Assembling Your CM-1100 • 9
To properly balance the telescope, the mount comes with a counterweight bar
and one counterweight (the CM-1400 comes with two counterweights). The
counterweight bar is located in the same box as the Equatorial Mount Head —
in a cutout along the bottom of the shipping box. To install the counterweight
bar:
1.
Locate the opening in the equatorial mount on the DEC axis (see figure 2-
6). It is opposite the telescope mounting platform.
2.
Thread the counterweight bar into the opening until tight.
Once the bar is securely in place you are ready to attach the counterweight.
Since the fully assembled telescope is quite heavy, position the mount
so that the tripod leg with the counterweight bar over it is pointing
towards north before the tube assembly and counterweights are at-
tached. This will make the polar alignment procedure much easier.
The Celestron CM-1100 comes standard with one 23 pound counterweight. The
CM-1400 comes with two 25 pound counterweights. To install the
counterweight(s):
1.
Orient the mount so that the counterweight bar points toward the ground
(see figure 2-7).
2.
Remove the counterweight safety thumbscrew and washer on the end of
the counterweight bar (i.e., opposite the end that attaches to the mount).
3.
Loosen the set screw on the side of the counterweight.
4.
Slide the counterweight onto the shaft.
5.
Tighten the locking screw on the side of the weight to hold the counter-
weight in place.
6.
Replace the counterweight safety thumbscrew and washer.
Installing the
Counterweight Bar
Installing the
Counterweight
HINT
Figure 2-5
Counterweight
Bar
Counterweight Bar
Safety Screw
Figure 2-6
Counterweight
Bar
Counterweight
Figure 2-7
