Updating an c1990 LX200

[bscloutier]

So I have a 12" LX200 from the early 1990s. I had once updated the chipset back then. It has been stored for over a decade. Now that I want to get it back out and up and running, I am curious if there is a current update for it? I have half the mind to design a new board for it. So when I had bought this scope we all were on Compuserve!

[JCINGA]

I have either the same or one model after as you - 12" classic LX200

I cannot give any feedback as it relates to electronics except cleaning all contacts (on wire connections) with cleaner/alcohol and checking all wiring on the boards as I was cleaning/taking apart with the soldering iron on the ready.

I can attest to the scope needing a good service as it relates to the gears and their lubricant.

I pulled mine apart (and I'm about to redo it with Pete's red grease - used white lithium first round and read thats not great for longevity) and cleaned the graphite grease from all gears as it was caking up and causing stuttering and slowed slewing.

This did wonders for mine as over decades that stuff degrades considerably.

I installed bobs knobs on the secondary, Peterson engineering EZ focusing kit, cleaned the corrector, diagonal mirror (the main was still in relatively clean shape), tripod and cleaned and waxed (auto wax) the exterior.

Looking and working very good

I also got a new power block as those can start to send wonky signals and irregular current to the main board.

Oh and I did swap out the fuse and CR2320 battery

Good luck!

[Lady Fraktor]

I would agree that if the telescope has been sitting for so many years a thorough re-greasing should be done on it.

[bscloutier]

Yeah, I had figured that I would have to give it some TLC before it'll be back in prime shape. New grease sounds like a good recommendation.

[robf]

This is an old thread, but if anyone reads this, if you have not replaced the under-spec'd 25V tantalum capacitors in the LX200, and are using the supplied 18V DC power supply, you will want to replace those caps asap since they fail hard and can damage other parts of the scope. 35V is the minimum voltage rating you should replace with.