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 (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by 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, 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 (Rom)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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 (Rom)]

Originally Posted by 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

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 (Erik)]

Originally Posted by 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.

Agreed, mine caught fire one night!

Erik

[Bassnut (Fred)]

Originally Posted by 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

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 (Dave)]

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