Spaceship

5 hours ago, Elara said:

Again, many thanks!

I have the aftermarket mirror lock already installed, so just a case of tightening it up prior to installing the Peterson Engineering EZ Focus Upgrade, which I’ve ordered from the UK distributor, RVO. I’ve also ordered the Peterson Eyeopener III. I’ll let you know how I get on.

Having been ‘away’ from using my setup for several years owing to personal circumstances, I’ve decided to join a local Astronomical Society, so I’m sure I’ll get lots of assistance from them too.

Clear Skies!

Cheers!

Excellent!!  Good job. Local help is always the best!!

2 minutes ago, Spaceship said:

Yes that is the stem. the little threaded hole next to it is for the mirror lock (screw/bolt) that you’ll need to make or purchase. 

The primary mirror is held against a spring. It will spring forward in the tube if you don’t hold it in place when you release the original focuser.  
You need to lock the mirror in place first. My 12” is the older Classic. I had mine apart when I installed the new focuser so it was very easy. You’ll need to create a mirror lock tool first. (See attached).   I also attached a Moonlight Crayford focuser to minimize the amount of mirror movement. Hope this helps.   Watch enough videos until your confidence is up. It’s pretty straight forward. 

6 hours ago, Elara said:

Thank you for the positive encouragement!

I have seen the Meade Mods video on YTube. 
On other forums showing a Starlight Microfocuser (SCT) being installed, things looked ‘fiddly’? 

Perhaps I’m making too much of what appears easy? 
Question: Is it straightforward to detach the end of the focuser, therefore ‘learning’ how to re-attach.
Is that the ‘stem’ you mention ( at about 5:25pm) on the attached copy photo? 

Apologies to any dyslexics, but I’m mechanically ‘similar’, so don’t want to end up bodging it!!

Thanks for any help! I

The primary mirror is held against a spring. You need to lock the mirror in place first. My 12” is the older Classic. I had mine apart when I installed the new focuser so it was very easy. You’ll need to create a mirror lock tool first. (See attached).   I also attached a Moonlight Crayford focuser to minimize the amount of mirror movement. Hope this helps.   Watch enough videos until your confidence is up. It’s pretty straight forward. 

13 hours ago, michael8554 said:

Meade SCTs don't have a rear internal counterweight.

The 7" Maksutov does, as in Spaceship's images, maybe as suggested to allow the physically-long OTA to be mounted further  forward in the forks.

My SCT external balance system has to have its weight almost at the front of the OTA.

Michael

My LX200 12” Classic did have the weight. You can see it in the back of the tube in my pictures then on my kitchen table. I flocked the tube and in that picture you can see the weight has been removed. 
 

I believe it’s the 7” and the 12”. Not sure about the others. 

It was easy. You can do it!

If you look at my pictures you’ll see the back of the mirror has a stem that the focus knob attaches too. I cleaned and re-greased the mirror slide tube for ease of operation.  There’s a video put out by Meade mods that describes the process also. 
 

Hello my LX200 12” did have a weight. 
 

I de-forked and started the cleaning/lubing process.  With intent of trying it with my EQ6
Installed Peterson’s Focus kit

Removed the weight I believe it was 4-6 lbs. can’t remember. I believe my OTA weight was 38lbs once completed. 
 

It worked on the EQ 6 but it looked like a big camper on a half ton pickup  

It’s now on a Losmandy G11