20
Figure 3-6
Figure 3-7
Image will be upside down
Image will be right side up but reversed
Balancing the Telescope
Balance is a necessity for proper use of any telescope. Balancing maximizes tracking accuracy and lessens vibrations
in all telescopes. The Ultima 2000 is a precision instrument and so it is assumed that the user will balance the system.
The clutches are designed to only tighten a certain amount. This protects the precision gears driving the telescope. Heavy
stresses on the worm block assembly can cause damage.
The Ultima 2000 comes with a balance system that allows the telescope to be dynamically balanced (rotate the tube
anywhere and it remains balanced). Most balance systems sold today only balance the telescope for a range of
±
10-20º.
The Ultima 2000 balance system balances the telescope for all 360º.
To balance the telescope:
1.
Put all the accessories on the telescope (i.e. visual back, diagonal, eyepiece, etc....). The finderscope must be
mounted on the telescope.
2.
Put the telescope in the horizontal position. See figure 3-8.
3.
Hold the telescope and loosen the altitude clutch so the telescope rotates freely. (The altitude clutch is adjusted by
turning the black knob located on the side of the larger fork arm, counter clockwise loosens and clockwise tightens).
Don’t let go of the telescope; it could rotate forward quickly and strike the downstop.
4.
Slide the counterweight to a position such that the telescope does not rotate when you let go of it.
5.
Tighten the nylon screw on the counterweight.
The Ultima 2000 is now dynamically balanced. If the counter weight is pushed all the way forward and the telescope still
rotates up (so the front of the tube points up), then additional weights are needed. There are 4 accessory weights provided
with the telescope and more optional weights are available through Celestron. The weights are small steel disks with a
threaded hole on one side and a threaded rod on the other. This way the weights can be attached to each other. To add the
extra weights:
1.
Remove the screw on the top of the front cell of the telescope, near the Starbright Coatings Sticker.
2.
Attach two of the weights to the front cell via the threads.
