Silly mistake with celestron lithium powertank!

[Space_Plane]

Hi all!

I recently purchased the celestron lithium powertank (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-spring-sale-2017/celestron-lithium-lifepo4-powertank.html) 

Wrongly under the assumption it had a "cigar lighter" size 12v output for dew controllers and such.  Sadly it does not

Is anybody aware of a potential converter / adapter to use a dew controller with it?  I've done some searching and have come up with nothing.

Would it even be safe for this application anyway?

Many thanks for any input!

[StevieDvd]

9 minutes ago, Space_Plane said:

Hi all!

I recently purchased the celestron lithium powertank (https://www.firstlightoptics.com/celestron-spring-sale-2017/celestron-lithium-lifepo4-powertank.html) 

Wrongly under the assumption it had a "cigar lighter" size 12v output for dew controllers and such.  Sadly it does not

Is anybody aware of a potential converter / adapter to use a dew controller with it?  I've done some searching and have come up with nothing.

Would it even be safe for this application anyway?

Many thanks for any input!

It has a 12v socket which can drive a mount so it should be OK for dew controller.

You'd either need a standard astro plug to car socket to have a convenient adapter  which would likely have an in-line fuse or get the dew control cable re-done bearing in mund it should have a fuse as well.

 

[Uranium235]

You might need to get yourself down to maplins and buy some cable and a socket to make up your own (if youre handy with a soldering iron). Its a 10min job, quite easy.

[newbie alert]

Cant see why celestron have sold a power unit without the cigar fitting..abit pointless..

Think celestron are losing their way!!

[happy-kat]

Why the fitting the powertank uses and shares with my Skywatcher mount fits well and does not slip out or have weak contact.

[Waldemar]

5 hours ago, newbie alert said:

Cant see why celestron have sold a power unit without the cigar fitting..abit pointless..

Think celestron are losing their way!!

Maybe because mounts are not the same as cigars?  I think they finally get smart to realise these cigar/cigarette lighter connectors are the worst connectors imaginable...  really set up to cause problems, because of the spring loaded central contact with a very small contact surface. Those things are not made for what they are used for ...

[newbie alert]

Does anyone use any other type of fitting?

[happy-kat]

The fitting used on the powertank fits really positively and not sloppy like a cigar lighter.

[Waldemar]

39 minutes ago, newbie alert said:

Does anyone use any other type of fitting?

These for example for the main 12V lead to a 12V  hub https://www.amazon.com/neutrik-power-connector/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aneutrik power connector

From the hub with RCA plugs http://nl.farnell.com/switchcraft/3502abau/connector-rca-phono-plug/dp/4569970 or 5,5/ 2,1mm central  standard 12 Vplugs like these: https://www.conrad.nl/nl/lumberg-xnesj-210-laagspannings-connector-stekker-recht-55-mm-21-mm-1-stuks-738688.html?sc.ref=Category Overview

[ollypenrice]

1 hour ago, Waldemar said:

Maybe because mounts are not the same as cigars?  I think they finally get smart to realise these cigar/cigarette lighter connectors are the worst connectors imaginable...  really set up to cause problems, because of the spring loaded central contact with a very small contact surface. Those things are not made for what they are used for ...

Bravo. These things are a joke, and not a funny one. In astrophotography the slightest power interruption can take over half an hour to rectify. The sooner these cigar plugs are consigned to history the better.

Olly

[Skipper Billy]

I use XLR plugs and sockets -  no issues - but I am reasonably competent with a soldering iron.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/c/connectors/audio-video-connectors/xlr-connectors/

[RichLD]

1 hour ago, newbie alert said:

Does anyone use any other type of fitting?

XLRs