Power supply

[ianB]

Hi,
I am thinking of buying the Celestron car battery adapter, apparently you just plug it inti the car cigarette thingy and the other end into the telescope base.

Do any of you use this yourself and if so how have you found it, any issues?

I can not buy the celestron power pack due to limited funds but some use another kind of battery, now I am at a loss when it comes to these things ( electrics ) if you use an alternative battery power source for your telescope, i.e not the power pack, what do you use, can you give me the full name and what else is required such as leads etc. Also where did you buy it.....brisbane or sunshine coast area.

More than likely ill go for the cig adapter but possibly for a battery if I understand what i need to buy and how to use it.

Thanks.

[coldknights]

Have a look at supercheap auto they sell the 1900 amp jumper starter it has 2 17ah batteries inside it.

[Amaranthus]

I have the Celestron one. It works reliably, provided you follow the charging/maintenance advice they give.

Admittedly it is somewhat expensive given that you can get such things fairly cheaply for general purpose, but I've found the red light and flashlight also useful, and it's easy to carry (I have the 7 Ah version) and comes with a lead to fit directly into my GOTO mount (for the 8SE), plus a wall charger.

[mithrandir]

I presume with the cig adapter you have to leave the ignition on ACC.
A couple of colour coded battery clamps, a length of 10A twin core wire and a cig socket - all from somewhere like Jaycar - would let you take the car keys with you.
Just don't run the car battery down to where it won't start.

[ianB]

Thanks all,

I just had a look at that 1900 amp jump starter and its $185, bit too much for me at the moment ( wife having operation on wednesday and looks like i need one myself now, seeing specialists is expensive ) so I may just have to go for the cig adapter until these health matters get sorted.

[Astro_Bot]

Running from the car ought to be alright for short periods - like Andrew says, don't run it flat! :)

When your financial situation improves, you can afford a decent deep cycle battery solution and avoid those over-priced (for what you get), under-performing starter packs. There are many threads on batteries on IIS - here are a few I recall:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=115976
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=106902
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=103581
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=103067
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=94663

HTH

[ianB]

While here i might as well ask another question.

What cleaning kit for the telescope optics do you reccommend?
Teds camera house has one, do you think this will be ok?

http://www.teds.com.au/inca-lens-cleaning-set


The reason i ask is because i have never done this before, mind you my optics look fine and i know you should never over clean the mirror etc, but sooner or later i will need to.
I would rather buy a kit than make my own solution as i am not confident in making it myself.

[ianB]

Thanks astro, ill have a look.