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Troubleshooting
The following suggestions may be helpful with operation of the ETX-80AT.
The power indicator light on the telescope does not come on or there is no response
when pressing A
utoStar Arrow keys:
• Verify that the Computer Control Panel power switch (C, Fig. 1b) is in the ON position.
• Verify that the AutoStar cord (8, Fig. 5) is firmly connected to the HBX port (A, Fig. 1b).
• Verify that the batteries are installed correctly and that they have sufficient charge. See
TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13.
Note: If the batteries are getting low on charge, there will be a marked difference
in the slew speed. The speed indicator lights may also flash and the speed may
change. If any of these symptoms occur, turn the power off and replace the batter-
ies.
• If AutoStar does not respond to commands, set the Computer Control Panel power switch
to OFF and then back to ON.
• If the telescope does not slew after power is applied or if the motor quits or stalls, verify
that there are no physical obstructions that would impede telescope movement.
• If all physical obstacles are removed and the telescope still does not move properly, turn
off the power and unplug AutoStar. Plug the AutoStar back in and turn the power back on.
Cannot seem to focus (No image appears in the eyepiece):
• Keep turning the focus knob. Your ETX telescope has a fine focusing mechanism which
allows you to focus an image very precisely. However, this means that you may have to
rotate the focus knob 20 to 40 complete turns to achieve focus, particularly the first time
you use your telescope. After that, fewer turns will be needed.
Still unable to see an image through the eyepiece:
• Confirm that the dust cap has been removed from the telescope.
• Confirm that the flip-mirror control (5, Fig. 1) is in the “up” position (Fig. 4a) if using the
eyepiece holder (
3, Fig. 1) so that light is directed to the eyepiece (1, Fig. 1). Confirm that
the flip-mirror control is in the “down” position (
Fig. 4b) if using the #933 Erecting Prism.
Slew speed does not change when the Speed/? key is pressed, or the telescope moves
slowly even though the fast slew speed is chosen:
•
The battery power may be low. See TELESCOPE ASSEMBLY, page 13.
Images through the eyepiece appear unfocused or distorted:
• The magnification used may be too high for the seeing conditions. Back off to a lower
power eyepiece. See
TOO MUCH POWER?, page 17.
• If inside a warm house or building, move outside. Interior air conditions may distort terres-
trial or celestial images, making it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a sharp focus. For
optimal viewing, use the telescope outside in the open air instead of observing through an
open or closed window or screen.
• If viewing a land object on a warm day, heat waves distort the image.
• The optics within the telescope need time to adjust to the outside ambient temperature to
provide the sharpest image. To "cool down" the optics, set the telescope outside for 10 to
15 minutes before observing begins.
Telescope moves off a terrestrial object while observing:
•
Verify that the vertical and horizontal locks have been tightened to a "firm feel" (13 and 14,
Fig. 1).
Telescope pauses when changing slew direction:
• This pause is normal.