20 Most Recent Meade 8" LX90 LNT Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope with SmartFinder w/ FREE UPS Questions & Answers

This is a very old LX6 telescope. I have never seen a schematic on the internet. Except for these articles:
http://www.astromag.co.uk/pdfs/lx6.pdf

This person may be able to help you:
http://www.onealwebsite.com/AstroPage/Telescopes.html

and this on page 33-34
http://skywatch.brainiac.com/used/used_sct.pdf

You can also call Meade directly and see if they have one:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Finally, you can post a message on the Yahoo LX90 and LX200 group and ask for help from either Dr. Clay, or Ron Sampson. Both of these folks repair Meade brand telescopes.

The Meade 8" SCT LX90 is a very good all round unit. Although angry, you will find it is well worthwhile persevering.The back plate, called the optical back, takes an eyepiece holder into which you can also fit your diagonal prism for comfortable viewing. It is part 3 in the diagram here, Fig 1http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/LXseries/LX90-LNT.pdf All you need is the right size holder for this scope, such ashttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/202598-REG/Meade_07182_Eyepiece_Holder_aka_Visual.html Any telescope shop can sell you one, but take care to get one that also fits the barrel of your prism, which will be either 1.25" or 2"

This manual is located on the Meade web site here:

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


and here is your manual:
http://www.meade.com/manuals/TelescopeManuals/LXseries/LX90-LNT.pdf

Sorry you will need to be much more specific about your scope proble,

If the hand controller on the LX6 has stopped working you have a problem since meade does not support this very old telescope. My only suggestion would be to place an ad on www.astromart.com looking for a new hand controller.

If the error message indicates a "motor fault" make sure you have a good power supply and or fresh batteries-- as low voltage will cause a motor fault error.

Later you said it was an LX90 LNT-- ?? so which scope do you actually own???

Nothing will happen if you at the TOP of the menu tree. The mode key serves several purposes. First it works like the ESCAPE key on a computer and backs you out of the current menu UP in the menu tree one level each time you push it.

If you hold it down for 2 seconds you get another menu with additional features..Check your manual for the menu tree diagram. If you are already at the TOP of the menu tree nothing happens.

If the key does not work at all then the contact under the key is worn out. You can buy a "kit" to repair the contacts-- but of course you must dis-assemble the controller.

Probably your hand controller cable is broken. First thing to try is a new hand controller cable.

Also check the small watch style battery inside the LNT module.

If a new cable and a new battery do not fix this then it an internal circuit gone bad. Only Meade can repair this:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Try the new cable first.

You may need to purchase a new hand unit.
go to meade.com for purchase.

Probably just needs a new lithium coin battery - located behind front panel.

You will need to check out the clutch mechanism in the fork arm. Refer to this web site for disassembly pictures.

http://jan.eaglecreekobservatory.org/

Look under Declination adjustment link off the main page.

www.scopestuff.com
sells an upgrade clutch kit that improves the clutch. However if something is broken inside then this must be fixed first. Meade will want the scope returned. They usually do not sell parts; but sometimes they do sell them, so call Customer Service here:
http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

Just put several small pieces of stick on velcro inside the edge of the cover to tighten up the fit.

Start from scratch-

RESET the hand controller.

Calibrate motors using the same power source you will use outside.

Re-train the drives

Calibrate sensors on Polaris

Use either the 110 volt power cord, or buy a 12 volt power pack and the proper Meade 12 volt cable. (www.scopestuff.com carries the right 12 volt cable)

If your scope is NOT the LNT or GPS model you must level the tripod before you align. Go to home depot and buy the $3 small plastic two way bubble level, or the bulls-eye style bubble level.

Further trouble, I suggest going to the LX90 Yahoo group forum, and asking questions there.

Good Luck

You broke something??? Possibly this clutch kit will help you repair the scope-- or a return to Meade will be required.

http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_ezck.htm

The only reason you would want to polar align is to do astro-photography which will be difficult from your location.

Use the scope in normal ALT AZ configuration. Calibrate motors, Train Drives, make sure time, date, site, are set correctly. The Calibrate sensors function sets the magnetic deviation for your SITE. Not really that important because when you center two alignment stars everything is corrected anyway.

So take the wedge off the tripod --- you can still do short duration astro-photography usually not exceeding 12 second exposures and then STACK the images using software.

Go onto www.cloudynights.com and post this in the LX member forum-- and or go on YAHOO groups and post this in the LX90 forum--

Are you absolutely sure that your TIME and DATE and DAYLIGHT SAVINGS (yes-no) are correct.

On my LX90 the first alignment star is always NOT in the eyepiece but everything is OK once I center both alignment stars.

These are going to be hard to find-- however go onto either

www.cloudynights.com or www.astromart.com

and place a WANTED ad. Someone may have an old one that they will sell you.
Good luck-

Nice telescope! I clean mine with a dust blaster, those canned air things.They are cheapest from Sam's Club, if you have those near you.Be careful if you decide to use swabs, you may scratch the mirror or remove the special coatings on the mirror.Try the canned air first.If you do use a swab, exercise great care.Use nothing metal.Maybe a long plastic spatula with a soft , lint free cloth.No solvents.Good Luck

Go to this web site and look at the disassemble pictures and see if you forgot to connect everything properly.
http://jan.eaglecreekobservatory.org/

You may need to add one or two small washers to the central screw to tighten things up a bit. A "C" clip holds the big screw on the tripod. If you break it any hardware store can supply a replacement for less than $1.00.

Check the inside fuse.