I just got a used LX200. The diagonal spins freely after tightening the nut that attaches to the back. Is it supposed to spin or is there supposed to be enough friction (washer maybe?)to stop it from rotating
Meade 1.25 diagonal
Started by tycham, 01/16/2008 03:36AM
Posted 01/16/2008 03:36AM
Opening Post
Posted 01/16/2008 08:57PM
| Edited 01/16/2008 09:18PM
#1
If you mean the diagonal’s retaining ring that holds the diagonal to the back of the OTA body - it should tighten down and hold the diagonal firmly in place when observing.
(Uncle Rod – correct me here as needed . . .)
Be aware that the baffle tube SCEWS INTO the rear (cast base) of the MEADE SCTs and should *NOT* be coming unscrewed! If your baffle tube has become loosened (probably the previous owner over tightened the diagonal collar and then twisted it and started unscrewing the baffle tube) you need to screw it back up tight and then realign your scope. This is important as the main mirror rides on this baffle tube to focus so it MUST be tight! You can improvise and use the diagonal by screwing the collar onto the tube tight and then use the whole diagonal as a “wrench” to re-tighten the baffle tube to the OTA body (turn it “clockwise” looking into the bottom/back of the OTA body). I’ve been there – done that . . . just be sure you are tightening the baffle tube when you do it!
Some folks cut washers from old milk jugs so as to "tension" the diagonal to slip a wee bit when you want to change the EP orientation (happens to be how I unscrewed MY baffle tube - smile). But you can also change the alignment of the diagonal to OTA body that way and introduce off axis problems. I went back to just unscrewing (carefully) the collar and retightening it to change the EP position.
Tom Mengel (Moderator - Equipment Forum)
(Uncle Rod – correct me here as needed . . .)
Be aware that the baffle tube SCEWS INTO the rear (cast base) of the MEADE SCTs and should *NOT* be coming unscrewed! If your baffle tube has become loosened (probably the previous owner over tightened the diagonal collar and then twisted it and started unscrewing the baffle tube) you need to screw it back up tight and then realign your scope. This is important as the main mirror rides on this baffle tube to focus so it MUST be tight! You can improvise and use the diagonal by screwing the collar onto the tube tight and then use the whole diagonal as a “wrench” to re-tighten the baffle tube to the OTA body (turn it “clockwise” looking into the bottom/back of the OTA body). I’ve been there – done that . . . just be sure you are tightening the baffle tube when you do it!
Some folks cut washers from old milk jugs so as to "tension" the diagonal to slip a wee bit when you want to change the EP orientation (happens to be how I unscrewed MY baffle tube - smile). But you can also change the alignment of the diagonal to OTA body that way and introduce off axis problems. I went back to just unscrewing (carefully) the collar and retightening it to change the EP position.
Tom Mengel (Moderator - Equipment Forum)
Tom Mengel
Moderator Equipment Talk
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