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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Hello Guys and Gals
A small problem has arisen with my ETX. The azimuth drive seems to have developed a problem.
When pressing the drive buttons to slew the scope, the altitude motors whirr as expected and the scope slews both up and down.
The azimuth motor only slews the scope clockwise - ie the right button works, but the left button seems to have stopped working and the scope does not slew anticlockwise.
Is this
1) A motor problem (ie a loose connection to the drive motor)
2) An Autostar handset problem
3) A cable problem (between the Autostar handest and the telescope base). BTW, reversing the cable has no effect so I'm likely to think the problem is either 1) or 2) above.
Thoughts and possible remedies please.
If you are aware of a particular problem and/or fix with a link on, for example, the mighty Weasner ETX site, I'd be most grateful.
Thanks in anticipation.
Arthur
Oh, and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6695
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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Are you sure you're not bumping up against the hard stop? The ETX-125 can only rotate so far to the left and right before you'll hit the stop. Starting in the proper home position (tube level, turned all the way counter clockwise) should keep this from happening.
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-John
================================================
Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5"
Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130
Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST
Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I, II, & III), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC
Tasco 60mm Refractors
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3537
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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If not the hard stop -- I would suspect the button on the hand controller needs cleaning-refurbishing--
Here is a repair kit to fix the buttons.
http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/8339.html
--------------------
LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Hi Guys
No, not hitting the hard stop.
Scope will rotate clockwise but then won't rotate counter-clockwise (or anti-clockwise as we say here in the UK).
Joe
The button on the Autostar hand controller - is this easy to sort out (ie the Autostar HC comes apart/fits back together again easily)?
If not, is this a new Autostar HC that I'm looking at (and if so - how expensive)?
Art
--------------------
If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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Billydee
super member
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 169
Loc: Winter Haven, FL
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Art,
Check out Joe Lalumia's Post right above yours and order the referb kit it is well worth the low cost. A new Autostar controller can run $60 to $100 but buy the kit first. If you find an actual broken item in your controller, I can provide a cheap seller of repair parts but you have to know what part you need. Look at the conections on the cable and sockets for bent connections. The controller is not that complex. If you doubt your skill in taking it apart ask a Geek for help, they would love to look inside of something new. Computer Nuts are good for something.
Bill
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Hi Bill
Took the Autostar HC apart - cleaned the carbon pads with alcohol and the pcb. No sign of anything untoward there.
Re-fitted the HC back together again. It's not the buttons (and therefore not the Autostar HC) because the left button works when going through the setup menu (eg set date).
Definitely think that it is something in the ETX base - either a motor or a connection. I presume that the azimuth drive only has one motor which runs forwards and backwards for clockwise/anticlockwise (whichever way round it is).
How easy is it to dissassemble the base of the ETX to check out if there has been a fault like a loose wire?
Regards
Art
--------------------
If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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StarWars
Postmaster
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 13673
Loc: CyberSpace
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Quote:
Hi Bill
Took the Autostar HC apart - cleaned the carbon pads with alcohol and the pcb. No sign of anything untoward there.
Re-fitted the HC back together again. It's not the buttons (and therefore not the Autostar HC) because the left button works when going through the setup menu (eg set date).
Definitely think that it is something in the ETX base - either a motor or a connection. I presume that the azimuth drive only has one motor which runs forwards and backwards for clockwise/anticlockwise (whichever way round it is).
How easy is it to dissassemble the base of the ETX to check out if there has been a fault like a loose wire?
Regards
Art
A word of caution while cleaning the carbon pads because on the bottom of the rubber button is a graphite coating..
You might have a Faulty cable check the connector pins on the base mount.
--------------------
Sony Digital Media player..
MX 460 earbuds
Celestron 2x Barlow Lens
Orion Collimation Eyepiece
Rigel Quick Finder
Assorted Bino's 
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JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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If all else fails, getting inside the scope can be done. Go to Mike Weasner's Mighty ETX site. There is a ton of information there as well as one that shows photos and how to get to the drives to check gears, etc. in "ETX 125 Azimuth and Altitude Repair".
John
John
--------------------
My wife shares my love of the night skies and tolerates all of my other hobbies.
Televue Pronto w/Starbeam pointer and Televue tripod
Meade 2045D, ETX-125PE, 12" Lightbridge
Celestron: 7Amp PowerTank, 15X70mm binoculars
Meade, Swan and Televue Lenses (33, 26, 20, 15 & 9mm), Televue Barlow
Catsperch Observing Chair
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
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Billydee
super member
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 169
Loc: Winter Haven, FL
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I still think it is the controller. Think simple, mechanical first, electrical second. I would start with the rubber button graphite contact. I may have warn off. That is where that kit helps, it contains new contact material. First figure what two points the graphite touches to make the contact. Touch those two points with a small wire. If it works then get the kit. If not, check out the cable with an ohm meter, contact by contact to see it it is good. Check out the plug sockets it same way to see it the wires are good. I would think that if the opposite button works it is wiring because they probably do a simple reverse polarity to control the other button (positive makes the motor run one way, negative makes it go the other way). There are not enough wires in the cable to have 6 of them just for direction. It is probable 2 wires plus a ground (one wire for up/down and one wire for left/right).
Do you know anyone with an autostar unit. You could use theirs to figure out if it is controller or cable.
Last resort, open the base and look for a broken wire. The motor probably has only one or two wires (if one it uses the base as ground for the second contact. Check those first, There should only be one gear (the motor changes direction, not the gear), check out Mikes's site and see if it has a diagram.
Good Luck, Bill
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Cheers Bill
I'm persuing several avenues at the moment.
The scope is s/hand and had the azimuth drive replaced just over a month ago before I bought it. The guy who fitted it has been on holiday - he's in tomorrow apparently. Will give him a ring first thing and see what he says!
Art
--------------------
If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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UPDATE:
Went to my local friendly telescope shop with the ETX and handbox. Plugged in another handbox - same problem. Scope slews in altitude in both directions but not anticlockwise in azimuth (clockwise slewing is OK). So, it's not the handbox and it's not the curly cable.
Took base of ETX off expecting to find loose/broken wire but none were obvious. A loose plug, but no, that's not the problem either.
So it looks like it is an electronics fault in the base of the ETX, so back to Telescope House it goes!
Steve (at TH) guesses that it is a driver chip on one of the boards inside the base.
Art
--------------------
If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
|
Odin
super member
Reged: 03/21/07
Posts: 191
Loc: Ont, Cdn 46N 84W
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Thanks for the update... please keep us posted on the resolve.
--------------------
*=== Life Is Great Under The STARS ===*
LX90 8" EMC
Rigel Quickfinder
ETX125PE UHTC
60mm Refractor Meade Digital Series
Meade Electronic Eyepiece
32mm,26mm,15mm,9.7mm series 4000 Super Plossl
2x Barlow
10x50 Tasca Binoculars
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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UPDATE:
Scope is now at the Telescope Hospital.
No prognosis yet as to problem and/or cost (so fingers crossed).
Art
--------------------
If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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Arthur-
Good luck at the telescope hospital. We all await news on the patients condition.
John
--------------------
My wife shares my love of the night skies and tolerates all of my other hobbies.
Televue Pronto w/Starbeam pointer and Televue tripod
Meade 2045D, ETX-125PE, 12" Lightbridge
Celestron: 7Amp PowerTank, 15X70mm binoculars
Meade, Swan and Televue Lenses (33, 26, 20, 15 & 9mm), Televue Barlow
Catsperch Observing Chair
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Ok
Steve tells me that he fixed it this morning and that the cost is £60.00 including delivery back home.
Don't know what was wrong or how long this fix will last, but my baby is fixed and on her way home 
Art
--------------------
If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
|
Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3537
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Great-- please tell us what he fixed when you receive the scope.
Clear Skies!
--------------------
LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Will do Joe.
I have a sneaky suspicion it was electronics, by Steve is a "good guy" and I'm sure that he'll let me know what was done.
From my description of the problem, Steve thought that it was a driver chip that had "blown".
BTW, have you read the thread posted by Nigel regarding some inside info from a Meade guy - QC issues? Link here.
Art
Just noticed, next post will be #300 Whooo!
--------------------
If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
|
Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1150
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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UPDATE:
My ETX came home today and seems to be working.
I did a "dummy" EASY alignment and the motors hummed and the scope went through the motions (although I have had several "Motor Failure" messages. I've done a reset and was immediately greeted by another "Motor Failure" message. Has been OK since.
It even pointed in the general direction of Venus and Mercury when asked to "GoTo", but it was mid-afternoon and I couldn't see the stars!
Typically, it has now clouded over to give 8 octas! Grrr!
Apparently it was a blown motor driver board.
Art
--------------------
If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
|
JT5
professor emeritus
Reged: 11/08/07
Posts: 564
Loc: Ozarks of Missouri
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Arthur. Weather is rotten all around.
Last ''reasonably" clear night was last Sunday. Got out to check alignment of the replaced LNT on the 125PE. After adjusting to the limit the red dot finder was still several degrees off of the target objects. Will try a shim under the edge of the LNT mount to see if I can pull it in. Still waiting for another try of my "new" ETX-125PE after returning it for the third time to Meade's hospital in Mexico since receiving it late in 2008.
John
--------------------
My wife shares my love of the night skies and tolerates all of my other hobbies.
Televue Pronto w/Starbeam pointer and Televue tripod
Meade 2045D, ETX-125PE, 12" Lightbridge
Celestron: 7Amp PowerTank, 15X70mm binoculars
Meade, Swan and Televue Lenses (33, 26, 20, 15 & 9mm), Televue Barlow
Catsperch Observing Chair
Member: Astronomical Society of Eastern Missouri
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3537
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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Glad to see it is working again-- but you should not be getting motor faults "all the time" ???????
Once in a while if the scope is very unbalanced --- but not again and again--- keep an eye on it-- may be something else???
Clear Skies!
--------------------
LX90 8" LNT, SV Nighthawk & TelePOD, SV 80/9D & M4 mount, ETX 90, Orion XT10i, 20x80 binoculars, SV-BV3s-- www.texasastro.org
"Great minds discuss ideas;Average minds discuss events;Small minds discuss people." Unknown
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