blast those batteries!

Can any of you electronic whizz-kids out there explain to me - a relic from the gas-age - why I can't use rechargable batteries in my meade scope? What is different about my meade scope from my camera that you aren't allowed to use them. Eight "C" cells batteries are pretty expensive at around €20.00 per set. :shock: I've tried cheap ones but never get more than 1 evenings viewing from them. Only the bunny batteries are up to the job with about 10 nights viewing. I know I can get a mains or car adapter, but why not recharbles in case I want to use the scope away from buildings and the car?
Bill H.

Thats a good one Bill.
Does it say in your instructions that you can't use re-chargable batteries?????

Re-chargable batteries dont usually last as long as something like duracell batteries, maybe some of them aren't quite 1.5 volts and when added togther wont give 12volts?? maybe this is where they're coming from??

Now there's a strange thing!! When I unpacked tthe scope on arrival, I took note, mentally, of the warning not to use rechargable cells. I just got the manual out and can't find any reference. All it says is don't mix battery types or mix old with new! Could I have been suffering from brain fade :oops: I would have staked my mother-in-laws life on the fact that I read that, because my first comment to my wife was, looks like the rechargables are redundant here!
Oh Well :shock:
Bill H.

bill,
you might look at one of these:-

www.telescopehouse.co.uk/page.aspx?theLa...OQq7o&action=lnk


and one of these:-
www.telescopehouse.co.uk/page.aspx?theLa...43E46&action=lnk

this is what i run my lx200 off. i have not real cause to recharge it yet so i
don't know how long it really lasts but i think you could get several full nights
of observation from it before recharging. cheaper in the long run too.
stephen.

Thanks Stephen, they look perfect. The last time I asked a farmer if I could use my scope in the middle of his field, he said yes, but I couldn't drive my car across. Jeez, I was exhausted by the time I pushed it across there. :lol:
I shall get right on to those items.
Bill.

Re-chargable batteries dont usually last as long as something like duracell batteries, maybe some of them aren't quite 1.5 volts and when added togther wont give 12volts?? maybe this is where they're coming from??

Normal batteries are about 1.5 volts, rechargables are about 1.2 volts. So you need an extra 2 rechargable batteries to make up the 12 volts.

I would suggest a trip to a good electronics hobbyist supply store (eg Maplin on Jervis St (I think)) where you should be able to get a 10-cell battery holder (or a 4 and a 6) and whatever connectors are needed to connect it all up to the telescope.