Fix it ? SCT

Hi all,
Just bought a used sct on astromart.Meade 12"lx200. The declination when locked still has about half to three quarter inch slop. Everything works okay, but, the slop obviosly is bad news. I took cover off dec motor and withought getting into it too much, the actual motor mount on the fork arms is solid, it seems the slop is in the actual motor to mount area. Anybody have experience putting this motor on, or just tightening it up? I replaced the dec motor on a lx50 but this is not the same.
Thanks, Brian

Pull the cluch plate off and check the two bolts underneath, they can loosen and produce just the amount of "slop" you're talking about.

Hope This Helps


I have identified 3 Major causes of backlash (Slop ) in the LX200GPS.
1. Gear Pin 1 and 2 loose
2. Gap between Pinion Gear and Motor Gear.
3. Rack Pin Limit Spring.

Fix 1. Check for loose gears
1. Check for play in the Rack Assemble by lightly turning the gear back and forth while if any noticeable play is noticed tighten the gear Pin
2. Lightly turn the Dec Knob in both directions. If any play is visible, tighten the Gear Pin

Fix 2. Adjust Motor alignment bolts - You will have to remove the mounting bolts to perform this!.
1. First remove the 2 mounting bolts being careful not to loose the Rack Swing Limit Pin Spring.
2. Remove the Upper Gear and set aside.
3. Tighten the 2 lower alignment bolts.
4. Replace gear.
5. Check for play.
6. Repeat.


3. Rack Pin Limit Spring.
1) Get a new one. Tighten screw till it touches plate then back off 1 turn.

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