No power with batteries or 12 v adapter. can i get a replacement autostar hub for my tripod?

The hand controller cable is probably defective-- right at the connector that plugs into the scope. Any computer network "wizard" can replace the connector. The wires must be in the exact same sequence when he repairs it.

If this simple fix does not work and you KNOW that the batteries are good-- then the hand controller is defective and will need to be replaced.

This is a great scope. I have a much smaller version :)
1. Take it out on some dark night. 2. Let it auto-align 3. Select something to look at using the AutoStar II 4. Press Go.
Gander at the wonders of the universe.
In the AutoStar, there is a program called Sky Tour. This will pick some things out for you.
Start with a "wide" eyepiece - to see more of the sky. Work your way to high powers as you need or as sky conditions permit.
Goto a few local "star parties".

RESET the hand controller, change the batteries to new ones, and do a Calibrate motors. Then you will need to re-train the drives and enter all the other setup data.

Putting it in sleep mode (or what we call PARKING the scope) only works if the scope is permanently mounted or can be setup on it's tripod EXACTLY as it was in the previous session.

For portable scopes that you move in and out of the house this will not work. Just do a two star alignment and normal setup each time you take it outside.

No, just one--- this scope runs off of 12 volt DC battery like a car starter battery pack-- that has a cigarette lighter style 12 volt cable. This plugs into the power console on the telescope. You need the proper 12 volt cable which you can get from Meade and other telescope retailers--

http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

There is a small spring inside that sometimes gets STRUCK DOWN-- this automatically turns off the internal batteries, as the scope things a separate 12volt power pack is plugged in.

Get an external 12 volt power pack and the correct 12 volt cable, and power it up.

If the light comes on and it works the switch is broken. Not really a problem as you should always run a goto scope on a separate power pack.

Could be a cable problem. REVERSE the cable ends and try it again. Make sure the scope is always turned OFF before you plug or unplug a cable.

If this does not work then try a new cable. Meade sells these, or you can order a nice one from www.scopestuff.com . Not very expensive.

If after installing a NEW cable it still does not light up then time to buy another hand controller.

http://www.meade.com/support/index.html

http://scopestuff.com/

Most of these telescopes will run off an outside 12 volt power pack. You never said which autostar controller you have???

Like this:

http://www.astromart.com/articles/article.asp?article_id=87

Try doing either a garbage collect or a safe load-- and then reinstall the hand controller firmware--

Instructions-- depending on the type of controller
Autostar 495 or 497: You enter Safe Mode by holding the [enter] and
[scroll down] keys pressed when you power up the telescope. The
Autostar will say "Flash Load Ready"... now go start the ASU.

Autostar II: if you need to use Safe Mode to recover from a disaster,
turn on the telescope, and key 999 before it says "Initializing"
The Autostar will say "Flash Load Ready"... now go start the ASU.

LX200gps: BEFORE proceeding further, click on the OPTIONS item on the Top Bar.
Now click on "Garbage Collect Hbx" ... this will perform data cleanup
within the Autostar which will avoid potential mess-ups.

I assume the small red light on the power panel is ON. ???

If it is the scope is receiving power--- check to make sure the cable from the hand controller is plugged in properly-- jiggle the cable to see if you have a loose BAD cable. Before you panic --- try another cable or reverse the ends ---

Before you buy another hand controller try a new cable-- scopestuff.com sells a nice long flexible one for the 497 hand controller.