How to calibrate the Eclipse Camera of the Meade ETX-LS6 ? The telescope hangs permanently when it is taking pictures for calibration. THanks in advance. HT

Either using eyepiece projection and or by using a web cam and or a ccd camera.

http://www.stargazing.net/Astroman/Craters.html

http://www.astronomics.com/main/product.asp/catalog_name/astronomics/category_name/K49JT7XW30VE8G6FWFPL4A3C54/product_id/1321

http://www.astro.shoregalaxy.com/webcam_astro.htm

http://www.meade.com/dsi/

Contact a local Astronomy club nearby and the members will help you with the scope.

http://www.astroleague.org/societies/list/MI

Also this is the general setup for the NON- PE version of this scope.

1. Do a calibrate motors

2. Train the drives

3. Take the scope outside and level the tripod.

4. Put the scope in the HOME position (read the manual)

5. Execute a 2 star alignment and center both stars.

You can buy this device and take prime focus images using a small digital camera. Make sure the camera can take timed photos of up to 30 seconds long.

http://www.telescope.com/control/astrophotography/astrophotography-accessories/orion-steadypix-deluxe-camera-mount

Are you using FRESH batteries? Did you do a Calibrate Motors?

If new batteries and a Calibrate motors does NOT fix it, then something mechanical is broke inside the base of the telescope. Meade can repair these:

http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Have you done a Calibrate motors and a TRAIN drives. Also have you done a Calibrate sensors on Polaris? Read the manual--- and follow the setup routine exactly. Daylight Savings Time = YES right now.

Your problem may not be the motor?

Is this a 497 hand controller? If it is check the TELESCOPE TYPE in the controller. It should read ETX125. You cannot just switch controllers. The controller has been TRAINED for the other scope.

To switch it you must do a RESET, Calibrate motors and then train the drives. These "values" are stored inside the hand controller. If you move it to another type of Meade telescope you must RESET and do Calibrate sensors and Training again.

The dis-assembly pictures are located on the Mighty ETX web site here:
http://www.weasner.com/etx/menu.html

Did you lock down BOTH clutches?

You should have Calibrated motors and trained drives before you actually tried to do a goto.

Read this manual completely:
http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/ETXtelescopes/ETX-60-70AT%20manual.pdf

Make sure you have the latest firmware loaded, and that you are using the free Meade updater software version 5.9 available here:

http://www.meade.com/support/downloads.html

The camera must be calibrated. Did you do this-- ??? Be sure to completely read the manual several times. If further problems contact Meade customer service here:

http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Do a RESET on the hand controller, then calibrate motors and train the drives.

Re-enter, time, date, and site.

Could be several things:

You did Train the drives and CALIBRATED motors using the same power source you will use outside?

Do not run off of the internal batteries UNLESS they are brand new. Once the batteries drop below about 70% the hand controller goes a little crazy. That's why most people use an external power pack.

1. Replace the batteries, and do a Calibrate motors.

Did this fix it?