Balancing
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Attach any additional equipment, such as
camera and adapters, to the optical tube
assembly before balancing. It is best to
have the focuser pointing skyward when
balancing. Proper balance is important
to avoid damage to the telescope and to
reduce the strain on the mount gears and
motors when slewing and tracking.
Balance around the Declination Axis▼
Loosen the R.A. clamp and rotate the 1.
tube so that it is in the horizonal position.
If the R.A. balance is too far off, the
telescope may be dicult to move. In this
case, balance the R.A. axis rst.
While holding the telescope rmly, loosen 2.
the declination clamp slightly and check
the balance around the declination axis.
If the balance is not correct, loosen 3.
the tube ring locking nuts and slide the
telescope back and forth within the tube
rings until proper balance is achieved.
Once balance is achieved, tighten the
tube ring locking nuts.
Attaching the Tube holder
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(Tube holder and Plate are sold separately)
Attaching the telescope to an equatorial
mount will require the tube rings and
mounting plate. First, attach the tube rings
to the mounting, but do not tighten the
mounting bolts completely. This will provide
some play in the position of the tube rings.
Then, attach the bridge plate to the tube
rings, connecting the two tube rings on
the top. After the bridge plate is attached,
tighten the tube ring mounting bolts to
the mounting plate. Secure the mounting
plate to the Takahashi mount using the two
provide cap bolts.
With the tube rings open, carefully mount
the telescope in the tube rings. Once the
telescope is in place, close the tube rings
and secure them with the tube ring lock
nuts. With the lock nuts in place but not fully
tightened, balance the telescope on the
mount. Once proper balance is achieved,
tighten the lock nuts (Please see next
section on for more details on balancing).
(Note) The Takahashi mounting plate can
be used with the EM-11, EM-200 and EM-
400 mounts. If a third-party mount is used,
a proper mounting plate will need to be
obtained.
Setup
Cap Bolt
Washer
Tube Ring
Lock Nut
Mounting Plate
Equatorial Mount
Tube Rings
▼Balance around the R.A. Axis
With the declination axis balanced, rmly 1.
tighten the declination clamp.
Loosen the R.A. clamp and check the 2.
balance around the R.A. axis.
If the balance is not correct, move the 3.
mount balance weight up or down to
achieve proper balance.
If balance cannot be achieved with the 4.
weight at the extreme end (bottom) of the
shaft, additional weight may need to be
added.
