Queensland Astrofest 2015 - Page 8

pmrid (Peter) · #**141** 05-08-2015, 08:23 PM

As a matter of interest, I was wondering how much battery power people take to Astrofest. Over the years, the power grid has had its ups and downs. So I was planning on being independent of the grid and planned on taking a 150AH deep cycle battery and trying to run everything off it (via an inverter where necessary - laptop mainly). I have a spare 100AH as well and I suppose I could run them in parallel if need be.

Peter

RobF (Rob) · #**142** 05-08-2015, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrid

As a matter of interest, I was wondering how much battery power people take to Astrofest. Over the years, the power grid has had its ups and downs. So I was planning on being independent of the grid and planned on taking a 150AH deep cycle battery and trying to run everything off it (via an inverter where necessary - laptop mainly). I have a spare 100AH as well and I suppose I could run them in parallel if need be.

Peter

My home UPS blew up towards the end of AF last year Peter - I'm pretty sure due to moisture that hadn't dried out from the previous night in the box I was using. This year seriously thinking of leaving it and bringing a big battery and charger then putting them behind basic surge protected powerboard. Power was pretty good last year, but some breaker pops in the dewy early morning hours some nights.

MichaelSW (Michael) · #**143** 06-08-2015, 06:48 AM

Only one more sleep till the hutchie goes up.

geoffw89 (Geoff) · #**144** 06-08-2015, 09:34 AM

I'm arriving late on Sat afternoon now due to a funeral. Rob and Anthony should have a nice camp spot selected for me though.

I occasionally put up the hutchie Michael. Still my original issue in Grunts in 86. Come say hello mate, I'll be in the Blue Falcon ute.

multiweb (Marc) · #**145** 06-08-2015, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

packed

Are you for real?

Do you have any time imaging up there? Or you're still unpacking Sunday arvo?

multiweb (Marc) · #**146** 06-08-2015, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbz

We'll be fine as long as Fukishima Dave makes it through the week with at least one UPS intact. If he feeds off the mains we're all doomed

Ha... so he's the culprit. I'll bring a pair of secateurs.

multiweb (Marc) · #**147** 06-08-2015, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobF

My home UPS blew up towards the end of AF last year Peter - I'm pretty sure due to moisture that hadn't dried out from the previous night in the box I was using. This year seriously thinking of leaving it and bringing a big battery and charger then putting them behind basic surge protected powerboard. Power was pretty good last year, but some breaker pops in the dewy early morning hours some nights.

Hey Rob, I'm planning on taking a 500W UPS with me. Mainly for protection from Fukushima events. I keep all electrical off the dews in my igloo like tent. I only open half of the roof for the scope and mount. The other half is for the table/chair, laptop, power board, power supplies, etc... I also put fabric on top of the tent to soak the dew held with pegs and rotate a few dry ones overnight (old kitchen curtains). They're great at soaking all the water. I dry them during the day. Been using that routine for years. It keeps me relatively dry all night with no drama. When I'm done I close the tent and go to bed.

killswitch (Edison) · #**148** 06-08-2015, 11:35 AM

Is it brown outs or surges that's an issue?

I think ill keep the mount on battery. The netbook and heaters can go on AC.

RobF (Rob) · #**149** 06-08-2015, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by multiweb

Hey Rob, I'm planning on taking a 500W UPS with me. Mainly for protection from Fukushima events. I keep all electrical off the dews in my igloo like tent. I only open half of the roof for the scope and mount. The other half is for the table/chair, laptop, power board, power supplies, etc... I also put fabric on top of the tent to soak the dew held with pegs and rotate a few dry ones overnight (old kitchen curtains). They're great at soaking all the water. I dry them during the day. Been using that routine for years. It keeps me relatively dry all night with no drama. When I'm done I close the tent and go to bed.

I'll have to be on the lookout for a tent packed with goodies then! Sounds like a good plan Marc. Most imagers bring those shower tents to inhabit at AF nowadays. I'm still a traditional "spread out on the table" sort of guy, but should put this stuff in the protected zipped up spaces underneath rather than a non-breathable plastic box my engineering mate told me last year. Not many sleeps now!

multiweb (Marc) · #**150** 07-08-2015, 07:51 AM

Tested everything in situ with UPS last night. Ready to pack today. I don't think I'll need a trailer.

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #**151** 07-08-2015, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killswitch

Is it brown outs or surges that's an issue?

I think ill keep the mount on battery. The netbook and heaters can go on AC.

A bad year a few seasons back reminded everyone how important it was to protect sensitive equipment. Wet conditions and some pretty dodgy items plugged into the system (hairdriers etc) were causing circuits to trip all over the place and some folk paid the price for others bad behaviour.

Otherwise, Duckadang has an excellent power supply and enough for all.

multiweb (Marc) · #**152** 07-08-2015, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroJunk

Wet conditions and some pretty dodgy items plugged into the system (hairdriers etc) were causing circuits to trip all over the place and some folk paid the price for others bad behaviour.

Hairdrier noise in the dark = cold bucket of water on the head. Problem solved.

firstlight (Tony) · #**153** 07-08-2015, 01:11 PM

Wagons HO!

firstlight (Tony) · #**154** 07-08-2015, 03:10 PM

Astrofest sign up at Linville turn-off at Moore.

RickS (Rick) · #**155** 08-08-2015, 05:32 AM

Good luck with the weather and power, guys! Mostly cloudy over here in the UK

I just heard from Andor that my camera is fixed so I hope to be imaging again in September.

Cheers,
Rick.

Camelopardalis (Dunk) · #**156** 08-08-2015, 02:05 PM

Rick, it's always cloudy in the UK

Been a beautiful first day, literally freezing last night, had to let the climbing sun melt the ice off my scope

multiweb (Marc) · #**157** 08-08-2015, 05:52 PM

Stop over in Armidale tonight, last leg tomorrow, should be there Sunday arvo. Looooong drive.

RB (Andrew) · #**158** 08-08-2015, 08:02 PM

Have a great time everyone.
Hope you all enjoy the event and clear skies for the duration.
Safe travels and looking forward to the reports and images.

RB

MortonH · #**159** 08-08-2015, 09:46 PM

Just realised that the Perseids reach their peak this week, and it looks as though the radiant will clear the horizon at Duckadang. Some bright meteors would be a nice bonus!

Jon_hm (Jonathan) · #**160** 09-08-2015, 04:18 PM

To all the visual observers at astrofest who patiently answered my endless questions and let me look through their fabulous equipment. Especially Michael with his atlas-like knowledge of the skies, Bob with the fabulous solar filter (those finger marks came off right

) and Dennis with the monster dob. This was my first astrofest and I really enjoyed it even though I was just down for the night.

Best wishes

Jon (the guy with the ancient 4" refractor)

Ps Dennis - if you read this and want to give that bit of gear we were talking about a go, drop me a PM. If I was thinking straight I would have got your contact details at the time.