Meade LX200GPS 14" problem

[eagleclaw]

Hi there, i have a problem with the Smartmount. By doing the Setup Align Auto, it finds home and then it points to the ground while the gears are still going, then i have to press Mode to stop the cicle.
I have checked the time,date and site they are ok,and its in South mode. So i dont know what is going on, can anyone help me.
Steve.:shrug::screwy::(:eyepop:

[blink138]

ah... i was going to say make sure that your negative for latitude etc but i see you have the gps
the other thing that caught me out on my g11 was the crap way the americans record the date... very strange but i dont know if the gps also takes care of that
pat

[AndrewJ]

Gday Steve

If you are just trying to do an autoalign, SmartMount (SMT) doesnt come into it.
If the scope can get a GPS fix, and also slews OK to find home and north, then slews down and crashes the OTA into the base, thats normally indicative of a failed level sensor
or a broken cable in the left fork arm.
Open the left fork arm cover and look at the sensor bolted to the axle.
As you move the tube up/dn, you should see a little ball rolling in a plastic cage. If that is free, then look at the wires in the heavy grey ribbon cable going from the lower circuit board to the level sensor board.
If this is stuck/cable tied to the axle, the constant flexing causes wires to break internally at the flex points. Feel the cables and if you can, use a multimeter to test for continuity.
If this is the case, you can still use the scope in manual 2 star mode
till you get it fixed.

Andrew