Replacement power tank charger

[Black Knight]

Looks like the charger for my Skywatcher power tank is biting the dust. What do I need in terms of a replacement?

[ggreene1]

I don't know what the power connection is that you would use to connect to your power tank, but when I made my own tank I used a "Battery Tender Plus". http://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-0128-Plus-Charger/dp/B00068XCQU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1346891936&sr=8-1&keywords=battery+tender+plus This charger works well (actually it's from my motorcycle) It costs in the range of $45 USD. Here is a picture of my tank. although I have added 2 more 7 ah batteries since this picture.

http://gordongreene.com/photogallery/displayimage.php?album=77&pid=3060#top_display_media

Good luck

[SeedyF]

I got one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ctek-XS-0-8-12V-1-2A/dp/B004RADNCQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1346918953&sr=8-2

I bit pricey but it will protect the battery and as I spent near on £100 on my 17ah one it seemed a worthwhile investment. The wall chargers are reputed to be dangerous for the battery. I have found that the battery is much better charged now and I've more than doubled the time I get observing before the recharge light comes on. It's also safe to leave plugged in without a risk of cooking the battery.

You just attach the crocodile clips to the jump start leads on the back of the powertank.

[boabsta]

I got my battery charger from tesco for £15 and its does the job nicely. You have to have a minimum of a 17ah battery for it to work properly.

[ronaldo999]

As long as the voltage, amps and polarity of the charger are the same it will work. Not sure what end the skywatchers use though.

[JamesF]

There was another thread about replacement chargers recently. I'll find it in a moment.

James

[JamesF]

Here's the thread:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/160396-please-help-15v-power-supply-power-tank-recharger/

And the best option for a direct replacement that I found was this:

http://astronomia.co.uk/index.php/power-tank-replacement-power-supply.html

James

[scoobymike]

I bought a Lucas 22ah golf buggy battery (40 quid) and a few female cigarette lighter sockets for under a Tenner from fleabay. This will power my eq6, my guider, and a portable dew busting hairdryer for at least 8hours without any probs. I am much happier with it than my old maplins powertank... It does need a good charger tho

[Black Knight]

Here's the thread:

http://stargazerslou...tank-recharger/

And the best option for a direct replacement that I found was this:

http://astronomia.co...wer-supply.html

James

Thanks James. Crikey, that thread is only a few days old and I missed it completely! Cheers everyone

[Black Knight]

I got one of these http://www.amazon.co...46918953&sr=8-2

I bit pricey but it will protect the battery and as I spent near on £100 on my 17ah one it seemed a worthwhile investment. The wall chargers are reputed to be dangerous for the battery. I have found that the battery is much better charged now and I've more than doubled the time I get observing before the recharge light comes on. It's also safe to leave plugged in without a risk of cooking the battery.

You just attach the crocodile clips to the jump start leads on the back of the powertank.

I didn't know you could attach a charger to the crocodile clips directly

[Stu]

Yep. Using a decent charger like this can help recover batteries that won't recharge properly just using the supplied charger

Stu