Powertanks.

[twaino]

Hi everybody, my first post. I was wondering about star watchers experience with power tanks, good bad or indifferent. I'm thinking of getting one to power an HEQ5, but have been warned of them by one retailer, who suggested a Golf Cart battery instead Any thoughts out there. Cheers!

[raymo]

Hi Twaino, This should be in one of the two equipment discussion forums, not
general chat.
raymo

[Wavytone]

Power tanks are neat but pricey - very expensive for the capacity (amps-hours). Better solutions abound but not as pretty.

And secondhand car batteries can be had for free from an auto/electrician.. while no good for starting a car they’re fine for running a telescope.

[Ukastronomer]

I use two

TRACERS

https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/tracer-12v-14ah-lithium-polymer-battery-pack.html

and Celestron

https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/celestron-lithium-powertank.html

I find what people call Power Tanks far too heavy and the new LiPo batteries are great

The Tracer I use for my mounts, the Celestron with dual USB power, (two different amperages) powers my mounts and also now powers my Solar tracking mount AND Daystar Ha Chromo filter all in one, in case you don't see it, there are two usb outs on top, 1000 and 2100 mA and a 12v on the side

On rare occasions who needs an expensive power tank, I simply take my old car battery and an inverter away with me

[xelasnave]

What does the power tank hold?? 40 amps ...and costs $250 approx?
Heck my astronomy battery with 120 amps cost $250.
Talk about expensive packaging.
As wavy says a crook car battery will do it...and even if you spend some money for a new one a cheap kmart special will be amp(le) for just the mount.
Why do I have 120 amps...I run a ZWO cooled camera, and lap top via an inverter...and actually use an old battery out of a golf trolley that was thrown out in a council clean up for the mount the reason is the mount draws so little and even if I flatten the big battery, which is possible given my idea of flat sees me disconnecting when most would keep going..but I can run the mount battery right down not careing much if it gors flatter than I like because it is after all a unit originally destined for the tip (or recycling)...if you can get your hands on any old battery it should work..if not look at how to bring an old battery back to life on youtube..drain the acid rinse with carbsoda and replace the acid with epsom salt solution...apprarently batteries "run" well on epsom salts.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Get yourself a new battery for your car seeing winter is near and that is often when we find we need a new car battery and use your old car battery for your mount...easy.
Alex

[Merlin66]

Kevin,
I still have and use a couple of 20Ah gel cell buggy batteries. These are now eleven years old and still give 100%
A triple stage charger is mandatory.
Recommended.

[raymo]

I used old car batteries for over thirty years; I paid $20 for one, and all the rest were free.:)
raymo

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Yes the ' Power tanks ' are sexy and have all the bells and whistles but as said ,,,, :sadeyes: they are very pricey .

I have one of these , from ' Supercheap Auto ' and touch wood , its been used and abused for 13 years now and still going strong , it's even cranked a few cars in that time .
It has 2 USB ports , a Ciggy plug , light and of course jump starter cables .

$49 in the day , don't know what they are worth now but I can guarentee they are less than a PT , one thing I do with mine is charge it about every 3 months , good value item .:thumbsup: .

I have talked to Jaycar and they sell replacement batteries for these and an easy job to replace ,, but hey :shrug: 13 years aint to shabby and in that time its run HEQ5's , EQ6's , an Iopron IEQ45 and now a beast of a CI700 .

Brian.

[twaino]

Thanks!

[twaino]

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[twaino]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm flattered and informed. cheers

[twaino]

Thanks for all the help. What a nice bunch you all are!

[twaino]

Brian, these tanks are now selling for $180!!!!!!!

[Ukastronomer]

Even us from the UK ;)

[assbutt94]

I have the celestron powertank torch thing.
Downside is the price per Amp Hour, as well as the relatively small 7AH capacity which simply isn't enough for a larger EQ mount.

It will run my 8se on it's Alt/Az goto all night easily.
The Usb ports, torches and Cig ports are great.

Old car batteries are a great option, but most being acid, cannot be tipped over so keep this in mind. Average car batteries have around 20-30AH at a guess. You can probably get an old one for next to nothing if not free.

Gel and Deep Cycle batteries are expensive and heavy, but can give up to 130AH, so a few nights running a mount, laptop and small camp fridge for the beer.
They also need a good charger otherwise you're wasting the money you invested by shortening the life of the battery.
I borrow my old mans 300AUD battery box which has an inverter, battery monitor, 2xcig and 2xUSB ports. I paid 200 for a 120AH deep cycle that fell off the back of a truck ;). It ran an EQ-6r and laptop in -4*C for about 10 hours, used 2% of the battery capacity :lol:

Best of luck!

[twaino]

Thanks for the info everybody. Brian Nordstrum, the Super Cheap Auto supply is $190 today. Thanks again folks, everyday is a school day!

[twaino]

Thanks for the info everybody. Brian Nordstrum, the Super Cheap Auto supply is $190 today. Thanks again folks, everyday is a school day!

[RobF]

The powertanks are tempting, and can be handy to rescue a car with flat battery, but for much longer life/value, suggest next time something like:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-33AH-Fusion-AGM-Deep-Cycle-AGM-Golf-Buggy-Scooter-Battery/272703916298?_trkparms=aid%3D555018 %26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D2 0140106155344%26meid%3Dbc7937e199b3 432b821cf71b14ba2e96%26pid%3D100005 %26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dag%2 6sd%3D272703916300%26itm%3D27270391 6298&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

+

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/135AH-12V-24V-AGM-Battery-Box-W-Strap-Voltmeter-USB-Charger-Large-Camping/323490321478?_trkparms=aid%3D555018 %26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D2 0140106155344%26meid%3Da57886102cbf 4e909e6b17ed3faa6974%26pid%3D100005 %26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%2 6sd%3D272703916298%26itm%3D32349032 1478&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851https ://www.ebay.com.au/itm/135AH-12V-24V-AGM-Battery-Box-W-Strap-Voltmeter-USB-Charger-Large-Camping/323490321478?_trkparms=aid%3D555018 %26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D2 0140106155344%26meid%3Da57886102cbf 4e909e6b17ed3faa6974%26pid%3D100005 %26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%2 6sd%3D272703916298%26itm%3D32349032 1478&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

+

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/sca-sca-battery-charger---7-stage-12v-6-amp/343262.html?cgid=SCA01060203


Getting up towards $300, but much better utility and grunt versus 2 powertank/jumpstarts.
Deep cycle AGMs are designed to handle periods down to 33% full charge and should last many years if recharged properly in timely manner (3-10 years).

SLAs in powertanks/jumpstart are designed to put out high amps for short period, but don't generally last anything like the time of an AGM/deep cycle and are happiest staying near full charge at all times (think back up battery for a house alarm for example - 2-5 years typical lifespan).

[Ukastronomer]

$65 for a box ?

[Ukastronomer]

Hope you don't mind me asking an "aside" question.

The power supplies I assume for scopes are regulated, I only take my car batteries and inverter to re-charge them, but......

How would you safeguard the 12v car power supply for the circuitry used in scopes.

Thanks

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Most if not all scope electrics today will happily take up to 15 -18 volts without damage , a fully charged 12 volt battery is about 13.8v at its best dropping down to about 10.5v at its lowest .

The main thing is , is to keep them charged so they dont die from lack of use and charge , I charge my SCA pack about every 2 - 3 months .

Nothing to worry about mate .

Brian.

[brian nordstrom]

:eyepop::eyepop::mad2: $190 , thats just discusting ! , I suppose they and Repco have the market cornered so they can charge like they want ( pun intended ) ,,,,,like :mad2: Bunnings :mad2: .

Brian.

[xelasnave]

Hi Jeremy
Maybe a fuse? 5 amp or 10 amp I expect.
Loving my focuser set up you inspired☺.
I tried to put a scope ring on my eq6 but it was a tad small so I tightened it and shattered the ring...so maybe yet another approach un the future with a ring made of ply or something.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Hi Brian
I think it is a good idea to charge them after a session to keep them topped up as batteries may last longer with that approach.

Alex

[Ukastronomer]

:) :) :)

[Ukastronomer]

Thank you