12V Electrical Box

[MarkRadice]

As the weather was not the best over the weekend, I have been doing some tinkering on my 14" skywatcher auto dob.  

First up, and to my surprise, the scope needs 2kg of counterweights behind the mirror to maintain balance with an eyepiece - it's too front heavy otherwise.  Why this could not have been designed properly is beyond me.  I now need to think about how to fix more counterweights (or slide them) when I use my binoviewer or a dslr for some lunar snaps.

Second job was making a 12V electrical box.  I have been running the scope directly from a 12V 85Ah leisure battery.  This, however, left no way to power the dew heaters, 12V hairdryer (for when dew heaters aren't working!) and eventually the cooling fans I plan to fit to cool the primary.  I also had to remember to disconnect the power supply when I had finished observing as the goto has a little red led.  I didn't want to return days (weeks with the winter weather) to find that the battery had run flat.

To solve this, I knocked up a simple box, 12V switch, fuse, choc block, 2 cigarette lighter sockets and a flying lead for the dew heaters.  Now I can leave everything connected and simply flick a switch to turn the unit on and off.  

In the meantime, what connectors are recommended for the goto unit?  I find the cigarette lighter rather unreliable as it has sometimes loses its connection midway through an observing run.  I am faced with a bewildering array of connectors in Maplins so any tips much appreciated.

Clear skies,

Mark

[ChrisLX200]

The cig lighter -type sockets and plugs are not all made equal. If you buy the 'marine' or 'motorcycle' waterproof plugs and sockets, and particularly the 'twist-lock' ones then the connection is more robust and not susceptible to water ingress. I've used them for powering my SatNave on my bike, in driving rain, so they are pretty good.

ChrisH

[Demon Barber]

Hi, Hella automotive plugs a cheap alternative,but for reliable connection try Neutrik speakCON or powerCon range of connectors,see here:http://www.neutrik.com/en/products/audio/    hope this helps,

Regards

Mike

[MarkRadice]

Brilliant, thanks Chris and DB, your options look a step up from my maplins-standard connector.  

Mark

[faulksy]

Brilliant, thanks Chris and DB, your options look a step up from my maplins-standard connector.  

Mark

i use the neutrik as well they are great, i use the speakon you can get them on ebay and the sockets, maplins sell them to

[Mr TamiyaCowboy]

this dew heater problem had me thinking......... 

those cheap 5 quid 12v ceramic car heaters/fan blower. 

i wonder if one could be modded to a smaller footprint and used for heating etc etc.

it would run of the 12v battery no problems. 

nose heavy scopes,...... 

training weights, those ankle weigh straps you see advertised for the ladys at the gym / working out.

a couple long'ish straps and a couple old plastic clip click buckles,

sew these up into a long weighted strap, slip it around rear of tube, slide up and down to get new

balance point, tighten strap buckles and your onto a winner. 

differnet strap weights will allow different setups, cam , finder, guider etc etc

just slip on an extra lighter strap and you can adjust on the fly