ETX 125 PE start up

[ENVY]

I have a concern with my gab and go scope as soon as i turn the power on the "dec"motor fires up and stands the optical tube vertical and the motor runs constantantly. I have no control with the hand piece over it either.

As i have only recently purchased s/hand i have no ideas whats wrong with it Any assistance or diagnoisis would be appriciated i believe the scope is 2 years old

thanks

Peter

[mbirrell]

Here is the instruction manual: http://www.meade.com/etx_premier/ETX90_125AT%20InstructionManual.pdf Maybe try new batteries. Maybe you should go through the initial setup procedures in the manual first. You should take it to a shop and get them to have a look at it if all else fails.

[tlgerdes]

This is not a normal operation of the ETX125, something is definately wrong.

Does the handbox actually let you do anything after power one, ie navigate menus?

[ENVY]

Unfortunatley no key functions at all.I do power off very quickly to not burn out the dec motor as it wants to constantly run

Peter

[ENVY]

Thanks for the link i do have the manual but I'm not finding out lot thier. The local astronomy group are having a equipment service day tomorrow afternoon i guess that i'll be thier and let someone have a go/look at it

[mbirrell]

What happens if you turn it on if you have the handbox unplugged?

[ENVY]

The dec motor runs as soon as it's turned on

[mbirrell]

Hmmm you could call Meade as they have a number in that manual.
I think that your best bet now would be to take it to someone that services them. May cost a bit but worth it to get it going.
Do talk with the people about it at the local astronomy group meeting today too.

[Barrykgerdes]

The first thing to test is the hand controller to make sure whether the problem is there or in the main section. Get someone to try their handbox first You can use either a 494 or 497 hand box.

If you establish it is in the main unit your most likely problem is a broken wire in the connector from the dec drive board to the motor ( I have seen this problem with both dec and RA motors).

In any case the OTA will need to be removed from the forks to test any further. If you have the PE module getting the OTA out is awkward but getting it back is worse. There is a lot of information on the ETX 125 works in Mike Weasners site with photos and disassembly instructions. However it is a specialist task and I would suggest you take it to a dealer. The B & T shop can fix it.

Barry

[Dave47tuc]

Hi this site,
http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

is one of the best on the net for your scope. I'm sure you will find out something here. Good Luck. :thumbsup:

[Jeff]

Hi Peter,

I've not heard of this problem before, but I would suspect a problem with the motor drive circuitry on the system board. The attached link has some related details for smaller ETX models.

http://www.weasner.com/etx/archive/nov08/70.html

I would be clarifying where/when the previous owner purchased, and respectfully asking Meade if they can offer any assistance (eg. being your first experience with Meade, and having recently entered the hobby).

If purchased from a local Aust agent within the last couple of years, then I would expect your chances problem assessment (and maybe repair) at zero or modest cost to be at least fair.

Good luck!

[mozzie]

just uploaded my mates 125pe and a couple of patches.a year ago his scope done the same thing (just kept going wild)sent it to bintel under warranty and they replaced the boards in the scope sounds like you may have to,send to bintel youll have no probs

[ENVY]

[QUOTE=mozzie;556872]just uploaded my mates 125pe and a couple of patches.a year ago his scope done the same thing (just kept going wild)sent it to bintel under warranty and they replaced the boards in the scope sounds like you may have to,send to bintel youll have no probs[/QUOTE

Yep i have decided to to send it to bintel as my mechanical an electrical skills are poor

I am looking for a good transport case to send it from Adelaide via road transport to Sydney i see they have one listed as an accessory lets hope it's instock

If someone has one for sale please pm me

Thanks for the replies on this thread guys it's has been very helpfull