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Old 03-01-2010, 04:23 PM
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Merlin66 (Ken)
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Junortoun Vic
Posts: 8,927
I replaced the Dec bearings in both my 10" and 12" Classic LX200 last year and was faced with a similar problem.

As per the LX200 Y! forum I used the stub extension shafts on the dec to get the forks aligned and found it after three or four goes, to be a real PITA.

I ended up using a U "frame" made from 18mm MDF which was 100mm wide and long enough to sit across the tube, above the knobs on the Dec arms. I then cut a couple of identical "legs" to allow them to sit on the knobs and allow the top of the frame to just sit on the OTA when it was horizontal.
Measuring each knob, I found them to be identical diameter, so that when the "legs" were resting on the top of each knob the frame should be horizontal ( if the base is set up flat and horizontal on the tripod)
A piece of 100mm x 18mm MFD was slipped through the handles on the Dec arms and clamped to the arms ( to keep them relatively aligned)

I then used a large spirit level on the U frame to check the adjustment of each Dec arm - I used a nylon door wedge and screwdriver to "lift" the Dec arms until the level showed a horizontal reading.
Re-do the 4 large Allen screws, rotate the mounting by 180 degrees and re-check. After a couple of trials I got it very level!

The GOTO is now easily able to find my target stars for the spectroscope.
I don't have any images of the set up, but still have the MDF frame etc If you need more info - drop me a PM and I'll give you the sizes etc I used.
IMHO Much easier than the stub shafts and dial indicator method.
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