Mead ETX 125.

[Sheffield Col]

I have a Meade ETX 125. When I plug the controller in it does a "Test" then says there is a fault on the motor, has any one else had any experience of this ? Could there be a fault with the controller ?

[bingevader]

Hello, have you had the ‘scope long? If there any whirring of motors? If you then press the cursor keys, I’m assuming nothing happens. If you loosen the locking mechanisms, can you slew the ‘scope around? If it finished up against one of the stops, it might be what’s causing the problem. I have an ETX90 and stripped it down when I had a problem without much trouble. Weasner’s Might ETX Site is still live, though inactive. It is a mine of useful info. 😊

Edited April 18 by bingevader

[Sheffield Col]

Hi thank you for your reply, When I plug in the "Autostar controller it asks me to "press Mode for Menu or 0 to Align" No matter what I press it slews a little then comes up with "testing Motors" Then there is no response from any of the buttons. If I plug in the little hand set all the buttons seem to work, the scope slews and moves up and down. I have had the scope for a few yrs. but have had very little time with it.   When I first got it the motor was slipping rather badly I had a look inside and could see some of the teeth were stripped and the motor mountings were broken. I managed to repair the mountings and get a new motor. At this time I did not have the Autostar Controller, it's only recently that I acquired the Autostar Controller.   

Edited April 19 by Sheffield Col
Additional txt.

[bingevader]

That sounds like the Autostar, rather than the ‘scope then. Are you able to update the handset?

[Sheffield Col]

1 hour ago, bingevader said:

That sounds like the Autostar, rather than the ‘scope then. Are you able to update the handset?

Hi, I think that is my next move. 

[Sheffield Col]

Hi The Autostar only comes on for a split second now, so I think it's faulty. Is there any way it can be repaired or is it not worth the trouble. Cheers. 

[michael8554]

1.  Is the power supply adequate ? 

The "Test" briefly slews the motors and will Fail if the power supply is poor.

2. Have you selected ETX125 in the menus, it may be setup for a different Meade mount ?

3. If you get it working, do the Train Drives routine.

The instruction manual is available online.

Michael

 

[Sheffield Col]

Hi thank you for your reply, I was using a 12v 1.5 amp power supply, I don't know if this is any good but it seems to work. I don't know how to get to the menu's or "do the Train Drives routine". Can you tell me how to find the instruction manual please. Thank You. 

[Sheffield Col]

Found instruction manual. 

[michael8554]

"I was using a 12v 1.5 amp power supply, I don't know if this is any good but it seems to work"

But did it work, because you got a motor fault, which can be blamed on poor power supply ?

An Unregulated 12V 1.5A power supply may supply too many volts when just tracking.

And not supply enough volts under the load of slewing at high speed.

Check it's a Regulated Power Supply.

Michael

Edited April 21 by michael8554

[RT65CB-SWL]

Apologies in advance if I appear negative.

If your ETX-125 motors carry on being problematic, you may have to ‘bite the bullet’ and de-fork it. It can be done, but requires a bit of effort and patience to separate the OTA from the forks.

They are good scopes optically, let down by poor quality drives and nylon/plastic gears in the drive train.

[Sheffield Col]

On 21/04/2024 at 14:02, michael8554 said:

 

An Unregulated 12V 1.5A power supply may supply too many volts when just tracking.

And not supply enough volts under the load of slewing at high speed.

Check it's a Regulated Power Supply.

Hi thanks, I will look for a proper power supply and see if it helps. 

 

[Sheffield Col]

On 21/04/2024 at 16:42, RT65CB-SWL said:

Apologies in advance if I appear negative.

If your ETX-125 motors carry on being problematic, you may have to ‘bite the bullet’ and de-fork it. It can be done, but requires a bit of effort and patience to separate the OTA from the forks.

They are good scopes optically, let down by poor quality drives and nylon/plastic gears in the drive train.

Yes you could be right, but hopefully I will get it sorted.