Powering an AZEQ5.

[JohnF (John)]

Hi, want lightweight battery power for my AZ-EQ5.

What options do I have ??

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

I use this one for my AZ-EQ5. Also powers ASIAIR Plus and charges my phone at the same time.

https://www.companionoutdoor.com/rov...-power-station

You should be able to get it cheaper elsewhere though.

[JohnF (John)]

looked good, but hoping to get something that is less than 6.3 kilograms. Want portability.

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

Originally Posted by JohnF

looked good, but hoping to get something that is less than 6.3 kilograms. Want portability.

6.3 KG isn't bad at all . The mount head of the AZ-EQ5 is 10 KG. I used to carry a 17AH and 32AH lead battery. I think that 32ah was like 15KG, and it has less capacity and I needed to carry a bunch of cables and 12v adapters. Also, that big handle makes it a very well balanced and easy to handle 6.3 KG.

I take it camping as well as dark sky travelling for astro. It is incredibly convenient. Can also be charged by solar panel - which is nice if you have them.

I suppose if you want lighter then it will have to be a lower capacity too.

[Mark_K (Mark)]

Do you just want to power the mount, or are you looking to power other things as well like dew heaters etc? And are you talking 4 or 5 hours or 10 hours in mid winter?

[JohnF (John)]

well my HEQ5 runs n 8 D-cells. And was originally thinking something like that.

Have a large waterproof trolley case that looked as if it will take my AZEQ5 along with my C925. Want portability -- Just lost my drivers licence as I have a Cataract. And want to be able to take that with me.

Have just purchased a used Carbon Fibre Tripod to lower the weight I am carrying. And so what a light & Portable power supply.

[Mark_K (Mark)]

I used to use the earlier version of this from Jaycar: https://www.jaycar.com.au/portable-1...splay/p/MB3749
It's fine for just running a mount for the night at ~13AH. But forget it if you need to power more hungry things like dew heaters or cooled cameras as well. Can be charged by solar (built-in MPPT controller), 12v or 240V.

Mark.

[JohnF (John)]

Thanks Mark that is more like what I am looking for. Will check it out at Jaycar.

Do not need to run any accessories -- at the moment. Not expecting to use Power hungry accessories.

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

John,

During the lunar eclipse 2 weeks ago, I ran my Takahashi EM-200 (EQ6 clone) from an 8 year old 12v 7AH SLA battery from 630pm to just after midnight.

This one is 12V 9AH and quite cheap, you could buy two, have one in reserve or connect them in parallel. They are only a couple of kilos each.

https://www.sunyee.com.au/products/m...SABEgK94vD_BwE

You'll also need a charger to suit and and adaptor to clip on to make it a cigarette lighter socket.

I made one from a socket, 4 cables and 4 spade lugs wired so that if I want more power for other accessories, I can connect two of these 7AH batteries in parallel but as I mentioned, one of these ran my EQ6 clone with two scopes in a DSBS saddle plate for 5.5 hrs without batting an eyelid. i know it's not as sexy as lithium but it's a fraction of the price. Looked after they last for years.

Joe

[AstroJunk (Jonathan)]

+1

Absolutely awesome power pack for the size. I love mine, and yes, I have an AZ-EQ5.

It's lithium, so that 13ah translates to over 20ah in old money and will run a full astro rig on a warm night for over 6 hours and longer when it's cool. 2Ah cooling the camera is the biggest drain followed by the dew heaters (but fortunately, when you need one the most, you need the other the least)

Not imaging? All night no worries!

Originally Posted by Mark_K

I used to use the earlier version of this from Jaycar: https://www.jaycar.com.au/portable-1...splay/p/MB3749
It's fine for just running a mount for the night at ~13AH. But forget it if you need to power more hungry things like dew heaters or cooled cameras as well. Can be charged by solar (built-in MPPT controller), 12v or 240V.

Mark.

[raymo]

If you only have one cataract, and the other eye is fine, you shouldn't have
lost your licence. One eyed people can hold a licence, or maybe it is not the
case in your state.
raymo

[JohnF (John)]

Originally Posted by raymo

If you only have one cataract, and the other eye is fine, you shouldn't have
lost your licence. One eyed people can hold a licence, or maybe it is not the
case in your state.
raymo

other eye has also gone blurry.in the last 12 months. thankfully I can still red, and use binoculars, and presumable the telescope eyepiece.

[JohnF (John)]

I have looked several places, including Jay Car and TJM. Jaycar could have sold me a Lithium Battery and a Charger for $110, no pouch to carry it. Battery $80, charger $30, and would have to put a couple of terminals on my cord to connect it to the battery, which would be extra couple of dollars. But went to TJM while walking past, back from Jaycar. They have a very compact "jump start pack" in a pouch, very light compact Lithium Battery, 2000 amp hours -- or is that milliamps, USB rechargeable, USB ports, Jumper lead clips and a Cigarette lighter plug. It is $210. Thinking that I will buy it, not that I will need those jumper leads.

[raymo]

Hi John, Sorry about your eyes.
That jump starter pack is intended for high amperage discharge rate for a few seconds when starting engines, not low amp rates over long periods of time, hence it has a very low storage figure of 2 amp/hr which would only run your
mount for between 1 and 3hrs, depending upon how much slewing you do.
raymo

[JohnF (John)]

Originally Posted by raymo

Hi John, Sorry about your eyes.
That jump starter pack is intended for high amperage discharge rate for a few seconds when starting engines, not low amp rates over long periods of time, hence it has a very low storage figure of 2 amp/hr which would only run your
mount for between 1 and 3hrs, depending upon how much slewing you do.
raymo

Just purchased it, it was $219--. It has USB ports and built in flash light as well -- so thought these would give low amp discharge. Guess I could return it, so will check its instructions.