Quote:
Originally Posted by Stu Ward
I was fully committed to buying the 12 goto today. So I turned up at Andrews and they don't stock them at the store. Also some concern is that there is no supplied power option !! You have to buy a battery cell separately. Crazy that it doesn't come supplied with something to at least put batteries in until you invest in a more robust power system.
What are current goto users using for power ?
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most things don't come with batteries.. imagine the cost of 12v worth of D cells VS the cost of a 1/2 decent lead acid and charger.. jaycar has 7ah batterys and charger for about $50.
that will give you about 1.5-2 hours of observing..(ya wanna use about 1/2 the capacity.. my goto uses 2amp)
I made a box with a 12v socket in it packed with 3x these batteries..
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...T&SUBCATID=250
I charge them with this connected to
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...T&SUBCATID=250
this
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...T&SUBCATID=466
pics attached... i pulled out a battery for another project but you get the gist.. there is the risk of running 3 batteries in parallel that the weaker 1 will drain the stronger ones.. i have found as long as you keep them charged the chance for a weaker battery to be created is reduced. I also never use them below 12.4v, battery monitors are cheap on ebay i paid about $6 for mine. or u can just use a multi. there is space under the socket for the charger to store so i always have it.
Alternatively buy a larger single battery.. still keep above 12v tho.
My Goto uses 2amp.. so keeping to the 1/2 usage for a night of observing lets say 6 hours id want around 24amp battery, this will allow your battery to remain in peak condition and last many years.
Sorry for ranting a bit, i love electronics, batteries, power etc.
you could even go an old car battery and charger with the right plugs made up