How do you power your G-11?

[Octane]

Hi all,

I'm about to get back into imaging and will need to take the G-11 out of its box for maybe the second or third time. It has never been connected to power.

Can anyone provide me with ideas, or schematics, on how they power their system? I think I will be using it with a deep cycle battery. But, an AC solution would be good, too, in case I'm somewhere with access to power.

It is one of the new G-11s with the DIN-type power input (DIN to male cigarette lighter connection).

Regards,
Humayun

[Matty P]

Hi Humayun,

I use a 17AH power tank to power my EQ6. It powers my mount for at least 3-4 imaging sessions before it need a recharge.

You could also get a 12V regulated power supply that has a cigarette lighter adapter when you have access to 240V power. I know Jaycar sell this.

Hope this helps. :thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

We (Mapleton Observatory) use a variable DC powersource. We find anything less than about 15V causes stalls when fast slewing. ATM we are using 16V and 1200X sideral for our slew with np at all.

[Octane]

Matt,

Thanks, mate. :)



Paul,

So, the G-11 (Gemini) can handle more than 12V? What is a variable DC power source? Is that not a battery? I'm pretty new to this as I used to power my Meade LX90 LNT from mains AC to DC.

I have a deep cycle battery and that's about it. Bit clueless. :)

Regards,
Humayun

[leon]

Hi Humayun, I run mine on a regulated power supply that gives the unit 13.8 volts continually with no interruptions, however having said that, it, the G11 can operate between 12 and 18 volts with a continuous supply.

Leon

[UniPol]

For field trips I use a Celestron Powertank 17 which seems to last for ages. My current Powertank is a warranty replacement for one I bought at the SPSP some years ago. The original one just wouldn't hold charge however the current (no pun intended:lol:)one is superb.

At home I use a Powertech regulated power supply (Model HW1200R-12) which was obtained from Jaycar for around $60 - $70. The output of the power supply is 13.8V DC and is rated at 12 amperes. I suppose the box is around 170mm x 160mm x 75mm and is fan cooled. As the gemini runs between 12V - 18V this is an ideal power supply and has never giving any problems. As for the power lead, I found it impossible to buy a 4 pin DIN plug anywhere so I just bought the standard power lead (DIN plug/cigarette lighter adaptor) from ATS and cut the cigarette lighter adaptor plug off it and soldered the required 'push in' connectors to it.

Hope this helps.

Cheers, Steve

[[1ponders]]

As Leon says the Gemini can operate between 12 and 18V and the power supply we use is regulated. I'll be up the observatory on Tuesday night and I'll have a look at the brand we use. I did have to perform a bit of surgery on it though as the unit didn't have two separate positive and negative terminals just a plug that would plug into a number of adapters for use with laptops. I do remember the specs were 12-18V, 5 Amp and up to 150W. :shrug: if that means anything to you. ;)

[netwolf]

I was also looking for a AC powered solution for use at home. I went into Jaycar and saw this one.
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3079&CATID=&keywords=13.8v&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=

Steve is this the same one you use? As i see no mention of the Manufacturers model number here. I know Jaycar also sell a bigger white one that is heavier and seems better made.

There is also a Switched mode version that provide 8.5amps.
http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3470&CATID=&keywords=13.8v&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=
Which is more light weight and comes with a Cigrete lighter socket output.

Regards
Fahim

[UniPol]

Hi Fahim,

Yes, that is the one I use. I got the model number off the back of the casing and didn't think of Jaycar's catalogue number. I haven't seen the switchmode power supply before, perhaps it wasn't available when I bought my power supply, it should work fine though.

Cheers, Steve

[h0ughy]

yep that was the problem i had a duckadang in 2007 Paul if you remember it kept stalling, then when i got home i upped the power to 15.5 v and everything worked well:thumbsup:

[KenGee]

I used my G11 on a 12 volt power supply I had and I got stalls even now and then. So I got a 15 volt 30A suppy from Dick Smith and it hasn't missed a beat.

[Omaroo]

If the Gemini works better at 15 or so volts, then what's the point of making the system 12v-compatible? Batteries are 12v - which makes the whole shebang portable. If you have to go mucking around with that it really complicates the portability. I know of a few trees out there that I can plug into, but they're pretty rare...

Just a question fellas - I got rid of my servos/Gemini in favour of the standard steppers/DigitalDrive so that I could just have the whole thing as an ArgoNavis-equipped push-to system. Does anyone know the voltage range that the DD is comfortable with?

[[1ponders]]

I have the DD on my own G11 Chris and 12V is fine.

BTW what did you do with your old Gemini and servos?

[Omaroo]

Paul - I atually ordered my G11 without Gemini, but for months that's all Bintel had - so they let me have a Gem-equipped unit until they could get Scott Losmandy to ship the DD and steppers. It took several weeks to come over, but when it did I removed the Gemini and gave it and the servos back to Bintel in exchange for what I ordered. They were very good to me I have to say! Thanks Michael and Don!:thumbsup:

[Bassnut]

I use a 13.8v supply on my G11 with a 12" SCT, no stalling. If you find you need 15v to stop stalling, you are way out of balance.

Big warning on power supplies. the Jaycar Powertech MP3079 (13.8v switch mode 12A) supply mentioned earlier is the biggest rip off Ive ever purchased bar none. You pay for what you get. For "testing" is the keyword in Jaycars add and in the fine print in its manual. Its made for testing no more than a minuite or so, it overheats to hell even with NO load in a few minutes and blows up in a few hrs with any load. And again, Powertech linear supplies should be underated by at least 50%, I blew up 3 of them before finding the last one, the 20A model is OK with a G11 and 2 dew heaters (way less than 50% load).

[netwolf]

Fred, thanks for the warning. I did not realize the MP3079 12A version was also a switch mode supply.

[Octane]

All,

Thank you all for your responses. It's pointing me in the right direction. If I need clarifications, I will private message individually.

Thank you.

Regards,
Humayun