Setting up an LX90 in polar mode

[Iain]

I recently purchased a secondhand Meade Wedge and adapter plate. After setting everything, I find the the OTA looks like it is trying to align with the NCP. My first attempt resulted in the dew shield being wiped out !

My setup is as follows :-
One single tripod leg is pointing to the SCP, the plate has its surface angled to the North, the telescope handles are underneath the forks which are pointing to the SCP, the LNT module,red dot finder and the viewfinder are all on top of the OTA, The tripod is well levelled and there is a measured 90 degrees between the OTA and the forks, my lattitude is set to 35 degrees (I am in New Zealand), and the scope is set to Polar Mode.

I am obviously doing something wrong - but what !

All help appreciated.

[DavidTrap]

I thought you had to manually point the OTA at the SCP??

(Been a while since I've had an LX-90)

DT

[tonybarry]

Hi Iain,

This may help:-

http://jan.eaglecreekobservatory.org/polar.html

Regards,
Tony Barry

[Iain]

Firstly, thanks davidtrapp and tonybarry, we made some progress!

Somehow I think the scope thinks it is in the Northern hemisphere.

When I went into polar mode I said my latitude was 35d, now I think I should have entered something, perhaps a negative symbol (-) or maybe it is something else, to indicate it was in southern latitudes.

I did not know the LX90 has a hard stop, but found it when the OTA tried to pass through the forks :( no damage though.

So, am I now on the right track to polar aligning to the SCP. Want to see what you guys think b4 I try it again .