SKywatcher HEQ5Pro + Skywatcher Powertank

[Simms]

I recently received a Skywatcher Powertank for my birthday and havent really had a chance to test it out in the field yet. However, I have setup the scope/mount + powertank in the conservatory and all works fine - however, when slewing the mount (using GOTO) the powerlight on the HEQ5 flashes, now this doesnt happen when I have the mount plugged directly into the mains. My question is - is this a problem? It seems to slew/track correctly (although haven`t tried it out in anger yet) but I`ve not seen this before so obviously I a a tad concerned - does anyone else use a powertank (or similar) with this mount and if so, is what I am seeing normal? Hopefully its nothing to worry about and very soon I`ll be able to venture away from my backyard to one of a few Darksites I have located around the county and spend a good few hours actually seeing what my setup is capable of!

Thanks in advance all.

[Psychobilly]

This is normally a sign of the supply voltage being too low...

How long has the power tank been charged for?

using the supplied wallwart charger it can take a couple of days to charge the larger 17 AH powertank...

Peter...

[Simms]

This is normally a sign of the supply voltage being too low...

How long has the power tank been charged for?

using the supplied wallwart charger it can take a couple of days to charge the larger 17 AH powertank...

Peter...

Well, I put it on charge when I recieved it and it has the `fully charged` light on already - maybe naively I have taken that at face value?

[Psychobilly]

Maybe...

The SLA batteries in the units don't like being left discharged and should be topped up at regular intervals even if they aren't used...

I have often wondered how the distributors and resellers manage to do this...

A lot of cells have a manufacturing date and recharge before date marked on them...

I would leave it on charge for a day or two and see what happens and if it doesnt make any difference contact the retailer..

Peter...

[Simms]

Maybe...

The SLA batteries in the units don't like being left discharged and should be topped up at regular intervals even if they aren't used...

I have often wondered how the distributors and resellers manage to do this...

A lot of cells have a manufacturing date and recharge before date marked on them...

I would leave it on charge for a day or two and see what happens and if it doesnt make any difference contact the retailer..

Peter...

Will do that Billy, cheers for the advice.

[Carl M]

Have you checked the connection to the powertank? Once I had a loose connection with the cigarrette socket of the battery and the light on the mount started flashing. The mount then stopped halfway through a slew when doing the star alignment. All I did after was ensure that the cable was in the socket securely and it worked fine after that.

[Psychobilly]

Also worth checking if the centre pin of the power socket needs spreading slighlty to improve the connection...

The important word being slightly...