Power sources at dark sites

[Chris.B (Christopher)]

I have the same drive and 4D cell power pack. I found a pdf and said 20hrs to a set of batteries. A Dolphin battery is also 6v and will last a little longer.

To get longer and rechargable get a 6v sealed lead acid battery from the likes of Jaycar. I have a bike headlight running the same battery. You can use a 6-7.5v plug pack to recharge it.

Hope that helps.

[Varangian (John)]

Originally Posted by Chris.B

I have the same drive and 4D cell power pack. I found a pdf and said 20hrs to a set of batteries. A Dolphin battery is also 6v and will last a little longer.

To get longer and rechargable get a 6v sealed lead acid battery from the likes of Jaycar. I have a bike headlight running the same battery. You can use a 6-7.5v plug pack to recharge it.

Hope that helps.

Sure does, thanks Chris. I rang Jaycar before your post and they can set me up with a rechargable 6v battery including all connections to my drive for less than $40. I'm just going to have to live with carting a 12v and 6v battery around, but's that's not too much of a problem provided I am observing relatively close to my car.

Thanks all for your guidance.

[Varangian (John)]

Just for the record I went to Jaycar and bought an inverter with a capacity of 500w (constant running) and a power surge of 1000w. The inverter has alligator clips that connect straight to a neat little 12v car battery with handles. I have an extension board running from the inverter with my motor drive (under 100w) and laptop and hair dryer (one of those Chinese foldable poratble ones @ 400w) all plugged in. I had it all up and running for a few hours last night and it all went all a okay!

This set up elimates a need to purchase a 6v and 12v battery for separate devices. All up cost was under $200 (just).
thanks all for your advice I ended up going with a couple of suggestions and rolled them up into one, without your advice a way forward would have been a lot more labour intensive.

[mswhin63 (Malcolm)]

Careful about using yur car battery off site just in case you drain too much power. I think most people including myself would prefer a separate battery, even another car battery will be my next purchase for off site stuff.

[Varangian (John)]

Originally Posted by mswhin63

Careful about using yur car battery off site just in case you drain too much power. I think most people including myself would prefer a separate battery, even another car battery will be my next purchase for off site stuff.

I am using an external 12v car battery that I recharge at home. It will have days of life for what I need it for

[Irish stargazer (John)]

http://www.waeco.com.au/products5.as...&subCatId2=127

I have seen these used before to run a servocat, heaters and Argo navis on a big dob.

[MrB (Simon)]

A hair dryer?

[Varangian (John)]

Originally Posted by MrB

A hair dryer?

Yeah I know I like to look my best whilst observing

Seriously, I've got to get around to purchasing dew heaters but a quick blast of the hair dryer will give me an additional 15 minutes before fogging up... What can I say my wife already thinks this is the biggest money pit.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

You can buy 12vt hair dryers from camping stores.

[Astro_Bot]

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

You can buy 12vt hair dryers from camping stores.

Truly? That begs the question: Who would choose to "rough it" camping and decide that they still need a hairdryer?!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Originally Posted by Astro_Bot

Truly? That begs the question: Who would choose to "rough it" camping and decide that they still need a hairdryer?!

Astronomers!!!

https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_l...cr=Hair+Dryers

[Astro_Bot]

That is actually quite a useful link.

I always like to look my best when observing!

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

There's always the 12vt Superstore at Caboolture too.
Because sometimes you just have to browse in person.

http://www.solarpanelxpress.com.au/

[Varangian (John)]

Originally Posted by Astro_Bot

That is actually quite a useful link.

I always like to look my best when observing!

Hey that's my material!

I got the same hair dryer from China for $3.99 free post.

I needed a small foldable hair dryer up to a certain wattage because my inverter has a limit of 500 constant watts. I didn't want to overload it. A 3 second blast from one of these babies will give me clear eps/mirrors for 15 mins in really bad conditions.

[DavidTrap (David)]

If you're handy with a soldering iron:

I bought a 5/6V 3amp BEC from eBay - it's intended to be used to power the receiver and servos of a model aircraft.

LINK

It will convert anywhere between 5.5-23V down to 5 or 6V (user selectable).

They are $4.50 shipped.

I'm using one for the RA drive on my EQ3. They could also be useful for powering USB hubs in the field - they usually require 5V.

DT

[Moon (James)]

John
Another option to consider is to join the ASV. We have 240V power and piers on the observing field at our dark site. Makes life very easy.
http://asv.org.au/lmdss.php
James

[Varangian (John)]

Originally Posted by Moon

John
Another option to consider is to join the ASV. We have 240V power and piers on the observing field at our dark site. Makes life very easy.
http://asv.org.au/lmdss.php
James

Thanks Moon, I have joined. Cheers.

[Chris.B (Christopher)]

ASV's LMDSS is a great dark sky location.
Hoping to get there this weekend if clear. The 240v is a real bonus.
You can use a 6v plug pack and not worry about batteries running low.
Nice to now run the LX200 on mains and not a dirty great SLA battery.