mains power/ portable power

shane shaw · #1 13-04-2008, 10:00 AM

G'day alll, I have a Meade 12" classic and have had some problems
the last few times I have used it. Seems everytime I start it up and
do a star alignment etc the RA motor won't work. However whn u
unlock the RA lock and then lock it again it works but a little
slower for a little then stops......

Now I have a rechargeable 12v DC power supply and a Meade 12V/18V
converter. When the scope is on the Amps peak either at full or 1
less then full. The DEC motor works but slows but the RA won't work.

I checked the charge left in the battery and it said 0 left. **** so
I thought oh well it must have not been charged , which was strange
because it was connected to the power when i went to use it. So I
used it again tonight and I know it was fully charged and working
and after 10 minutes it was zapped again. I then plugged it into the
recharge power into the mains also and thought this might help but
still very sluggish until when u do a restart it just says meade on
the hand controller and the amps a peaking and thats it.

The battery pack is 0........ now after 1 hour I check the battery
again and it is back to 25% but when u turn the little red light on
it is goes to 0.

the battery is a battery link by Haigh Jump Starter rechargeable 12V
DC power supply.

I am thinking that it has to be the battery.

Can some please help me with an answer to
a. what is happening ?
b. what else can i do ?
c. how can I and what do I need to get and where can I get it,
connect my scope direct to the mains and have mains power so there
is no drain on batterys

thanks everyone

[1ponders] (Paul) · #2 13-04-2008, 10:06 AM

Hi Shane. A couple of quick questions. The Meade 12V/18V converter, is that an AC-DC 240-12/18V or DC-DC 12 to 18V. If it is the second option have you tried an AC-DC adapter?

shane shaw · #3 13-04-2008, 10:41 AM

thanks for the reply, it is a Meade #1812 electronic DC adapter. 12v DC input - 18V DC output.........

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 13-04-2008, 10:46 AM

Ok so you are running that off your battery. Now I certainly aint no 'lectroniks wizard, not by a far long shot, but here's a suggestion. If you have been using your jump starter for a while and deep depleting it then it may be kaput! (purely technical term)

My suggestion would be to try and get hold of a mains power adapter to run your 12-18V off and see how you go with that. You may need to get a regulated one as I don't know if the 12-18 converter will automatically regulate.

shane shaw · #5 13-04-2008, 11:31 AM

any idea where to get a mains power adapter regulated ?? I don't even mind buy a regulated mains power supply even if it is a few hundred dollars, at least I am reassured it will be good.

acropolite (Phil) · #6 13-04-2008, 01:06 PM

Sounds to me like the battery is stuffed. The batteries in Jump start packs are usually Sealed Lead Acid types and are not that suited for the purpose as they do not cycle well, particularly when they are deeply discharged and not recharged immediately following discharge. Also if the unit sat for some time in the store before you bought it, the battery may well have been sub standard before you even got it home. I've seen SLA batteries fail in as few as 5 to 10 charge / (deep) discharge cycles.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #7 13-04-2008, 02:13 PM

See this thread

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=30555