Best battery for Nexstar SE8?

[tico]

Hello,

Do you know which is the best battery to externally power a Nexstar 8SE mount?
I have tried AA batteries and it doesn't work well, a connection to the mains with a 12v output and it doesn't work well at all, although I don't really understand why...
Thank you
Tico

Edited March 13 by Cornelius Varley
formatting corrected

[Elp]

If the mains adaptor doesn't work well a battery isn't going to be much use. Have you tried another 12v mains adaptor? Have you tried a completely different other mains socket (to eliminate the socket being bad or an extension lead if you're using one for example). Have you checked the fuse in the adaptor plug? Ensure its a quality 12v mains adaptor one likely designed for astro use if you source another one, not just any random one.

Edited March 12 by Elp

[Cosmic Geoff]

The plug connection between cable and mount is a common source of trouble.  Touching it can cause the connection to momentarily break, causing the GoTo setting to fail. You can fettle the split center pin or use a cable tie etc to stabilise the cable.

There is no 'best battery' - any power source that supplies a clean 12 to 14 volts and adequate current will suffice.  

[bwj]

The only issues I've had using the mains adapter is if I don't seat the plug well, or it isn't stable when I plug it into the extension cord

I'm in the U.S, so my mains power is 110-120 volt.

[Carbon Brush]

If you tell us what mains adapter you were using, that might give us a clue. Ref comment by @Elp

Much easier than diving into all the other potetial problems.