stationary when the R.A.
lock knob is released).
5. Tighten the locking knobs to hold the counterweights in place.
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The telescope should also be balanced on the declination axis to prevent any sudden motions when the Dec. lock
knob (Fig 2-21) is released. To balance the telescope in Dec.:
1. Release the R.A. locking knob and rotate the telescope so that it is on one side of the mount (i.e., as described in
the previous section on balancing the telescope in R.A.).
2. Lock the R.A. locking knob to hold the telescope in place.
3. Release the Dec. locking knob and rotate the telescope until the tube is parallel to the ground (figure 2-23).
4. Release the tube — GRADUALLY — to see which way it rotates around the declination axis. DO NOT LET
GO OF THE TELESCOPE TUBE COMPLETELY!
5. For the 130EQ Newtonian, loosen the screws that hold the telescope tube inside the tube rings and slide the
telescope either forwards or backwards until it remains stationary when the Dec. lock knob is released. For the
90EQ refractor, loosen the mounting knob and safety screw on the dovetail mounting bracket (Figure 2-18) and
slide the telescope tube slightly in either direction until it remains stationary when the Dec. lock knob is released.
6. Tighten the tube ring screws firmly to hold the telescope in place on the 130EQ. For the 90EQ, tighten the
mounting knob and then the safety screw on the dovetail mounting bracket.