Power my Skywatcher Synscan Goto

[poncho (Poncho)]

Hi

Just setup my 10" dob with goto
Will mostly be viewing from home but also going out more in summer.

It came with a carcharger output.

Have been trying to do a bit of reading from the forums but looks like id need a deep cycle battery and discharge to only 50%ish.
Probably only need 8hrs max viewing so 16Ah min?
Wont be needing to charge anything else except potentially a laptop if going out-

How about these::
http://batteryguru.com.au/Neuton-Pow...%20cycle%2012v
$115 for for AGM 26Ah

Or
http://www.jaycar.com.au/sla-deep-cy...-26ah/p/SB1698
$150 for SLA 26 Ah

Or
http://www.batteriesplus.com.au/shop...h-agm-battery/
AGM $145 for 34Ah

Or
http://www.batteriesplus.com.au/shop...h-gel-battery/
GEL $158 for 36Ah

Any other suggestions??

And do i need any other accessories to connect it and charge it up?

[Atmos (Colin)]

I cannot really comment on the different types but at face value I'd say the either of the latter two would be your best option. To run the telescope all you need is a cable that has a 12V socket on one end and clips on the other.
As for charging the laptop, you are best to get 12V charger that has a socket type plug otherwise you need to get an inverter which are not cheap.

[gaseous (Patrick)]

You could also look at the 1200amp jump starter from Super Cheap Auto: it's got 2 car charger sockets, a semi-decent LED light, a USB slot on the back, plus you can obviously jump start your car with it. I have one and 4-5 hours on my 8" goto dob is handled easily. Not sure how you'd go powering a laptop off it though, but I think the documentation for it gives you an idea how long you can run certain appliances. You just plug it into a 240v socket to recharge it.

[poncho (Poncho)]

With the power packs do u use them till they tell u to recharge? There's no rule likewith th deep cycle where u shud only discharge 50%??

Will a 900ma/17ah suffice for 6hrs?

[Malcolm]

My 10" Synscan GOTO draws 1ah according to the manual. On that basis I bought this for $99.00 from Jaycar.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/12v-3-in-1-...ttery/p/MB3730
After 4hrs use I still had 57% battery life. The only fault I found was that the socket connection for the plug was a bit on the loose side so I wedge it with a matchstick.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

I use something like this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-18AH-...0AAOSwxN5Wahog

Apart from powering the synscan, it also powers a base fan, and secondary heater strap.

The thin size is convenient so it can sit on the base of the mount and turns with the scope, thus eliminating the possibility of cord wrap.

[gaseous (Patrick)]

Originally Posted by poncho

With the power packs do u use them till they tell u to recharge? There's no rule likewith th deep cycle where u shud only discharge 50%??

Will a 900ma/17ah suffice for 6hrs?

The 1200amp model from supercheap suggests you keep it fully charged at all times to maximise battery life, so you just recharge it after every viewing session. Not sure about the 900ma/17ah lifespan - electronics are a bit of a dark art as far as I'm concerned, sorry!

[Steffen]

Originally Posted by poncho

Any other suggestions??

And do i need any other accessories to connect it and charge it up?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/35AH-AMP-...item43ea78dac8

I bought the PDC12400NB (40Ah instead of 35) from the same seller a couple of years ago and am very happy with it.

You will need an AGM capable battery charger. I'm using the Ctek MXS 5.0.

[poncho (Poncho)]

Thanks guys for the input!
Ended up getting a battery pack for ease of use as my first power supply - might upgrade to a big one next time or if it becomes necessayr

Got it from Repco, discounted to $110
Jump starter 1200A / 24Ah AGM
Only thing is doesnt include a USB port which might have been nice, and only one 12V port.

[torr (James)]

Hi Poncho I bought the SCA 1200 amp unit from super cheap auto 9 months ago for $115 on special.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations
I use it to power an Orion XT12g Dob, not had any problems with it yet.
Longest usage of had was around 6 hours and it still reported half charged after the session.
A few months back they had the SCA1900 on special for $115.

[poncho (Poncho)]

Originally Posted by torr

Hi Poncho I bought the SCA 1200 amp unit from super cheap auto 9 months ago for $115 on special.
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...ecommendations
I use it to power an Orion XT12g Dob, not had any problems with it yet.
Longest usage of had was around 6 hours and it still reported half charged after the session.
A few months back they had the SCA1900 on special for $115.

Thanks mate - already have bought the one from Repco now!!
Good to know i should be able to use it for 6hours no problem! Enough juice perhaps to use for use something else too!

[poncho (Poncho)]

Does the base not rotate without power? Doesnt seem to.
How can i use it to manually look at stars??!

And does me raising/lower the OTA without power harm the mechanics??

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by poncho

Does the base not rotate without power? Doesnt seem to.
How can i use it to manually look at stars??!

And does me raising/lower the OTA without power harm the mechanics??

Have you read the manual?

Skywatcher DOBs are great because you can push them around manually without disturbing the alignment.
BUT
You need power to switch the synscan on anyway, to enable alignment, if you want tracking etc.


Yes! You can use it without power like a non-goto scope if you want.
There is a slip clutch type arrangement in both axis.
It may seem a little tight, but that is generally ok, just push harder.
(NOTE: the clutch friction can be adjusted, and there are threads here that show how, but that is something that can cause more problems than it solves if you are not careful.)

[poncho (Poncho)]

Originally Posted by Allan_L

Have you read the manual?

Skywatcher DOBs are great because you can push them around manually without disturbing the alignment.
BUT
You need power to switch the synscan on anyway, to enable alignment, if you want tracking etc.


Yes! You can use it without power like a non-goto scope if you want.
There is a slip clutch type arrangement in both axis.
It may seem a little tight, but that is generally ok, just push harder.
(NOTE: the clutch friction can be adjusted, and there are threads here that show how, but that is something that can cause more problems than it solves if you are not careful.)

I have read the manual....apparently not thoroughly enough

Hrmm okay, up/down is nice and smooth but turning the base is real tight - the bottom disc turns as well! Will try look into this slip clutch thing with caution

Compared to my old 8" dob its a million times tighter and i am worried that i will break the goto mechanisms

Thanks!

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by poncho

! Will try look into this slip clutch thing with caution

Thanks!

I have uploaded the pdf file for you.
Note: the original is in german, so ...

[poncho (Poncho)]

Amazing, thanks Allan!

Was this in the manual!? Mine was just a short booklet with basically setup only!

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by poncho

Amazing, thanks Allan!

Was this in the manual!? Mine was just a short booklet with basically setup only!

No.
Found by google search.

My Manual is pretty basic too, but it is about 30 pages.
This is a link to the Skywatcher site and the Manual https://www.skywatcher.com/upfiles/e...1335568752.pdf

The file size is 2M