© Opticstar Ltd 2013-2016
6
Setting the Mount’s Latitude
Latitude is the
angular distance in degrees North or South from the Equator for
a location on the Earth
’s surface.
You will first need to establish your location’s
latitude and longitude. GPS devices including mobile phones will supply this
information that you will also later need to set up the handset. You can also
obtain the latitude and longitude for your location from a map or via an Internet
search-engine. A list of large cities and their longitudes and latitudes have been
listed on page10 for your convenience.
You will only need to physically set the
mount’s latitude once for your current
location. It is important that you set the latitude without any load on the mount
at this point i.e. no counterweights and no telescope. It makes the process
easier, safer and without the need to balance the telescope prior to physically
setting the latitude.
To physically set the latitude for your mount you will need to use the two
latitude adjustment T-bolts (
14, 15
). By always loosening one T-bolt and
tightening the one opposite you will be able to revolve the upper part of the
mount-head until the latitude pointer points to the correct latitude on the
mount’s latitude scale (
30
). Once the latitude pointer points to the desired
latitude slowly tighten both T-bolts until they make contact. Do not overtighten.
You are now ready to mount the counterweight and optical tube to the EQ1300 GT mount.
Mounting the Counterweights
Before proceeding make certain that the counterweight shaft
(
12
) is pointing to
the ground and that the DEC and R.A. locking levers are tight (
3, 5
).
Completely unscrew and remove the counterweight safety screw-cap (
23
) at
the end of the counterweight shaft (
12
).
Carefully lift a counterweight and loosen the counterweight locking knob (
13
)
enough to ensure that the hole in the counterweight is free of the floating
locking pin.
Carefully slip the counterweight to approximately halfway up the counterweight
shaft and tighten the counterweight locking knob firmly. Replace the
counterweight safety screw-cap (
23
).
You can position and secure the counterweight further up the counter-shaft if
you intend to mount a smaller telescope like an 80-100mm aperture refractor,
lower down if you intend to mount a heavy telescope.
Connecting the Handset
Use one of the two supplied black coiled cords to connect the handset to the handset port on the RA or DEC motor
control panel. Use the second coiled cord to connect the two DEC Motor Cable ports found on the RA and DEC motor
control panels respectively (page 4).
ATTENTION
The two latitude adjustment T-bolts work in a
push & pull
fashion, in other words as you tighten
one you must always loosen the other. If you tighten one T-bolt without loosening the one
opposite, you will bend the bolts resulting to damage not covered by warranty.
ATTENTION
The counterweight safety screw-cap (
23
) prevents counterweights from sliding entirely off the
counterweight shaft and must remain in place during normal use.
ATTENTION
Only use original cables supplied with the mount, incorrectly wired cables can cause serious
damage to the mount.
14
30
17
17
15
5
12
13
3
