Portable Power Supply

Folks - looking for some quick help here.

I need a portable power supply that'll give me 15 amp/hr minimum. I took a look at the Celestron PowerTank and that's seem the business. Where would I get one?

I'd prefere a unit that has been designed with the astronomer in mind but if there are other good alternative out there, I'd appreciate any directions. Did Lidl do one recently?

The unit will need a recharger, and a couple of outputs - at least one needs to be a cigarette lighter output. I've heard something about gel batteries being the best for this application - but I've no idea myself about these things...

I'd appreciate any help.

Cheers

Dave McD

Lidl or Aldi do one regularly. It's a 12V 17amphr rating.
I got a similar one in Argos and fine it works fine. Cost me twice the price though as I got it before they started appearing in the new supermarkets.

I think I saw it advertised a couple of weeks ago. I guess they're probably sold out by now...

Do you reckon its of good enough quality? Do you remember the price?

Cheers

Dave McD

I got one from Maplin some time back that was 18Ah. In fact David Hinds is selling them too www.dhinds.co.uk/pages/fullProd.php?id=350

It's sold as a car starter pack, but with 2 cigarette lighter sockets its fine for running a scope off of.

BTW Mike Weasner asked the ETX usergroup some time back for feedbak on power supplies. The summaries are at www.weasner.com/etx/buyer-newuser-tips/powersupplytable.html

Dave,
If you want portable mains, you might consider a UPS.
I got one a while back and its great. it run the scope, dew heater and laptop if needed for hours.