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Last updated: 27 September 2005
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Last updated: 27 September 2005 |
Subject: Seeking help with an ETX-70 Motor Fault Warning Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 14:16:37 From: daveewright (daveewright@supanet.com) I'm having problems with my ETX 70 in that within seconds of powering up it displays the Motor Unit Fault warning. I have tried the following to no-avail: - * Power off/on again. * Replaced batteries, many times. * Selecting the Mode key. This sometimes starts the Azimuth motor running for about 30 sec, then stops. Also, on ocassions, the Autostar display powers off but leaves the motor running. * Tried a Autostar handset from my ETX 90, this started up the initialisation sequence but after starting to slew to the first Easy Align star few a few seconds stops with the same Warning. * Sometimes a selection of Mode with Goto or Enter results in the Elevation motor running, but again only for a feww seconds before returning to the Motor Faliure warning. The scope is a couple of years old, but has had very little use, since I bought the ETX 90. I see that there is only one small circuit card within the scope, so wonder what if anything can be done to fix it? Can you give me any guidance on how I might fix things? I send a similar email to the Telescope house here in UK but they indicated that this problem is seen from time to time but unfortunately they are not able to fix it. At best, if still in warranty, they send the scope back to Meade for replacement. Mine, needless to say, is about a year out of warranty! As an alternative, do you know of a technical support email address for Meade that I could try? This seems a very expensive fault if the scope is now considered irrepairable. Looking forward to your return, Regards Dave E WrightMike here: Unfortunately, unless something is interferring with the gear movements (you could check for debris or accumulated lubrication), it is a circuit board problem it is best left to Meade (unless you can get your hands on a secondhand replacement). If the lubrication is the problem you may be able to cure it by redistributing the grease; unlock both axes and move the OTA in both axes, back and forth, through several cycles (azimuth: do at least a couple of full rotations in each direction). One other thing you could check is for a bent pin on the handcontroller port. You might also check the "Cleaning Encoders" article on the Helpful Information: Autostar Info page.
Subject: ETX70 on german mount Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 04:38:53 From: l.carli@juliacom.it I'm Luan Carli from Italy, I' bought an ETX7. I removed motors and logic and adapted all this on a german mount, the problem is that when I align in polar mode and try to use GOTO, the motors drive the tube to hit the mount, seems that the processor do not understand the polar configuration in the right way moving erraticly Can you help me? Best regards Luan CarliMike here: You need to set up the Autostar to match your mount configuration. See Steve Bedair's web page (listed on the Helpful Information: Autostar Info page) for some possibly good info that will help you.
And:
Thanks a lot Bye Luan Carli
Subject: ETX80AT-TC manual Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 05:10:24 From: astroham@webtv.net (astroham@webtv.net) The operating manual for the Meade ETX80AT-TC scope is available on-line http://meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/ETXtelescopes/ETX-80AT.pdf As can be ecpected ina new manual, it contains numerous errors. But, the manual does describes many new features. For example, a built in, "flip" 2X barlow. Also, the focus knob is now orientated 90 deg to the axis of the optical tube. I have ordered this scope from OPT corp. And, will keep you informed of my experiences using it.
Subject: ETX70 Frontlense Sent: Friday, September 9, 2005 23:16:48 From: Gnter (gbuller@ewetel.net) my name ist guenter and I am coming from Germany. My English isnt so good, but I have a question for my ETX70. The frontlens of my ETX wraggles and I want to know, how can I open the tube, to fasten the frontlens. I hope you understand me. Many regards GuenterMike here: See the article "ETX-70AT Repair Guide" on the Helpful Information: Telescope Tech Tips page.
Subject: ETX70 VERTICAL LOCK Sent: Wednesday, September 7, 2005 17:07:01 From: alessandro toscano (lostoscano706@juno.com) I have recently purchased the ETX70 model ( refurbished) , but can not figure out the vertical lock knob or control. can you shed light on this?Mike here: Can you be more specific? What is the problem?
I received a manual that speaks of the vertical lock with an arrow pointing to the side of the telescope , but I can not see it nor figure out what the arrow is pointing to. Mike here: On both the right and left fork arms, just beneath the circular disks you should see a small triangle. That is just a pointer. It has no function for the axis lock (righthand knob). You can use it with the altitude scale on the left side but it is only accurate if you have ensured that the scale is set correctly (see the FAQ page for info on how to adjust it if it is incorrect).
Subject: ETX-70AT balanced fro ~$1.00 Sent: Sunday, September 4, 2005 23:43:05 From: Kurt Friedrich (kurtfriedrich@hotmail.com) I just got a used (but in very good condition) ETX-70, and it was clear to me that the motor was straining when it tried to drive the scope "up". I decided to invest about $1.00 to give the scope better balance. I went to homedepot, and bought a package of veloco-like strips. They are not the cloth like velcro, but rather both sides have a zillion little fingers and the smash together. I mounted a 1/2" bolt with 2 nuts to either side of the rear of the scope. I am also using a TV 32 plossl. This combination leaves the scope still a little front heavy, but not too much. The motor sounds much better now as it slews up. I think I this will extend battery life, and likely the life of the motor and gear train of the scope. If I want to remove the waits, they just pulll away leaving just eh velco strips behing. Kurt
Subject: ETX70 and Barlow Sent: Friday, September 2, 2005 10:27:52 From: Ralph Smith (rysmith@hyatt.com) I have a ETX 70 and just bought a Mead Barlow 2x/3x. Seems that when I use the Barlow, I cant see anything. I have tried centering a star, remove the 25mm eyepiece them putting in the barlow and eyepiece. Nothing there, I have tried to focus, from one end to the other end. Am I asking more from the 70 than it was intended? I really wanting to see something more than just star lights here and there, seems as though that is all this one will allow. Thanks for any help. Regards, Ralph SmithMike here: Magnify a star's image is not possible with any telescope you can afford. Try looking at a planet or the Moon until you get familiar with using it.
Subject: ETX-70AT balance Sent: Friday, September 2, 2005 00:23:55 From: Kurt Friedrich (kurtfriedrich@hotmail.com) Just got a used ETX, and I am surprised how unbalanced the scope is. It would seem like I'd be doing my motor a big favor by adding weight to the rear. Is this commonly done? Any preferred/easy ways of doing it? thanks KurtMike here: The ETX-70 is OK with its design as is. Where the balance becomes a problem is when you add extra weight (cameras, imagers, etc.). But if you want to try adding a counterweight see the Helpful Information: Astrophotography page; lots of counterweight tips there.
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