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Post by garyr on Mar 26, 2012 23:05:55 GMT
So I have car battery jump starter which I have been using for a few months (and not very often) and now its starting to cut out ... after about an hour of tracking it will die a death and no more imaging .... Also I ahve noticed that my tracking isnt anywhere near as good as it would have been a few motnhs back.
Can anyone recommend a decent power supply which is gonna last a while and not falter so easy for round 100 quid?..... are the Celestron Powertanks any good?
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Post by Simon on Mar 26, 2012 23:21:21 GMT
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Post by garyr on Mar 27, 2012 10:06:09 GMT
Was looking at that one last night but thought I'd wait and see if anyone else was using it .... and low and behold ..... I shall pick one up today (upside of living near Halfords).
I generally kept my battery plugged into the mains any time it wasn't being used i.e. constantly charging .... would this be problematic? Is this not recommended?
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Post by stevie on Mar 27, 2012 17:33:25 GMT
As far as I know, it's not recommended Gary. Best to use the battery, then put it on for an hour or two to recharge fully. But it can go for a couple of months without being used, and not need recharging, although, if it has been sitting for a while, then, again, a couple of hours should have it fully charged. It's really just a question of giving it a quick top-up now and again. It's also less expensive
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Post by garyr on Mar 27, 2012 17:35:40 GMT
Cheers Stevie... I was under the impression that they had to be plugged in constantly ..... so basically plug it in at the end of a night and unplug it the following morning ....
Gonna get a decent one anyway ....the 25 quid cheapo ones defenitely have a limited lifespan ....
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Post by stevie on Mar 27, 2012 17:44:10 GMT
Both B&Q and Maplin's sell them as well Gary, and probably a fair bit cheaper than Halfords.
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Post by Simon on Mar 27, 2012 19:05:49 GMT
Yes Gary you very well likely overcharged it. The ones from Halfords have a charge light so when it is orange it is charging and when it turns green it's fully charged and can then be stored away for three months until charging it again.
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Post by garyr on Mar 27, 2012 21:24:37 GMT
Cool ..... pity my EQ mount seems to have a mind of its own ..... still tracking like a dog even running from mains ... I fear I may need to strip it down to bits and try again ...
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Post by garyr on Mar 29, 2012 8:30:17 GMT
I am hoping the EQ mount is now fixed after stripping it down to individual cogs and degreasing/regreasing and carefully rebuilding it but I am holding off a new power supply until I am sure its fixed.
I think one of the motors might have been seized and I have a feeling it may need replaced eventually.
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Post by garyr on Mar 31, 2012 22:13:50 GMT
Fingers crossed but I think the mount has been saved ...... seems to be tracking better than ever and no longer making rude noises ..... currently imaging M51 in 1 min exposures ..... here's hoping ...
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Post by Simon on Apr 1, 2012 9:14:17 GMT
Glad to hear that Gary. Don't keep that image to yourself, post it up when you have it processed
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Post by garyr on Apr 1, 2012 15:46:55 GMT
Didnt come out as well as I had wished as it got a bit late and I dsimantled as I had an early start this morning ..... the good news is that 26 out of 27 exposures where viable so I think the tracking is good. Also went out and got one of thos halfords power tanks .... what a beast ...
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Post by Simon on Apr 1, 2012 17:57:12 GMT
That is an amazing effort Gary, Looks just like how I see it in my 14"
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Post by stevie on Apr 1, 2012 20:03:08 GMT
Consideriing how bright the Moon was last night, that is a fine effort Gary.
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Post by gilly on Apr 1, 2012 20:55:17 GMT
fantastic Gary
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