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| First, I cut the Meade mounting bar to a shorter length. |
| Secondly, I cut the end in order to match the old bar. I then drilled and tapped the end in order to use the "lock" screw. |
| ...And here is the completed mount. Looks just like the old Meade mounting plate, just shorter. |
| It works great. I'm able to switch weight depending on my setup, I can easily remove the weight when storing or transporting the telescope, and it mounts secure to the telescope eliminating any possible movement during imaging. |
| It also gives a little cleaner look. |
| On the East fork, I then drilled and tapped two holes in order to mount the weight system. Finally, mounted with two stainless steel socket head screws. |
| www.Stellar-Views.com |
| Amateur Astronomy |
| LX200 Fork Arm Weight |
| This little modification will help maintain more consistent tracking in R.A. When the LX200 is tracking at or near the meridian, the scope will want to start rolling to the west shifting the pressure on the R.A. drive. By placing a little weight on the East fork, it will prolong the scopes tendency to roll West and keep a more consistent pressure on the drive for a longer period of time. I've seen quite a few variations on adding weight. I decided to modify a Meade counterweight system I had laying around. |