8
I
I
n
n
s
s
t
t
a
a
l
l
l
l
i
i
n
n
g
g
t
t
h
h
e
e
C
C
o
o
u
u
n
n
t
t
e
e
r
r
w
w
e
e
i
i
g
g
h
h
t
t
B
B
a
a
r
r
To properly balance the telescope, the mount comes with a counterweight bar and one counterweight To install
the counterweight bar:
1.
Thread the counterweight bar lock nut onto the threaded end of the
counterweight bar.
2.
Locate the opening in the equatorial mount on the DEC axis
3.
Thread the counterweight bar into the opening until tight.
4.
Tighten the counterweight bar lock nut fully for added support.
Once the bar is securely in place you are ready to attach the
counterweight.
Since the fully assembled telescope can be quite heavy, position
the mount so that the polar axis is pointing towards north
before the tube assembly and counterweights are attached.
This will make the polar alignment procedure much easier.
I
I
n
n
s
s
t
t
a
a
l
l
l
l
i
i
n
n
g
g
t
t
h
h
e
e
C
C
o
o
u
u
n
n
t
t
e
e
r
r
w
w
e
e
i
i
g
g
h
h
t
t
Depending on which AST 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
screw
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
(see Figure 2-5)
.
5. Tighten the locking screw on the side of the weight to hold the counterweight in place.
6. Replace the counterweight safety
screw
.
Figure 2-3
Counterweight
Safety Screw
Counterweight
Bar
Locking Screw
Lock Nut
