Power for 6SE

[Albaba]

Hi i am looking at buying a power tank for 6SE and came across this:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/portable-power-jump-starter-5-in-1-300a-260-psi-compressor-a67hy

Seems like a good deal as unlike the Celestron tanks has a compresser and jump starter included also.

I was just wondering if this would be compatible with the nexstar, i have absolutely no clue about AC or DC and as such wouldn't want to fry my new scope.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Alistair

[GuillermoBarrancos]

Power tanks aren´t really the best Powersources to use. You also have to keep them on constant charge when not in use or they won´t live long.

It´s better to look at leisure batteries. As you live in the UK. Plenty People here that can point you towards better options.

But to give you an idea. You can check here what I mean:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/index.php/cat/c81_Mount-Acc----Power-Supply.html

[Albaba]

Ah i see, thanks for the info i will look into that

[GuillermoBarrancos]

I bought this set for my NEQ6Pro couple weeks ago and very happy with it.

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5805_TS-12V-Powerset-12Ah---Qualitaets-Akku--Ladegeraet--12V-Kabel-mit-Tragetasche.html

[mitchelln]

I've got a 17AH Challenge jump start one that I bought from Halfords years ago. It hasn't got all the compressor gubbins. It's been running my 300P fine for 18 months now. You just have to ensure you recharge it soon after a session and not allow it to run completely flat.

These are also nice:

http://www.huntingsolutions.co.uk/battery-belt-pack-12v-14-amp-hr-1571?p=12_32

Even has a cigar socket. I nearly bought one, but spent the money on a barlow instead as my Halfords battery does the job

[davefrance]

I have one of these, relatively lightweight will power a mount for many happy hours. If your planning adding laptop dew heaters etc then of course you may want to look for something bigger 85amp+. Deep cycle GEL and AGM batteries are designed to release power slowly so ideal for this type of application and can withstand high discharge levels without going to the big battery resting place in the sky.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/281261677288?clk_rvr_id=597754589766&crlp=1_262531&mt_id=635&sdc_id=1394116452z331894z3d073b0a15874z&mid=424487&fitem=281261677288&linkin_id=8051094&kw=%7Bquery%7D&crdt=0&sortbid=12

[Albaba]

Seems to be quite a few ways to power a scope! The one from Maplin will work with the scope though yes?

Seemed like a good idea as i was after a compressor aswell....

[davefrance]

Seems to be quite a few ways to power a scope! The one from Maplin will work with the scope though yes?

Seemed like a good idea as i was after a compressor aswell....

It's a jump starter for motor cars, designed for quick release of energy, NOT continuous use. It will work and you can blow your tyres up at the same time if that is what you want to do. As has already been said you will need to keep it topped up between uses otherwise it will die very quickly - for good!!! There are some members here who are quite content to jump start their telescopes I'm not one of them. It's your money, if you think it is a good idea, go for it. 

[Albaba]

I was under the impression that it was essentially the same as one of the celestron power tanks. Maybe im mistaken.

[mitchelln]

Yes, the SW and Celestron power tanks are just the same badged jump starters and are expensive for what they are.

This is a question that is asked quite often and I don't understand why people get so upset about the subject.

Lots of people seem to use the jump starters with no problems and you can just buy one and go.

Leisure batteries are an ideal power source, but you need DIY skills and risk blowing up your expensive mount if you get the polarity wrong.

Or if you've got the cash you go for something like the Deben Li-Ion power packs.

There are solutions for every level of skill and wallet depth

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk

[mitchelln]

Sorry, double post. Tapatalk 4 is doing my head in!

[GuillermoBarrancos]

Yes, the SW and Celestron power tanks are just badged jump starters and are expensive for what they are.

This is a question that is asked quite often and I don't understand why people get so upset about the subject.

Lots of people seem to use the jump starters with no problems and you can just buy one and go.

Leisure batteries are an ideal power source, but you need DIY skills and risk blowing up your expensive mount if you get the polarity wrong.

Or if you've got the cash you go for something like the Deben Li-Ion power packs.

There are solutions for every level of skill and wallet depth

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk

The better leisure batteries are color coded on the poles.

Unless you are colorblind, its impossible to reverse polarity.

[Albaba]

Thanks for the input. Funnily enough I am colourblind!

[mitchelln]

The better leisure batteries are color coded on the poles.

Unless you are colorblind, its impossible to reverse polarity.

What if you know nothing about batteries, cigar sockets pins, soldering, don't have access to a volt meter etc? Even if the cigar plug is pre-wired, does the stripe on one of wires indicate positive or negative? Expensive risk to take in those circumstances. Certainly one I wouldn't take if I didn't have my meter handy!

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[GuillermoBarrancos]

What if you know nothing about batteries, cigar sockets pins, soldering, don't have access to a volt meter etc? Even if the cigar plug is pre-wired, does the stripe on one of wires indicate positive or negative? Expensive risk to take in those circumstances!

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?? Why would you need to solder, need a volt meter, etc??

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5805_TS-Powerset---12V-12Ah-battery--charger-and-adapter-in-a-useful-shoulder-bag.html

I bought this set for my NEQ6 Pro. It contains everything you need. Easy and simple.

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/index.php/cat/c81_Mount-Acc----Power-Supply.html

You can get everything you need premade cheap. It's really not worth DIY'ing this stuff anymore these days. Unless you love doing it as a hobby.

[Albaba]

http://www.deben.com/tracer-battery-packs/12v-8ah-lithium-polymer-battery-pack.html

What about that? Looks pretty good and very portable. 8ah seems like enough to go for a few hours.

Also am i right in saying that the lithium polymer batteries don't suffer from the same charging issues as the lead acid power tank ones? What i mean is you can run them empty without a worry and also don't need to give them a boost every few weeks?

Thanks

[GuillermoBarrancos]

http://www.deben.com/tracer-battery-packs/12v-8ah-lithium-polymer-battery-pack.html

What about that? Looks pretty good and very portable. 8ah seems like enough to go for a few hours.

Also am i right in saying that the lithium polymer batteries don't suffer from the same charging issues as the lead acid power tank ones? What i mean is you can run them empty without a worry and also don't need to give them a boost every few weeks?

Thanks

Those are very Nice. Bit more expensive, but it's lithium polymer. Very good stuff!

FLO sells them as well:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/power/tracer-12v-8ah-lithium-polymer-battery-pack.html

Lithium Polymer batteries are less hassle with charging and hardly discharge over time, when not used. But they will degrade tho, if you run them flat too often. Better recharge when they get low before empty.

[mitchelln]

http://www.deben.com/tracer-battery-packs/12v-8ah-lithium-polymer-battery-pack.html

What about that? Looks pretty good and very portable. 8ah seems like enough to go for a few hours.

Also am i right in saying that the lithium polymer batteries don't suffer from the same charging issues as the lead acid power tank ones? What i mean is you can run them empty without a worry and also don't need to give them a boost every few weeks?

Thanks

The lithium ones are the way to go if you can afford them. They do tend to suffer a bit from self discharge though, so you need to top them up before a session.

Best thing is they weigh a fraction of lead acids

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[mitchelln]

?? Why would you need to solder, need a volt meter, etc??

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p5805_TS-Powerset---12V-12Ah-battery--charger-and-adapter-in-a-useful-shoulder-bag.html

I bought this set for my NEQ6 Pro. It contains everything you need. Easy and simple.

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/index.php/cat/c81_Mount-Acc----Power-Supply.html

You can get everything you need premade cheap. It's really not worth DIY'ing this stuff anymore these days. Unless you love doing it as a hobby.

Very nice indeed, but at a price (especially with shipping to the UK)

Like I say, a solution for every wallet depth

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[GuillermoBarrancos]

Very nice indeed, but at a price (especially with shipping to the UK)

Like I say, a solution for every wallet depth

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I bought it together with my NEQ6 Pro, so shipping price remained the same for me.

But you should be able to find similar in the UK.

[Albaba]

Seems the wise choice to chuck a bit more money at the Deben L-ion, rated for 300 charge cycles it should last years.

One more question.... The deben doesn't seem to have a cigarette lighter socket so what cable would i need to patch the power into the scope?

Sorry, many questions! Noob alert!

[GuillermoBarrancos]

Seems the wise choice to chuck a bit more money at the Deben L-ion, rated for 300 charge cycles it should last years.

One more question.... The deben doesn't seem to have a cigarette lighter socket so what cable would i need to patch the power into the scope?

Sorry, many questions! Noob alert!

Give FLO a Call. He sells them too, similar priced. He should be able to put a package together, with correct cables and charger.

[Albaba]

Will do, thanks again

[mitchelln]

Will do, thanks again

I look forward to the review

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[Albaba]

Will report in as soon as I have the kit and the cloud/rain buggers off!