Installation Instructions for the MPA-TAK2.5 and MPA-TAK2.7 Feather Touch Micro Pinion Assembly
WARNING WARNING WARNING : PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY, ESPECIALLY THE LAST PART.
Tools Required:
1/16 inch Allen Wrench (Supplied)
Spanner Spring (Supplied)Standard Phillips Screw Driver1.

Preparation of Telescope for Pinion Removal

1.a. Place the telescope on a towel or a clean work surface
as shown.

1.b. Remove the two focuser knobs using a standard Phillips
screw driver as shown. Be careful not to slip.

1.c. Once the knobs are removed push the draw tube in and out and carefully observe the pinion. It should turn without wobble. If it does wobble it meansthat the pinion is bent and this may effect the operation of the Feather Touch Micro. Straightening the pinion may be necessary but only someone with theskills to do so should attempt this task, otherwise contact the manufacturer for repair or replacement.

1.d. Remove the pinion cover nut using the supplied spanner
spring as shown. Turn the nut counter clockwise to loosen.

1.e. Remove the two Phillips screws that holds the pinion
saddle in place.

1.f. Remove the pinion saddle.

1.g. Remove the pinion from the focuser housing and place it ona clean piece of paper or paper towel.

2. Installation of the Takahashi Pinion to the Feather Touch Micro Assembly

2.a. Remove the Feather Touch Micro from the shipping box andloosen the set screw to allow removal of the reduction assembly.
Use the 1/16 Allen wrench that is supplied.

2.b. Take the Takahashi pinion and insert it into the reduction
assembly as shown. If it is difficult to insert use the Allenwrench and loosen the screw on the locking collar.

2.c. Insert the assembly into the pinion block as shown. If the pinion
is too loose and moves during assembly, tighten the collar slightly
using the Allen wrench. Do not over tighten. It will still need to be
moved by hand during the adjustment phase.

2.d. Fasten the reduction assembly to the pinion housing
using the Allen wrench as shown. Do not over tighten,
as this could damage the assembly. FINGER TIGHTIS ADEQUATE.

2.e. Insert the course focuser knob on the pinion and fasten it withthe Phillips screw that is supplied. Hold the knob firmly
while tightening the screw. Use a good Phillips screw driver
so that the knob can be properly tightened and be careful
not to slip.

2.f. Rotate the pinion until the set screw is visible through the accesshole and insert the 1/16 Allen wrench into the set screw. Holding
the pinion assembly in one hand, twist the course knob slightly
thereby moving the pinion relative to the pinion housing, andcenter the pinion relative to the cut out in the pinion housing.
Firmly tighten the collar with the short lever being careful
not to over tighten.2.g. An exaggerated view of a misaligned pinion.

2.h. Right view showing proper alignment.

3. Installation of the MPA-TAK2.5 / MPA-TAK2.7 Feather Touch Pinion Assembly to the Telescope.

3.a. Place the pinion assembly on the Takahashi focuser housing asshown. The holes in the pinion housing should line up
with the holes on the focuser housing. If they do not you may haveto re-center the pinion.

3.b. After placing the Phillips screws into the housing use thePhillips screw driver and drive the screws until they almost
tighten the pinion housing. This step is important because youneed to adjust the rack to the pinion by using these two screws
and the four leveling screws with the 1/16 Allen wrench shown in
the illustrations below.

3.c. Insert the 1/16 Allen wrench into the adjustment hole and tighten
leveling screws on the front side until you can see that contact ismade between the leveling screw and the focuser housing. Do thisfor both sides. Then work on the back screws repeating the same steps.

3.d. Repeat step 3.c for the back screws.

Note: The four leveling screws are used to set the position of the pinion housing and the two Phillips are used to hold the pinion housing in place. Checkthe backlash by turning the coarse focus knob and noticing the backlash between the rack and pinion. Ideally you want a very slight amount of backlash. If
the pinion gets forced onto the rack too firmly, a stiffer motion will result and performance will be compromised. Some patience is required because you
will need to adjust the four leveling screws against the Phillips screws to achieve this alignment. Watch for an even gap between the pinion housing andthe focuser housing and above all DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE PHILLIPS SCREWS. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS PROBLEM IFYOU STRIP THE TREADS IN THE FOCUSER HOUSING. PATIENCE AND CAUTION WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND! If you need anyassistance with this adjustment please contact us: Tel: 260-244-0020 or Email: support@starlightinstruments.com.