INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF THE MEADE 4" FIELD TRIPOD AND EQUATORIAL WEDGE A. Field Tripod The Field Tripod for the Meade Model 2045 is supplied as a completely assembled unit. After removing the Field Tripod from its shipping carton, stand the tripod vertically, with the tripod feet down and with the tripod still fully collapsed. Grasp two of the tripod legs and, with the full weight of the tripod on the third leg, gently pull the legs apart to a fully open position. Note: the Tension Knob (the black 3" diameter knob at the bottom of the threaded shaft) may need to be loosened to allow the tripod legs to unfold. Unthread the Tension Knob sufficiently to allow the Spreader Bar (black casting with three arms right above the Tension Knob) to rotate. The Spreader Bar should be rotated about 60° from its shipping position until the 3 arms of the Spreader Bar are lined up with the 3 tripod legs. Then, turn the Threaded Rod in the center of the Field Tripod so that about 1 1/2" of its length protrudes up through the center Tripod Head. Underneath the Head of the Field Tripod is a hex lock-nut, which should be tightened to fix the position of the Threaded Rod. Re-tighten the Tension Knob. Firm tightening of the Tension Knob is sufficient to result in rigid position of the tripod legs. It is not necessary to use extreme force in tightening this knob. B. Equatorial Wedge The Equatorial Wedge permits the Model 2045 to be used in astronomical or "equatorial" mode without the 3 Table Tripod Legs. The wedge fits on the Field Tripod, described above, and accepts the base of the Model 2045 fork mount. Note: The Meade Equatorial Wedge is designed solely for use in conjunction with the Meade Field Tripod. The wedge should never be used without the Field Tripod, e.g. by placing the wedge alone on a table top and then mounting the telescope on the wedge. The Model 2045 telescope, placed onto the Equatorial Wedge alone, without the Field Tripod attached to the wedge, may become seriously imbalanced to the point where the telescope may actually tip over. The Equatorial Wedge is of modern design, with several important features incorporated to simplify and facilitate telescope operation. After using the wedge for your telescope, you will find that the functional design features included are of very significant value in routine telescope operations. Some of these features include: 1. Attachment of the Equatorial Wedge to the Field Tripod by means of only one manual knob. 2. Quick azimuth adjustment by loosening the manual knob described above. 3. Bubble level for rapid tripod/wedge leveling. 4. Etched latitude scale for fast adjustment of the latitude angle. To assemble the Equatorial Wedge, follow this procedure (note that all required hardware and manual knobs are shipped within the wedge carton): 1. The wedge consists of two basic parts: the wedge body and the tilt-plate. Attach the tilt-plate to the wedge body by means of the knobs provided. Two knobs, with washers, should be used on each side of the wedge body so that a total of 4 knobs attach the tilt-plate to the wedge body. 2. Set the tilt-plate angle (using the center of the tilt-plate knob as an indicator) so that the latitude scale correctly reads your latitude, and tighten the 4 tilt-plate knobs. Your latitude can be found on most road maps. 3. Place the wedge onto the Field Tripod, with the central threaded rod of the tripod fitting through the center hole in the floor of the wedge. Thread the 3" diameter manual knob onto the threaded rod of the tripod and firmly tighten the manual knob. C. Mounting the Telescope Onto the Equatorial Wedge 1. Check that the knobs at the side of the wedge are firmly tightened before placing the telescope onto the wedge. 2. Three knobs are supplied with the Equatorial Wedge for mounting the drive base of the telescope to the tilt-plate. Thread one of the knobs into the hole on the curved underside of the drive base. This knob should be threaded about three full turns, not fully into the hole. 3. Grasp the 2 fork arms of the telescope firmly, place the telescope onto the tilt-plate of the wedge by sliding the knob into the slot at the top of the curved end of the wedge tilt-plate. 4. Insert the 2 remaining knobs through the underside of the tilt-plate. Tighten down all 3 knobs to a firm feel. Extreme force is not necessary in this regard. The telescope is now fully mounted onto the Equatorial Wedge and Field Tripod. Adjustments in wedge latitude angle and/or azimuth orientation may be made with the telescope in place. CAUTION: When changing the latitude angle of the wedge/telescope system, be sure to grasp the telescope firmly before loosening the tilt-plate knobs on the wedge. When these knobs are loosened, the telescope and fork mount will fall rapidly if not held by hand. 14-0243-00 Ver. 0698 © 1998 Meade Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved. ...