Paramount User Guide
64
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P a g e
3.
Hand tighten
each Versa-Plate knob until the brass plungers securely hold the dovetail in place.
While tightening the knobs, push slightly on the OTA in the same direction as the advancing brass
plungers to make sure the dovetail plate is securely compressed against opposite side of the
dovetail wedge (Figure 28). Also ensure that the male dovetail plate is securely captivated by
at
least two
of the Versa-Plate Knobs before letting go of the OTA or testing declination axis balance.
Securing a heavy or expensive payload with one knob is not sufficient. The length of the male
dovetail varies by manufacturer. For best results and when the length of the male dovetail
permits, always tighten all three knobs to the hold it securely in place.
4.
Test the declination axis balance, then make adjustments to the position of the payload as
needed.
5.
After the payload in the declination axis is balanced and the knobs are hand tightened, definitively
secure each knob by inserting a 1/4-in hex wrench and tighten it an additional
one-quarter turn
only
.
Do not over tighten these knobs or the internal threads can be damaged.
Note that when
two or three of the knobs are “hand tightened”, the dovetail will not slide. The final 1/4 turn with
the hex wrench ensures that your heavy and expensive payload is mounted securely and will not
move when the mount slews.
Versa-Plate Mounting Positions
The Paramount MX, MX+, ME II and M
Y
T Versa-Plate can be mounted to the top of the declination axis in
four different positions to move the balance point of different payloads. The gray circles in Figure 29
represent the top of the declination axis at each mounting position.
If your payload is “camera-end heavy,” mount the Versa-Plate at the forward most position so that the
payload can be more easily balanced. Remove the six 1-inch socket head cap screws (SHCS) using a 3/16-
in hex wrench, then adjust the position of the Versa-Plate accordingly. The mounting position depends
on your equipment, so there may be a bit of trial and error to find the optimal spot. The four SHCS should
be tightened snugly so that the Versa-Plate cannot wiggle or shift when carrying the payload, but not too
tight.
Figure 29: Machined circles mark the four mounting positions on the Paramount MX and Paramuont MX+ Versa-Plate. (The
Instrument Panel end is to the left.) The Paramount ME II’s Versa-Plate has two mounting positions.
