powering up the G11 and Dew Controller

[leon]

Hi Guys.

From reading the instructions to both the G11 and the Dew Controller, it says you need at least a 3 AMP AC adapter for either one of these units.

Well I cannot seems to get a couple of these anywhere, so i have decided to go with the 12 volt battery thing.

Do any other people here use 12 Batteries, connected properly to run there mounts and dew controllers.

I just don't want to do any damage to either unit, so could someone please give me their secrets for the powering up of theses units, and how much life do you get out of the fully charged battery

The dew controller and the mount both have male cig sockets, which i had intended to attach to two female sockets, and then fix to the battery with removable wing nuts.

Would this do the trick, any suggestions much appreciated

Cheers Leon

[gbeal]

Leon,
A while since I had a G-11, but I ran it via either a 12 volt battery (sealed lead acid??), or an old PC power supply.
I made all my fittings RCA plugs and made up extension leads, leads for the dew heaters, leads for the mount, you name it.
The battery box actually contained two 12 volt batteries, and on the top I put a meter, and a selection of female RCA sockets. Plug in the mount, plug in the StarMate, plug in the dew heaters, and whatever else you need.
The G11 has a small round plug socket, so get the appropriate plug, wire it up, and go the RCA way.
Gary

[leon]

Thanks Gary, yep, i have just about got it like you said, but i had to be sure that using a 12 volt battery direct, as to a adapter was safe enough.

Actually now that i think about it the leads with the female sockets have inline fuses in them as well, so i suppose and overload would blow them first.

Thanks

Leon

[JohnG]

Hi Leon

Be advised that the G-11 with Gemini is very power hungry, it is not a good idea to power anything else off whatever you are going to use for a power source. A lot of the problems people have with the Gemini Unit is caused by an under supply of power. It can cause a number of problems like motor stalls, eractic hand controller behaviour, motor heating etc. That said, a lot of people used a 12 volt to 18 volt converter on a 12 volt source to overcome these problems.

I use a regulated GME 13.8 Volt, 11 amp power supply to run my Gemini and have never had any problem whatsoever with power.

If you intend powering other devices, eg, a camera, laptop, be aware of potential groundloop problems that can interfere with the Gemini and give eratic behaviour, therefore separate batteries are the recommended method.

Cheers

JohnG

[jase]

If you looking at something to plug into AC.

For all your DC power needs...
http://www.amalgen.com.au/dc_power/linear_regulated.asp

I bought an 18v 5amp to power the Losmandy Titan - http://www.amalgen.com.au/dc_power/linear_regulated_2183.asp
and a 12v 10amp for all the accessories - due heaters, robofocuser, gps, etc, etc. http://www.amalgen.com.au/dc_power/linear_regulated_2971.asp

They are exceptional power supplies.

[bird]

You can get switchmode DC power supplies from Jaycar or Dick Smith that will suit the Gemini. I have one that's 15-20v @ 3.5A and it's fine. I use it at the 16v setting.

cheers, Bird