AC/DC

Happy new year.

I powered the observatory but have been bringing the 12v 'power tank' in all the time to power the scope!

Does a 12v transformer with power surge protection not do the same ?? Am thinking yes but there is something I think I read way back about shoving power straight into the scope.

Any ideas ?

BTW Celestron scope.

David

I think I remember Dave Grennan mentioning a Maplin regulated 10amp 12v power supply in an old thread for use in his observatoy. (CGE mount).

Dave G

Any ideas ?

Check this thread out Dave www.irishastronomy.org/boards/viewtopic.php?t=7372&start=0 . Dave Grennan gives the details of the bench power supply he uses. I assume when you say powered you mean you have the observatory wired for mains power. If you are worried about surges why not put a UPS between your mains and power supply. This should clean up your mains supply jsut lovely. You could also power your PC from this. Might be a bit of overkill but what the heck .

Yeah -- like to power the lot off the mains.

Have a surge between the mains and the dome.

Just a little worried about blowing the scope.

You often get suppliers of small electrical items that use 12v transformers saying 'only use ours - will damage your unit' etc etc

I leave the power tank connected to the mains anyway when in use so suppose am doing the same thing.

12V DC is 12V DC whether it comes from a manufacturers power supply or not. The key word in DC power supplies is "Regulated". This means that the voltage is held at the specified level at all loads (currents). The bench power supply that Dave Grennan mentioned would be well up to supplying clean and stable voltage to your equipment. Look at the equipment he has hanging off it :shock: .