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Which battery packs can be used to run the ASI Air, ASI533 MC Pro, ASI120 mini guide camera, and optional EAF, Dew Heater, and mount all night long?

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#1 thornhale

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Posted 23 March 2025 - 11:31 AM

Hi folks,

 

I currently have the Celestron Powerbank Pro (https://www.celestro...ank-lithium-pro).

 

My question is 2-fold.

 

Is this battery strong enough to run mount, camera with cooler, guide camera, EAF and dew heater say 8-10 hours long?

 

If not which of these would be strong enough?

 

https://www.amazon.c...a_hp_atf_d&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.c...GhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.c...GhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

Alternatively, I could make use of the existing Celestron Powerbank and just add on another smaller ecoflow or bluetti powerbank to run the rest.

 

What should I pay attention to when considering a power bank for purposes of running the above?



#2 hyiger

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Posted 23 March 2025 - 11:43 AM

Need to look at the total power draw and compare that to the battery. For example if your equipment is drawing 30 Watts then a 300 Wh battery, should in theory give you 10hrs. This all depends on the weather since colder weather will reduce that to 7-8 hrs. 



#3 Markovich

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Posted 23 March 2025 - 03:35 PM

I have a Jackery 240 and it runs the AM5, ASI AIR Plus, and cooled ZWO MC camera for 4-5 hours ( my limit) and its still near 80%



#4 TelescopeGreg

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Posted 23 March 2025 - 06:51 PM

The Celestron PT appears to have a capacity of 158 watt-hours (WH), or something around 12AH at 13 volts.  As Hyiger said, how long your rig can run depends on how much power (watts) the entire kit consumes, times the length of time intended (10 hrs in your question).  Gut feel, for 10 hours of run time, and with a bit of margin, you're going to need to be under an amp or so (12 watts) for the Celestron unit to work, and that's not likely going to be the case.  You're probably short by a factor of 2x to 3x.

 

My own scope runs from a custom Lithium battery pack, and includes the mount, ASI2600MC camera / cooler, focuser, guide camera, dew heaters (2), a small network switch, and a Raspberry Pi 4B computer that runs the show.  That adds up to something around 3 amps at 12v (36 watts), plus or minus depending on the ambient temperature which determines how hard the camera cooler and dew heaters need to work.  There's also a small laptop that is used as the Pi's virtual console, and in the winter I add a car travel blanket to keep me warm.  With the laptop running, but without the dew heaters and blanket, I usually consume in excess of 100 watt-hours in just a 3 hour session.

 

If you have the funds, the 3rd choice in your list would probably be best, as it's capacity is about 500 WH.  Use the 12v DC outlets wherever possible instead of the 120v outlets and an external adapter, as it is going to be more efficient.  The larger power station will also provide power in other situations, for example if you're on a camping trip or when there's a power outage.  One can never have too much available standby power these days, and the Lithium battery should last a decade or more if not abused.



#5 JimTheEngineer

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Posted 23 March 2025 - 11:13 PM

You need a 750wh power bank. I have an EcoFlow 500wh and it shuts off in at around 2-3am. The only difference is I have a 2600MC Pro.

Best bang for your buck will be to get a 1000wh power bank. I would go with BLUETTI because voltages are 13.3vdc vs the EcoFlow 12.3vdc. Why? Because most 5521 cables have small gauge wire like 20-28awg. This will cause your power to drop below 12vdc because of voltage drop across small wire and poor connections. Voltages below 12vdc will cause problems with equipment. It will look random at first. Some equipment like cameras will show errors or white frames.

People making recommendations also forgot an important aspect of power draw. When you plug an ac/dc power brick into the power station, it has to convert dc to ac and then the power brick converts ac back to dc. This wastes 30-35% power - mostly heat.

I own an EcoFlow river2max (a bad mistake) for my portable mount and a BLUETTI AC200max for my dome.

Also, do you have any plans of reducing Astro equipment later? No one does that I know of. Most people add even more power requirements. Laptops can be BIG draws on power.

The difference between a $350 500wh powerstation and a $450 1000wh powerstation is only $100. A mistake in your power requirements will cost you at least $350. Good luck with your decision…

Edited by JimTheEngineer, 23 March 2025 - 11:45 PM.

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#6 cliff mygatt

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Posted 24 March 2025 - 08:34 AM

I have a Jackery 1000w and it runs it all for several days.  I added a solar panel so I can charge up in the field.  Great product and simple to use.



#7 TelescopeGreg

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Posted 24 March 2025 - 11:11 AM

Oh, we haven't answered your second question - splitting the power between the Celestron PT and another unit.  Yes, you can do that, but it means messing with (charging, monitoring, managing cables) two different sources, and one of them is going to cut out before the other, limiting the total session length.  The whole "weakest link in the chain" thing.  The Celestrong unit is fairly small, so it's probably not be worth the added hassle.


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#8 kbastro

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Posted 24 March 2025 - 02:24 PM

Hi folks,

 

I currently have the Celestron Powerbank Pro (https://www.celestro...ank-lithium-pro).

 

My question is 2-fold.

 

Is this battery strong enough to run mount, camera with cooler, guide camera, EAF and dew heater say 8-10 hours long?

 

If not which of these would be strong enough?

 

https://www.amazon.c...a_hp_atf_d&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.c...GhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

https://www.amazon.c...GhlbWF0aWM&th=1

 

Alternatively, I could make use of the existing Celestron Powerbank and just add on another smaller ecoflow or bluetti powerbank to run the rest.

 

What should I pay attention to when considering a power bank for purposes of running the above?

Just get a Jackery or Bluetti 1000w and you're good to go for 3 to 4 days,, I know by experience

 

kb


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