Powering it all

[MattJenko]

Hi,

I currently power all my kit from the mains using a Maplin PSU and everything plugs into a 4 way cigar plug splitter. It all works very well, but it means I am at the mercy of my extension lead. I have a big old leisure battery I have also tried out indoors which seems to power things fine, but my question is about combining the two.

I would like to have a battery in my power setup so that the battery remains charged and ready to go if the power drops off, or simply isn't turned on. This would protect me from power outages, accidental unpluggings and also allow me to set up remotely, far from power at all, with no change to the setup. Are there specialist battery chargers which allow the mains to be used as power if connected (as well as charging the battery as needed) and also allow the battery to run things if power is absent? I guess this is a bit like a UPS in the computer world, but with a bigger battery to power everything for longer than UPS systems tend to.

Curious,

Matt

[cjdawson]

Take a look at these threads.  Between them, it's a project that I recently did that powers my setup from a 70Ah battery.

This post shows the full setup

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/254985-diy-field-battery-plans-are-ready-should-i-start/?p=2784269

This post shows how I made the new versions of my dewheater control box and power distribution box (that attaches to to the scope)

stargazerslounge.com/topic/250514-power-to-my-scope/

You'll also find this post useful as it provides the information on how I made the older versions.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/254985-diy-field-battery-plans-are-ready-should-i-start/?p=2782370

As for charging, I tend use my telescope from the battery and don't attempt to charge it when I using the scope at home.  For charging, I simply use a normal battery charger to make sure that I charge it up after a session - top off if I know that I'm going to be out.   I wouldn't worry about trying to do anything clever, although you can always get a charge controller if you wanted.

[cjdawson]

I upgraded from a 17Ah jump start pack, when I realised that it simply wasn't up to the job.  Since then, I've been using a 70Ah leisure battery.    As you say, the scope itself only needs 2 amp max, and even then, I've measured my scope and it's more like 200mA when tracking, the 2A is only needed if slewing at full speed in both axis at the same time.   However, when you factor in the rest of the kit....  2 dew heaters, Autoguider, DSLR, SkyFi, iPad, iPhone, EL Panel.  The total power draw can end up quite significant.   Normally, I wouldn't charge the iPhone or iPad off the battery, but it's nice to be able to do so.

I found that a 17Ah battery simply wasn't anywhere near good for the job, but a 70Ah is good enough.  I'm currently thinking about putting in another dew heater, just for the battery, that way. I can keep the battery warm so it's more efficient. on my battery box, I have wrapped it in insulation.  I have the parts and am considering adding them to the box.  Haven't fully decided yet though.

[cjdawson]

That's typical for an Astrophotography setup.  Actually it's not, as I'm not running a laptop, which is another power hog.  I made the choice to remove my old laptop from the setup as it was very power hungry and was the source of a lot of problems.

[MattJenko]

I have a 75Ah leisure battery, so am quite prepared for non mains work, but I was more wondering about the wiring of it all. I would like to be able to have a box which has the battery in and everything hooked up so i just plug in everything and if there happens to be a mains socket, I can plug that in and the battery will charge and everything is powered by mains.

My setup also includes a mount, laptop, ccd, dew heaters.

Cheers

Matt

[MattJenko]

Take a look at these threads.  Between them, it's a project that I recently did that powers my setup from a 70Ah battery.

This post shows the full setup

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/254985-diy-field-battery-plans-are-ready-should-i-start/?p=2784269

This post shows how I made the new versions of my dewheater control box and power distribution box (that attaches to to the scope)

stargazerslounge.com/topic/250514-power-to-my-scope/

You'll also find this post useful as it provides the information on how I made the older versions.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/254985-diy-field-battery-plans-are-ready-should-i-start/?p=2782370

As for charging, I tend use my telescope from the battery and don't attempt to charge it when I using the scope at home.  For charging, I simply use a normal battery charger to make sure that I charge it up after a session - top off if I know that I'm going to be out.   I wouldn't worry about trying to do anything clever, although you can always get a charge controller if you wanted.

Still digesting your threads - thanks