Newbie problems with newly-purchased LXD-75 SN-6

[Eoin Moore]

Hello all, apologies for my first post being a request (albeit for help...)

I purchased a new Meade 6" schmidt/newtonian last week. Assembly &c went fine, but on connecting the
battery pack:
1) Power LED did not light up when power switch was flicked.
2) Batteries began to warm in what soon became an alarming way.
3) Housing below D.C. power jack got warm too.

 I have:
1) checked the polarity on the batteries,
2) tried reversing the AutoStar cable,
3) inspected the pins on HBX and AutoStar cable ports, to ensure that they are aligned correctly.

I contacted Agility Logistics (local support co. in London, England) and await an e-mail from Meade Europe
(in Germany), and will pursue this,

 BUT

Is the warming I describe normal?
Am I missing something basic?
Has anyone else out there experienced same issue, and fixed it themselves?
Or is it clear to someone that there is something else I should try?

Obviously, as this is a warranty issue, I'm not going to open the plastic housing (where the power switch is).

My theory is that there is a short-circuit in the power loop.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[DSOMAN]

Hello Eoin,

It sounds like you have a hard short somewhere in the system! The batteries should never warm up in normal operation.

You might try unplugging the handbox and the lead to the DEC motor and see if the power light illuminates.

If you have a voltmeter check to make sure the center pin on the DC power plug is positive.

Brent

[Eoin Moore]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Brent.

 I borrowed a voltmeter, and you were spot-on: -12v DC instead of +12!

 So I have now loaded the 8 D-cells the WRONG way around (+ve where -ve is supposed to go) and, you guessed it, I now have a nice red power LED when I flick the power switch. AutoStar handset also now powers up. I can't possibly thank you enough - it really wouldn't have occurred to me in a million years to reverse the polarity on the batteries. Observing polarity is pretty basic stuff, and I simply wouldn't have thought of going against that particular given.

 I do have one other question, however. Should I treat this as a warranty issue, or just leave well enough alone and continue to use batteries wrong way around? The reason I ask is, roughly, what if some other issue should rear its head in the warranty period, and then I have to tell them that I've been using the battery pack the wrong way around for however long it has been? Even if it is only because the battery-holder was wired incorrectly, would I risk invalidating the warranty? Needless to say, I am only asking you for your opinion...

 Thanks once again, for the speed - and the accuracy - of your reply.

Eoin.

[DSOMAN]

Eion,

Great, I'm glad it worked out ok.  Inserting the batteries in backwards can damage the handbox and motor control circuitry in the mount so I would give it a good checkout to be sure everything is ok.

If all is working then I guess I would not worry about the battery pack or warranty. I would certainly put a BIG label on the battery pack as a reminder to insert the batteries a certain way. If a warranty issue comes up later there should not be an issue as long as the supply voltage is the correct polarity. Allot of folks also use an external +12V supply instead of replacing batteries all the time.

You have a great scope there, if you have any problems or questions this is the place to ask.

Brent