Meade ETX-70 FAQ

I have an external power pack which supplies 12 v. Is there a connection anywhere on the unit to connect this external source. I have looked hard but cannot see one. I have seen connecters on sale but cannot find anywhere on scope to plug it in.

From memory (as my ETX is in the Welsh mountains...)
There is no handy socket, but iirc, the batteries connect via the same connector that you get on a 9V pp3 battery. So you need to buy or make a connector from your power source to this instead of using the battery pack.

Cheers,
~Al

Regarding questions -
every time i switch on the hand controller says "initialising", have to do the sun confirmation, bypass the detail instructions, enter the time ( and date if next day) to get to the align option. Is it supposed to do this every time or have i missed some confirmation entry somewhere or got a sequence wrong?

You do have to do the setup each time you power on. The telescope does not have a battery backed memory.However, the setup should take only two minutes or so.

I think you can turn off the sun warning under the utilities menu (at least you can on the ETX105).

-- Jeff.

The ETX-70AT manual states that if there are problems with this scope, you should contact customer support, where "the great majority of servicing issues can be resolved by telephone, avoiding the return of the telescope to the factory". The number in the manual is incorrect, as it has changed. The company dealing with this matter is Geologistics Ltd in the UK. The number for their "reception" is +442089173000. They will route your call to a guy called Sulie (I had them spell it for me) but his direct line number is +442089173120. Yes, I am having problems with my telescope. The motor drive won't work in the vertical plane. and the sky was so clear last night too!

Sorry all. I need to amend my last post. When I rang Sulie's number, as previously supplied, I was told that it should actually be +442089173102. You can also email them at service@meade.de

I have an external power pack which supplies 12 v. Is there a connection anywhere on the unit to connect this external source. I have looked hard but cannot see one. I have seen connecters on sale but cannot find anywhere on scope to plug it in.

From memory (as my ETX is in the Welsh mountains...)
There is no handy socket, but iirc, the batteries connect via the same connector that you get on a 9V pp3 battery. So you need to buy or make a connector from your power source to this instead of using the battery pack.

Cheers,
~Al

DON'T FORGET you guys - as Albert said Peter, the ETX is a 9 volt machine! Don't try using it with a direct 12 volt source, or you'll perverbally fry the circuit board fast enough!

Seanie.

Thank you Seanie for the very timely reminder that the ETX 70 is 9v.
Does any have a "cheaper"or more convenient way of powering the scope other than feeding it lots of AA or 9v pp3 batteries

Albert, thanks for your response.
Regards and Clear Skies,
Peter