On Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 03:22 AM, <drice34@...> wrote:
What I'm hoping to do is consolidate my power. As it sits, I will need at least 4.
1. Gemnini
2.NUC
3.ASI 2600
4. Mini Router.
Five if I use my multi port USB
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I was hoping the ASI or stellarmate could supply power centrally and eliminate the mini router because I thought it created its own wifi.?
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My 174MINI guider could plug into the 2600 then on to the ASI AIR. Then all I need is 2 fixed power supplies.
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Not sure what you mean by "consolidate my power."? If you mean you need a different power supply or portable power supply that is an easy fix.? Just go to your local hardware store and look for a heavy duty tool box big enough to carry a battery with the required capacity to take you through as many nights as you are likely to need to go without utility power.? Go to Amazon and order some 12V 10A DC-DC boost - buck converters, toggle switches, marine cigarette? sockets and a USB charge port with USB A and C outlets with PD charging, some14-16 gauge wire as well as a 12V LiFePo4 battery with built-in BMS (battery management system) and a charger designed for use with LiFePo4 battery chemistry.?
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You will also need at least a 5 amp charger, 10 is better as it reduces your charging time by half. If you buy a 50AH battery it will take 10+ hours to fully charge from empty OR with a 10A charger oy 5+.? As far as battery capacity goes just add up the current used by the whole system when running and multiply it by the minimum hours you plan to use the rig between charging and add 20% to give yourself some room for growth and the unpredictable, like cold weather.??
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If you always have utility power then a heavy duty 14 gauge extension cord.with a power strip big enough? to fit all your wall warts will work just fine.?
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With an ASIAIR system if you arrange it right by separating the moving parts from the non-moving parts you can optimize your cable requirements.?
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By placing everything on the telescope that has to move with the telescope like the ASI2600MM/MC-Pro, ASI174MM, EAF, EFW, ASIAIR etc. and moving things like the Router off the moving part of the mount you minimize your cables that need to be hung off the telescope.?
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If you do it this way the only cables (which should be wrapped in a sheath to form an umbilical cord) going to the saddle mounted scope will be:
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Ethernet OR USB - Gemini 2 control??
12V power - ASIAIR-Pro
12V power - Cooled ASI-Pro camera
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If you need a year round dew controller add one more power cord inside the wrapped umbilical cord.??
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If you only seasonally or rarely need a dew controller you can add it to the exterior of the umbilical using reusable Velcro wraps.??
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These are my suggestions after running a full ZWO ASIAIR imaging system since before Covid.? Several iterations later this is what it looks like on the little Askar 90mm f/5.6 Petzval out in the garage.?
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I'm still waiting for the ZWO CAA I ordered when they were released but who knows if or when they will show up with the new tarriffs in place after the Chinese New Year shutdown. I'm pretty sure that once I have the ZWO CAA I'll need to add some free length to the cable branch that goes to the back of the ASI2600MC-Pro to assure there is no binding while rotating.??
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I run the same imaging rig on the bespoke Parallax/AstroTech130mm f/6 SDT.? I just swap the OTA with rings out for the other scope as well as carrying over the Stellarvue 50mm visual finder.? The only difference being the stack length of the Baader M68 extension tubes needed and the reducers used inside said M68 tubes.??
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Askar FRA500 main optic with ZWO EFW 2"X5, ASI2600MC-Pro, ZWO EAF, Deep Sky Dad Flat Panel, piggybacked guide scope is a Stellarvue 50mm f/4 with ASI678MM used as a guide camera. The ASIAIR is attached under the focuser which required lifting the mounting rings with spacer blocks.??
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The wrapped umbilical is the black cable coming off the back of the ASI2600 camera.? The umbilical carries 2 power cords and an Ethernet cable.? As configured ASIAIR system consumes 3 USB ports with the 4th used by a USB flash drive.? Once the CAA arrives I'll switch to using the ASIAIR's internal storage and hopefully all the night's data will fit.? Everything else is on the telescope and dovetail.?
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I position the Slate AX on top of the power pack near the power sockets so the Ethernet cable and power cords from the umbilical can follow a natural route to the power pack where they plug into separate dedicated power circuits, 13.5v for the ASIAIR and Camera TEC cooler and a 17.5v circuit for the Gemini 2.??
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If it looks cluttered it may be the fact that the FRA500 is in a Side-By-Side saddle with a Takahashi FS-60Q in an ADM Max Alt/Az aiming device mount.??
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric - South Pasadena, CA?
Chip Louie