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Pages: 1 wakk0 member Reged: 01/08/13 What power supply are you guys using       #5629172 - 01/18/13 12:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi guys I just purchased the ETX90 used as my first scope. I was wondering what power supply are you guys using. I was leaning towards Celestron Power Tank but I read bad reviews on Amazon..and the Meade version is overpriced and out of stock. I've been to the great Mike Weasner's site for infos too. Post Extras:       Chris Erickson Carpal Tunnel Reged: 05/08/06 Loc: Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: wakk0]       #5629365 - 01/18/13 05:17 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jump start battery pack from one of the box stores. Post Extras:       dogeddie sage Reged: 03/26/10 Loc: Wisconsin, USA Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: Chris Erickson]       #5629456 - 01/18/13 08:10 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I have a Celestron Power Tank 7A that I recently had to change the battery on. They are fussy if you don't keep em charged. Suggest a Battery tender Junior if you go that route. Post Extras:       wakk0 member Reged: 01/08/13 Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: Chris Erickson]       #5629553 - 01/18/13 09:34 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Jump start battery pack from one of the box stores. I have a car jump box at work. I was afraid about the power that it might fry the circuit. Its one of those Instant Power XP400. They are small. Just didnt want to risk it without asking you guys first. Thanks Post Extras:       *skyguy* Pooh-Bah Reged: 12/31/08 Loc: Western New York Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: wakk0]       #5629556 - 01/18/13 09:37 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Look for a powerpack that has "smart charging" circuitry. One that can be left plugged in indefinitely ... avoiding over-charging problems ... and one that can be re-charged at any point during the discharge cycle ... avoiding the "battery memory effect" problem. Many units don't have this feature and the internal battery can fail prematurely from overcharging or/or charging the battery when it's only partially discharged. I bought a Duracell 300 Powerpack with "smart-charge" and it runs all my portable scopes (including the ETX-125) ... doing "double duty" around the house and on the road. I've had it for over 3 years and it still charges back up to 100%. Post Extras:       wakk0 member Reged: 01/08/13 Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: dogeddie]       #5629557 - 01/18/13 09:38 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: I have a Celestron Power Tank 7A that I recently had to change the battery on. They are fussy if you don't keep em charged. Suggest a Battery tender Junior if you go that route. Thats what people are saying in the reviews. Post Extras:       wakk0 member Reged: 01/08/13 Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: *skyguy*]       #5629560 - 01/18/13 09:41 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: Look for a powerpack that has "smart charging" circuitry. One that can be left plugged in indefinitely ... avoiding over-charging problems ... and one that can be re-charged at any point during the discharge cycle ... avoiding the "battery memory effect" problem. Many units don't have this feature and the internal battery can fail prematurely from overcharging or/or charging the battery when it's only partially discharged. I bought a Duracell 300 Powerpack with "smart-charge" and it runs all my portable scopes (including the ETX-125) ... doing "double duty" around the house and on the road. I've had it for over 3 years and it still charges back up to 100%. I will look into that. Thanks =] Post Extras:       tomatohead member Reged: 11/21/10 Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: wakk0]       #5630405 - 01/18/13 07:01 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I'm using Li-ion batteries they take up about half the space and weigh about half as much as deep cycle (AGM) batteries. Post Extras:       cavefrog Carpal Tunnel Reged: 11/11/08 Loc: loozyanna Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: tomatohead]       #5632361 - 01/19/13 10:37 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   motorcycle lead acid battery and charger. Post Extras:       Bob Griffiths Getting Grouchy Reged: 10/10/05 Loc: Frederick Maryland Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: cavefrog]       #5645888 - 01/27/13 11:36 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Quote: motorcycle lead acid battery and charger. Close ... I use a 35Ah handicapped mobility scooter battery to power my scopes even in the observatory where I have plenty of electrical outlets.. It is no larger then most Motorcycle batters..most come with a built in carrying handle and most are sealed gel filled ...but the major reason I like them is that they are designed to be fully discharged and then recharged every single day yet last for longer then the energizer bunny can keep on beating his darn drum.. New about $75.00 but you can get these free quite often as handicapped individuals ten to replace their batteries every year or so just cheap insurance for them not to be stranded... The one in my observatory has been in use (by me) for about 7 years old and it was used for a good year in a powered chair ...It however only holds 33 Ah worth of charge now..."biga" deal I do keep a battery Tender Plus connected to it 24/7 when not in use ... Bob G. Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: Bob Griffiths]       #5646150 - 01/27/13 02:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I use a small jumpstart battery. The name brand is Shop Force and I picked them up for $20 when they were on sale. Post Extras:       DonsDob member Reged: 05/21/12 Loc: CT Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: jgraham]       #5646398 - 01/27/13 04:38 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I picked up a Plus-Start battery charger at K-Mart for $40. I saw a couple of these at the Connecticut Star Party being used to power dew controllers and plan also to do that for my dob eventually. Post Extras:       tomatohead member Reged: 11/21/10 Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: DonsDob]       #5648951 - 01/28/13 06:46 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I work in the "Power Mobility" industry and what Bob Griffiths is referring to is what's called a U1 battery. He's right it's 33-35 AH' which is about 2-3 times the capacity of what most people call "power tank" supplies. While the added capacity may seem inviting, unless you like to "tinker" you may find the "power tank" more inviting despite it's limited capacity (7-18AH). Post Extras:       wakk0 member Reged: 01/08/13 Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: tomatohead]       #5649135 - 01/28/13 08:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Great infos guy. Thank you Post Extras:       Jerry-rigged sage Reged: 01/30/12 Loc: Coastal Texas. Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: wakk0]       #5649956 - 01/29/13 10:02 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Question for the guys using "home-made" solutions - how are you connecting to the battery? Are you just alligator-clipping to the terminals, or are you using some kind of volt/amp controller? Reason I ask, I tried to rig up a 12v battery last weekend, using 2x6v "lantern" batteries. It would power the Autostar, but not the motors... Post Extras:       tomatohead member Reged: 11/21/10 Re: What power supply are you guys using [Re: Jerry-rigged]       #5650331 - 01/29/13 01:33 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   As I said earlier, I'm using Li-Ion batteries. The battery pack has a female coaxial DC connector like the one in the 125 base. I have a cord with male coaxial DC on each end which connects the batteries to the scope. The battery pack being Li-Ion @ 12.6 Volts and 13.2 AH is small enough and light enough is attached with VELCRO to a leg on my 886 tripod. Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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