ETX105-EC Disassembly

(Actual disassembly starts at 01:05)

This video was created to help users of the Meade ETX-105EC telescope remove the Optical Tube Assembly (OTA) from the fork arms. This is necessary to expose the inside of the fork arms for doing work, such as removing grease from areas where it's not supposed to be (clutch).

"Standard" advice on the internet seems to recommend simply pushing the fork arms apart slightly, then the OTA is pulled straight out easy as 1-2-3. Well...on my 'scope, it takes a LOT of force to get the fork arms to move apart enough to release the OTA. So much force that I'm worried about breaking something.

The method shown still puts a lot of force on the plastic OTA "grips" and fork arms, but nothing has broken yet.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Meade
• telescope
• repair
• disassembly
• taking
• apart
• removal
• replacement
• parts
• broken
• view
• exploded
• ETX105
• ETX125
• ETX90
• ETX
• OTA
• Optical
• Tube
• Assembly
• Fork
• Arms
• Clutch
• Grease
• Slip
• Gear
• Drive
• Motor
• Wiring
• RA
• Axis
• Right
• Ascension
• Declination

[sonicboomboy909]

I had given up on repairing my ETX until I saw this video! As you said; other sources on the net make it look a lot easier than it is to disassemble. Long story but I have now fixed a trunion failure, many thanks Pyros! I'll be linking to this vid on my ETX blog/site.

Also I'm sure you wont mind me saying your accent reminds me of Carl Sagan! (From a 'brit' who cant point out Washington on a map!)

[Pyrotrons]

Thanks for the comment Sonic. Washington's easy...far Northwest corner! Interesting that you compare my voice to Sagan's. I take that as a very, very high compliment. Did you know he coined the term "Cyberspace"? Later. - Pyrotrons

[sambarros]

I'm driving it in winter, which means I pretty much just tiptoe it to work every day and slide it every time I push the gas down more than 1/2 inch... Hey, you and your GF need to come here hang out with Abi and I one of these days! We've got a nice guestroom for you two in my place in Princeton :)

[Pyrotrons]

We'd love to man. Thanks for the long standing invitation. Damn we had a good time when we were hanging out. Fortunately enough, I keep the realization that thousands of miles isn't that far. We'll see you at some point here. Later.

[Pyrotrons]

Thanks baby. And Sam, I bet you'd disassemble too if I dropped you from a sufficient height ; ). How's the nuclear powered 'vette running man?? Any new 1/4 mile records??

[arafip]

have you tried to mount the OTA on EQ mount ?

[sambarros]

I bet if you drop it from a sufficient height it "disassembles" automatically ;)

[Pyrotronsgirl]

Good job helping others who might encounter this prob. It took him HOURS to get this thing apart. Hope this helps ya'll.