Continuing LX200 problems

rogerg (Roger) · #1 07-05-2007, 10:12 PM

My LX200 problems continue..

I have 2 strange new symptoms now:
1) no life on the RS232 connection
2) setting time zone through the hand controller is impossible as it reads "+205" where the "+20" can be changed to "-08" leaving "-025" but the 5 cannot be changed.

Bizzar.

This is after a friend brought over a spare main board and Xilinx chip. So I have now replaced:
- Hand controller
- front panel
- main board, including Xilinx chip (main processor)

That leaves only the RA motor, DEC motor (& daughter board) and library chips that are not replaced.

Interestingly the original problem (lack of motion via NSEW keys and guide rate drift in DEC) were solved by replacing the main board (replacing the Xilinx chip wasn't enough).

In 6 weeks time I should have brand new from BINTEL:
- new HC
- new front panel
- new main board inc Xilinx
- new RA motor
- new DEC motor & daughter board.
... leaving absolutely no piece of electronics not replaced.

Strangely it appears that leaving the scope without power (including taking out the CMOS battery) for a day, it still remembers the Lat, Long and Timezone of "+205", but not the time. I thought all that info required the CMOS battery.

I'm starting to think it's possessed and if I took out all it's electronics it would still function in a semi broken state.

As it is, I could use it for planetary photography (not requiring RS232 link), but to be honest I'm finding it really hard to find the motivation for that, after 8 weeks of it being dead now.

I'm looking at 14 weeks out of action.. hmm.. wonderful!

Roger.

h0ughy (David) · #2 07-05-2007, 10:23 PM

well I sympathise as i ended up replacing the whole mother board 3 times and hand controller once.. thats 2 complete kits and a spare motherboard (which turned out to be a controler, so I kept the kit, ended up picking up the even and odd chips for the MB from York for 5 dollars - one complete spare incase) Eduardo now has the lot. alll breakdowns were under warranty and within 3 months of each other. on a classic system

iceman (Mike) · #3 08-05-2007, 08:25 AM

That doesn't sound good for the LX200 fleet.. to have so many problems.

The 12" would be great for the planets, Roger.. you just gotta give it time to cool and wait for the good seeing.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #4 08-05-2007, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

That doesn't sound good for the LX200 fleet.. to have so many problems.

LOL! That's a prety generalised comment Mike.... it's like saying all Toyotas are bad because my grandmother had a problem on her Corolla a couple of years back.

The LX200 series is one of the most popular in the world. A couple of troublesome examples do not warrant a blanket condemnation IMHO.

iceman (Mike) · #5 08-05-2007, 08:40 AM

You're right Chris. I wasn't trying to comdemn the whole range, but from the experiences of a few, it seems that once you've got 1 problem you seem to have continuing problems.

Of course I'm basing my comment on what I've read. You're quite right that there are likely many many more positive experiences.

jase (Jason) · #6 08-05-2007, 08:41 AM

Gee Roger, not sure if this is worth the hassle... replacing the scopes "brains". Not to mention cost and time. Unless you have good reason not to, i.e above average optics, I would have sold the scope by now and upgraded to an LX200R or RCX.

Ric · #7 08-05-2007, 08:46 AM

I am very happy with my girl, she has performed faultlessly to date.

Cheers

LX200 · #8 08-05-2007, 10:01 AM

Tough Luck Roger

Since updating the 12" to 4.2G by Andrew (thanks again) at MRO w/e
the park problems are sorted out no more 25 deg slews at startup
I've faultless issues for now

Oh! and since all this rain's about I just installed a new micro-focuser from Starzonia Smoooooth

rogerg (Roger) · #9 08-05-2007, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jase

Gee Roger, not sure if this is worth the hassle... replacing the scopes "brains". Not to mention cost and time. Unless you have good reason not to, i.e above average optics, I would have sold the scope by now and upgraded to an LX200R or RCX.

The reason I don't do that is money. It'll cost me under $700 to get this all fixed, where as to sell this scope (especially while it's not working) and buy a new 12" LX200R there would be a difference of several thousand dollars - maybe $5,000? I have plans to upgrade in a few years so am saving for that but trying to get by in the mean time. I'd rather not buy the same 12" size, always prefer to upgrade by a few inches. And yes I plan to get an LX200 again

If this goes over $1000 I'll be claiming insurance from the lightning strike but really don't want to have to try that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

That doesn't sound good for the LX200 fleet.. to have so many problems.

The LX200 has been in production since the mid to late 80's, so it's early to mid 80's technology. It doesn't surprise me that problems would occur now with such "early" technology. My scope's main board is now 12 years old, the design much much older...

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

The 12" would be great for the planets, Roger.. you just gotta give it time to cool and wait for the good seeing.

You're probably right Mike, I should get up early one morning for it. The problem now is getting enthusiasm back in general after 8 weeks wait, and counting.

I've just heard back from Don and he's sending everything over today, including a service kit. I'm not sure what happened to the 6 weeks for the service kit, but looks like I might have a complete replacement early next week which is an improvement on the 6 week wait.