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asrrin29
newbie
Reged: 09/08/09
Posts: 2
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Hi, I'm new to these forums. I'm currently an undergrad doing Physics/Astronomy, and I purchased a used Meade ETX-90 from a friend for dirt cheap. It came with the tripod and the Autostar controller, but that's it. (And the default eyepiece and finder scope)
Now the problem with the unit (of course there is a problem, otherwise it wouldn't have been cheap!) is that the device wouldn't power on the Autostar controller all the time. The light on the base of the telescope turns on and sometimes when I turn on the telescope the Autostar controller will turn on, the LED screen is blank but lit up red, along with all the button backlighting. After a few seconds it will emit one long beep and then nothing happens. Once, I thought I heard the drive train on the telescope slew slightly when I wiggled the cable around. I found out a little later that the controller's cord had frayed wires, and was able to make a new cord using Weasner's website on how to make new cables.
Now the controller powers up every time I turn the telescope on, but still nothing on the LED screen, and the telescope never moves. I’m wondering what things I can do to find or fix a problem before giving up and paying Meade to get it fixed. I’m handy with electronics and not afraid to delve head first into this problem if need be.
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jgraham
Postmaster
Reged: 12/02/04
Posts: 6757
Loc: Dayton, Ohio
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If you can isolate the problem to the controller it'll probably be cheaper just go buy a replacement handbox & cable. The going rate is about $100. There are two on OPT's clearance page, one for $97.
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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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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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If there's a telescope dealer near you, I'd consider calling or visiting them and asking if they have a "demonstration" #497 controller that you could try at the store. If they'll let you try their controller on your scope and it fires up, there may be an issue with your controller. If it acts the same, you might have a problem with the printed circuit board inside the base of the scope itself (might be something as simple as a cold solder joint, or something more involved.) In any event, you should be able to narrow it down within 5-10 minutes at the store.
If there's no store near you, try to contact a local astronomy club and see if one of the members has a controller you can try out.
Push comes to shove and if the controller and/or logic circuit is toast, you can always re-mount the 90 on a different style mount. I hear good things about the iOptron devices (the cube and the mini tower.)
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
 Updated: 09/16/2009
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Joe Lalumia
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/07
Posts: 3606
Loc: Rockwall, Texas, USA
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And you can also try a new cable. I have had two Meade cables fail. About $16 at Scopestuff.com
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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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asrrin29
newbie
Reged: 09/08/09
Posts: 2
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Well, like I said, I'm an undergrad in the Physics/Astronomy Dept. at my local University, so I'll ask everyone in my department if they have a spare controller to test with. I'm sure someone at the university can help me. If it turns out to be a problem with the internals of the telescope, would be cheaper to get it repaired or buy a new tracking mount?
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Treehopper
professor emeritus
Reged: 07/29/08
Posts: 582
Loc: Upstate NY
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With the turn-around rate any more for Meade, frankly right now you're better off re-mounting it yourself. I hate to say that; I actually own two Meade scopes and enjoy them both very much. But their customer service has been circling the drain for the past several years. There are some independent folks who take on repairing scopes, but they aren't cheap and because they're at the mercy of finding derelict units to cannibalize for parts, you could wind up waiting a very long time before you get it repaired.
The optics of the 90 are, by all accounts, the chief selling point of this scope. So if the mount went bye-bye, while it would be lamentable, it's not the end of the world. I have the "big brother" to the 90 (the ETX-125), and if the old "coffee-grinder" gives up the ghost, I would definitely re-mount it on something else.
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Tim
Champion of small aperture scopes everywhere!
Meade ETX-125PE
Meade ETX-80
Celestron FirstScope 76mm Mini-dob
Updated: 09/16/2009
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