I have been able to use a differetn power supply (LiPO battery) for my other mounts in the past such as NEQPro6, SkyView Pro, Meade AZ mounts using adapter like this:
It is an unusual power connector, maybe on purpose? I would like to get an adapter to allow my mount to be powered by the LiPo battery through HXT plug type (or other method if I have to converter the plug type from HXT to something else).
Has anyone tried this or have ideas or should I try JayCar or similar hobby place?
Gday Matt
Not 100% sure what you are after here????
The plug used on the AZEQ5 is probably the same as on the AZEQ6
and if so is commonly known as a "CB Connector"
as it was extensively used in CB radios etc.
IIRC, i looked once and Jaycar didnt stock the size reqd, but it is a standard type of connector.
What i did to simplify this sort of stuff is cut off the ends of the cables that power my mounts, and the cables coming from my batteries or plugpacks and fitted Anderson connectors.
Now i just plug the reqd mount cable to the reqd power source.
+1 for the Anderson connectors, I have standardised on them and first thing I do with my new powered astro toys is to snip the power cables and insert anderson connectors.
Gday JA
IIRC, the Jaycar connector is a std CB/Microphone size, whereas the power connectors on the AZEQ5 utilise "mini" CB.Mic connectors.
Much harder to find suppliers of them in Oz.
ed
And after an hour or so of searching, this is the best i can come up with https://vetco.net/t/categories/autom...mic-connectors
It shows both sizes on one page, but i still cant find any clear specs on the dimensions.
The connectors can be called Mic, CB, Mobile or Philmore ( and im sure there is more )
Thanks JA. Sorry for the late response. I believe you are right, the PS2014 part from jaycar looks the part. Checking the other site provided this is the same by the looks of it apart from the fact the plug photographed they spend more time showing photos of the plug pulled apart which is also useful. The mic plug can be used for multiple applications including power from the descriptions. Has the same groove and 2 pin layout. The HXT plug at 4.0mm is the one for the LiPo battery connector. Going to give this a go. The HXT are available for about $5.95 on ebay from china with the gold bullet plugs to solder and connect.
Hope this produces a good result as lugging a heavy lead acid battery is not helpful in weight or space in the car.
Thanks for the details and links
Quote:
Originally Posted by JA
Get the 2pin and the HXT and solder away:
This one, I suspect from Jaycar CAT.NO: PS2014 $2.95
Gday Matt
I agree with Jamie
The Jaycar connectors are the full size Mic type and are too big to suit the connectors Synta had used.
I had never heard of the type linked to by Jamie ( ie GX style aviation connectors ), but their dimensions are smack on what is fitted
Gday Matt
I agree with Jamie
The Jaycar connectors are the full size Mic type and are too big to suit the connectors Synta had used.
I had never heard of the type linked to by Jamie ( ie GX style aviation connectors ), but their dimensions are smack on what is fitted
Andrew
Quite right Andrew, the GX12 2-pin Aviation connector is what I have on order.
I am going to make a couple of extra leads to suit my various battery types.
I just bought a DryPower 16AHr LiFePO4 battery kit with charger, case and Anderson PowerPole connectors... using a Merit plug on the case.
I had only ever found a few references to "Mini" Microphone types in the past, and Jaycar had never heard of them.
Now i know about the GX12s, i am going to see if i can find a right angle version in the 2 pin size :-)
As to multiple cables for mounts and power sources, i get around that by fitting an Andersen connector to a 300mm tail on my current GX12 plug, as well as one with a 2.1 x 5.5 DC connector for my EQ6 and another with a 2.5 x 5.5 connector for my Meades.
My battery box has 5 fused Andersens built into it ( like a rig runner ) for scopes etc, and i use locking Speakon connectors ( from Audio Amp section ) for supplying power to the lappie/inverter.
I also have several lengths of cable with Andresens each end.
To set up a mount, i simply leave the tail in the mount, select the required cable length and just plug it together as reqd
Another good thing with this is i also have a small insert cable that
can be used with a multimeter to measure voltage/current as reqd.
Very simple to set up and pull apart, and a lot less "specialised" cables in the box.
Thanks guys. I found out when we visited Jaycar, just after my last post, that they were the wrong connector. Have purchased the 10 pcs - that price is really good . This makes life a lot easier and now can grab the wire as I have the plugs on their way to for the battery end. I have a LiPo battery which has been very reliable.
Let me know how you find the LiFePO4 battery. I believe they are more stable than the LiPos. I have a LiPo safe bag for mine, which you would not need for yours.
Cheers,
Matt
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kunama
Quite right Andrew, the GX12 2-pin Aviation connector is what I have on order.
I am going to make a couple of extra leads to suit my various battery types.
I just bought a DryPower 16AHr LiFePO4 battery kit with charger, case and Anderson PowerPole connectors... using a Merit plug on the case.
That sounds like an interesting project. Would not mind seeing a photo of that sometime. If there is a way to cut down on gear transported around, particularly for remote sites I am all for it!
I have to say it was hard to make out plug sizes in the photos I had for various vendors and I really wished to make sure to get the right connector. Now I have just purchased 10 plug sets I might try a few things. Taking the LiPo battery is certainly better than taking a heavy Lead Acid battery. Leaves more room for the family in the car ... although I did tell the kids one time I might have to strap them to the roof (just kidding!!)
I have LiPo connections for my Meade LX200 mount and Orion SkyView Pro mount. It has mainly been this plug that has been the issue to date with the 2 pins.
I can never work out why every mount has to have different connections and why things cannot be standardised! Guessing it is a good money spinner but otherwise can be annoying chasing items down.
Cheers,
Matt
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndrewJ
Gday Matt
I had only ever found a few references to "Mini" Microphone types in the past, and Jaycar had never heard of them.
Now i know about the GX12s, i am going to see if i can find a right angle version in the 2 pin size :-)
As to multiple cables for mounts and power sources, i get around that by fitting an Andersen connector to a 300mm tail on my current GX12 plug, as well as one with a 2.1 x 5.5 DC connector for my EQ6 and another with a 2.5 x 5.5 connector for my Meades.
My battery box has 5 fused Andersens built into it ( like a rig runner ) for scopes etc, and i use locking Speakon connectors ( from Audio Amp section ) for supplying power to the lappie/inverter.
I also have several lengths of cable with Andresens each end.
To set up a mount, i simply leave the tail in the mount, select the required cable length and just plug it together as reqd
Another good thing with this is i also have a small insert cable that
can be used with a multimeter to measure voltage/current as reqd.
Very simple to set up and pull apart, and a lot less "specialised" cables in the box.
I am glad this discussion has brought about some answers and thank everyone for their time on this. One more step closer to having a lighter power setup
Gday Matt
Have attached a few piccies of my battery box and connectors.
Just imagine a few extra cables of various lengths with andersons on each end. All plug and play.
I also have andersons on most of my plugpacks at home and my inverter has a speakon connector to plug into the High power outlet.
Andrew
Jumping late to this thread. I was looking for connectors too and like everyone else, couldn't find dimensions online for sizes. I was looking to source the same size connector as the aviation / cb / mic style used on my AZ-EQ6GT. I measured its diameter and came up with 8mm across the black connector but couldn't find a GX8 equivalent. (The specs in the Mount Manual rate indicate the mount draws four amps).
Really appreciated the Jaycar feedback, that's saved me a trip! Did the GX12 connectors come in at the same size as the AZEQ6 in the end and is the 12mm the diameter of the female part?
I've found that the smaller 30Amp Anderson plugs are a bit flaky and a pain in the backside to make (but that could be me with giant sausage fingers) so was looking to swap them over for the screw types.
Not used to power, used to consolidate my camera, filter wheel, autofocuser and USB hub, all of which I have moved up on to the scope area so I only have three cables; power from the mount, power from the group just mentioned and my dew controller (draws too many amps to have run with the other gear so want to keep it separate).
I have these on my watch list on Fleabay in the hope it might that 12mm will do the trick. EDIT: Just realised these are 4 pin not 2 - hard to source 2 pin from Oz!!
Also, thanks for the advice on the deepcycle batteries. Out of curiosity, how much time do you get? I am thinking of using my deepcycle on my dual battery 4WD when in a remote location rather than lugging another battery so interested in what times people are getting.
Thanks Logan, I saw them today in jaycar but there was no info on how many amps they are related to and i need five, which at $6.00 for a set is way over the cost of the gx12-2 on fleabay where I can 10 for about $10.00 posted. I also know they are rated to 5 amps, which will drive all my gear (except my dew heater, which is 7-15amps).
Matt, I’ve PM’d you mate. After five of them so I would be stretching the friendship mate. Appreciate the offer though.
Bringing up an old thread, was it actually confirmed (Logan?) that the Jaycar ones are the correct item for the AZEQ6? I want to make a new power cord for my mount but without cutting the end of my existing one.
I am in the process of remaking my power cables having made the dive into AP and I detest the cigarette lighter plugs I have been using. So easy to bump one and have it interrupt power.
I am building a box with 2.1mm connectors, one in and four out to run pretty well everything including the mount, to be velcro'd on to the side of the mount. Between mount, camera cooler and dew heater it might be looking at about 8A in the worst case scenario (Slewing both axes, heater on full (SCT) and the cam cooler running flat out) which should be achievable on one connector.
I am looking closely at where I can drill holes in the mount too, I am aiming to bring power and USB up through the RA shaft with the polar scope removed to eliminate the most likely snag point. At the battery/power supply end I am going to use DT connectors to eliminate the lighter sockets.
. This makes life a lot easier and now can grab the wire as I have the plugs on their way to for the battery end. I have a LiPo battery which has been very reliable.
(just kidding!!)
