I raised this question on the ATM thread but perhaps think it better to post here:
For fear of being shot down, I'll ask anyway...
What's the etiquette of taking a generator to a dark-sky meet? (assuming one can assure of "quiet" operation in a suitably sound-proofed box), not talking about continuous operation either but enough to provide some charging, or even running it in the daytime after a night's observing/imaging session when I guess the observing fields should be void of ppl (that last statement is also an assumption as I've never attended a SP or dark sky meet...)
The following link is for an example of sound-proofing a mobile gen set: http://www.campertrailers.org/soundproof_box.htm
cheers
Last edited by lacad01; 24-04-2009 at 06:57 PM.
Reason: n/a
I'd take one only if it were a very quiet, 4-stroke high-quality model, like a Honda, Yamaha or similar... and it were spefically allowed by the organisers. Otherwise I don't think I'd consider it. They are still noisy on a pristine night where people are doing their observicg or imaging. It's usually pretty quiet - especially later in the night.
From this years SPSP invitation:
Quote:
Due to last year’s overwhelming popularity, we have again set aside the observing area adjacent to the house for astrophotographers with laptops where light restrictions are more relaxed. Generators are permitted at the house observing area.
Thanks Chris, I might err on the side of caution for fear of making enemies rather than friends
Besides my gen box is still work in progress and probably wouldn't finish it in time for SPSP, I'd more planned it for isolated camping trips anyhow but just wondered...
have you thought of the obvious alternative to a genny?
Most remote imagers here use a powerpack and or inverter of the
type that Supercheap sell....some of the higher end types
have the inverter built in as well.
Quiet, last for a few hours, charge it during the day from the
clubhouse mains?
Thanks Steve, I actually have a 75AH deep-cycle so was thinking more along the lines of re-charge during the day. I'm not familiar with the facilities at Wiruna and was assuming there's only limited solar facilities.
cheers
I bought a solar panel from super cheap, I think it cost me about 200/250 it's quite small around 40 watts. I took it camping from 3 weeks along with 2 jumpstart pack. It recharged everything amazingly well. I never ran out of power once in the whole three weeks. I would fully recharge my 1900 amp hour jumpstarter in close to half a day. My 1900 amp hour jump starter pack will power the scope for way more than 2 nights without being recharged. I'll be using the other one to power the Laptop for imaging. Harvey normah have a 120watt inverter for I think it was around 80 bucks. That would do the job just fine.
I bought a solar panel from super cheap, I think it cost me about 200/250 it's quite small around 40 watts. I took it camping from 3 weeks along with 2 jumpstart pack. It recharged everything amazingly well. I never ran out of power once in the whole three weeks. I would fully recharge my 1900 amp hour jumpstarter in close to half a day. My 1900 amp hour jump starter pack will power the scope for way more than 2 nights without being recharged. I'll be using the other one to power the Laptop for imaging. Harvey normah have a 120watt inverter for I think it was around 80 bucks. That would do the job just fine.
Sandy
1900 amp hour battery? I imagine that it would weigh nearly a tonne!
Thanks Steve, I actually have a 75AH deep-cycle so was thinking more along the lines of re-charge during the day. I'm not familiar with the facilities at Wiruna and was assuming there's only limited solar facilities.
cheers
Adam, Recharging your battery won't be a problem.
The SPSP committee supply more than enough power for people to charge any batteries or portable goods they have day or night. You just need to bring your own charger.
No worries John, without going into too much detail looks like I'll only be doing visual over the weekend but good to know for another time.
1900AH battery, hmm, sounds like a nuclear core
Generator etiquette
but good to know for another time.
