Meade 14" Fork dismantle question

[Frewi808]

Did one of you guys ever take ta Meade 14" out of its forks ?
I'm planning to install coolers inside the meade and some peltiers outside, but I need to take the Meade SCT out of the forks, I wonder if it can be done and install it again without any hassle ?

Freddy

[mozzie]

hi fred
not me not game enough to...just doing encoders and a motor was stressful..theres people here that will be able to help or try yahoo group 14"lx200 very helpful

[AstroJunk]

Join the LX200 users group on Yahoo http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200/

There is a wealth of info there.

All I can say is that if you are worried about taking the OTA out of the forks, you should be s#&**&^g yourself about installing peltiers :lol:

[GrampianStars]

Whoa there Freddy ;)
She's a heavy tube there mate, so you'll need 2 people for the job.
(mark the tube/saddle mount to be able to restore close orthogonality.)
Lie the beastie down on a soft protected bench. (no scratches required),
the little bolts holding the tube/saddle don't need any more stress on them when removing. :thumbsup:

[cristian abarca]

Hi Freddy try these links

https://www.cabrillo.edu/~rnolthenius/observatory/NewObsBldg/LX200OTA/index.html (https://www.cabrillo.edu/%7Ernolthenius/observatory/NewObsBldg/LX200OTA/index.html)

http://www.primordial-light.com/meadeotaremoval-3.html

http://pulia.nu/doc/Meade LX10 Robo RevA1.pd (http://pulia.nu/doc/Meade%20LX10%20Robo%20RevA1.pd)

Cristian

[Frewi808]

Wow, Thanks guys I will look into this a bit more, I also might skip this project, looks a bit complicated and to heavy.
Freddy

[Merlin66]

I've removed and replaced the 12" Lx Classic OTA a few times over the past years - to replace the Dec bearings with needle bearings and during transportation to the UK and then to Belgium.
It's a very straight forward job...
the OTA is held by the three screws on either side of the Dec stubs and the Dec arms are held by those four loooong allen screws at the base.
Mark all the relevant joints and lay the scope on a doona on the floor with a pillow under the RA base; rotate it until the non drive dec arm is upwards... just loosen the four bolts holding the dec arm; remove the three small screws holding the OTA then finally remove the four main bolts and lift the dec arm off and away from the OTA - this minimises the chances of scratching the OTA.
Turn the OTA/ mount over and get the other Dec arm above the tube; just remove the three small screws holding the OTA and lift the Dec arm/ base away from the OTA...job done.
Re-assembly in reverse order.....

[Paul Haese]

Never pulled one apart Freddy but you know me; I just love to pull gear apart. Remember registration marks will get you back to orthagonal. Take photos as you go as this will help you remember the sequence back. Take your time.

[alistairsam]

hi
any links to pics of the RA assembly? interested to see the RA bearings.

thanks

[Merlin66]

I think there's info over on the MAPUG site.
Why the interest in the RA bearings???
I've never touched mine in over ten years.....

[Frewi808]

You might take a look at this RA stuff

http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/ragreiner/RABase.html#Top

Freddy

[Frewi808]

Thanks Paul, if I start this project I sure will post lots of images.

Thanks guys for all the support.

Freddy

[alistairsam]

strange. that link didnt work earlier, but worked now.

just wanted ideas on minimizing deflection on the RA axis for the fork mount that i built.


thanks.