Sponsored By:

Subject: [M]: Loose corrector plate on LX200; what was found
From: FrankSailR@aol.com
Reply To: mapug@shore.net
Date: Sun Nov 24 06:31:11 1996

Thanks to Gary Heath's excellent description of the procedure, I ventured to
remove the corrector ring and plate. Since it had already "broken away"
under its own weight, there was no sticking or sudden release when lifting
away the plate.

A grease pencil mark was noted on the glass, but none on the edge of the cell
anywhere. The mark conveniently lined up w/ the edge of one of the SIX cork
shims (in the 6 o'clock position), so I made no mark, just noted the
line-up.

The cork shims seem to be in good condition, but are clearly WAY too thin
(dried out and shrunken in the dry indoor environment???) to do the job of
motion arresting and centering they were intended to do. This is clearly the
problem!!
Personally, I believe that it left the factory this way, but was held
marginally well by the ring pressure, eventually breaking free with use
(scope is 11 months old).

I put the ring back on and tightened the bolts per instructions as detailed
by MAPUG contributors. For now, things seem a bit more snug, but I expect
that when the cork shims arrive I will need to build up the thickness of the
6 existing shims and perhaps add others around the circumference of the cell.

Now that I've taken off the corrector I'm feeling alot less anxiety towards
trouble shooting my 'scope. Thanks to all who made this possible. I am also
greatly relieved to know I won't have to ship the blasted thing back to
Meade.

Thanks again!

Frank S.