Meade ETX125 Help needed

I have recently purchased a Meade ETX125 and I am having problems with the
Autostar controller. In Manual mode using the arrow keys, it will only move
along the vertical. When I try and move either left OR right it just makes a
horrible whinning noise. Can anyone help please?

"Steve" wrote in
news
I have recently purchased a Meade ETX125 and I am having problems with
the Autostar controller. In Manual mode using the arrow keys, it will
only move along the vertical. When I try and move either left OR right
it just makes a horrible whinning noise. Can anyone help please?



http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html for help and info. Also try the
numerous yahoogroups for etx scopes. If purchased in warranty, consider
taking it back. You have got the ra lock engaged? The lever on the base
should be pushed anti-clockwise. Is the noise with the lock off (clockwise)
the same? If so there could be a problem there. Some 125s are quite easy to
lock, others hard. Read through the etx site for more, especially anything
by Clay Sherrod and Dick Seymour.

--
Colin J Denman
N 51º 54' 38" W 00º 29' 45" Elev: 125m
email: -- use my first name
home: http://www.cjdenman.freeserve.co.uk

Cheers Colin.

Yes the noise is the same with either the ra lock on or off. I'd hate to
have to send it back, I'd been waiting weeks for its arrival!!

Steve

"Colin J Denman" wrote in message
. 13.2...
"Steve" wrote in
news
I have recently purchased a Meade ETX125 and I am having problems with
the Autostar controller. In Manual mode using the arrow keys, it will
only move along the vertical. When I try and move either left OR right
it just makes a horrible whinning noise. Can anyone help please?



http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html for help and info. Also try the
numerous yahoogroups for etx scopes. If purchased in warranty, consider
taking it back. You have got the ra lock engaged? The lever on the base
should be pushed anti-clockwise. Is the noise with the lock off
(clockwise)
the same? If so there could be a problem there. Some 125s are quite easy
to
lock, others hard. Read through the etx site for more, especially anything
by Clay Sherrod and Dick Seymour.

--
Colin J Denman
N 51º 54' 38" W 00º 29' 45" Elev: 125m
email: -- use my first name
home: http://www.cjdenman.freeserve.co.uk

I had a similar problem last October when I bought my 125 (though it would
only move along the horizontal). I discussed this with the shop where I
bought it, and with BCF and they agreed to replace it. My replacement 125
has given me hours of good observations with no problems. Before replacing
they did ask the following -
Have you locked the azimuth lever? (moving it towards the centre - but not
too tight - it might break).
Are you using batteries? If so try an AC supply - it might work.
Have you calibrated the motor. If so try recalibrating it (my 125 would come
up with 'motor fault' at this point.)
Have you looked at the FAQ at http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html - they
may help.


Good luck and clear skies,

Jeremy.

"Steve" wrote in message
news
I have recently purchased a Meade ETX125 and I am having problems with the
Autostar controller. In Manual mode using the arrow keys, it will only
move
along the vertical. When I try and move either left OR right it just makes
a
horrible whinning noise. Can anyone help please?

Thanks for the advice everyone. I tried just about everything.
The good news is that I got in touch with the suppliers and they are picking
it up on Friday.