Mounting battery on Dobsonian goto mount

[bluesilver]

Hi,  i was interested to know how most people install their battery pack on their goto mounts

Mainly on the Dobsonian goto mounts.

Can you install the battery actually on the turntable itself,    so that it actually goes around with the mount,  or will it be too much weight for the mount to work properly?

Or do i really have to have the battery sitting on the ground or separate from the mount all together?

The unit i have is the 16 inch Dobsonian goto mount.

I had the 10 inch version but had the battery separate from the mount due to room issues,  with this 16 inch mount,  i actually have room for a battery and got thinking it would be a lot neater and easier if it can be mounted and go around with the unit.

I have done some looking around but yet to see any specs on the weight limit of the turntable mount.

I have installed 3 fans on the primary mirror and made a larger eyepiece holder on the front to hold my other eyepieces,  apart from that all else is as it is.

Any recommendations or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

 

[Geoff Barnes]

Easy Peasy Peter. Just sit it on the turntable base and around it goes, no problem at all.

I wouldn't be surprised if your 16 inch goliath could take you round with it!  

 

[bluesilver]

Thanks for the reply,  i wasn't too sure if there were a certain weight restrictions that i was limited with in regards to the drive motors.

Surely makes it easier than trying not to trip over cords and the like

[Geoff Barnes]

Yes very neat and tidy. When you consider the considerable weight of both the scope and the mount, the extra weight of a battery is insignificant.

[bluesilver]

Is that the 7AH powertank in the photo or the 17AH,   Any rough idea on the run time you are getting from that unit?

Been looking at those skywatcher ones for a while.

Currently at the moment just using an old motorcycle battery.

 

[Geoff Barnes]

Mine is the 7ah model, gives me a good 3 hours use before it starts fading. The 17ah would go all night.

[bluesilver]

Thanks,  the 7 might be the go for me then,  doubt the 16 inch and the 3 fans would draw that much more current than your 12 inch.

And 3 hours is a good amount of time.

Appreciated.