Power Suggestions

I my walkabout research, I have need info for one thing or another. My problem is, and I hope someone can answer , I am looking for a powerstorage system too run a laptop, red lights, ccd cameras , dew zappers and so on.. I know that Celestron, Orion, Meade, and maybe some others, sale a unit. Some of these units have radios, jumper cables, diferent DC outputs and AC-DC or DC-AC converters. I also hear that all have sometime of power-output life time depending on cold-heat and so on. So my question is, what is the ""BEST unit""out there for me to purchase to run my stuff, when I am in the field, and no exsternal power is at hand ??/
Everybody comment is most welcome, even pictures, and you can to your decissions. I want too know the Good, BAD, and the Ugly.
I got too buy something to settle me problem. Also, what are the different ways you recharge your power units ?

Thanks guys, and Let me have it !!!!!!!!!

Bill

Hi Bill,

The ones you mentioned will work just fine depending on your equipment as most are either 12 or 17 a/hrs. I use a Kendrick 17 a/hr I bought years ago when I had an SCT. It was barely enough to run everything on my rig for about 5 hours on a dewy night. It works fine for my push to newts, but not with a laptop. It came with a trickle charger and while more expensive than a jump start battery it has given me 5 years of service so far.

I plan to replace it this summer with a marine deep cycle battery with at least 50 a/hrs to be able to run for three or four consecutive nights at a star party.

The wiring is simple, so even a caveman like me can do it. I plan to use a plastic battery box and wire the components and 12v sockets into the top.

Hi Bill.
My solution is a 115 amp hr Deep Cycle Trolling battery from Wal-Mart for about $70.
I added 4 cigarette lighter plugs to it so that I can power 4 different items. More would be easily added.
These batteries have a 1/4" stud with wing nut as well as the regular battery posts. These make it easy to attach cords or what ever.
I set it under the tripod and attach the wires and run all night long without power concerns. You can see it in this picture.
The total cost was under $100 including the plugs. All that you need is a charger for the battery. It even has a nice carry handle to make it easy to transport.

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Bill Madewell said:

I my walkabout research, I have need info for one thing or another. My problem is, and I hope someone can answer , I am looking for a powerstorage system too run a laptop, red lights, ccd cameras , dew zappers and so on..
Bill

Hi:

These (jump start) batteries are fine for running a go-to scope OR dew heaters. They are insufficient for CCD cams, PCs, etc.

What do I suggest? For the laptop, start out with a DC to DC converter. IOW, a powersuppy for your laptop that allows you to run it off 12vdc. You could use a power inverter, but that is inefficient and will make your battery poop-out in a hurry.

Now, as for the battery to power all that stuff, forget a Celestron/Orion/Jumpstarter...not nearly enough amp hours. Instead of 17ah, to run all that equipment you'll want more like 50 or 75 or more.

What I use is what we down here call a "trolling motor battery" (aka deep cycle marine battery). These are inexpensive (about 50 bucks for 50ah). You'll need a decent charger too, but these are also cheap.

As for charging, here's what I do for the jumpstarters: I charge a battery that has been used for 12 hours. If it has not been used over the course of a month, I charge it for 12 hours anyway. I've done this with the battery I use for my Nexstar 11, and it's still working after nearly five years.

Marine batteries? I charge 'em with a computerized charger I got at WalMart...charges till they are charged. I do charge the marine batteries once a month too.

Here is what I came up with after being too cheap to buck up $500 for a Kendrick outfit. I used a marine battery box and a deep cycle marine battery. Each outlet is fused, as well as the main positive feed. I keep a trickle charger (i.e. battery maintainer) on it at all times when it is not in use. So far 3 years and counting. I built another with a little different layout, but the principle is the same.

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Bill,
Not sure what your weight requirements are, but I built a box with wheele that uses a 100 AH battery, has 4 12V connectors, and a 400 amp inverter for 120v. I found that you must keep your laptop and camera seperated on 12v. But I could run them both off of the inverter without problem. This will run my G-11 Gemini, Laptop, SBIG CCD with filterwheel, Adaptive optics, as well as a kendric dew heater controller with 2 dew straps for up to 14 hours before recharging. I also included a trickle charger for when it is not in use, to keep the battery in good shape. For quicker charges, I use a good old fashioned car battery charger on a generator during the daytime.