12v Power solution

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

I am sure I am not the only one who hates cigarette lighter plugs! So I finally bit the bullet and purchased a "Rigrunner". I had spoken to John at Bintel a couple of weeks ago about them and he showed me his kit. He described getting it as "like joining a cult", which was a bit of a worry but he assured me that there was no group sex involved (whew!!)
Anyway, it arrived today so I set it up and modified my power cable for my mount to use the Anderson Power Pole connectors and gave it a test run. Works like a dream!! As long as you are careful with polarity, it is easy to put together, there are videos galore on line about setting it up and the unit itself is quite lightweight so can sit on the mount itself and I can use little short power cables.



Malcolm

[RickS (Rick)]

Welcome to the cult

I run a single power cable to a Rigrunner unit attached to my scope. It's a very neat solution and the power connections never give me any grief (USB is another story...)

[alocky (Andrew lockwood)]

I've got one of these too, and can recommend them without hesitation! I wish there was a local supplier because I want another one and can't remember where I got it!
Cheers
Andrew.

[bojan]

Any links?

This looks similar ? :
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Low-volta...oAAOSw-jhUGZoX

I was considering the below one, but it's too expensive:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12-volt-P...QAAOSwgQ9ViiSk

[troypiggo (Troy)]

Originally Posted by RickS

Welcome to the cult
...

Just how many cults are you a member of?

[AndrewJ]

If you want to have real fun ( and have deep pockets ) the 4005i model also allows remote operation via internet/wifi control as well.

http://www.westmountainradio.com/pro...ts_id=rr_4005i

This gives remote on/off, current control and monitoring of individual feeds etc as it uses settable breakers not fuses.

Andrew

[RickS (Rick)]

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Just how many cults are you a member of?

It takes a week just to go through all the secret handshakes

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by bojan

Any links?

I was considering the below one, but it's too expensive:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12-volt-P...QAAOSwgQ9ViiSk

Here ya go.

A marine grade 12 volt plug and socket for $11.00

http://www.boatingandrv.com.au/2-pin...t-rubber-plug/

Cheers
John B

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

One question about these Rigrunners. They come with a variety of fuses for various amperages. The gear I will be running mostly appears to have a low current draw. My mount for example specifies 3A and my camera 2A.
Should I get a fuse that matches the draw on the gear or does it matter if it is a couple of amp different, eg a 5A fuse with the 3A mount?
As you can probably tell I am no expert in electrical matters!!

Cheers

Malcolm

[bojan]

Use fuse at least 50% ~ 100% higher rate for your combined load.
Fuse is there to protect the distributor.
Camera etc. has it's own fuses inside.

[DavidTrap (David)]

Card carrying member of the Rigrunner Cult!

DT

[hamiland (Anders)]

Try these for a local cost effective solution (Some Assembly Required).

http://vk2bv.org/home/projects/power...tribution-box/