As I've been getting more "seasoned" (aka older), it's become harder to slip the C14 OT tube into the forks of the original mount. It will eventually be mounted permanently in my planned observatory, but that is next year's project.
Until that is done, I've developed an interim process (particularly good for field work). It requires 1) a medium-to-heavy pickup truck (one whose open gate can bear the weight of an adult with the OTA), and 2) a friend (this is still a two-man operation).
Proceed as follows:
1) Assemble the tripod/wedge/mount. Ensure that:
- the mount arms are evenly positioned (with the RA locks both locked), and that
- the tube receiving plates on each arm are positioned in the vertical position, and locked
2) Put the OTA in the bed of the pickup (I keep it in its box at this point)
3) CAREFULLY position the truck, with the gate down, immediately behind the mount arms
4) Get the two folks into position (one on the ground with the OTA-to-receiving-plate bolts; the other in the bed of the pickup)
- ensure that the fork-arm-to-motor bolts are each slightly less than hand tight (~1/2 turn)
5) Take the OTA out of the box, and ensure it is in desired position (focuser on the right side of the OTA rear plate)
6) Lift the OTA and carefully lower it into the receiving plates (with the OTA studs cleanly aligned with the grooves on the plates)
- the "lifter" only has to raise the OTA to chest-high...no more 55 pound "press over your head" antics!
- the guy on the ground is in excellent position to guide the OTA studs into the grooves on the receiving plate
7) Tighten the OTA-to-receiver-plate bolts and the plates together (2 bolts per side), then
8) Tighten the fork-arms-to-motor bolts (2 bolts per side).
This works great (one lift and done), and particularly well if you are out in the field without tables to put the OTA on, or other suburban-possible attachment techniques.
Enjoy! John
Edited by John Higbee, 21 October 2024 - 12:01 PM.