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5. Tighten the screws to hold the column securely in place.
Attaching the Equatorial Mount
After the tripod is set up, you are ready to attach the equatorial mount. The equatorial mount is the platform to which the
telescope attaches and allows you to move the telescope in right ascension and declination. To attach the equatorial mount to
the tripod:
1. Insert the base of the equatorial mount into the top of the electronics pier.
2. Rotate the equatorial mount on the electronics pier until the holes in the mount line up with those in the pier and the dec
opening (where the counterweight shaft will go) is positioned directly over one of the tripod legs.
3. Insert the three remaining 3/8-16 cap screws and washers provided through the holes in the central pier and into the
equatorial mount.
4. Tighten the screws to hold the equatorial mount in place.
Installing the Counterweight Bar
To properly balance the telescope, the mount comes with a
counterweight bar and at least one counterweight (depending
on model). The counterweight bar is located in the same box
as the Equatorial Mount Head —in a cutout along the bottom
of the shipping box. To install the counterweight bar:
1. Locate the opening in the equatorial mount on the DEC axis
It is opposite the telescope mounting platform.
2. Thread the counterweight bar into the opening until tight.
Once the bar is securely in place you are ready to attach the
counterweight.
Since the fully assembled telescope is quite heavy, position the mount so that the tripod leg with the counterweight bar
over it is pointing towards north before the tube assembly and counterweights are attached. This will make the polar
alignment procedure much easier.
Installing the Counterweight
Depending on which CGE telescope you have, you will receive
either one or two counterweights. To install the counterweight(s):
1. Orient the mount so that the counterweight bar points toward the
ground .
2. Remove the counterweight safety thumbscrew and washer on the
end of the counterweight bar (i.e., opposite the end that attaches to
the mount).
3. Loosen the locking screw on the side of the counterweight.
4. Slide the counterweight onto the shaft.
Dec Axis
Counterweight
Bar
Safety Scre
w
and Washer
Counterweight
Locking Screw
Figure 2-3
Figure 2-4