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Keeping the
Meade Autostar
Controller Warm


The Meade Autostar controller is used on the Meade ETX telescopes and on other Meade GOTO scopes.  My ETX-90 uses the model 497 Autostar.  This article applies to any of the Meade Autostar controllers and probably applies to other GOTO scope controllers, regardless of manufacturer.

The problem

Last winter here in Central Appalachia I had problems with my Autostar 497 -- it does not like cold weather.  I would put the scope outside to cool down and go outside to use the scope after an hour or so.  If the temperature was below 25 deg - 30 deg F, the scope would power up, beep, and act normal, except, the display on the Autostar was blank. 

 
I tried heating the Autostar with a hair dryer and, sure enough, the display slowly came to life as the Autostar warmed up. 
 
I figured I needed a more permanent solution.

The solution 

I recently purchased a Kendrick Standard Controller and control pad heater for the Autostar.  I have been using this combination for the past two weeks and it's perfect -- the Autostar stays toasty warm and I have had no problems with the display not lighting up due to cold weather, even with temps down around 20 deg F.  Given that the Autostar stays quite warm, I believe it will withstand much lower temperatures.
 
For those who are not familiar with the Kendrick system, it consists of a controller and several heater attachments.  The controller connects to a source of 12 volts DC (I use my 12 VDC power pack that powers the scope).  The controller has four outlets into which you can plug any number of several heater strips.  For example, there is a heater strip that wraps around 1.25-inch eyepieces and secures with a Velcro strip -- when connected to the controller, the strip keeps the eyepiece warm, thereby chasing away dew, frost, and other moisture on the eyepiece.  You can set the controller all the way from very low heat up to high heat.

Here is a link to the Kendrick astronomy products site that shows the controller and accessories:
http://www.kendrick-ai.com/astro/dewremover.html

I use the Standard Controller -- part number 2001 and the Control pad heater for Autostar and Celestron NexStar -- part number 2019.  The system is not inexpensive -- the standard controller is $85.00 and the Autostar heater is $42.00.  I also have a couple of heaters for 1.25-inch eyepieces and they do an excellent job of keeping the eyepieces warm.  (I found that when the eyepiece was cold, when I put my warm eye to the eyepiece, after a minute or two the eyepiece fogged up -- keeping the eyepiece warm stopped that.)

 
The Autostar heater is a small pad the same size as the Autostar. A cord plugs into the controller and there are two big rubber bands -- put the heating pad on the BACKSIDE of the Autostar and slip the rubber bands around the heating pad and the Autostar at the top and bottom of the Autostar.  Plug the heater into the controller and set the controller a little below medium heat -- in no time it warms up the Autostar.
 
I set my scope outside an hour or so before observing.  I plug in the heater when I put the scope outside and it keeps the Autostar plenty warm.

Here are some photos.


This photo shows the Kendrick controller and the Autostar.  The rubber bands around the Autostar hold the heating pad onto the back of the Autostar.  Note the four outlets on the right side of the Kendrick heat controller -- the Autostar heat pad is plugged into one of the outlets leaving three available for other heaters.


This is a view with the Autostar lying on edge -- it does not show up too well but you can see the pad on the back side of the Autostar.


Pay attention to this:  The heating pad does not heat the same on both sides -- one side of the heating pad gets warmer than the other.  Plug in the heating pad, let it warm up, and feel it -- you'll feel the difference -- attach it to the Autostar with the WARMER OF THE TWO SIDES IN CONTACT WITH THE BACK OF THE AUTOSTAR.  If you don't like using the rubber bands, you could use a couple of nylon cable ties, or, a couple of Velcro strips to attach the heater pad to the Autostar.

If your hands are getting cold, you can hold the Autostar and the heating pad will warm your hands, too!!

Back to the ETX-90 page.

 

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