LXD55/CG5 to Meade
Field Tripod Modification
The purpose of this modification is to remove the standard “flimsy” tripod from the LXD55/CG5 mount and use the equatorial head on a more solid base. The Meade standard field tripod is perfect for this purpose, but any tripod with a flat surface and ½” hole in the center will work fine. The Celestron tripod works equally as well.
The
centerpiece of this modification is a simple piece of PVC pipe called a 2”x4”
reducer. The reducer has a 2” center hole and an outside diameter of 4”. This
nicely corresponds to the dimensions of the base for the LXD55/CG5 equatorial
head. The reducer then acts as a platform on which the equatorial head sits. A
½”x13 12” threaded rod serves to hold the entire assembly together.
It
takes about 20 minutes to complete the modification. The only part of the
procedure that that isn’t “plug-n-play” is to change the existing 3/8” threads
in the under-center of the equatorial head to ½”x13 threads. This is easily
accomplished. Under the equatorial head the existing hole (with 3/8” threads
inside) must drilled with a 27/64” drill bit for about ¾”. A hand drill drills
the aluminum easily. Use a ½”x13 tap to then create the threads in the hole.
Because the aluminum is easy to work, the threads will tap without a problem.
Use WD40 as a lubricant.
Once
the hole is drilled and threaded, the rest of the modification is easily
assembled.
2”x4”
bushing, threaded rod, coupler, washer and nut |
Drill
27/64” hole about ¾” into the base. |
Tap
threads into the hole, slowly, carefully. Use WD40 for lubricant |
|
Screw
threaded rod into the newly tapped threads completely, don’t tighten too
much. Just hand tight. |
Use
the 1/2x13 nut to secure the rod securely in the new hole. Tighten, again,
not too tight. |
The
2”x4” reducer on the base of the mount. |
|
The
CG5 equatorial head inserted into the 2”x4” reducer. This fits on top of the
field tripod, the threaded rod extending down through the existing hole. |
|
|
|
Place
the washer and then the coupler on the threaded rod under the tripod. The
coupler acts as a “long bolt”. Tighten this bolt to keep the EQ head in
place. Once you’ve aligned the EQ head in azimuth, tighten this with a wrench
to create a solid platform for the telescope. Then install the leg “spreader”
and locking handle. |
Here’s
the finished product. The EQ head simply “sits” on the 2”x4” PVC black
reducer and is held together with the center 1/2x13 threaded rod and spreader
assembly. Overall, this CG5 modification has shown itself to be a tremendous
improvement over the standard aluminum tripod shipped with these mounts
(including those fitted with wooden legs!) |
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©
2004 Dennis Steele ([email protected])