Skywatcher EQ6GT power connector mod

[adamcullen (Adam)]

Hi all,

this is my first mod of my brand new Skywatcher AZ EQ6GT.

The power connector on the new Skywatcher is apparently a much improved design over the previous connector. However, the plug it uses isn't easy to come by. I searched the web, Jaycar and ebay for it, but to no avail.

It is a mini female 2 pin line mic plug. A normal size female 2 pin line mic plug is easy to come by ($2.95 at Jaycar http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=PS2014) but a mini one is impossible to find.

So, I thought about a mod.

I figured I had one mini plug, the original one that came with the mount, so I could use that as a sort of adapter to something else that was more easy to find. So I cut off about 15cm of cable, and soldered on a 3 pin male cannon type connector (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=PP1012). I can then use easy to come by 3 pin female connon type connectors to both the cigarette lighter plug and other power supplies (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=PS1015). These cannon connectors are heavy duty and have a positive lock, but are easy to unplug from each other.

Here's some pics:
1) A comparison of the EQ6GT's mini line mic connector with a normal line mic connector.
2) The new short cable, with 3 pin cannon type connector attached.
3) Both the new connector cable, plus the cigarette cable with its new connector.
4) The new short cable attached to the mount.

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

Top work Adam, a simple solution to something that should have been thought of by Skywatcher. Might have a look around at other electronic stores for this plug.

[adamcullen (Adam)]

If you find one, let me know, I'd like to keep it as original as possible. However, I think this is a pretty good solution. I could always have just changed the plug on the mount to a bigger one, but that would require a bit more drilling than I was prepared to do into a brand new mount :-)

A

[John0z (John)]

This appears to be a 2 pin XLR 12mm chassis plug. eBay has it for $1 or so plus postage http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XLR-2-Pin...ht_2795wt_1111

[adamcullen (Adam)]

Thanks John,

I'll order one and see if it works.

Adam

[2stroke (Jay)]

You should see if you can get an elbowed one, can see it being damaged to easily protruding like that. I think the plug is a bit over the top for the current it draws lol, but it looks more professional. Nice work though

[steve000 (Steve)]

nice mod,

Ever find it weird that on one of the largest mounts in the industry they use a "mini" plug...... why not the old fashioned 2.1 or 2.5mm dc power plug like the normal eq6.

[Ausrock (Chris)]

I wouldn't rely on the details in that Ebay listing........the item in the pic is nothing like an XLR (aka Cannon).