Losmandy G11 Gemini 2 power supply

[Stefan12]

Hi there!

After a lot of thought I decided to purchase a Losmandy G11 with Gemini 2.
The mount arrived a few days ago and it's certainly quite a step up from my Skywatcher HEQ5.

What power supply should I get to run my G11 and Gemini 2?
Reading through the Gemini 2 quick start guide, it recommends using a regulated power supply 12-18 V DC at 3 amps or higher.

I have a 12V 5A adaptor. Its similar to this one, but with a cigarette lighter socket. (see link)
http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=GH1379

Will my G11 and Gemini 2 work safely with this power adapter?

Stefan :)

[mithrandir]

Stefan, you should regard 12V as the absolute minimum. The genuine Losmandy power supply is 18V, so an fixed or adjustable supply that supports that would be better. Maybe the http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3800 but you'd have to keep it weatherproofed.

[el_draco]

This is the power supply I use with mine. I set around 15V and dont have any issues. Congrats on the mount! :) The G11 is a serious bit of kit.

[Stefan12]

Thank you for the replies.
My Gemini 2 unit came with a cigarette lighter power adapter.
By the looks of it the Jaycar MP3800 power supply doesn't have a cigarette lighter socket. If this is the case, what kind of wiring do you use to supply power to the Gemini 2 control board?

Stefan :)

[el_draco]

A lot of people turf the cigarette lighter connection and do direct wiring to the power supply. Cigarette lighter connections are not entirely reliable.

[E_ri_k]

Agreed, mine caught fire one night!

Erik

[Bassnut]

Jaycar power supplies are marginal to put it mildly (cheap bottom end of the hobby market), that one you link to even has a warning, wouldn't touch it with a barge pole.

MP3800 has proven to be reliable on an astro rig of some one I know, would be the pick of the bunch IMO. Ditch the cigarette socket, nothing but grief.

[DaveNZ]

Jaycar also sells a 0-16v version MP3802 which maybe an option. It would also save the problem of accidentally winding the 0-24 version up to 24v.

I'm not sure of the PowerTech brand. It seems cheaper than most.

I'm also looking at a power supply for my Titan/Gemini2. I was using an old Meade 18v power supply off my LX200. It doesn't seem to be that great while imaging compared to my 18v battery supply.

Dave