What to do when your LX200 Classic moves when the RA is locked

[h0ughy]

:( :( :( :( This is the first time I had the scope out since Duckadang. i set it up ready for a public viewing when I suddenly found that the RA lock wasn't right. It would lock off but the scope would move at least 5-8 degrees. it shouldn't move at all. Now I don't know what to do just yet, whether I pull the base apart and see if I can fix it or give it to Bintel or AOS to fix? :doh:

[Orion]

Hmmm..Panic I think.
Did the telescope work properly last night? I didn't get a chance to come have a look.

[h0ughy]

not quite Ed, thats why I had to manually slew to objects and adjust it myself. Panic is such a touchy word, "faint" is one I would prefer after I found out how much it would be for the problem to be repaired professionally!

[asimov]

I don't know if this is any help to you...you probably know this already anyway.


[ toc (http://www.meade.com/manuals/lx200/index.html#apxe)] 3. Adjusting the Right Ascension Lock

After a period of time, it is possible that the R.A. lock (7, Fig. 3) of the LX200 will not tighten sufficiently due to internal wear of the clutch mechanism. In such an event, remove the R.A. lock lever using one of the hex wrenches supplied with the telescope. Then, with a pair of pliers, tighten the shaft protruding outward from the drive base until you cannot easily rotate the fork arm in R.A. (Take care in this operation not to damage the cosmetic finish of your LX200). Replace the R.A. lock lever so that its handle points straight out from the cross-bar connecting the fork arm.

[h0ughy]

i think that it is mor than that, there might even be a gear or two involved and I have scoured the Mapug site for ideas and help. the scalple comes out tomorrow to assess the damage.

kit and mother board is around $500 mark if the drive is involved, plus other parts and labour may be towards the 800-900. :doh:

[Orion]

Any ideas on how it happend?

[h0ughy]

some thing happened in the last 900km from Qld I suppose? mind you though I did have some problems up there with alignment, maybe it happened then.