AC/DC

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


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

I don't think you are meant to do this with a standard powerpack. Be careful. With the Kendrick system you can keep it charging in use. If you are in any doubt I'm sure Carl at the AI shop could get a Celestron AC/DC adapter for the CGE.
A regulated 12V supply should work though depending on the load you put on it. A 14" heater band will pull a few amps so you would need 5-10 amps.

Guys you can get a 12volt adapter in any hardware shop, like maplin if there is one nearby.
I wouldn't be over worried about power surges unless you have had experience of them in your area, you can get a surge protector from a place like PC-World and a 12 volt DC transformer from maplin.
I would use a dedicated 12v transformer for the scope and another for the dew belts,

There will be no chance of "blowing the scope" if you do all the above due to power quirks..

I use a spare PC power supply that was lying around to run my dew belts, it was by far the the cheapest way of getting a high power 12 volts line for the dew belts.