LX200GPS - Problem with Autostar?

[chandrainsky]

I recently bought a used LX200 GPS (2003 model). It has some peculiar problems. Some times when powered on the display shows "Initialising . . . Smart Drive" but nothing happens after that. Some times it starts moving in anti clockwise direction, stops after some time and the display on the autostar II goes blank.

On one occasion it got GPS fix, started auto align process, went to the first alignment star and started a continuous beep along with a message to "center the star and press enter". The star was a few degrees off. However, the arrow keys would not work and left with no choice I just pressed enter. It went to the next alignment star with the same problem as with the first star. Then it said alignment successful but obviously it was off. I tried to GOTO Jupiter. It slewed towards Jupiter and stopped a few degrees off. Again the arrow keys would not respond. This happened just once. After that I tried several times but the scope either does not move at all or moves for some time and stops. The display on the handbox goes off.  I am using 8 "C" batteries. The version is 1.4.

I have not tried the manual (non GPS) mode for alignment - skies have been bad continuously since my first trial, not allowing me to try that out.

[Mark Sibole]

Make sure the batteries are in good condition.
It could be a power issue.
If replacing the batteries does not work It may need a trip to Meade for repairs.

Regards

Mark

[chandrainsky]

OK, thanks Mark! Will try with a new set of batteries and hope it works. Sending it to Meade is not an option for me. It would probably cost me as much as a new scope to send it over there and get it back to India

[chandrainsky]

After waiting impatiently for weeks I finally got a clear night couple of days ago. I used a 12 volts automotive battery this time since I had a doubt on the power supply and Mark had also suggested that. When switched on, initially it did the same thing it did last time; slowly move in anticlockwise direction for an eternity and then I could hear a sound which indicated that the gears were slipping. Out of fear of losing the gears I unlocked the RA lock. Then tightened again. To my surprise, the scope started getting GPS fix, found level, north and everything else as it was expected to.

I decided to start with all basic setups; went on to do a drive train and calibration. And thereafter the scope started behaving as if it had no problems at all to my great relief and delight GOTO was perfect every time; the objects seemed to remain in the fov of a 12mm eyepiece forever; and hardly makes a sound while tracking. Boy, am I relieved!  

I am still not sure if the problem was really with the battery since one problem still remains. Every time I switch on the scope, it starts its anti clockwise sojourn till it stops and gears seem to slip. It becomes alright after unlocking and locking again. Looks funny but it works fine after that. Anyone faced this peculiar problem

[Mark Sibole]

If youi dont park the scope when you power it back on the scope will move in Ra for several degrees to index things.
This is common if you dont park the scope and just power it off.
It aligns the encoders to it knows where its location in relation to the sky.
Im glad it is working again for you.

Regards

Mark

[chandrainsky]

Well, I can't park the scope since I need to move it inside home after every use. If it was moving only a few degrees it would be fine but it moves one full turn and then some! Let me see when the skies open up next. Its been cloudy again since last weekend and I have had no chance to test it again.

And since my location is not particularly dark, I go to a location some 100 miles off. Perhaps I would need to learn to live with its quirky behavior if the scope does not learn!

[Jayray27]

I too have a majority of the problems mention in your comment.  I just (this evening) upgraded to 4.2G and noticed several problems with the alignment, GOTO, GPS fix, and numerous other things, even a "Motor Failure" error on the handbox.  Granted, I previously had Ver. 1.7K, since around 2003/04 and finally decided to upgrade.  The one page instructions that Meade put together is a bit "weak" and I guess I'll have to give it another go, in the following weeks.  I use a 12V power system, same one I have used for years without any issues.  I guess it doesn't like the upgrade... Jason

[jupiter]

I think you should download the latest software (ver. 4.2g) from Meads website. After that, make a "reset". When you are going use the scope after this operation, select "calibrate sensor". Shut down the scope. Turn it on after a minut or two, and select "train the drive".

Good luck!

[jupiter]

Another thing to try is to unpluc and pluc the connectors in the scope to ensure that you dont have any loose ends. Also try another(new) handcontroll.

[GhostDog]

Mark, can you explain "Parking the scope".  I never do anything when finished using my telescope - I just power it off and manually put the scope in a vertical position - manually loosen the knob on teh side and tilt the scope downward if that makes sence. (I have a 12" LX200 GPS).

When I start the scope - it goes through the normal alignment process without a hitch - so I am confused as to what the parking is and what it does!


Thanks!