Back on the mailing list & a Meade question
Hi everyone, I'm back on the list after a 3-month absence. I've been increidbly busy and nursing some injuries while off list- and still am, but I miss the astronomical thought every now-and-then and my schedule is going to lighten up soon. What did I miss while away? I have a problem that perhaps some of you can help with. I am attempting to ressurect a 12-year-old Meade 4.5" equatorial reflector for one of the owners here at work. It came to me partially disassembled with only one 6mm Ramsden eyepiece, plastic lens Barlow, (shame on you, Meade) and the electronic drive motor disconnected. I'm not going to get into the myriad shortcomings of design and construction- this telescope has no real reason to live other than it's sale generated some cash for Meade; it's a terrible telescope even fresh out of the box. I was going to offer the owner 20 bucks for it but after familiarizing myself with it, wouldn't take it for free. No lie, it's junk, a "trash telescope". I cleaned and re-aligned the optics, got the drive re-assembled and the motor re-installed, but it runs backwards! There is no external N/S hemisphere switch. There is no internal switch on the hand paddle; I have not opened-up the motor case yet because I don't want to deal with re-assembling a gear train if it all comes spilling out. The motor cannot be mounted on the opposite side of the worm. The plastic bracket will only fit on the eastern side. I've thought about changing the polarity of the battery pack, but intuitively that shouldn't work since it appears to be a pulsed electronic system. The red LED pilot light wouldn't even work if it was a case of reversed polarity. The hand controller uses a 9v battery, permanently connected to the motor housing with a phone-style cord & connector. There is also a separate pack using 10 AA cells that plugs into the motor housing directly. Now, get this: The drive motor works with the 9 volt battery in the hand controller, but not for long. Maybe 20 minutes to a dead battery. The motor runs backwards with the AA pack plugged-in and with no battery in the hand controller, the fast slew/slow buttons work fine. But with a battery in the hand controller AND the AA pack plugged-in, nothing works. This particular model does not seem to be supported by Meade anymore. I've found a similar telescope on their Website but this drive and control is no longer listed (I can see why). Any ideas? TIA! C.
Yes, I say we take the offending beast over to the gravel pit by SPOC and ceremoniously blow the living crap out of it. Plastic glass and all! ;) Quoting Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com>:
Hi everyone, I'm back on the list after a 3-month absence. I've been increidbly busy and nursing some injuries while off list- and still am, but I miss the astronomical thought every now-and-then and my schedule is going to lighten up soon.
What did I miss while away?
I have a problem that perhaps some of you can help with.
I am attempting to ressurect a 12-year-old Meade 4.5" equatorial reflector for one of the owners here at work.
It came to me partially disassembled with only one 6mm Ramsden eyepiece, plastic lens Barlow, (shame on you, Meade) and the electronic drive motor disconnected.
I'm not going to get into the myriad shortcomings of design and construction- this telescope has no real reason to live other than it's sale generated some cash for Meade; it's a terrible telescope even fresh out of the box. I was going to offer the owner 20 bucks for it but after familiarizing myself with it, wouldn't take it for free. No lie, it's junk, a "trash telescope".
I cleaned and re-aligned the optics, got the drive re-assembled and the motor re-installed, but it runs backwards! There is no external N/S hemisphere switch. There is no internal switch on the hand paddle; I have not opened-up the motor case yet because I don't want to deal with re-assembling a gear train if it all comes spilling out.
The motor cannot be mounted on the opposite side of the worm. The plastic bracket will only fit on the eastern side.
I've thought about changing the polarity of the battery pack, but intuitively that shouldn't work since it appears to be a pulsed electronic system. The red LED pilot light wouldn't even work if it was a case of reversed polarity.
The hand controller uses a 9v battery, permanently connected to the motor housing with a phone-style cord & connector. There is also a separate pack using 10 AA cells that plugs into the motor housing directly. Now, get this: The drive motor works with the 9 volt battery in the hand controller, but not for long. Maybe 20 minutes to a dead battery. The motor runs backwards with the AA pack plugged-in and with no battery in the hand controller, the fast slew/slow buttons work fine. But with a battery in the hand controller AND the AA pack plugged-in, nothing works.
This particular model does not seem to be supported by Meade anymore. I've found a similar telescope on their Website but this drive and control is no longer listed (I can see why).
Any ideas?
TIA!
C. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Yes, welcome back Chuck. I miss your insights. Sorry – no ideas for your scope, though. Hope you are well and healed? Kim -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:36 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Back on the mailing list & a Meade question Thanks, Joe, good to be back. On Dec 11, 2007 3:32 PM, Joe Bauman <bau@desnews.com> wrote:
Hey Chuck, Welcome back! -- Joe
Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com ______________________________________________________________________ This e-mail has been scanned by Cut.Net Managed Email Content Service, using Skeptic(tm) technology powered by MessageLabs. For more information on Cut.Nets Content Service, visit http://www.cut.net ______________________________________________________________________ Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.31/1128 - Release Date: 11/13/2007 11:09 AM Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.31/1128 - Release Date: 11/13/2007 11:09 AM
Thanks, Kim, good to be back in the loop. Healing as well as a middle-aged guy with a kid's attitude can! On Dec 11, 2007 8:42 PM, Kim <kimharch@cut.net> wrote:
Yes, welcome back Chuck. I miss your insights. Sorry – no ideas for your scope, though. Hope you are well and healed?
Welcome back, Per chance could it be a scope that was intended for use in the southern hemisphere? patrick
Most modern Meade scopes that I've seen have a user-selectable switch for N/S hemisphere use, whereas this particular drive has none. It was purchased right here in the USA some years ago, I'm told. I have the original box and the shipping label is still on it. Also, why would it operate correctly with the 9v battery in the hand paddle, but then run backwards when the 9v battery is removed, and the auxilliary battery pack is plugged-into the motor case? The bigger question is, Why do these 'scopes from hell' seem to find me? ;o) On Dec 11, 2007 6:31 PM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:
Welcome back,
Per chance could it be a scope that was intended for use in the southern hemisphere?
patrick
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Chuck, I am also perplexed by the fact that it runs fine with the 9v but backwards when it is removed. I saw several examples yesterday that indicated that Meade had mis-wired some of the controllers and that you had to enter a negative number in the setup to get them to go in the correct direction. Maybe the battery pack is wired wrong. Do you have a model number for the controller or telescope? I saw the issue mentioned with Magellan I and some Astroscans. Dave -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:42 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Meade question Most modern Meade scopes that I've seen have a user-selectable switch for N/S hemisphere use, whereas this particular drive has none. It was purchased right here in the USA some years ago, I'm told. I have the original box and the shipping label is still on it. Also, why would it operate correctly with the 9v battery in the hand paddle, but then run backwards when the 9v battery is removed, and the auxilliary battery pack is plugged-into the motor case? The bigger question is, Why do these 'scopes from hell' seem to find me? ;o) On Dec 11, 2007 6:31 PM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:
Welcome back,
Per chance could it be a scope that was intended for use in the southern hemisphere?
patrick
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Dave, this is a cheapie model. No numeric keypad, just three buttons. One corresponds to "east", one to "west", and the middle one says "speed" on it. I opened the hand unit up and the "speed" button is actually a DPDT rocker-style switch. Anyway, the upshot is that there is no computer. Just resisters and LED's. I have thought about reversing the polarity on the heavy-duty battery pack, but if I did, then the LED pilot light certainly wouldn't light up. Maybe that would need to be reversed and re-soldered as well. I doubt that Meade ever even sets a hand on these cheapies unless returned for service. They are made in China. Total junk. Even the polar axis bushings have so much slop that it is pretty much useless for anything other than the lowest powers. On Dec 12, 2007 7:06 AM, Dunn, David <David.Dunn@supervalu.com> wrote:
Chuck,
I am also perplexed by the fact that it runs fine with the 9v but backwards when it is removed. I saw several examples yesterday that indicated that Meade had mis-wired some of the controllers and that you had to enter a negative number in the setup to get them to go in the correct direction. Maybe the battery pack is wired wrong. Do you have a model number for the controller or telescope? I saw the issue mentioned with Magellan I and some Astroscans.
Dave
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:42 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Meade question
Most modern Meade scopes that I've seen have a user-selectable switch for N/S hemisphere use, whereas this particular drive has none. It was purchased right here in the USA some years ago, I'm told. I have the original box and the shipping label is still on it.
Also, why would it operate correctly with the 9v battery in the hand paddle, but then run backwards when the 9v battery is removed, and the auxilliary battery pack is plugged-into the motor case?
The bigger question is, Why do these 'scopes from hell' seem to find me? ;o)
On Dec 11, 2007 6:31 PM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:
Welcome back,
Per chance could it be a scope that was intended for use in the southern hemisphere?
patrick
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Aloha Chuck You want a unit to work with?? I have one like you describe that seems to work (gears turn) that I got from a fellow that "stored it in the house". Mirrors are shot, rust and weeds in the tripod legs, etc BUT the motor works and wasn't attached at all, just dust covered. It's yours if you want. Aloha Rob
What age group was that telescope marketed for? I remember my first telescope. It was a 3" cardboard tube with what appeared to be a ladies compact mirror and an over powered eyepiece with a screw in moon filter. The balsa wood and tin reinforced tripod was about as steady as an off balanced washing machine on spin cycle, but, it was the coolest thing I had. I enjoyed looking at the moon through it which is what kids that age really want to see. That and Consuelo, 3rd window from the right, 1st floor! ;) Quoting Chuck Hards <chuck.hards@gmail.com>:
Dave, this is a cheapie model. No numeric keypad, just three buttons. One corresponds to "east", one to "west", and the middle one says "speed" on it. I opened the hand unit up and the "speed" button is actually a DPDT rocker-style switch. Anyway, the upshot is that there is no computer. Just resisters and LED's.
I have thought about reversing the polarity on the heavy-duty battery pack, but if I did, then the LED pilot light certainly wouldn't light up. Maybe that would need to be reversed and re-soldered as well.
I doubt that Meade ever even sets a hand on these cheapies unless returned for service. They are made in China. Total junk. Even the polar axis bushings have so much slop that it is pretty much useless for anything other than the lowest powers.
On Dec 12, 2007 7:06 AM, Dunn, David <David.Dunn@supervalu.com> wrote:
Chuck,
I am also perplexed by the fact that it runs fine with the 9v but backwards when it is removed. I saw several examples yesterday that indicated that Meade had mis-wired some of the controllers and that you had to enter a negative number in the setup to get them to go in the correct direction. Maybe the battery pack is wired wrong. Do you have a model number for the controller or telescope? I saw the issue mentioned with Magellan I and some Astroscans.
Dave
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Hards Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 8:42 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Meade question
Most modern Meade scopes that I've seen have a user-selectable switch for N/S hemisphere use, whereas this particular drive has none. It was purchased right here in the USA some years ago, I'm told. I have the original box and the shipping label is still on it.
Also, why would it operate correctly with the 9v battery in the hand paddle, but then run backwards when the 9v battery is removed, and the auxilliary battery pack is plugged-into the motor case?
The bigger question is, Why do these 'scopes from hell' seem to find me? ;o)
On Dec 11, 2007 6:31 PM, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:
Welcome back,
Per chance could it be a scope that was intended for use in the southern hemisphere?
patrick
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://gallery.utahastronomy.com Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
http://www.meade.com/starterscopes/eq_series.html It's the telescope on the top of the page, the 4.5" reflector, although this one is an older model (1995) with a slightly different mount and single-axis RA electric motor drive. On Dec 12, 2007 10:45 AM, <diveboss@xmission.com> wrote:
What age group was that telescope marketed for?
participants (7)
-
Chuck Hards -
diveboss＠xmission.com -
Dunn, David -
Joe Bauman -
Kim -
Patrick Wiggins -
Rob Ratkowski Photography