Skywatcher az-gti mount

[djpaul]

Hi everyone.

Just purchased a az-gti mount for use with a william optics 73mm zenithstar. 

Any recommendations on set up. Using the sky scan app would be helpful on getting the most accurate tracking.

Paul

[happy-kat]

Very nice purchases. Do you want the accurate tracking for visual use?

[djpaul]

Yes just for visual 

[NGC 2419]

1 hour ago, djpaul said:

Hi everyone.

Just purchased a az-gti mount for use with a william optics 73mm zenithstar. 

Any recommendations on set up. Using the sky scan app would be helpful on getting the most accurate tracking.

Paul

The thing that helped my tracking the most was getting a cheap illuminated reticle eyepiece to use for alignment.

 

There are some really cheap ones on eBay. I ordinarily don't recommend cheap, but In this case it only gets used once per session. I don't even use the illuminator most nights. Just defocus your alignment star a little and it's easy to see the cross hairs.

 

I use one with double cross hairs and just put my defocused alignment star in the little square formed in the middle.

 

Clear skies!

[djpaul]

That was my next question .

Should I buy a cross hair eyepiece?

Will probably look for one on the abs site.

Also need advise on a powertank?

Paul

[djpaul]

Also has anyone used batteries at any point.?

[NGC 2419]

For power, I'm using this to power the mount and a dew strap. Always plenty of power left at the end of the session. Obviously it will depend on the amount of slewing that you do.

https://www.amazon.com/Talentcell-Rechargeable-6000mAh-Battery-Portable/dp/B00MF70BPU

I've never used AA batteries.

[djpaul]

Would this do the job

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/batteries-powerpacks/tracer-lifepo4-12v-16ah-battery-pack.html

[djpaul]

Reason I ask is I've been offered one in as new condition barely used for £120.

[adyj1]

19 minutes ago, djpaul said:

Reason I ask is I've been offered one in as new condition barely used for £120.

As I understand it, Tracer are the top of the tree. 16AH is way more than you need, unless you plan going off-grid for a couple of weeks!

Can you trust the 'barely used' statement? 

[NGC 2419]

14 minutes ago, djpaul said:

Reason I ask is I've been offered one in as new condition barely used for £120.

Seems like overkill. It's 50% of the price of the mount and weighs 50% more than the mount. Kind of takes the portability out of it.

 

For comparison, the battery I linked is around 350 grams and I can strap it to a tripod leg with Velcro.

 

On the plus side, you could slew all night, and then some, with juice to spare.

[djpaul]

Lol. So won't need that sort of power then.

Tracer batteries won't over charge or go weak if drained. 

Can you please send me a link to a suitable battery for a good nights use available in the UK.

Paul

[NGC 2419]

A quick Amazon search yielded this, which is similar to the one I have. Quite a bit more money than in the states. I'm sure someone from the UK will chime in with other suggestions.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TalentCell-Rechargeable-6000mAh-12000mAh-Lithium-x/dp/B0713T4XT9/ref=mp_s_a_1_3/258-4381971-2974058?ie=UTF8

[djpaul]

Can any skywatcher az-gti mount owners in the UK recommend me a suitable light weight battery pack?

[happy-kat]

You could also ask the supplier of your mount if you bought it from an astro specialist.

I like the Celstron lifepo4 battery I use but I don't know if the voltage or power connector is compatible with your mount.

You could send first light optics an email, who are a uk stockist of your mount, and of lifepo4 batteries which one would work with your mount.