Would this power my EQ6 Pro?

[nitram100]

So my power tank isn't up to scratch and is continuously cutting out during slew, causing the motors to make a grinding noise.

Would this allow me to connect to the mains in my house?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Genuine-CWT-Technology-Monitors-equipment/dp/B004HCCVLI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1377858010&sr=8-2&keywords=12v+5A+power+supply+2.1mm

Thanks,

Martin

[keithatrochdale]

Yes, but do use an earth leakage trip to plug into.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acel-Safety-Rcd-Adapter-/200949462465?pt=UK_BOI_CircuitBreakers_RL&hash=item2ec98575c1

You may well get it a bit cheaper on e-bay.

[Psychobilly]

IIRC Ken (Merlin66) recommends running the mount at a bit more than 12V for reliable operation... A fully charged Lead Acid Battery will be somewhere between 13.8 and 14.2V...

Don't they recommend a 15V 3A supply?

Peter...

[Cornelius Varley]

So my power tank isn't up to scratch and is continuously cutting out during slew, causing the motors to make a grinding noise.

Would this allow me to connect to the mains in my house?

http://www.amazon.co...er supply 2.1mm

Thanks,

Martin

The spec says that it has a 2.5mm plug, the Skywatcher mounts use a 2.1mm plug.

[nitram100]

Thanks guys, yeh I noticed the 2.5mm, but they do have a 2.1mm version available as well.

[astrokoma]

I think that you can use it.

I can't detect any problem at all....I use a quality Chinese made 220-12 (output 13,6v) 4A power supply fr my EQ6 and my ATIK camera, and everything is OK.

This item seems to be well manufactured also...

(but you could visit any electronic shop at your area, and ask for a reliable product....i am sure that the seller will show you something interesting (quality/price).

[Geordie mc]

Is it safe to use a mains adaptor outside given the moisture from dew? Is that what Keith is mentioning the earth leakage device for? I use a battery but have a mains adaptor I could use but am a little worried it is for use in an observatory only.

[Tinker1947]

I use a Maplin 13.8v 7amp PSU, there around £40 this sits indoors and has a 2 core cable running the low voltage out to the garden, i have a couple of cables made up the longest 20 metres the handset still shows 13.X volts at the mount...Screw Fix do a 50 metre 2 core cable i think its close to £15, the 2.1mm plug are Maplin close to £2.50 or 5 off E-bay for the same sort of money....

http://www.maplin.co.uk/13.8v-regulated-mains-power-units-231

[tich]

I use a CB radio power supply for mine it's 13.8V regulated 7amp supply

It works a treat & I've never had any power failures. I did however make up my own long power lead so the transformer was in the shed & shielded from moisture.

[Geordie mc]

Thanks for that. Hadn't thought of doing it that way. What about this unit:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/30a-13.8v-switching-power-supply-509268

Could I run several things from it at once such as dew heater, camera and scope? As you can tell electrical stuff is not my strong point.

[Tinker1947]

Thanks for that. Hadn't thought of doing it that way. What about this unit:

http://www.maplin.co...r-supply-509268

Could I run several things from it at once such as dew heater, camera and scope? As you can tell electrical stuff is not my strong point.

That's what i should have got first of,,,i have 2 X 7amp Maplins that PSU will be a better built quality

[Geordie mc]

O I could use a single multicore cable, solder the correct connectors on each end and run this from the supply to all my equipment using each of the various outputs on the supply to run each item at the other end. Sounds a good possibility. I'll have to check this out next time I'm in Maplins.

[nitram100]

So I just picked up a 12v power supply for the EQ6 and it works well. It has a few different options though and I am not sure which one would be the best.

12v @ 3amps

13.5v @ 2.3amps

Which option would be best for the EQ6 Pro?

Thanks

[Cornelius Varley]

The mount needs a minimum of 2amps so I would go tor the 12v / 3amp option.

[nitram100]

Ok thanks will leave it running at this then. Can I ask though, what would be the signs of under powering the mount?

[r3i]

My serving suggestion for a bench PSU is this one: http://www2.ripmax.net/Item.aspx?ItemID=O-IP2002. The nice feature of this is the dual output: I have one output dedicated to the NEQ6 and the other output for everything else. The only downside to this supply is the fane can get a bit noisy when the current demand increases.

[Cornelius Varley]

Ok thanks will leave it running at this then. Can I ask though, what would be the signs of under powering the mount?

The most common symptom of an underpowered mount is erratic slewing. The mount tries to pull more amps from the psu than it is capable of and fails to slew where intended or simply stops working.

[dmahon]

Just be wary with a bench supply - connect the mount up with the polarity reversed and you'll have to buy a whole new board. I prefer any cheap regulated "brick" style supply from Amazon or EBay with the right plug firmly attached.