Installation Instructions
Meade Equatorial Wedge
For Use With Meade Field Tripods
Fig. 1: Equatorial Wedge
(1) Tilt-Plate
(2) Top Wedge M6 Knob
(3) Latitude Lock M6 Knob
(4) Latitude Scale
(5) Wedge Body
(6) Center Hole
1
2
3
4
5
6
The Meade 8” Equatorial Wedge is for use with Meade 8” SC/ACF tele-
scopes such as the LX90 & LX200 series. When used with the Meade LX90
series telescope, the Meade #07389 adapter plate is required for mounting
the telescope to the wedge.
NOTE: This wedge is not designed to support telescope models larger
than 8 inches.
The Meade 8” Equatorial Wedge attaches directly to Meade field tripods
and permits the telescope to be used in an equatorial or “polar” mode. This
“polar” mode configuration is ideal when using the telescope for astropho
-
tography.
CAUTION:
Always securely attach the Equatorial Wedge to the field tripod
before attaching the telescope. A telescope placed onto the wedge alone,
without the field tripod attached, may become seriously unbalanced and
tip over.
ASSEMBLING THE EQUATORIAL WEDGE
The wedge consists of two basic parts: the wedge body and the tilt-plate,
as shown in
Fig. 1
.
1. Thread the two remaining M6 knobs with washers through the curved
opening on each side of the wedge body and into the lower end of the
tilt plate (3, Fig. 1).
2. The latitude scale (4, Fig. 1) is located on the side of the wedge body.
Loosen all four of the M6 knobs (2 & 3, Fig. 1) and move the tilt plate
to the latitude number that corresponds with your observing location’s
latitude and re-tighten the knobs.
3. Thread the long latitude adjustment screw (2, Fig. 2) into the center
cross bar until it makes contact with the back of the tilt plate as shown.
4.
When you wish to further fine tune your latitude setting, such as during
the night sky alignment procedure, first lightly loosen the four M6 lock
knobs (3, Fig 1.). Then turn the latitude adjustment screw (2, Fig 2.)
until the correct latitude setting is reached. Re-tighten the M6 lock
knobs until firm.
5. NOTE
: See your telescopes instruction manual for information about
performing the necessary telescope polar alignment on the night sky.
ATTACH THE WEDGE TO THE TRIPOD
1.
Attach the wedge onto the field tripod by fitting the central threaded
rod of the tripod through the wedge center hole (6, Fig. 1) and hold the
wedge in place with one hand.
2. Thread the 3” diameter manual knob (1, Fig. 3) onto the tripod thread-
ed rod and loosely tighten.
3. Rotate the wedge body so it aligns with the two threaded holes located
on the side of the tripod head. See Figure 4.
4. For extra stability thread the three supplied 5/16” button head screws
and washers thru the slotted openings (2, Fig. 3) on the wedge floor
and into the tripod head. Leave these loose for now.
INSTALLING THE AZIMUTH CONTROL
The azimuth control assembly for the Meade Equatorial Wedge allows fine
horizontal adjustment to the wedge position when aligning it on the night
sky. The azimuth control assembly includes the following parts:
•
One azimuth base (large U shaped piece of aluminum)
•
Two azimuth adjustment knobs
•
Two 8-32 x 1/2” flat-head machine screws
•
Two 8-32 x 1” round-head machine screws
•
One 9.5mm aluminum spacer block
•
One 19mm aluminum spacer block
•
One azimuth arm (t-shaped aluminum piece)
1. Select the 9.5mm or 19mm aluminum spacer block that when installed
will sit flush with the edge of the tripod head. Place the spacer block
against the wedge body and line up with the screw holes as shown in
Fig 4.