Battery Packs 1/2 Price

Shark Bait (Stu) · #1 25-01-2013, 10:21 PM

Dick Smith is selling these 5-in-1 Power Stations,

http://dicksmith.com.au/dsau/search/...7e01fee89c5102

http://dicksmith.com.au/product/D635...-power-station

for half price $74.50 until Feb 4th 2013.

A good number of Amateur Astronomers use these. Others don't like them. Either way, I thought it was worth letting IIS'ers know.

supernova1965 (Warren) · #2 26-01-2013, 06:32 AM

I have one off these different brand but exactly the same rebranding they work great I use it for my celestron 5e mount and my laptop through the inverter get a whole night out of it if I start with the laptop battery then when that is low plug it into the power inverter.

Shark Bait (Stu) · #3 26-01-2013, 09:01 AM

Dick Smith 5 in 1 powerpack photo added.

I have one of the non-branded versions as well Warren. They can work well if looked after.

Irish stargazer (John) · #4 26-01-2013, 09:44 AM

Anyone know how many Amp hours the battery has. I presume it is 17Ah.

supernova1965 (Warren) · #5 26-01-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish stargazer

Anyone know how many Amp hours the battery has. I presume it is 17Ah.

They are 18Ah I paid $150 for mine a year ago

Kunama · #6 26-01-2013, 11:58 AM

Thanks for the tip Stu, I ordered one this morning ($84 inc freight to Jindabyne)

pluto (Hugh) · #7 27-01-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supernova1965

They are 18Ah I paid $150 for mine a year ago

I bought one yesterday, the manual says it's a 17Ah?

hotspur (Chris) · #8 27-01-2013, 12:28 PM

I am not a huge fan of these,17 Ah is not a great deal,however at this price-they are worth getting-handy around the camp for recharging camera batteries,some led lighting,small amount of lappy use.Can re charge it via my 120 watt solar panels-(?)

COSMOPARADISE (Nick) · #9 27-01-2013, 02:05 PM

I have also upgraded mine to a 21AH panasonic battery and the extra power really gives it some legs. Fits in perfectly.

supernova1965 (Warren) · #10 27-01-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COSMOPARADISE

I have also upgraded mine to a 21AH panasonic battery and the extra power really gives it some legs. Fits in perfectly.

Do you have a tutorial on doing the upgrade?

COSMOPARADISE (Nick) · #11 27-01-2013, 02:32 PM

No tutorial, just unscrewed the back and removed the battery cables, put new battery in, reconnected cables and screwed the back back on

supernova1965 (Warren) · #12 27-01-2013, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COSMOPARADISE

No tutorial, just unscrewed the back and removed the battery cables, put new battery in, reconnected cables and screwed the back back on

Nice and simple thanks

Kunama · #13 08-02-2013, 01:33 PM

So much for Dick Smith Online

Ordered this powerpack 26.1.13 it was supposed to be in stock and would be delivered within 2 business day.

Called them today to find out where it is and was told:
" We don't have them in stock and can't give a date for supply"
I then asked for a refund of the payment which I made on the 26 of January and was told the earliest they could process the refund to me would be the 18 or 19th of February.

How I wish Dick had not sold his business to Woolworths!!!

Will not again use Dick Smith Online ........... end of rant (I feel a bit better)

When my new to me Takahashi TSA120 arrives I will forget all about this!

Allan_L (Allan) · #14 08-02-2013, 03:16 PM

I saw one very similar for sale in Aldi last week.
I think it was around $74.
The pack did say 17aH.
Was tempted but already have more than enough.

Shano592 (Shane) · #15 08-02-2013, 03:45 PM

And ... Woolworths have sold Dick Smith. Late last year, I believe.

Larryp (Laurie) · #16 08-02-2013, 04:05 PM

I bought one at Menai store, and it was the last one. Same thing was in yesterdays Jaycar catalogue for $147.00, I think.

TrevorW · #17 08-02-2013, 04:20 PM

I'll selling one just like it check out my ad !!

Shark Bait (Stu) · #18 08-02-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunama

So much for Dick Smith Online

Ordered this powerpack 26.1.13 it was supposed to be in stock and would be delivered within 2 business day.

Called them today to find out where it is and was told:
" We don't have them in stock and can't give a date for supply"
I then asked for a refund of the payment which I made on the 26 of January and was told the earliest they could process the refund to me would be the 18 or 19th of February.

How I wish Dick had not sold his business to Woolworths!!!

Will not again use Dick Smith Online ........... end of rant (I feel a bit better)

When my new to me Takahashi TSA120 arrives I will forget all about this!

Sorry to hear that you were led up the garden path. It was a good deal for those who managed to get one before they sold out. If they did not let customers know that the item was out of stock then the refund should be instant.

Whoever owns Dick Smith these days will need to look at the brand. I don't think the business should be called DS Electronics any more. They lost the electronic builders market when they stopped stocking DIY components. It is a glorified Good Guys these days.

Kunama · #19 08-02-2013, 07:39 PM

Hey Stu, that's life !!

I went to Dick Smith Electronics in Woden Plaza, Canberra when I needed to replace a couple of 'light emitting diodes' in the instrument lights of my BMW 635. There were 4 people serving that day and not one of them knew what an LED was. They tried to sell me an LED TV !!!!

Thank God for Jaycar !!

RobF (Rob) · #20 08-02-2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kunama

Thank God for Jaycar !!

Amen!