How do you prevent cable twist on the Seestar S50 during rotation when using an external power bank? Any tips or setups that have worked well for you? To prevent any damage.
Posted 24 May 2025 - 05:19 AM
How do you prevent cable twist on the Seestar S50 during rotation when using an external power bank? Any tips or setups that have worked well for you? To prevent any damage.
Posted 24 May 2025 - 05:32 AM
Posted 24 May 2025 - 07:38 AM
Posted 24 May 2025 - 08:43 AM
Hello easier,
+1 for mbits, suggestion. The long cable and magnetic adaptor. Works great.
HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro
Posted 24 May 2025 - 08:57 AM
Yes, I've run into this issue as well, and as others pointed, the only options seem to be:
@etsi, I'm a 3D-printing enthusiast and I can print it for you for the cost of materials plus shipping if needed.
Even with a longer USB‑C cable, I've found my Seestar dangerously wrapped in it a couple of times by morning. I suspect this happens when you image two or more targets during the night, when the scope slews back and forth often.
Posted 24 May 2025 - 04:05 PM
I have a 20ah power bank that will be attached and used. Should last all night.
Posted 24 May 2025 - 04:33 PM
How do you prevent cable twist on the Seestar S50 during rotation when using an external power bank? Any tips or setups that have worked well for you? To prevent any damage.
https://www.cloudyni...lse/?p=14116761
Posted 24 May 2025 - 05:57 PM
I don’t connect the battery anymore until the Seestar has “Located Object”, and I do my imaging in the same general area of the sky. Before I “Close Arm” I remove the power supply connection and dew shield. This works for me since I’m in a condo and can’t do an overnight plan without the risk of my Seestar walking off.
Posted 24 May 2025 - 08:33 PM
Posted 24 May 2025 - 09:53 PM
I velcro the battery to the Seestar and use a very short chord. But I rarely use an external battery at all. I tend to image for 2-3 hours, and the battery isn’teven 1/2 drained in that time.
Posted 25 May 2025 - 05:59 AM
I use a small power bank that gets the scope through most of the night then onboard battery takes over. It's velcroed on so no cord wrap. Also use a magnetic USB adapter, it's cheap insurance
Posted 28 May 2025 - 07:36 AM
Battery power supply sitting under the scope with the supplied cord works fine. If you're paranoid, get a 6' USB cable rated for fast charging. Magnetic connectors will release at unexpected times — avoid them.
If you're shooting multiple targets, return home before choosing your next target. In plan mode, leave the minimum 10-minute gap between targets so that the scope returns to home as it finishes each one.
The basis for this opinion is my own and a dozen others' experience operating completely remote at Starfront Observatories, where the Seestar is plugged in and turned on 24/7, operating in both alt-az and eq modes.
Posted 28 May 2025 - 08:01 AM
Using EQ mode will it work with a battery holder? Velcro can hold the weight?
Posted 28 May 2025 - 08:40 AM
Posted 29 May 2025 - 10:52 AM
Battery power supply sitting under the scope with the supplied cord works fine. If you're paranoid, get a 6' USB cable rated for fast charging. Magnetic connectors will release at unexpected times — avoid them.
Sorry but I call nonsense on the magnetic USB releasing. I had one the day after getting my scope in December. Never had it fall off. Plus if something does happen it will keep the Seestars USB input from being damaged. With a small lightweight battery pack velcroed to a scope it will go all night. There's no need for a cord hooked to a pack on the ground which has a lot more chance of something going wrong. There's lot worse things than your magnetic USB adapter coming loose.
I've had my S50 more than once go around the long way in EQ mode.
Posted 29 May 2025 - 11:03 PM
Sorry but I call nonsense on the magnetic USB releasing. I had one the day after getting my scope in December. Never had it fall off. Plus if something does happen it will keep the Seestars USB input from being damaged. With a small lightweight battery pack velcroed to a scope it will go all night. There's no need for a cord hooked to a pack on the ground which has a lot more chance of something going wrong. There's lot worse things than your magnetic USB adapter coming loose.
I've had my S50 more than once go around the long way in EQ mode.
I agree 100%. I use a magnetic USB cable and have had zero issues with it.
My only concern about attaching a battery directly to the Seestar would be in equatorial mode. Unless the additional off-axis weight was accounted for in the design, it's probably not a good idea.
Don
Posted 30 May 2025 - 07:52 AM
Posted 30 May 2025 - 08:04 AM
DId ZWO not write software to keep cable wrap in mind? This would be the proper solution, based on location and plate solving the device should be able to move in a direction to reduce cable wrap.
Posted 30 May 2025 - 08:18 AM
Sorry but I call nonsense on the magnetic USB releasing. I had one the day after getting my scope in December. Never had it fall off. Plus if something does happen it will keep the Seestars USB input from being damaged. With a small lightweight battery pack velcroed to a scope it will go all night. There's no need for a cord hooked to a pack on the ground which has a lot more chance of something going wrong. There's lot worse things than your magnetic USB adapter coming loose.
I've had my S50 more than once go around the long way in EQ mode.
Like I said, I'm basing my magnetic USB comments on the experiences of others, and on their advice to me. And like all of us here, basing my comments about power supply placement and long power cords on my own experience. Call all the nonsense you want — the original question was "...any tips or setups that have worked well for you?" A longer USB cable with the battery/power supply placed below (or I guess "behind" in eq mode) the unit works well for me and the others with whom I have direct experience.
As long as we're calling nonsense, a magnetic connector that has never disconnected would suggest that the magnetic connector isn't doing anything useful. The user in that case must be doing something with respect to battery placement, cord length, or cord routing that is solving the problem. The magnetic connector isn't doing anything at all. :-)
Posted 30 May 2025 - 08:30 AM
DId ZWO not write software to keep cable wrap in mind? This would be the proper solution, based on location and plate solving the device should be able to move in a direction to reduce cable wrap
A battery pack eliminates the need to worry about wrap. With the low power consumption of the Seestar a large battery on the ground is completely unnecessary.
Edited by sanford12, 30 May 2025 - 03:49 PM.
Posted 30 May 2025 - 08:36 AM
As long as we're calling nonsense, a magnetic connector that has never disconnected would suggest that the magnetic connector isn't doing anything useful.
Sorry. You can keep thinking this but if I agreed with you we'd both be wrong. The reasoning is like not using a seat belt because it's not doing anything till you get in a wreck.
My battery pack weighs 7.5 ounces and will last 7 hours with the dew heater.
Posted 30 May 2025 - 09:51 AM
Posted 12 June 2025 - 09:48 AM
Hi,
What capacity are you using for a powerbank attached to the back of the s50? I am thinking of buying one of 10000mAh. That would provide an extra 10 hours of operation (ZWO says the 6000mAh internal battery gives 6 hours of operation). 20000mAh is also an option, but this will add to the weight... Looking for a good balance between capacity and weight (would like the battery to velcro on the back of the s50)...
Thanks
Hans
Posted 12 June 2025 - 10:11 AM
Hi,
What capacity are you using for a powerbank attached to the back of the s50? I am thinking of buying one of 10000mAh. That would provide an extra 10 hours of operation (ZWO says the 6000mAh internal battery gives 6 hours of operation). 20000mAh is also an option, but this will add to the weight... Looking for a good balance between capacity and weight (would like the battery to velcro on the back of the s50)...
Thanks
Hans
Go on Amazon look for the power you want and see if they offer it in a size and weight that works for you.
Posted 13 June 2025 - 10:18 PM
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