Power Supply

[nightsky]

Any idea where to buy a a/c adapter power supply for the ETX 125. I've searched the net no see. I rang Bintel there out of stock, they did say they will have there own brand in tomorrow cost was $107 or $127 what a rip off, I don't really want to get a battery pack like this one http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/details.asp?id=MAS-141
even though it's only $68 any ideas?? Need ASAP Thanks

[johnno]

I would try Supercheap Auto,for a standard car jump starter,IF YOU ONLY NEED 12 VOLTS.
I have seen these for as little as $38.00,and WAAY more useable time than a little 7A/H would give you.

Regards.
John

[nightsky]

Hi John Thanks for your reply, but I would prefer to stay away from battries, as I will be using the scope at home or at my week-ender

Originally Posted by johnno

I would try Supercheap Auto,for a standard car jump starter,IF YOU ONLY NEED 12 VOLTS.
I have seen these for as little as $38.00,and WAAY more useable time than a little 7A/H would give you.

Regards.
John

[johnno]

Hi Nightsky,

You would need to know the Voltage,and current draw of the scope's Electronics,there are plenty of 12 volt adaptors at **** Smith Electronics,I would be VERY surprised if they didn't have something suitable for you.

Cheers.
John

[nightsky]

Hi John, Just looking at **** Smiths web page now, what I might have to do to get me by, it can take 8 AAA battries I think, I will not receive the scope until Thur, then I will have a better idea of what the connection looks like,
I have lots of a/c power adapters at home but until I see the actual conector from the scope, I'll just have to wait, if Bintel had the Meade a/c adapter in stock it would have saved me a lot of bother, even though the price is about $89 yeah a rip of, but what can you do. Thanks again for reply.

Originally Posted by johnno

Hi Nightsky,

You would need to know the Voltage,and current draw of the scope's Electronics,there are plenty of 12 volt adaptors at **** Smith Electronics,I would be VERY surprised if they didn't have something suitable for you.

Cheers.
John

[johnno]

Hi Nightsky,

Well 8xAAA batteries is definately 12 Volt,and it looks like not Too much current is needed,then you probably have an adapter at home which will probably fit.

PLEASE,MAKE SURE YOU GET THE POLARITY CORRECT.

IF,you only need a low Current 12 volt supply,it should NOT be too expensive,even if you dont have one at home.

Best Regards.
John

[nightsky]

Hi John, I checked Meads web site and it runs on 8 AA one's and I have 10 of them at home excuse my ignorance when you say get the " The Polarity Correct" what does that mean.Thanks

Originally Posted by johnno

Hi Nightsky,

Well 8xAAA batteries is definately 12 Volt,and it looks like not Too much current is needed,then you probably have an adapter at home which will probably fit.

PLEASE,MAKE SURE YOU GET THE POLARITY CORRECT.

IF,you only need a low Current 12 volt supply,it should NOT be too expensive,even if you dont have one at home.

Best Regards.
John

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Hi Night sky. I used (LX200GPS) and still use a DS "Power supply Multi-Voltage 3-12VDC, 3Amp" (copied directly from the box top) about $60 if I remember correctly and it has been fine. Oh, Model number M9941.

Polarity - Center Pin Positive.

[nightsky]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Hi Night sky. I used (LX200GPS) and still use a DS "Power supply Multi-Voltage 3-12VDC, 3Amp" (copied directly from the box top) about $60 if I remember correctly and it has been fine. Oh, Model number M9941.

Polarity - Center Pin Positive.

Hi,Thanks for your reply, where did you buy it? I've been searching ebay,google, and a lot of Australia shops, no can find. I saw a few on ebay
but not sure if they would be suitable or not, as the Meade web page does not give any specs on it.This one I saw just a few minutes age on ebay, perhaps you could give me advise on it.it also has 7 different different size conectors.Maybe if you have time you could check out the web page.Thanks for your reply

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....ayphotohosting

Multi Voltage

AC Adapter - Power Supply
Input 240VAC ~ 50Hz
Output 3/4.5/6/7.5/9/12 VDC
Current 300mA
Black Case
Interchangeable Plugs
Polarity Reversible Plugs and Socket
Supplied With
3.5mm Phone Plug
1.1/1.4/2.1/2.3/2.5/4.0mm DC Plugs
1.8m Cord Length

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I found it originally in a D*ck Smith catelogue. Give them a call or try Jaycar.

[nightsky]

Thanks champ, I'll do that right now and post the out come

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

I just checked the DS online store and the only one they showed there was on 300mA. That won't be anywhere big enough. I'd suggest giving them a ring if you have one in the area. Or a Tandy seeing as they are both owned by the same company.

[RAJAH235]

Nightsky, goto > www1.jaycar.com.au
Cat No.,> GH1379. 12 volts out @ 5 AMPS for $29.95.
You need a plug pack unit of at least 1.5 or more AMPS output @ your required 12? volts.
The unit, (300mA), you posted will not supply enough AMPS to run your t'scope.
HTH. L.
ps. Check your plug/socket requirements on the t'scope. Usually 2.5 mm "DC power" plug/socket.

[Gama]

What you are all missing is the rating of the power supply...
It needs to be REGULATED at 12 V.
DO NOT get any power supply that rates it at 12 V 3 amps etc..
What this is reffering is that when loaded down to 3 Amps (Or what ever its rated at) the Voltage being supplied is 12V. BUT if its only drawing 1 amp lets say, then the voltage could be as high as 20 V... So DO NOT USE A UNREGULATED SUPPLY..
Use some noogen..... Why dont you just use that old IBM XT or AT etc computer power supply like i do. I just ripped it out of an old XT and it gives me +5V 20 Amps, +12V 5 Amps, -12V 2 amps.. Perfect, not only 12V but also some other ranges as well as a bonus for those other accesories.
Best of all its regulated..

I use one on my RCX scope.. I wasnt going to pay $100 plus on a supply..
Have fun..

[Dennis]

Hi

Another suggestion to add to the mix. I only use regulated power supplies for all my astro equipment. But, some gear requires centre positive, other bits are centre negative. My Tak mount runs off 24V, Vixen mount 12V and I also have 6V and 3V power supplies.

To minimise the risk of damaging equipment, or myself, I label each power supply with the name of the equipment it is used on, and whether it is centre +ve or centre -ve, as when tired, in the dark, under the dim light of a red torch, it is easy to make a mistake and use the wrong power supply.

Cheers

Dennis

[cjmarsh81]

Gama, I have heard of people using computer supplies as power supplies before. Did you have to put a load on the 5V side? I have heard you need to do this as the switching supply needs a load on 5V for some reason.

[GrampianStars (Rob)]

There's heaps of $$ saving at many outlets
Jcar, Altronics, Radio Parts, Oatley, etc
all you need to know is
voltage regulated to whatever rating you need i.e. 9v, 12v, 15v, 18v
also the plug socket size i.e. 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, etc.
and finally amps required 1.0A through to 8.0A

[nightsky]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

I just checked the DS online store and the only one they showed there was on 300mA. That won't be anywhere big enough. I'd suggest giving them a ring if you have one in the area. Or a Tandy seeing as they are both owned by the same company.

The one I saw was the same as yours with the same Cat No $69:95
said they have 5 in stock,

[nightsky]

Thanks lads for your replies, now I am completly confussed lol
I'll wait until the scope arrives then I'll have a better idea what the
conection looks like.

[RAJAH235]

Nightsky, the 12 volt/5 AMP, unit that I recommended is a 'regulated' one. (only 12 volts @ whatever load). Tis the best/cheapest option atm. L.
ps. The reason I suggested the 5 AMP one, was simply that you can use 'other stuff',(heaters), as well, without overloading it..