Powerpack advise needed

[riggers69]

Hi guys and gals

I have always used up till now either batteries or a extension lead from the shed to power my nexstar 127 slt. and i would like to upgrade to a power pack as the wetter/condensation times are coming and i dont trust the extension lead (even tho its plugged into one of those emergency power cut off thingys lol)

I have been looking about and found this

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/portable-power-pack-with-200w-inverter-and-usb-charging-socket-a10hz

as i have no experience in these, what are your thoughts?

Thanks for looking

[Bizibilder]

For very similar money you can buy a leisure battery of around 75Ah.  This will give you a 12v supply for your scope etc.  If you need to run a laptop from it you can get an in-car adapter for it.  You will also need a decent charger/conditioner which will put the price up a bit but will keep the battery in good condition for years.

These folk sell them:  http://www.tayna.co.uk/75Ah-Leisure-Batteries-G441.html     (usual disclaimer - apart from saying my 12v leisure battery is now 5 years old and still going strong.)

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Not sure that that one has enough capacity. I have upgraded my 17 Ah pack to 22 Ah. Even if the draw from a scope and dew strip is not large, discharging a battery by 50% or more reduces its lifespan.

[riggers69]

For very similar money you can buy a leisure battery of around 75Ah.  This will give you a 12v supply for your scope etc.  If you need to run a laptop from it you can get an in-car adapter for it.  You will also need a decent charger/conditioner which will put the price up a bit but will keep the battery in good condition for years.

These folk sell them:  http://www.tayna.co.uk/75Ah-Leisure-Batteries-G441.html     (usual disclaimer - apart from saying my 12v leisure battery is now 5 years old and still going strong.)

thanks but i wouldnt know where to start in trying to get that wired up for my scope lol

[CodnorPaul]

Get a ready made battery box - pre-wired for you

[Bizibilder]

Does you scope have a cigarette socket connector on its power lead?

[riggers69]

Does you scope have a cigarette socket connector on its power lead?

i have a lead that came with the scope which can be plugged into a cigarette socket.

Get a ready made battery box - pre-wired for you

Where would i get one of those from?

[Bizibilder]

All you need is a ciggy socket with clips for the battery.  Here's one chosen at random:  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Clip-Lead-Cigarette-Cigar-Lighter-Socket-3-metres-long-/231074167640?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item35cd17fb58

[riggers69]

All you need is a ciggy socket with clips for the battery.  Here's one chosen at random:  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Battery-Clip-Lead-Cigarette-Cigar-Lighter-Socket-3-metres-long-/231074167640?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item35cd17fb58

oh ok i didnt realise it was that easy lol, would i need to fuse it somewhere though?

[m37]

I got one of these bad boys. Tiny and lasts a decent time for the size and cost. I now only have a DSLR mount but it powered a GOTO scope for hours quite happily.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-Li-ion-Battery-6800mAh-Charger/dp/B00BWW9WRM/

I think the nexstar mount draws something like 750mA but I guess this is for slewing at full pelt so maybe 300mA for tracking? Maybe half to one amp for a dew strip depending on how high up it is turned? You could maybe get 4 or 5 hours out of one of these little fellers. Depends on your exact use of course.

I found the jump starters were OK but as soon as I drained the battery to 20% ish it was rendered basically useless and had to be returned.