Meade LX850 User manual

START HERE!
THEN PROCEED TO THE
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
ADDENDUM: LX850 MOUNT BODY ASSEMBLY
Introduction
Congratulations! The Meade LX850 now ships in smaller pieces to reduce the mount weight and packaging materials.This addendum will describe
how to assemble the mount body. Once assembled continue to use your Meade LX850 instructional manual to get the mount ready for your first
night of observing. Note: It is not necessary to disassemble the mount after each use, but it may be useful if you find the assembled mount weight
is too heavy to move safely.
In this addendum you will:
1. Setup the tripod
2. Attach the RA assembly to the tripod
3. Attach the DEC assembly
4. Route the internal cabling
5. Attach the Saddle plate
FIG. 1

Parts Needed
Be sure to unpack all the LX850 boxes and identify each needed component. To assemble the Meade LX850, you will need the following parts:
Study the below reference image to become familiar with the LX850 components and how they assemble together.
FIG. 2
STEP 1: Setup the tripod.
a. Place the tripod on stable ground away from nearby lights and where
the North Star Polaris is visible.
b. Spread the tripod legs so they are evenly spaced.
c. Adjustthetripodheightsothetopofthetripodislevelwhiletripodlegs
evenly spaced.
STEP 2: Attach the RA assembly to the tripod
a. Insert the tripod mounting stud (Fig 1, #10) through the tripod
spreader (Fig 1, #9) as shown.
b. Place the RA assembly (Fig 1, #7) onto the tripod head (Fig 1,
#8)andsecureinplacewiththetripod mounting stud (Fig 1,#10).
The RA assembly (Fig 1, #7) should be facing toward the North
Star Polaris (approximately true North).
c. With the tripod spreader arms (Fig 1, #9) making contact with
each leg, tighten the tripod mounting stud (Fig 1, #10) to a firm
feel. The mount should look like Fig. 2.
STEP 3: Attach the DEC assembly
Note: Before attaching the DEC assembly (Fig 1, #2),it is advised to
adjust the mount latitude to your observing site latitude. See Fig 2. This
will allow the weight of the DEC assembly (Fig 1, #2) to rest on the RA
assembly (Fig 1, #7) while performing the installation. Take caution to
not dropt the DEC assembly (Fig 1, #2).
a. To begin, line uptheRAregistrationmarksonthe right side oftheRA
assembly (Fig 1, #7).
b. Using the 5/16” hex wrench tighten the three RA clutch lock
screws to prevent the RA assembly (Fig 1, #7) from rotating.
c. Place the DEC assembly (Fig 1, #2) onto the RA assembly
(Fig 1, #7) as shown in the figure 3.
d. Insert the four ¼-20 x ¾” (Fig 1, #1) screws and lightly secure all
screws using the included 3/16” hex wrench.
Note: It is best to lightly tighten the bottom mounting screws first,
then finish with the top screws since one of the top screws is difficult
to access.
e. Now tighten all four screws tightly until secure.
• 4 pcs ¼-20x ¾” screws
• 5 pcs ¼-20 x 1” screws
• 1 pcs 3/8-16 x 1” screws
• LX850 RAassembly
• LX850 DEC assembly
• LX850 Saddle plate
• Starlock cable
• Starlock counterweight
• Tripod with spreader & mounting stud
• 3/16” Hex wrench
• 5/16” Hex wrench
FIG. 3

STEP 4: Routing the internal cabling
Now route any cables internally to the mount. This includes the Starlock cable, camera cables, etc.
a. First route the Starlock cable which is the black cable with 6-pin connector on one side and 4-pin connector on the other. See Figure 4.
Note: The starlock cable is directional! The 6-pin side must be plugged into the control panel port labeled “Starlock”. The 4-pin side must be
plugged into the Starlock unit in the port labeled “Starlock telescope connection”. Failure to follow these instructions will result in damage
to the telescope and/or Starlock.
b. Route the 4-pin side of the Starlock cable so it comes out the top left side
of the DEC assembly (Fig 1, #2). The 6-pin side of the connector should
come out of the cable access port on the rear of the RA axis housing as
shown above. When routing the starlock cable, leave about 7” of cable
hanging out the back of the rear RA port so it can connect to the control
panel. Leave about 25” – 30” of cable hanging out of the access hole located
on the top left side of the Dec assembly so it can connect to the Starlock.
Note: Do not route any cables out the top center hole or they will get damaged
when the saddle plate (Fig 1, #3) is installed.
c. After routing all the needed internal cables, proceed to attaching the saddle
plate (Fig 1, #3) above.
STEP 5: Attach the Saddle plate
a. To begin, line up the DEC registration marks on the left side of the DEC
assembly (Fig 1, #2).
b. Using the 5/16” hex wrench tighten the three DEC clutch locking screws to
prevent the DEC assembly (Fig 1, #2) from rotating.
c. PlacetheSaddle plate(Fig 1, #3) onto the topoftheDec assembly (Fig 1,
#2) with the Starlock counterweight (Fig 1, #5) rail placed on the right side
of the mount as shown in the Figure 5.
d. Using the 3/16” hex wrench tighten the five ¼-20 x 1” (Fig 1, #4) mounting screws to secure the saddle plate as shown in Figure 5.
STEP 6: The mount body is now assembled. You should now follow the instructions on page 7 in the manual to
attach the control panel, counterweight shaft, counter weight, optical tube, and starlock.
FIG. 4
FIG. 5

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