Quote:
Originally Posted by Leo.G
I've seen some of the Bluetti units on special (older models) at good prices.
For me the difference is a LiFePo4 battery vs SLA, the SLA is heavy in comparison albeit extremely cheap in comparison. I picked up a dep cycle SLA at Aldi one day, 30KG, thinking it was supposed to be the LiFePo4 but that was the next week. The equivalent LiFePo4 was 12 KG,, a huge difference. To be fair that was a high capacity battery, not a little thing like you've shown Joe.
I've used a 1200Amp jump starter in the past when I've taken my gear up to a local lookout but it was quite heavy when thrown in with the EQ5 Pro mount (inc weights) and 152mm Skywatcher refractor, along with the 80mm Megrez added as a finder, camera, laptop (plus small gas stove and some food and water (for coffee) and pans because my son and I hadn't had dinner and it was going to be a very late night).
All up it was quite a slug up a big hill carrying way too much for someone who had a major heart attack only 2 months prior. I had my son run back down the hill to get my heart medication from the car when I was only half way up (no vehicle access in that spot) and spent half an hour or more just sitting before I was game to continue up the hill.
I must make an electric carry buggy with small off road tyres one day and a cable remote to control it. Then I won't need a power supply, the cart will be the power supply.
I've searched LiFePo4 batteries to make my own rig, I have the battery box with fuses and meters and outlets already built in but the LiFePo4 are far from a cheap battery but extremely light in comparison to SLA.
That is however a much dearer option.
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The charger I recommended is both Li ion and SLA compatible. Then Chelle can upgrade to Lithium or stay with lead acid. I have a 120AH Lithium in my 4wd, solar charged that powers my car fridge and provides camping power for charging all my devices. I installed it isolated from the main car battery to avoid accidental discharge. It's easily removed for powering my astro activities. It weighs 15kg, about 1/2 to 1/3 of it's lead acid equivalent. Expensive but cheap compared to the cost of a few visits to the physio to fix the back.
Joe