power supply?

ving (David) · #1 02-11-2006, 10:05 AM

just wondering... the heq5 comes with batterypack, where ya shove a bunch of batteries in. what have others who have this mount done to replace the power supply? how well does your replacement work? how long does it last before it needs recharging? can this mount be plugged into the mains without blowing up?

if you bought something can you post a link to it so i know exactly what it is.

thanks in advance

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 02-11-2006, 10:25 AM

Hi ving, how many batteries does it take? Total to 6V? If it is similar to my EQ3 drive then I bought a little gizzmo from Jaycar that converts 12 or 24V to 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, and 12V. Plugs straight into a 12 jump starter pack. Very handy.

Or there is this one but I've not tried it.

ving (David) · #3 02-11-2006, 10:59 AM

12v 2 amp paul

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 02-11-2006, 12:16 PM

Well there is this one but you would need to change the plug to match your HEQ5

Alternatively you could use this one (same one Bintel used to sell for the LX200s, may still do)

h0ughy (David) · #5 02-11-2006, 12:32 PM

ving just get a battery pack from Supercheap (17AH or the bigger one if you wish) the socketed 12 volt adapter that comes with it is the right polarity and size to fit (for the eq6, so i dont think the eq5 would be different), or from jaycar get the 12volt 4 amp power adapter they are about 50-60 dollars! Works very well!

Merlin66 (Ken) · #6 02-11-2006, 01:11 PM

I'm using the computer voltage adaptor ( 12 V in to 18V out) from Jaycar, about $50 for my LX200.
They also have ( in the toy section) a 5A 12V transformer for half the price of the regular "power" transformer, only cost $30. A good investment.

ving (David) · #7 02-11-2006, 01:13 PM

sold! thanks houghy and paul for your help!

how long does the 17ah last fully charged?

h0ughy (David) · #8 02-11-2006, 01:57 PM

well if you suck 2 amps and its a 17 Ah battery then a good 8 hours, less if you do heaps of slewing as it will tend to suck more. putting it nicely you should get in a full night , or two nights if you are away and dont slew much. or for that quick 4 hours or so viewing somewhere, no worries. just dont plug in a dew zapper into it, then you will only get 2 hours

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #9 02-11-2006, 02:16 PM

I know it's controversial, but I use the supplied power pack!

The 2amp is peak slew two drives, so normally it just ticks over on one drive. Whilst I don't use it much, I haven't changed the bateries in over a year.

It also has the advantage of isolating the power from any other 'noisy' devices. Whether it helps, I have no proof, but the tracking is pretty good.

ving (David) · #10 15-11-2006, 11:04 AM

hey houghy, is that supercheap battery pack umm... regulated? apparently it needs to be regulated.

stephenmcnelley · #11 15-11-2006, 11:17 AM

Battery World and the like sell valve regulated, closed lead cell single unit rechargable batteries made by Fullriver and others for around $35. They are 12V, 3.2 Amp hour/10Hr and good for a number of hours constant work.
Size is 130mm long by 65mm wide by 60mm high.
It has worked a treat so far for a number of tasks around the home including driving a little Meade and cooling fans etc

33South (Chris) · #12 15-11-2006, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

hey houghy, is that supercheap battery pack umm... regulated? apparently it needs to be regulated.

I didnt think batteries need to be regulated, mine arent and Ive never had any probs. But I dont run them too low before recharging.

Normally regulated refers to using an AC mains to 12V DC converter.

ving (David) · #13 15-11-2006, 02:06 PM

ah sweet, supercheap it is then. thanks Chris

h0ughy (David) · #14 15-11-2006, 02:24 PM

just get a battery Ving, and what Chris said

ving (David) · #15 15-11-2006, 02:29 PM

ok ok ok!!!
stop pushing me already!!! i just dont want to blow up my new mount!!

after reverse poling the meade mount 2 weeks after recieving it and having to send the board off to meade USA to get fixed i thought i might get everything right for the new mount which will arrive today or tomorrow

mill (Martin) · #16 15-11-2006, 05:44 PM

if you are worried about the voltage then put an voltage regulator between the batterie and the scope.
Very simple to build.

RAJAH235 · #17 15-11-2006, 06:50 PM

FWIW. Any 'battery' puts out (voltage/current), PURE DC. There is no better supplier of PURE DC. There is no need to use any kind of regulator.
ving, just buy a large capacity starter pack.

L.

johnno · #18 16-11-2006, 02:20 AM

As Rajah said,

There is no better regulation than pure DC,Providing the initial voltage is not Too much.

And as it runs down,the voltage drops lower anyway.

Regards.John

ving (David) · #19 16-11-2006, 02:44 PM

done! went to supercheap and bought one today... mount arrives tonight (lee hand delivering it)

h0ughy (David) · #20 16-11-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ving

done! went to supercheap and bought one today... mount arrives tonight (lee hand delivering it)

photo's ving photos, of the arrival, the naming and the christening