Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b83b14cd4142fe10848741bb2a14c66b.jpg

WADAS forum 2

mapstar

By mapstar
in WADAS Discussion Forum

Recommended Posts

Marci

Marci

Posted
Posted
On 16/10/2016 at 09:32, Vicky050373 said:

...if anyone fancies helping me out with a shopping list to begin with, and then their time to help me put the thing together then I'd really appreciate it.

 

Happy to oblige chuck, as just finished putting ours together today in readiness for this weekend at Soupy’s (altho it appears it may just be myself n Hx on friday evening now??)

 

IMG_0840.JPG

Total cost for this version: £120

Build time: an hour

Tools: Drill, hack saw / oscillating multitool / dremel

Weight:  Down to choice of battery. For this one, lots!

 

Shopping List

Socket set - 12v cig lighter, 2x USB, Voltmeter - £8

         Motor Car Truck Boat DC Digital Voltmeter Three Hole Panel DC 12V Cigarette Lighter Power Socket Dual USB Port GPS Port Power Supply Charger     

 

Fuse lines - not strictly necessary, but safety n’ all that shiz - £4

         DIGITEN waterproof In Line standard Blade Fuse Holder fuses+10A 10Amp kit car boat bike     

 

12v DC connector pack - £10

         MITE Assorted Insulated Crimp Terminals Spade Kit for Electrical Wiring Connector with Box (260PCS)     

OR 12v DC connector pack [with crimpers] - £8

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dapetz-Electrical-Electricians-Terminal-Crimping/dp/B01A27C4HC/ref=sr_1_13?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1477514751&sr=1-13&keywords=terminal+crimper

 

Lesiure battery box - choose to suit size of battery - £18

         Caravan Yellow 110amp Leisure Battery Holding Box Large     

 

Battery! I went with a 110ah Hankook Leisure battery as want it for many purposes beyond astro... £56

         Hankook 110Ah Leisure Battery - XV110MF     

 

AND, 2 colours of 6A-10A equipment wire from Maplins (or use domestic 3 core mains cable).

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-equipment-wire-24-02mm-black-10m-kr31j

and 2 differing colours of these on/off switches...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/spst-illuminated-toggle-switch-red-n29bj

and one of these pushbuttons or similar...

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/large-red-push-button-rk82d

 

Strap it all together, wire it all up and you have what should last an entire weekend from a full charge of 12v goodness, fully switched and fused.

See attached pics!

Wiring is effectively thus: red on battery [+] to FUSE to POWER pole of switch. ACC pole of switch to + terminal on cigarette socket / USB socket accessory we want to switch. Black from battery [-] to GROUND pole of switch. Black from battery [-] to - terminal on cigarette socket accessory.

Repeat for remaining switch & socket.

For the final pushbutton and voltmeter, red [+] on battery to FUSE to + pole on pushbutton. - pole of push button to + pole of voltmeter. - pole of voltmeter to black [-] on battery.

Just follow the wiring in the Rat’s Nest pix below and the above should make sense.

Doneskis.

 

Rat’s nest...

Bottom left, momentary switch for centre voltmeter. Top left, on/off switch for left hand cigarette socket. Top right, on/off switch for righthand USB sockets.

IMG_0848.JPG

 

Other end of rat’s nest... (the two black wires disappearing off down beside the battery are the quick connector for my maintenance charger)

IMG_0847.JPG

 

Voltmeter... on a 2A fuse

IMG_0846.JPG

 

Momentary switch on rear for voltmeter... hold for a reading.

IMG_0844.JPG

 

Left hand switch is power on/off for left hand locking cigarette socket, on a 10A fuse.

IMG_0843.JPG

 

And Right hand switch is power on / off for right hand pair of USB sockets, on a 5A fuse

IMG_0842.JPG

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • Replies 1k
  • Created
  • Last Reply
mapstar

mapstar

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Nice effort there Marci and I'd say neat compared to most.

110ah should be good for 3-4 days woth your kit I reckon. 

Hope you get some good weather and clear skies as it's a lovely place. I would advise some dew protection for your lenses.

Just one thing I would say is Neutrik sockets are a better option than Cigarette sockets as they lock in and are much better connectors but means changing all your other kit plugs to the same. I believe they do marine cigarette sockets that do lock in. Not sure as that is what you've got already?

Same box as I used and the grab handles are really good. 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mapstar

mapstar

Posted
  • Author
Posted
26 minutes ago, Matt Scunthorpe said:

A locking cigarette socket must be a dream. The amount of times I've accidentally knocked my mount out of the power pack is unbelievable.

They are a poor Idea totally Matt 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
2STAR

2STAR

Posted
Posted

High Clouds over 20,000 ft most of this week gone. they tend to linger quite a while as not that effected by breeze or wind direction as low cloud, well that's according to Met Office for North of England.

Lets hope they start to disperse sooner rather than later !!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
astrotyke

astrotyke

Posted
Posted

Ive just forgotton about Astronomy this week and been doing other things. Weather at the momment looks cloudy here up until Tuesday where there is a small chance of clear skies. Lets hope the forecast changes before then

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mapstar

mapstar

Posted
  • Author
Posted
48 minutes ago, gtis said:

I wonder what's happening up 

soupys place at kielder

Marci and Helen up there friday night not sure who made it up for tonight? Hope they have some clear skies and lots of fun. 

I will be hopefully making the trip up to Galloway on monday but it's looking more like Tuesday as I've a few bit to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
gtis

gtis

Posted
Posted
51 minutes ago, 2STAR said:

I changed my mind about making the trip for a couple of reasons, looks like I made the right choice, but still sad as I really want to see those dark Keilder Skies one day !!! 

eric

Eric yes me too

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.