Primo
member
Reged: 01/22/08
Posts: 14
Loc: N. Texas
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Since the rechargeable AA's I first tried only lasted 5 min I cam up with this
Basically two 6 volt gell cell batteries that came out of a couple cheap rechargeable spotlights. I stuck them together with double sided tape, linked them toghether to get twelve volts and wired up the 9v connector from radio shack. (being sure to mark correct polarity)
Tested indoors for about 20minutes and seemed to work flawless. Don't know what type of runtime I will get out of this yet.Also, I stripped out the recharching circutry out of the flashlight to charge these up when needed.
Just posted in case someone is looking for a different power solution, seems to make a less bulky setup than one of the big jumpstarters (but surely will not last as long)
I will probably hang it from the center hook of the tripod legs
Adam
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R Rho
super member
Reged: 12/04/07
Posts: 150
Loc: Western NY
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This is a quick and dirty solution that will probably get the job done. How are you recharging them? If you have to reinstall them in the spotlights and pull them out again for the telescope, then the convenience of a plug-n-charge jumpstarter comes into play.
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Ray
Orion StarMax 127EQ
StellarVue SV80ED/AT Voyager Mount
Meade 70AZ-A
Plossls, TMBs, Hyperions
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Primo
member
Reged: 01/22/08
Posts: 14
Loc: N. Texas
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I took the recharching leads and circuitry out of the handle of the spotlight and use this with the plug in transformer that came with the spotlight to recharge. Since i have disected the spotlight it is obviously no longer useable.I picked this scope up for $40 from walmart,so I was trying to keep the economy theme going by using what I had around kicking around the garage.
These million candle power rechargeable spotlights that you see on sale for $9.99 usually have 6v gell cell in them.
You can also pick up 12v gell cells on the net for around $15 and get a $10 charger for them as well. (battery stuff dot com and several other vendors)
Adam
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Toys4Bill
journeyman
Reged: 01/14/08
Posts: 6
Loc: Syracuse, New York
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What is the brand name of the spotlight you used and where did you buy it. I was going to use (2) 6 volt lantern batteries in series, but once there're gone... Thanks.
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ETX 80AT-TC
ETX 125PE
Meade LPI
Garrett Gemini 15x70 Binocs
SLIK Pro 700DX-Amt Tripod
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Primo
member
Reged: 01/22/08
Posts: 14
Loc: N. Texas
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It was a garrity spotlight like the one pictured below. I don't remember where I got it. Either Home depot or Wal- mart. The other battery I had already taken out of another spotlight 2 or 3 years ago after the bulb blew in it.
Adam
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Toys4Bill
journeyman
Reged: 01/14/08
Posts: 6
Loc: Syracuse, New York
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Adam,
Thanks very much for mentioning the website 'Batterystuff.com'. I just purchased a 12v-3.4 Ah Gel Cell for $19 and a Charger for $14. I'll put them inside a tackle box for easy site transport.
Bill
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FebStars
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/02/06
Posts: 826
Loc: MA
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Have I got this right? Are you using the 12volts directly and not stepping down to 9 volts with a resistor?
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Tom H
Orion ED80
Celestron 8
Televue Genesis 500mm
Orion EQ-G, LXD75 Mounts
"The cure for boredom is curiousity. There is no cure for curiousity."
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TXPhysicsteach
member
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 77
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I have the offical meade ac adaptor for the scope (or at least one for the etx70) and it is a 12VDC 1000mA output. It was about $25 with shipping from a site that connects to amazon (Adorama camera). Haven't had a chance to use it yet though. This weekend is looking good though.
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Meade Etx 60 bb -walmart special-
Meade 70az-a
Zhumell EP and filter kit
Astronomy on a super small budget.
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Primo
member
Reged: 01/22/08
Posts: 14
Loc: N. Texas
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Quote:
Have I got this right? Are you using the 12volts directly and not stepping down to 9 volts with a resistor?
That is correct. 12 volts. Ran it for an hour a couple nights ago before the clouds rolled in. Worked great.
Adam
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FebStars
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 02/02/06
Posts: 826
Loc: MA
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Thanks,Adam. I wanted to do the same but was concerned the voltage would be too much for the circuitry in the ETX. I have since spliced the wires on a 9 volt battery for portable DVDs and soldered on a 9v battery adapter to use with the ETX. That works well, but it's good to know I can switch over to my larger 12 volt if necessary. 
Tom
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Tom H
Orion ED80
Celestron 8
Televue Genesis 500mm
Orion EQ-G, LXD75 Mounts
"The cure for boredom is curiousity. There is no cure for curiousity."
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dong99
journeyman
Reged: 01/19/08
Posts: 9
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Some of my experiences:
1. well conditioned NiMH AA cells (2000mAH) worked for 3 nights (2-3 hours each) in freezing cold weather, and it seems they might hold up for one more night
2. lithium cells for digital camera or camcorder (rated 7.2V) worked fine too, this might be a better option since I only need to charge one cell instead of six
From what I understand, lithium cells do not perform well at low temperature, so I might have to make another cable that is long enough to keep the lithium cell in my shirt pocket for the winter time.
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