1992 vintage LX200 died while slewing in declination. Readout went to just ''Meade'', and handpad was unresponsive. No smoke, fuse is good. Tried hand-turning Dec., and ammeter showed increased readings. Opened all casings, no burnt cap.s, but one broken wire on Dec. board. Reconnected, now scope boots up, but only operates in RA. Dec. doesn't drive, nor does it show any position change on the readout. Where do I go from here???

Many Meade telescope manuals are available here: http://www.meade.com/support/manuals/ . There are several models in the LX200 series. The manual for the LX200-ACF is here: http://www.meade.com/downloads/dl/file/id/11/product/0/lx200_acf_manual.pdf . There is also a model LX200-R; the manual for this model is at http://www.meade.com/downloads/dl/file/id/13/product/0/lx200_r_manual.pdf . I don't see anything about a model with both the ACF and R features in this series.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Something else is wrong. The first thing to try is a new DEC cable and a new hand controller cable for the runaway slew, and hand controller issue.

If new cables do not fix the problem then contact Ron Sampson on the Yahoo LX200 group-- just post a message for him there. He can repair Meade electronics at a reasonable cost if you send him the boards.

He can also repair the hand controller including the internal ribbon cable and the LCD screen.

Try the new cables first- check this web site for a wiring diagram:
http://www.mapug-astronomy.net/

or contact www.scopestuff.com they may have one already made-up.

Runaway DECLINATION is what this is called. Usually it can be fixed with a new hand controller cable. If a new cable does not fix it, then it has a blown motor circuit board and must be returned to Meade for repairs.

Meade customer service:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

The scope will run just fine on 12 volts. www.scopestuff.com sells the cigarette lighter cord for that telescope.

Call them here:

www.scopestuff.com

A fellow by the name of Ron Sampson can repair hand controllers and main boards on Meade telescopes. He does very good work. All you need to send him are the board(s).

You can contact him by posting a message on the Yahoo LX90 or LX200 group forums.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/lx90/

Good luck-- by the way he repaired the hand controller for our astronomy clubs 10 inch Meade LX200, at a very reasonable cost.

Need more information --- what type of Meade scope do you own. Name and number?

You can also call Meade Customer Service for help.
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

You might want to join the following Yahoo group:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/LX200GPS/

I am not familiar with the LX200, but there are probably folks on the Yahoo group that can help.  The only thing I can think of is if you are using a wedge and the wedge isn't at the correct angle (should match your lattitude).  Or you are not using a wedge and the Meade controller thinks that you are.  But one would think the calibration would solve that.

C1 and C2 are on the input of a voltage regulator. The fact that they burn, could mean that their voltage rating has been exceeded (check the voltage across them), or that age has caused their failure. The classic uses about 18 volts into the power panel - see that it is not higher than that. The handpad would not be a cause for this to happen as it is not the source of the power. Replace the caps with similar ones, but with higher voltage rating - 50v is fine. But check your power supply first!

C1 and C2 are on the input of a voltage regulator. The fact that they burn, could mean that their voltage rating has been exceeded (check the voltage across them), or that age has caused their failure. The classic uses about 18 volts into the power panel - see that it is not higher than that. The handpad would not be a cause for this to happen as it is not the source of the power. Replace the caps with similar ones, but with higher voltage rating - 50v is fine. But check your power supply first!

Check to make sure there are no bad connections under the swith itself. My Celestron C8 mount has similar problems and if I mess with the switch it will power up.