Older Meade ETX125 Alt/Dec Plastic Gear Housing

[VPAstro]

Hi All,

Just asking in case there is any chance that someone has an ETX125EC that is faulty, or they have deforked and have the alt/dec gears. I have an ETX125EC that is about 10 years old, the the Alt/dec gears are slipping. I have pulled apart the fork and found that the housing that holds the gears is very brittle, and not clamping together tightly enough to keep the gears meshed. If anyone has one spare, please let me know.
Thanks,
Andrew...

[VPAstro]

Hi all, I have tried a few things to get this working, but when it comes to the upward load with the OTA, the gears start to slip. There are no missing teeth, so the only think I can think of is the gears are moving out of alignment when under pressure.
Still wondering if anyone has any spare parts for the ETX125ec, or knows where to purchase some.
Thanks

[Jeff]

Hi,

Just did a Google search.
Try messaging these guys … they may be able to help.
http://astronomy-shoppe.com/?page_id=35

Cheers,
Jeff

[Jeff]

Also, these folks sell 2nd had telescope parts.
They seem to be a bit like a "telescope wrecker".

ASTRO PARTS OUTLET USED TELESCOPES
https://astronomy-mall.com/astro.parts.outlet/

Cheers,
Jeff

[VPAstro]

Thanks for the info jeff. In my searching I found these sites as well, and also another guy who had sold over 187 RA motor assemblies. I now have a temp fix using cable ties to hold the assembly together. While this works, It will fail again, so I will continue to look for another Dec assembly. Thanks again Jeff,

Andrew...

[Jeff]

Hmmm. Great minds think alike! ;)

Not sure what sort of plastic the case is made from.
But if you can determine it, maybe ask Santa for one of these.
Might actually work, and looks like fun. :question:

Tradeflame Plastic Welding Accessory Kit
https://www.bunnings.com.au/tradeflame-plastic-welding-accessory-kit_p5910355

[VPAstro]

Hi Jeff, that does look interesting... might be worth looking into for a more permanent solution.
Thanks for your help with this,
Andrew...