Wow it's massive

[oldpink]

I'm hoping when I upgrade to a NEQ6 the wife who doesn't have any interest what so ever doesn't notice
she just sees it as that thing that sits in the hall by the door and has 3 legs

[petergc]

Evening  I'm planning a little viewing tomorrow night and next week as weather is looking good. Could I use this at home to power my New NEQ 6 ?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-36w-switched-mode-dc-variable-voltage-compact-bench-power-supply-l10br

[petergc]

Evening  I'm planning a little viewing tomorrow night and next week as weather is looking good. Could I use this at home to power my New NEQ 6 ?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-36w-switched-mode-dc-variable-voltage-compact-bench-power-supply-l10br

or would this work better ? http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-69w-dc-fixed-voltage-bench-power-supply-xm22y

[Kropster]

Personally I would play safe and use a battery powerpack.... like the jump-start ones from Maplin or Halfords.

The bench supplies need a mains supply, which isn't really safe outdoors.

[petergc]

Ok cool point taken. I will grab one from work as we have a couple the. I will use these for the moment. I will end up with a deep cycle batt but funds are a little low at the min.

[mbrickley]

Personally I would play safe and use a battery powerpack.... like the jump-start ones from Maplin or Halfords.

The bench supplies need a mains supply, which isn't really safe outdoors.

This is a fair point but if you use a higher amperage (say 10 Amps or so) cable you can run a long cable length from the power supply output to wherever is suitable then leave the power supply in the garage or whatever, you are then only using 12v outside. I've done this with 15m of cable without problems.

Have fun with your new mount

Mark

[petergc]

This is a fair point but if you use a higher amperage (say 10 Amps or so) cable you can run a long cable length from the power supply output to wherever is suitable then leave the power supply in the garage or whatever, you are then only using 12v outside. I've done this with 15m of cable without problems.

Have fun with your new mount

Mark

Ok cool I may give this a shot. I will wrap everything in plastic bags to keep them due/ damp free

[jnb]

This is a fair point but if you use a higher amperage (say 10 Amps or so) cable you can run a long cable length from the power supply output to wherever is suitable then leave the power supply in the garage or whatever, you are then only using 12v outside. I've done this with 15m of cable without problems.

Have fun with your new mount

Mark

You will need a much larger cable than people expect though. Power loss is much high with low voltages for the same power load. For example have a play with http://www.bulkwire.com/wireresistance.asp and compare the same loads at different voltages. Large cables are surprisingly expensive.

[petergc]

You will need a much larger cable than people expect though. Power loss is much high with low voltages for the same power load. For example have a play with http://www.bulkwire.com/wireresistance.asp and compare the same loads at different voltages. Large cables are surprisingly expensive.

Cable shouldn't be an issue as I work for a marquee company and we supply a lot of cable distribution, so I'm ok on that part. Plus my garden is only 8m long.

I'm just a bit unsure as to which supply would suit me?

[GuillermoBarrancos]

Personally I would play safe and use a battery powerpack.... like the jump-start ones from Maplin or Halfords.

The bench supplies need a mains supply, which isn't really safe outdoors.

It's exactly the other way around. The Jumpstart ones are exactly that. Made to Jumpstart cars, not to give a stable long current for Astro Mounts.

Leisure batteries are much better and safer. They also have a very low discharge rate, so you don't have to constantly have them plugged in the wall charging all the time, to keep them topped up.

[petergc]

I've reserved the second unit. e-bench-power-supply-xm22y]http://www.maplin.co...er-supply-xm22y

I've also purchased a 22ah Lucas leisure battery from eBay. Really want something for this weekend tho.

[Tinker1947]

I've reserved the second unit. e-bench-power-supply-xm22y]http://www.maplin.co...er-supply-xm22y

I've also purchased a 22ah Lucas leisure battery from eBay. Really want something for this weekend tho.

You might want to consider the next model up, your choice has 3amp 24/7 and 5amp @ 50% cycle....

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-97w-dc-fixed-voltage-bench-power-supply-xm21x

[petergc]

You might want to consider the next model up, your choice has 3amp 24/7 and 5amp @ 50% cycle....

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-97w-dc-fixed-voltage-bench-power-supply-xm21x

Thanks very much for this. I will reserve one now

[Kropster]

Whatever you do, make sure you plug into the mains through one of those RCB breakers used for connecting outdoor stuff like electric mowers etc..

Don't just rely on the house circuit breakers.

Better safe than dead!

[Stevp]

Better safe than dead!

Excellent advice of course.

I cant help but see that as a slogan on some sort of health and safety poster.

I want a new mount now

[petergc]

Excellent advice of course.

I cant help but see that as a slogan on some sort of health and safety poster.

I want a new mount now

Excellent advise indeed.

I'm excited for its first use tonight :)