DIY Powerpack project

[mbalkham]

Having a crack at my first astro DIY project and thought I'd share. I'm currently working on a battery pack upgrade. Going with a 40Ah deep cycle gel battery and 2x cigarette sockets and 2x USB ports plus voltage meter. If anyone wants the sketch-up files I'm happy to send them on.

Progress photos to follow!

[Knighty2112]

Good luck. Hope all goes to plan.  

[mbalkham]

Here it is so far. Just added a 'dark site' switch to kill the LEDs. But yet to add that switch to the front panel. Also need a general cable tidy and might box them in yet. Might have gone a little OTT on screws!

Just need a clear night to try it in anger! I'd welcome any thoughts/ideas for improvement.

[Knighty2112]

Looking good. Always better to have too many screws than too few.  Certainly not going to fall apart in a hurry. 

[mbalkham]

Now what about a finish. Paint, carpet, leave as timber, something else?!

Also thinking feet might keep it off the ground and keep it drier?

[Knighty2112]

Carpet might look a little weird. Small legs to keep it off the ground by half an inch or so is a good idea. Going to wrap my dew shield on one of my scopes in some sticky back carbon fibre covering, so perhaps something like that to cover it to give it a sleek look perhaps, after filling in and levelling any screw holes of course.  

[Pan Euro]

Feet are a great idea as MDF does not like water.

[Alkaid]

That's awesome!  Do you mind if I ask what the project cost was?

[cjdawson]

Fuses!   I didn't see anything in your setup about having any fuses.  Might be worth adding a fuse panel, just in case something connected to it shorts out.  Rather replace a cheap fuse (blade fuses work well) than have to rebuild the project due to fire from the battery.

[mbalkham]

Thanks all. Feet and fuses def the next step!

Alkaid total cost prob ~$750NZD but i didn't really shop around for the components (just went to the auto store and bought them) and the biggest costs were the 12V 40AH battery $289 and 9 stage 7A charger $239. I also bought everything including a crimping tool, spade connectors, all the cable, switches and reel of solder much of which many people might already have lying around.  

[RichLD]

That looks fab, great job! My only comment would be to replace the cigarette sockets with XLRs - I only say this because I've had a couple of the former fail in the field 

Hope you don't mind the suggestion - that looks like a really solid build! 

Cheers

Rich

[cjdawson]

12v sockets are ok, the marine style ones are better than the car ones.  The marine ones have locking pins.  But there's nothing stopping an XLR socket being added in addition to the others.  This could then be used to supply the scope as a dedicated port - no mixing it up in the dark.

[mbalkham]

Fuse added. I was hoping to add a panel a fuse per outlet but the shop was out of parts so just added a single in line blade for now. 

Thinking maybe a coat of paint for a covering and bit more water resistance. 

[cjdawson]

What about wheels and a handle?  I'm sure the 40Ah battery is quite heavy.

[mbalkham]

The better half suggested coasters to wheel it around. Recon its the best part of 12kg (might weigh it tomorrow). It has a handle inside made from an old broom.

[Uplooker]

Cant really tell what the overall height is, based on the photos, have you considered adding a flat "plate" to the top and it would then double up as a seat. May need to rethink your earlier idea of adding castors.

[mbalkham]

Prob too low for a seat as only 450mm high. Quick spray of paint and castors added. Also mounted dark switch to kill the leds!

[mbalkham]

Prob should have filled the screw heads but it'll be dark while I'm using it!

[Adm75a]

I have done the same thing but used a b&q tool box and have 4x 2.1mm female plugs at the back with usb and cigarette shocket on the top. I used a 120ah 12v battery we also use it when the family go camping. It is charged by solar panel.

[mbalkham]

Nice job. Must weigh a ton! Hadn't thought about a solar charger. Also want an ammeter on mine so that's the next mod.

[cjdawson]

Ooo I like that, much more compact solution than mine.

 

if gone down the solar route, the I would have looked to get the charge controller inside the box, looks like you had room for it