Batteries or 12V Supply

Folks - looking for advice. I need to power two 12V devices (mount and dew heater) and presumably in the future, more 12V devices (CCD, Focuser etc)

Batteries are a pain in the neck so what about a direct 12V supply? Or are batteries the safest bet?

I have a 240 VAC power supply out to the mount.

Suggestions and approximate costs?

Cheers

Dave

I would go with a power supply which you can get for under 100 dollars. You need to add up your expected amp usage to make sure you have a fair amount of room left over. I use a 10AMP unit and it has no problem of handling 2 dew heaters and my focuser and my SBIG 402ME.

I have a single feed from the 12volt supply from the house to a 12volt block (at the scope) with 6 cig lighter plugs.

Like this one - www.powersupplydirect.com/Product.aspx?P...&CategoryID=2998

Good luck

Hi Dave, I have the Celestron Powertank (17 AmpHour), got it here for a total of about Euro 160 including shipping. Works great for me, it has two cigarrette lighter adapter output ports....

Ask for the 17 AmpHour...the one shown here is the 7 AmpHour, the 17 is 80 pounds sterling

www.scsastro.co.uk/it030011.htm

Keith..

I use a PC powersupply for this, if you're in the mood for cutting a few wires, then it works a charm, just make sure you have it protected from the elements.
They're not fool proof and are not built for the cold or dew.

They're not fool proof and are not built for the cold or dew.

Just wait till October, then the fun will start :twisted:

Keith..

I was considering a Kendrick power supply but its a pretty hefty price. It'll work out at about 4 to 500 Euro. Its a 33 AH unit with 4 outputs. The charger can be left on permanently, even during use. And its a glass mat cell, apparently...

My knowledge of electricity extends to changing a light-bulb. As it stands, my current 17AH battery only has one 12V cigarettle lighter output (plus 3, 6 and 9v outputs which are useless) . It'll run either the mount or the dewheater but not both. And I'm not prepared to start fiddling with wiring unless I get a dummies guide.

The batteries I got from John Murphy seem to have died - but that could very well be the charger. Perhaps I should just get a souped up charger?

Anyhow, the 12VDC option Jim mentioned might be worthwhile - how would I connect 4 or more cigarette lighter sockets to it?

Dave - how much would a PC power supply with six cigarette lighter sockets cost? And would it work and power all six? And how much would shipping cost from Limerick

As ever, nothing is easy in the game...

Cheer!
Dave