Generator power supply to mount in the field

[CapturingTheNight]

Hello all,

I currently power my NEQ6 Pro mount at home with an extension lead and the 240v power convertor I got from Bintel when I purchased the rest of my setup. I have had absolutely no problems with this system. However, there are a couple of events coming up, namely the venus transit and solar eclipse next year, and to a slightly lesser extent the lunar eclipse on the 10th, that if the weather forecast does not look good I am prepared to pack up my gear and travel to find clear skies. Now, without forking out yet more money on batteries and associated adaptors and chargers, is a 240v generator hooked into my current system a viable alternative? Is there a danger of damage to my mount? The generator I would be able to borrow, runs an off road caravan without any problems. I don't know the actual brand/model off the top of my head, but I know it isn't a cheap one.

Cheers

Greg

[bmitchell82]

look for things like Pure sine wave. if it doesn't have that, you risk frying electronics. I have run my setup direct of a Honda eco gennie with no issuse in the past but at 200 dollars for a 105 a-h battery that will see you comfortably though th enight with everything running laptop, mount, camera etc etc

[Barrykgerdes]

We Run everything from a 2.5 KVA inverter generatator. Have been doing this for years now. Never any problems {other than running out of petrol at in oportune moments). AC output is probably cleaner than your standard mains because it has a proper LP filter.

What we run:- 4 computers, 1 TV, G11 mount, two cameras, caravan etc and put the surplus into the 1100 AH battery.

Would never bother with storage batteries.

Barry

[gregbradley]

For sensitive electronic gear you need clean power. That is the inverter type generators not the industrial style one. The industrial style one will run power tools etc but may be a risk for your gear.

I use inverter generators at my dark site and no troubles ever running astro gear except if you forget to top up the petrol!

Greg.

[leon]

We too run everything from our generator when away from home power supply, they just hum in the background and never falter, at least the Honda 2KVa dose.

Leon

[CDKPhil]

I would agree with Brendan and Greg.
You need to run sensitive electronics with very clean power. Pure sine wave is the way to go. Either a pure sine wave generator, like the honda inverter range. Or a PSW inverter to turn your 12v DC to 24Ov AC. Be carful of inverters there are quite a few out there that say sine wave or modified sine wave, do not buy them. they are cheap and they will cause trouble. For my new setup I will have a 150AH battery with a pure sine wave inverter. The battery will be charged via solar panels during the day.
I prefer the inverter with the battery, I do not have to listen to a generator going all night or pay for petrol.

Cheers
Phil

[DavidTrap]

Pure Sine Wave if you must, but silence is golden!

DT

[bmitchell82]

Use the battery during the night, the gennie during the day. Soon as i have the funds avalible ill be getting the second battery for my kit that will allow me to run for two continuous nights without need of power or recharging. 210 dollars each means that they affordable and very handy!

[CapturingTheNight]

Thank you for your thoughts everyone. I'll definately check what sort of generator it is before I even think about hooking it up to the mount, but in the long run I think I would be better off getting myself a battery setup particularly if I head off to an astrocamp or three. I'm sure I wouldn't be popular with the noise of a genny going.

[CapturingTheNight]

Where abouts would you recommend tracking down the 105 a-h batteries you are talking about Brendan. Brand? Type? etc. I assume I would also need to purchase a recharger for it. Can you recommend a particular charger.

[DavidTrap]

I've come across generators at group sites and it's not ideal... I try to reserve my generator for daytime charging. Then again, while an imaging run is in progress, I'm either chewing the fat, watching a DVD, or sleeping, so a quiet generator wouldn't bother me too much. Might get more angst from the visual observers.

DT

[bmitchell82]

If you have a look on my website I think in the Gallery/Equipment youll see the brand i have, most of your battery shops will stock them. As for a charger I use a Ctek microprocessor smart charger they are some of the best ones around and extend the life of your flattery. Got mine of ebay for 100 bucks.

[ReaPerMan]

Here's one at BCF (boating Camping Fishing)

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Century-Car-Battery-Marine-Pro-MP720-720CCA.aspx?pid=287281#Description

They also have Battery boxes to put them in ranging from

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/BCF-Battery-Box-Power.aspx?pid=131929#Description

to the really fancy

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Ark-Powerpack-Battery-Box-Smart-Charger.aspx?pid=165815#Description

All up easy to use and not too much of an outlay.

[Poita]

I fitted an extra battery into the boot of my car, and have it cabled to the car charge circuit.
That way it is always charged, and I never have to worry about starting my car!
It pops out easily for running the gear when I am at a dark site, and I can't forget to take it or forget to charge it :)

I fitted a connector to it so I don't have to remove it from the car if I can park close enough, but it is easy to remove if required.

If you know what you are doing, you can do it yourself, just make sure you add an isolator, or you can get off-the-shelf kits:
http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-dual-battery-systems/
http://www.tjm.com.au/index.php?nj=ln.php?i=DBS

[bmitchell82]

I really should do that with one of my batteries :) that way i could run my sound system for longer than half a hour before flatting the normal battery :) alls good.

I also had a good friend of mine whizz up a fully fused and metered distribution box. it wasn't the cheapest but I can tell you now its really nice 5 outputs for a standard cigg lighter port and a branch out with terminals. :)

[Poita]

Yeah I made a distribution box as well, totally worth it.
It isn't much work to cable it into the car, and it is pretty much always fully charged, which is helpful for forgetful folk like me.

[Barrykgerdes]

Generators v batteries

A small Honda generator will provide 1Kw all night ( 8 hours) on about 4 ltrs of gas ($6.00).
weight about 12 kg
　
A 12v 150Ah battery will provide the same power for about 1.5 hr. Cost of charge about 50 cents. To provide 1Kw for 8 hrs will need at least 600 AH or 4 batteries . Cost of charge $2.00
Weight ( I could not lift 1 150AH battery let alone 4)

Capital cost of equipment about the same

Most will not need a Kw to drive their gear so the battery will last much longer.


Barry

[Brundah1]

[QUOTE=ReaPerMan;792299]Here's one at BCF (boating Camping Fishing)

http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Century-Car-Battery-Marine-Pro-MP720-720CCA.aspx?pid=287281#Description

Caution this battery is a starting battery, for prolonged slow discharge you need a storage battery like this:

http://www.centurybatteries.com.au/search/index.php/batteries/ID-216

I have been using Century N70T (100Ahr) as the aux battery in my 4WD for 10 years (first one lasted 6 years). Normally for car fridge and boat winch.
Battery management by TJM IBS controller. With this system the N70T can be selected to start (my 3L TD), but only if fully charged and for emergency use only. I have done it once only to test the system.

As Brendan said, Gel, AGM and storage batteries require 3 stage chargers
like his Ctec or equivalent. They can also be charged by solar panels also through correct type regulator.

FYI I am planning a remote site power system using one of the Honda copy 1.5KVA inverter generators (18Kgs) run time 4.5Hrs via a UPS (Eaton PW 5110 1500 990Watts). All up approx AUD 700. Doubles for camping power.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MTM-Inverter-Generator-Silent-1-5kVA-PRO-SINEWAVE-POWER-/160654256555?pt=AU_Generators_Pumps&hash=item2567bd69ab

http://powerquality.eaton.com/ups/5110-specs.asp

[Atlantis69]

From personal experience (I run an IT support company), I can't recommend any of the Eaton/PowerWare UPS units. They fail far too frequently. I think around 5-6 units per 12 months on average. Although I get replacements under warranty, I now direct clients to purchase APC units which have never failed me in ~10 years. For around 15% additional cost for a comparable UPS, it's definitely worth it in the long run.

For obvious reasons, this is my opinion of my own experiences. Take what you wish from my ramblings :)

[Poita]

I'd second that, I've had nothing but trouble with the eatons and have yet to have an APC unit give any trouble, and I've been putting UPS in for a lot of years.

[Poita]

I've also used the mtm generators as well, they are heavier and louder than the Hondas, and the 1.5KVA unit really only runs at around 950Watts continuously, but they work really well and don't miss a beat.
Personally I'd pay the extra $70 and go to the 3.2KVA model (2200 watts continuous) so you can run just about anything from it.

Bear in mind that the 12v output on them whilst handy, is not regulated. They are a great little workhorse though, if a little louder than they could be. Perhaps they could be modded to run a bit quieter?

[ReaPerMan]

[QUOTE=Brundah1;792459]

It's actually duel purpose with Deep Cycle capacity of 100 Amp Hours.