Repair Meade hand controller

[iborg (Philip)]

Hi All


I seem to remember seeing a thread for someone who could repair Audiostar/Autostar hand controllers.


If someone can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.



Thank you


Philip

[sharkbite]

Hi Philip -

not sure if this will help you:

https://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/...light=autostar.

Assuming you are having a problem, and are not asking out of mere curiousity.....

What's wrong with yours?

cheers,

[iborg (Philip)]

Hi



Thanks for the reply - that is the thread I had in mind.


As for my Audiostar, I was making a new cable up and didn't double check how it was actually put together. As a result the essential smoke escaped.


I did buy a replacement, but, was wondering if the damaged one was repairable. I also know someone who let the smoke out of their Autostar.


Philip

[sharkbite]

Bugger... I think you may need to find one with the smoke still in it....and add reverse polarity protection in the shape of a diode...

Best of luck....

[PhilTas (Phil)]

Hi Philip,

I did the same thing when I miswired a new cable for my iOptron. I am an electronics technician by trade, so I committed the ultimate sin by letting the smoke out.
An examination of the hand controller under a magnifier revealed a partially burnt 8 leg surface mount IC. Only some of the letters on the IC were readable, but they matched a couple of other ICs on the controller board, and also on the main board on the mount.
The IC was a DC-DC Converter, and the burnt one was directly connected to the DC input to the board.
Replacement of the IC brought the mount back to life.

So, long story short, I am happy to have a look at your Autostar to see if anything can be done with it. I'm now retired, so have plenty of time.

I have a dead 497 Autostar, and also a working Audiostar, so might be able to do some comparison testing.

All it will cost you is postage, and any parts used.

If you'd like to talk further, send me a PM.

Cheers Phil

[iborg (Philip)]

Hi Phil


That would be an excellent option, for both myself and my friend.


In addition Andrew (Kal) has some Autostar handsets that may be useful for parts. I will check and see if he is happy to post them them you.


Philip