Synscan Goto external power tank suggestion

[Bobcat]

Hi all,

I need some suggestions for an external power tank to use with the Synscan Goto mount.

According to the spec the Power Requirement is 12v DC 1Amp Power Supply (Tip Positive).

Been searching on the maplins site but not been successful in finding any power tanks.... probably me just searching incorrectly.

I've seen the normal AC/DC power supply adapters which supply 12v 1200mA which I'm not too sure whether it'll be sufficient or not.

Could someone please recommend me a power tank to use.

thanks

B

[brantuk]

Try searching maplins for the "5 in 1 power station" - that's the one I use and it was less than half the price of astro branded powertanks. It drives my dob very nicely

Hope that helps

[brantuk]

Here's the link:

Heavy-Duty 5-in-1 Jump Starter : In-Car Battery Chargers and Compressors : Maplin

Unfortunately it seems to have gone up in price - when I got one last year they were £45 - dunno if that was a special offer or if they've just wised up to what they can get for it.

However it's still considerably cheaper than the astro brands - just keep it topped up with charge regularly to avoid needing "deep cycle" recharge.

[Cornelius Varley]

Listed under In Car Battery Chargers and Compressors Batteries. When using an AC/DC supply make sure it can supplied a regulated current, non-regulated PSUs are unsuitable.

Peter

[johnb]

If it helps I got my power tank from Halfords - works a treat

Regards

John B

[Bobcat]

Thanks...

the cheapest one I could see is a 3-in-1 portable jumpstarter

3-in-1 Portable Jumpstarter : In-Car Battery Chargers and Compressors : Maplin

looks quite suitable for just running the mount.

[acharris77]

Hey I got one of those 3 - in - 1 jumper packs from maplins, except mine is yellow, and I power my Syncscan Alt-az perfectly and it tracks really well and drives the scope strongly. Only defference is mine is a 130mm reflector not the mak. Hope this helps. and the cable is tip positive so safe for using.

[Bobcat]

ah brilliant... feel even better knowing that it's powering the Synscan properly... There is a yellow one which has an air compressor. The black one doesn't have the air compressor.

I don't really need the compressor so will have to get the black one when the scope arrives.

[brantuk]

Hmmm... an air compressor might come in handy for airbeds at star parties, or flat tyres down that farm track to a local dark site??

Just a thought

[acharris77]

I see the yellow one with the air compressor is now £39.99, I bought this back in early Jan for £24.99 with compressor, it must have been a offer after xmas they had.

[orions-knight]

Sorry for butting in. I wonder if the air compressor may be used to de-mist optics from dew on an observing session? I might look into that and try mine out one night. Sorry. Just a thought.

OK

[Cornelius Varley]

I would not think that was a good idea. The pressure might cause grit etc to scratch

the optics and you don't know if there is any oil etc in the air exiting the compressor.

Peter

[orions-knight]

Your absolutely right Cornelius. It just seems such a good idea though if only the air output was considered clean. Still might look into it though but cetainly wouldnt recommend it on high end eye pieces.

Thanks for the warning though,

OK

[Lowenbrau]

Biggest problem in cleaning the mirror with air would be those dots that can't go only with blowing. Stains from humidity that caught dust or dirt and also flies' sh*t which is really annoying and goes only with glass cleaning liquids

As of the power supply, I have 12V 1000mA adapter, took exact as advertised and so far didn't encounter any problems. Don't have battery pack but may add it soon, although I believe the car lighter adapter they included with telescope is sufficient on the field. Place the scope near the car and you can use the hood as a table