LX90 Woes

[HRT]

Greetings,

Two weeks I installed a Peterson Engineering Clutch Kit in my LX90. The work was done carefully and on completion, the drive motors were tested. All appeared OK. A few nights back I powered up the system and the handbox screen displayed "Speed=1 Degree/Sec"

The OTA then began to move at intervals in a random fashion for about half a second each time. Eventually the display went blank and I could not get it to re-display. The OTA also stopped moving. Now the display will not illuminate at all and nor will the handbox "searchlight" illuminate. The system appears to be 100% dead.

It is possible the 497 model hand controller is unserviceable, and it is also possible the problem lies with the board(s) inside the mount.

If anyone who has a 497 controller and who lives on or near the Gold Coast would be willing to plug it in to my mount, I would be most grateful. Likewise, I would appreciate being able to plug the handbox into your mount.

I will bring my gear to you if that would help. Please call me on 0407 94603zero if you wish to discuss.

[tonybarry (Tony)]

I'm in Sydney. Too far for help.

First, check power supply. If you are comfortable using a multimeter, test the cord from the battery to the telescope.

If you prefer not to use a multimeter, I'd suggest you visit the local telescope shop (I think Sirius Optics are up your way).

Keep posting on your experience. There are others here who may be able to assist more than me.

Regards,
Tony Barry

[mozzie (Peter)]

you could try taking the cord from the telescope to handbox of and reversing them back into the telescope and handbox...are you using batteries or power supply?????

bintel in sydney are going to be your closest for meade....

[HRT]

Thanks guys,

I am not happy poking around with a multimeter. However, I have end for ended the cable and I have also jiggled it around - no success.

Cheers,

Hedley

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Sorry to hear your woes HRT , it must be meade hadbbox week as my #494 went west as well , but luckley a kind IIS'r came to the rescue , hope the same happens for you , good luck mate.

Originally Posted by HRT

Greetings,

Two weeks I installed a Peterson Engineering Clutch Kit in my LX90. The work was done carefully and on completion, the drive motors were tested. All appeared OK. A few nights back I powered up the system and the handbox screen displayed "Speed=1 Degree/Sec"

The OTA then began to move at intervals in a random fashion for about half a second each time. Eventually the display went blank and I could not get it to re-display. The OTA also stopped moving. Now the display will not illuminate at all and nor will the handbox "searchlight" illuminate. The system appears to be 100% dead.

It is possible the 497 model hand controller is unserviceable, and it is also possible the problem lies with the board(s) inside the mount.

If anyone who has a 497 controller and who lives on or near the Gold Coast would be willing to plug it in to my mount, I would be most grateful. Likewise, I would appreciate being able to plug the handbox into your mount.

I will bring my gear to you if that would help. Please call me on 0407 94603zero if you wish to discuss.

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Originally Posted by HRT

Thanks guys,

I am not happy poking around with a multimeter.
Cheers,

Hedley

well that has to change, a $20 cheapy from jaycar and checking the power supply ain't hard.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

yes , you wont do any damage to the electronics using a multy meter on them , but it will tell you how far the power is getting inside them , thus pin pointing the place the power flow stops .
Give it a go .
Brian.

Originally Posted by Bassnut

well that has to change, a $20 cheapy from jaycar and checking the power supply ain't hard.

[HRT]

I have heard the 497 runs on smoke. Consequently, I am reluctant to fiddle with a multimeter lest I cross something up and let all the smoke leak out. However, it seems I will have to try. I will have a few reds and advise.

HRT

[Bassnut (Fred)]

It's not the smoke getting out, it's getting the smoke back in that's a bit harder. Anyway, with a few reds, it's a far more enjoyable experience and can even be funny, with the smoke and sparks and everything.

If its all stuffed you've got nothing to lose anyway.

[marki]

You were of course very carful with the Dec motor wiring when you installed the clutch kit weren't you? No squeezing wires between metal joints when you put it back together?


Mark

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

Good point , Mark .
Brian.

Originally Posted by marki

You were of course very carful with the Dec motor wiring when you installed the clutch kit weren't you? No squeezing wires between metal joints when you put it back together?


Mark

[HRT]

I pulled off the clutch cover to expose the worm etc and saw what I had seen when I installed the Peterson kit ie, no wires at all. Consequently, I don't think crimping can be the problem.

However, I have been asked to check the 2.5mm power supply plug for 12V - I will check later this morning.

Cheers and thanks.

[mozzie (Peter)]

when i put the clutch in my lx90 there was the wiring from the gps above and the main power board to the bottom of the fork arm....placing the cover back over the dec arm had to be done carefully as not to pinch any wiring...as i remember there was wiring around the dec clutch that had to be placed out of the way it was a tight fit when all placed back together...

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

I'm on the Gold Coast - Northern End - bring your ota round and I'll stick a tester on it - and I'll make you a new cable if the old one is duff. (I have the gear)

[mozzie (Peter)]

Originally Posted by jenchris

I'm on the Gold Coast - Northern End - bring your ota round and I'll stick a tester on it - and I'll make you a new cable if the old one is duff. (I have the gear)

that's a great offer jen...that's what iis is all about.helping fellow members

[HRT]

1000 cheers for Jen.

I took the OTA and mount to her place and she went over the PCBs with a magnifier. Jen was confident she had identified a blown capacitor, and I gave the whole assembly plus a new capacitor to a fellow who is competent to solder PCB components.

I should have the gear back within a day and will post again with an update.

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

shucks

[HRT]

Greetings,

I picked up the scope this morning and while I have yet to test the scope on the heavens, I think it is now OK.

The basic problem was a faulty ON/OFF switch on the fork. However, this did not once reveal itself despite fiddling with it and the cord and the power plug at the time of the fail and afterwards on the bench. However, that was not the end of the story....

When the tech pulled the cover off, he found the polarity had been reversed and this had caused some damage. This must have happened after the scope's erratic behaviour, when I pulled the cables off the battery and inadvertently reconnected them reversed.

The tech explained the scope's erratic behaviour as stemming from the faulty power switch. It was allowing short pulses of current through, which the computer could not understand - hence the weird and random movement. My reversal of polarity sealed the issue.

He repaired the tracks and replaced 6 surface mounts plus the switch. He also installed a half wave bridge in the power cord which allows the scope to be connected with the polarity reversed but, still delivers power of the correct polarity to the system. Cost was $168 including parts and labour.

He identified about four places where pins could be inserted reversed, and several areas where wires were too short. IOW - be careful if you get into that area.

I recommend the tech and if you think he might be able to help, his name is Will, his email address is "manager@computershop.com.au", his number is
5537 9868 and he is located at 162 Turpin Rd, Labrador QLD.

My thanks to all for their guidance and Andrew and Jen in particular.

[jenchris (Jennifer)]

Cool - glad it got sorted.
I should have plugged in the power cord!
I should put a bridge in mine too - I hate the thought of blowing the thing out of the water with a reversed battery!