Advice sought for setting up a Mead model 300 "equatorial re

A

Angel A.

Guest
My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work for us:
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg

Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in the
distance:
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg
 
Angel A. <aangel@example.com> wrote in message
news:kp42ia$9i2$1@news.albasani.net...
My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial
refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work
for us:
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg

Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in
the
distance:
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg
Click to expand...

Meade queries have turned up on uk.sci.astronomy
 
My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial
refractor telescope, model 300, presumably in working order -- but
it doesn't work for us.
Click to expand...
I'm not being sarcastic -- in what way(s) do you expect it to work?

The vertical axis points to the North Pole, so a simple rotation of the
telescope is all that's needed to keep an object in view. That should get you
started.

Past that... I'd get a book on amateur astronomy (though I don't know of one
to recommend). You might also contact Meade to see if it has user manuals.
 
On 10/06/2013 16:16, William Sommerwerck wrote:
My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial
refractor telescope, model 300, presumably in working order -- but
it doesn't work for us.

I'm not being sarcastic -- in what way(s) do you expect it to work?

The vertical axis points to the North Pole, so a simple rotation of the
telescope is all that's needed to keep an object in view. That should
get you started.

Past that... I'd get a book on amateur astronomy (though I don't know of
one to recommend). You might also contact Meade to see if it has user
manuals.
Click to expand...
I think you mean celestial North Pole, very close to the star Polaris.

Ron
 
On Jun 10, 3:36 am, "N_Cook" <dive...@tcp.co.uk> wrote:
Angel A. <aan...@example.com> wrote in message

news:kp42ia$9i2$1@news.albasani.net...





My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial
refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work
for us:
 http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
 http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg

Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in
the
distance:
 http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg

Meade queries have turned up on uk.sci.astronomy- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...
That sounds like a better place to inquire than electronics repair.
 
On Mon, 10 Jun 2013 08:25:46 +0000 (UTC), "Angel A."
<aangel@example.com> wrote:

My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work for us:
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg

Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in the
distance:
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg
Beginning astronomy doesn't really lend itself to online tutoring.
Click to expand...
The Meade model 300 is an older telescope; their 1972 catalog shows it
listing at $279. I'll let you translate that to 2013 dollars.

I'd suggest Googling 'Astronomy Club' and your city. You should be
able to meet up with someone capable of helping you. Alternatively,
Yahoo!! has the classictelescopes group. Or you can try
http://www.cloudynights.com/

PlainBill
 
In article <kp42ia$9i2$1@news.albasani.net>,
"Angel A." <aangel@example.com> wrote:

My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work for
us:
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg
Click to expand...
It looks reasonably complete, although in the first photo there's no
eyepiece inserted. The other photo shows several of those in the box;
start with the lowest power you have, which will be the one with the
*biggest* number (focal length) etched on it, probably around 20-25 mm.
In case you hadn't guessed, you focus with the paired metal knobs
between the "star diagonal" (the elbow below the eyepiece-holder) and
the main tube.

One critical element we can't see is the objective lens at the 'big
end', probably near the bottom of the large black cylinder (which I
guess is a baffle): this should be clean and unscratched. If you need to
clean it, be *very* careful not to damage the surfaces, which may be
coated. Handle it only by the edges, and use the most gentle treatment
possible, with a soft brush or lens-cloth, and only distilled water or a
residue-free lens-cleaning fluid that's safe for optical coatings.

Unless you live on the Equator, the first picture also has the 'scope
improperly oriented (the polar axis, the short shaft that's shown
roughly horizontal and parallel to the tube, should be elevated by an
angle equal to your latitude and locked there), but that makes no
difference to seeing things through it in the daytime.
Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?
Click to expand...
Your best chance of finding someone with directly relevant experience or
practical tips will be at sci.astro.amateur. I'm taking the liberty of
cross-posting this message there as well. (And removing sci.astronomy,
which my news server doesn't carry.)

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in the
distance:
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg
Click to expand...
This is the finder-scope, an accessory that helps point the instrument.
There should be screw-holes in the main tube for attaching it, near the
eyepiece end. It's not strictly necessary, but can be useful, especially
when using medium-to-high power. Test it hand-held on the Moon: it might
not focus on anything nearer.

--
Odysseus
 
Try this Yahoo Group: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Meade-Uncensored/
Someone on this group will answer your questions and they might also have
the manual.

Richard

"Angel A." wrote in message news:kp42ia$9i2$1@news.albasani.net...

My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work for
us:
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg

Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in the
distance:
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg
 
You know what I'd do? Sell the Meade to one of the collectors of old
scopes on Astromart or Cloudynights or Ebay and buy a new 6" Newtonian
reflector from Meade.
 
On Fri, 14 Jun 2013 04:39:30 -0700 (PDT), wsnell01@hotmail.com wrote:

On Jun 10, 4:25 am, "Angel A." <aan...@example.com> wrote:
My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work for us:
 http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
 http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg

Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in the
distance:
 http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg

Try removing the black component that is located between the focuser's
drawtube and the diagonal. Then use your lowest power eyepiece (it
will have the highest number in "mm")and try aiming the 'scope at the
Moon. DO NOT AIM AT THE SUN!!

Do not attempt to clean the main lens at this time. Dirty lenses work
better than lenses that have been damaged by improper cleaning. The
lens should have a small dust cover that would have kept the lens
relatively clean, even despite the 'scope's possible age of three to
four decades. (I found this 'scope advertised in a '76 issue of Sky &
Telescope.)

The large component with the cord is probably a motor drive for the
scope. Be careful with whatever is in the jar. I don't know how the
coax accessory figures into any of this. :)

This should be an interesting scope, especially since it has an
equatorial mount with slow motion controls and possibly a clock drive.
Click to expand...
I had a scope like that back in the day. Surprisingly high quality
optics for an inexpensive telescope. If you can't see the trees you
are talking about, you are missing something very obvious. Perhaps
the dust cover is still on? Perhaps you haven't installed an eyepiece
at all? Perhaps you aren't trying to focus? Do you see any light at
all?
 
On Jun 10, 4:25 am, "Angel A." <aan...@example.com> wrote:
My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work for us:
 http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
 http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg

Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in the
distance:
 http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg
Click to expand...
Try removing the black component that is located between the focuser's
drawtube and the diagonal. Then use your lowest power eyepiece (it
will have the highest number in "mm")and try aiming the 'scope at the
Moon. DO NOT AIM AT THE SUN!!

Do not attempt to clean the main lens at this time. Dirty lenses work
better than lenses that have been damaged by improper cleaning. The
lens should have a small dust cover that would have kept the lens
relatively clean, even despite the 'scope's possible age of three to
four decades. (I found this 'scope advertised in a '76 issue of Sky &
Telescope.)

The large component with the cord is probably a motor drive for the
scope. Be careful with whatever is in the jar. I don't know how the
coax accessory figures into any of this. :)

This should be an interesting scope, especially since it has an
equatorial mount with slow motion controls and possibly a clock drive.
 
On 6/10/2013 1:25 AM, Angel A. wrote:
My kid inherited this apparently ancient Meade 3.1-inch equatorial refractor
telescope, model 300, presumably in working order - but it doesn't work for us:
http://www4.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283857/img/13283857.jpg

We *think* we have all the parts; but we're not sure.
http://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283853/img/13283853.jpg

Do you know of a decent forum where we can discuss the parts, setup, and
operation of this telescope for looking at the stars and moon?

Note: We can't even get the scope to work, at least not on the trees in the
distance:
http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/13283856/img/13283856.jpg

Perhaps take all of the various attachments apart and just look through
Click to expand...
each of them separately; if you can't see light, you've found the problem.
 
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