Computerizing a LightBridge 16”, With LX200 Classic Parts They say it shouldn't be done. I wondered if it would work too, but found that it can be done, and easier than I thought. And now, after using it all night for a half dozen nights at home, and packing it up and trucking it to and from dark sky sites 4-5 times, and using it for 10 days down in west Texas at the TSP, I am ready to call it a keeper. Most importantly, it does what I built if for, GoTo and track. Is that ever nice. As a bonus it has all the capabilities of a Meade LX200. I find it quite a bit more stable than a classic LX200, I'm guessing because the EP is much further from the center of rotation, and it's overall heavier, meaning it is far less bothered by my eye bumping the EP or me otherwise touching it. Here are some data that might be of interest. 1. The motors can generate about 4-5ft/lbs of torque. At the lowest tracking rates, it'll stall around 4. The innovations below reduced that to under 2 at 20 deg F 2. The LB16 OTA weighs about 80lbs incl EP, counter weights, & finder: That load is distributed at 60/20lb at a roughly 18/56” ratio from center of mass. I tested weights up to 106 lbs, divided by weight and distance per above at slew rates up to #4. I was chicken to go higher because it was clear that at that rate the gear system was being strained. The LX200 Classic motors have no ramp start or stop. I found the lowest slew rate (#2, which is also the “Find” rate), to be comfortable. Once the scope is aligned, I remove the finder scope and adjust the counter weight to reduce the mass and momentum. It takes 30 sec to go from horizon to zenith, and 60 sec to rotate 360. 3. Cost $650.00, $500 of which went to the purchase of a complete set of spare parts, just in case, and because this works just too well to want to loose it.
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