Meade LX200 GPS computer connect

[Atmos (Colin)]

Andrew,

Thanks again for all your help and advise. I'll see if I can track down someone in to Greater Melbourne area that has a LX200 setup, I don't personally know anyone with one.

I'll did a quick Google search and it sounds like the chip itself is pretty easy to get your hands on. I have a good mate that is an electronic engineer so I think I'll be paying him a visit

[AndrewJ]

Gday Colin

I'll see if I can track down someone in to Greater Melbourne area that has a LX200 setup

What suburb are you in?
There are probably lots of LX200s in Melb.
I am near BINTEL if that is close enough.

I have a good mate that is an electronic engineer

There are full schematics of the LX200 on the yahoo site, and the chip is a std max232 ( ie dime a dozen ). It is surface mounted, but is in an easy to get to spot, so he could probably also test it in situ for proper voltage levels etc.

Andrew

[Atmos (Colin)]

Andrew,

I live just up in Greensborough so not that far from there. I imagine that there would be a considerable number of LX200 owners around the place.

I'll probably be seeing my mate next week so I might take my scope around then and do a powe test as you suggest. Hopefully source a Max232 chip before then.

[Don Pensack]

Originally Posted by Atmos

Over the last few years i have been trying to connect my LX200 to my computer, but to no avail.
I now have four different USB to RS232 serial adapters. I have tried to connect through three different computers.
1) An older 17" MacBook Pro running Windows XP SP3 through Bootcamp.
2) A three year old dirt cheap Compaq running Windows 8.1.
3) Now a new 15" MacBook Pro running Windows 8.1 through Parallels.

For years I have just assumed that it didn't like XP running through Bootcamp or just didn't like Windows 8.1. Now I am starting to question whether either of the RS232 ports on the telescope actually work!

I have tried running it through the Meade Autostar Suite to begin with, attempted Maxim DL and more recently (last week) TheSkyX. Currently using an FDI (or close to that) USB to Serial cable, the other half (RS232 to DB9) is what I bought from Bintel, Meade products. Downloaded the latest drivers last week so that's all up to date.

When trying to connect to the telescope it does recognise that it's there and but eventually times out after several communication attempts. I am stuck!!

So, has anyone had similar troubles with a LX200 GPS or may have some idea on how to fix the issue?

Cheers,
Colin

Did you install the serial port simulation program on the computer? Without that, it won't recognize the connection.
Did you get the proprietary Meade cable? Meade wires the ports in a different sequence from normal com ports so the RS232 cable has to be wired differently.