Re: Happy holidays to you
Thanks for the info!??I¡¯ll send pics and ask.?
Amy
On Jan 8, 2025 at 10:12?PM -0500, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...>, wrote:
I had my old non-digital heat controller and they offered to swap it out with a plug change.?
I imagine you asked, but if not, they may make a plug that will retrofit the old plug to fit the new battery.?
The old Gerbing would do so.
John
On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM, Amy S (Astrodog) via groups.io
<glpmacgeek@...> wrote:
7 but it¡¯s not the same type that they use now.?
Amy
On Jan 8, 2025 at 11:31?AM -0500, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...>, wrote:
Amy is your vest a 7 V or 12 V system?
Gerbing has spare batteries for sale on their website. Both 7 and 12 V are available.
Like you, I have been using Gerbing heated products for years. I had the whole 12 V kit, gloves or liners, long sleeve shirt and pants (OH boy do they not fit any more!).? I have had them so long they now have digital controls for heat regulation. Used to wear them when I rode motorcycles.? Then, I took a big deep cycle marine battery up to Arunah Hill for a work day in the snow. At night 3 of us were with our scopes and I had to drag that BA deep cycle battery over to the other scopes for a look.
Last time I did that!? Now they offer a 9000 Mah 12VDC battery and a decent number of 7V batteries.?
I like the heated socks but without the pants it's hard to connect. I opted for the 4 AA electric socks. They work great in my Sorel boots.? I have the 3V shoe or boot liners and really don't recommend them. The batteries come apart easily and then won't charge..AA batteries are OK but a full suit with interconnects is much better.?
John
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 9:41 AM, Amy S (Astrodog) via groups.io
<glpmacgeek@...> wrote:
Thanks, George. ?I have some Gerbing heated gloves waiting for me when I get home from Maine. ?They may be too bulky for doing astronomy and photography in the cold but I thought it would be worth a try. ?If they¡¯re too bulky, I¡¯ll exchange them for the heated glove liners. ?I¡¯ve had one of their heated vests for a long time, and I often wear it when doing astronomy in colder weather. ?The battery doesn¡¯t hold a charge very well anymore and of course, it¡¯s no longer available.
------ Original Message ------
From "GEORGE BLAHUN via groups.io" < ks1u@...> Date 12/24/2024 9:14:01?AM
Subject Re: [TAASCT] Happy holidays to you
Thanks, Amy. It¡¯s good to know your health issues are on the upswing and you¡¯ll be able to get out more this year. I¡¯m with you on the warmer weather wishes.
?
George
?
?
?
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Night Sky Network Website is Offline
Deb, Not trying to step on your work here but don't know if you see the NSN Coordinator Facebook page.
Currently there is no ETA for restoration.?
John Sillasen?
Hi all. The Night Sky Network website is offline as of January 8, 2025, 10:15 AM Pacific, as our teams at Jet Propulsion Laboratory have been impacted by the Southern California fires. Currently, there is no ETA for when operations will resume.?
We appreciate your patience during this time, and we hope you are staying safe if you are in the SoCal area. -KT
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Hi all,
The dates are not firm, nor the location at this early point but wanted to start planning something social and fun.
My gut tells me that a Saturday afternoon would be fairly light this time of year, at least compared to a Friday evening.?
I was thinking about the new Thimble Island Brew Pub in Old Saybrook as it looks to be spacious.
Open to other suggestions as well and will present it to the SAS membership tomorrow evening.
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Re: Happy holidays to you
I had my old non-digital heat controller and they offered to swap it out with a plug change.?
I imagine you asked, but if not, they may make a plug that will retrofit the old plug to fit the new battery.?
The old Gerbing would do so.
On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 5:09 PM, Amy S (Astrodog) via groups.io <glpmacgeek@...> wrote:
7 but it¡¯s not the same type that they use now.?
Amy
On Jan 8, 2025 at 11:31?AM -0500, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...>, wrote:
Amy is your vest a 7 V or 12 V system?
Gerbing has spare batteries for sale on their website. Both 7 and 12 V are available.
Like you, I have been using Gerbing heated products for years. I had the whole 12 V kit, gloves or liners, long sleeve shirt and pants (OH boy do they not fit any more!).? I have had them so long they now have digital controls for heat regulation. Used to wear them when I rode motorcycles.? Then, I took a big deep cycle marine battery up to Arunah Hill for a work day in the snow. At night 3 of us were with our scopes and I had to drag that BA deep cycle battery over to the other scopes for a look.
Last time I did that!? Now they offer a 9000 Mah 12VDC battery and a decent number of 7V batteries.?
I like the heated socks but without the pants it's hard to connect. I opted for the 4 AA electric socks. They work great in my Sorel boots.? I have the 3V shoe or boot liners and really don't recommend them. The batteries come apart easily and then won't charge..AA batteries are OK but a full suit with interconnects is much better.?
John
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 9:41 AM, Amy S (Astrodog) via groups.io
<glpmacgeek@...> wrote:
Thanks, George. ?I have some Gerbing heated gloves waiting for me when I get home from Maine. ?They may be too bulky for doing astronomy and photography in the cold but I thought it would be worth a try. ?If they¡¯re too bulky, I¡¯ll exchange them for the heated glove liners. ?I¡¯ve had one of their heated vests for a long time, and I often wear it when doing astronomy in colder weather. ?The battery doesn¡¯t hold a charge very well anymore and of course, it¡¯s no longer available.
------ Original Message ------
From "GEORGE BLAHUN via groups.io" < ks1u@...> Date 12/24/2024 9:14:01?AM
Subject Re: [TAASCT] Happy holidays to you
Thanks, Amy. It¡¯s good to know your health issues are on the upswing and you¡¯ll be able to get out more this year. I¡¯m with you on the warmer weather wishes.
?
George
?
?
?
|
Re: Happy holidays to you
7 but it¡¯s not the same type that they use now.?
Amy
On Jan 8, 2025 at 11:31?AM -0500, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...>, wrote:
Amy is your vest a 7 V or 12 V system?
Gerbing has spare batteries for sale on their website. Both 7 and 12 V are available.
Like you, I have been using Gerbing heated products for years. I had the whole 12 V kit, gloves or liners, long sleeve shirt and pants (OH boy do they not fit any more!).? I have had them so long they now have digital controls for heat regulation. Used to wear them when I rode motorcycles.? Then, I took a big deep cycle marine battery up to Arunah Hill for a work day in the snow. At night 3 of us were with our scopes and I had to drag that BA deep cycle battery over to the other scopes for a look.
Last time I did that!? Now they offer a 9000 Mah 12VDC battery and a decent number of 7V batteries.?
I like the heated socks but without the pants it's hard to connect. I opted for the 4 AA electric socks. They work great in my Sorel boots.? I have the 3V shoe or boot liners and really don't recommend them. The batteries come apart easily and then won't charge..AA batteries are OK but a full suit with interconnects is much better.?
John
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 9:41 AM, Amy S (Astrodog) via groups.io
<glpmacgeek@...> wrote:
Thanks, George. ?I have some Gerbing heated gloves waiting for me when I get home from Maine. ?They may be too bulky for doing astronomy and photography in the cold but I thought it would be worth a try. ?If they¡¯re too bulky, I¡¯ll exchange them for the heated glove liners. ?I¡¯ve had one of their heated vests for a long time, and I often wear it when doing astronomy in colder weather. ?The battery doesn¡¯t hold a charge very well anymore and of course, it¡¯s no longer available.
------ Original Message ------
From "GEORGE BLAHUN via groups.io" < ks1u@...> Date 12/24/2024 9:14:01?AM
Subject Re: [TAASCT] Happy holidays to you
Thanks, Amy. It¡¯s good to know your health issues are on the upswing and you¡¯ll be able to get out more this year. I¡¯m with you on the warmer weather wishes.
?
George
?
?
?
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Thanks, Moshe. Have a safe and pleasant trip.
George
|
My check is in the mail. I leave for my Fulbright visit of Europe this Sunday till Memorial Day. Keep warm and the sky clear.
Moshe
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
*Message sent from a system outside of UConn.*
Although I¡¯ve sent out individual email receipts for the TAAS dues received so far, I thought I¡¯d double the acknowledgement by listing our current dues paying members here. Our current members are, in order of opening envelopes:? Leslie B, Amy S, Jay D, Max
M, John N, Jeff D, Dot M, George B.
I will continue to send out receipts and if you don¡¯t get one after a week or so of sending your dues, please let me know.
TAAS dues can be sent to me, made out to TAAS or Thames Amateur Astronomical Society for $15.? Thanks.
George
George Blahun
P. O. Box 17
Quaker Hill, CT 06375
|
George i wasn't trying to show doom and gloom. Citi has been wonderful.? They removed all charges and interest that weren't from my purchases. I am not worried about waiting on a new card. Citi bank has taken over so many other bank cards and vendor cards that I seem to have a plethora of them! Even Costco is now using Citi. Used to be AmEx.
Having written 3 checks already just seems a bit much but two are for non-profits including TAAS and the Florida Sheriffs Association.? Got a gift membership from my mother one year and just kept it up. The 3rd is for my Musicians Union dues. That one I have kept up since 1974!
In contrast,? I wrote only 8 checks in all of 2024. 4 of those are now auto-withdrawal from my bank account.? It just seemed to be worthwhile doing that since it's the quarterly life insurance,? you know?
Hmm, 4 taken from the 8, one more for the Florida property tax. Maybe I only need to write one more check in 2025 after all!
Looking good now, isn't it? I am truly looking forward to getting the most out of my AZ-GTI. For outreach, it should be great.? For heavier work, there's the ZWO AM5 on my Astro-Physics Eagle Pier. Thanks to Mr. Doc Brown's expertise!
Otherwise,? the traditional EQ mounts with their polar alignment routines will be for longer nights in a row work.? Cherry Springs Star Party comes to mind.? Possibly Stellafane although staying up late and getting to a 7 AM meeting before Convention doesn't sound too inviting.?
John Sillasen,? 2025 is still looking up!
On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:37 AM, GEORGE BLAHUN <ks1u@...> wrote: John:
? ? ? Thanks for the email and man, you are off to a rough start for 2025 and it¡¯s not even the 20th yet.? Things will get better, eventually.? At least you have some nice equipment to play with.
George
|
John:
Thanks for the email and man, you are off to a rough start for 2025 and it¡¯s not even the 20th yet. Things will get better, eventually. At least you have some nice equipment to play with.
George
|
Re: Happy holidays to you
Amy is your vest a 7 V or 12 V system?
Gerbing has spare batteries for sale on their website. Both 7 and 12 V are available.
Like you, I have been using Gerbing heated products for years. I had the whole 12 V kit, gloves or liners, long sleeve shirt and pants (OH boy do they not fit any more!).? I have had them so long they now have digital controls for heat regulation. Used to wear them when I rode motorcycles.? Then, I took a big deep cycle marine battery up to Arunah Hill for a work day in the snow. At night 3 of us were with our scopes and I had to drag that BA deep cycle battery over to the other scopes for a look.
Last time I did that!? Now they offer a 9000 Mah 12VDC battery and a decent number of 7V batteries.?
I like the heated socks but without the pants it's hard to connect. I opted for the 4 AA electric socks. They work great in my Sorel boots.? I have the 3V shoe or boot liners and really don't recommend them. The batteries come apart easily and then won't charge..AA batteries are OK but a full suit with interconnects is much better.?
John
On Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 9:41 AM, Amy S (Astrodog) via groups.io <glpmacgeek@...> wrote: Thanks, George. ?I have some Gerbing heated gloves waiting for me when I get home from Maine. ?They may be too bulky for doing astronomy and photography in the cold but I thought it would be worth a try. ?If they¡¯re too bulky, I¡¯ll exchange them for the heated glove liners. ?I¡¯ve had one of their heated vests for a long time, and I often wear it when doing astronomy in colder weather. ?The battery doesn¡¯t hold a charge very well anymore and of course, it¡¯s no longer available.
------ Original Message ------
From "GEORGE BLAHUN via groups.io" < ks1u@...> Date 12/24/2024 9:14:01?AM
Subject Re: [TAASCT] Happy holidays to you
Thanks, Amy. It¡¯s good to know your health issues are on the upswing and you¡¯ll be able to get out more this year. I¡¯m with you on the warmer weather wishes.
?
George
?
?
?
|
George, my check is in the proverbial mail!? Mail had already arrived yesterday when I saw your note to the group and subsequent reply to me so I had to write my 3rd check of 2025.? Then again,? I will be on my 3rd Citi card after the 1st two had shown up buying chicken dinners in Virginia. Once I mentioned to Citi Fraud Department I hadn't eaten meat in 50 years, it became an instant lock on the 1st card. Then the second card got used two weeks later!
I believe it's Shopify. Checked all the extensions in my browsers and still can't figure out where that may be coming from or stored.
Sigh.. 2025 is off to the races!
John
On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 2:27 PM, Lee P. via groups.io <lee.polikoff@...> wrote: George - You should have my check by the 15th? Lee > On Jan 7, 2025, at 2:21 PM, GEORGE BLAHUN < ks1u@...> wrote: > > Although I¡¯ve sent out individual email receipts for the TAAS dues received so far, I thought I¡¯d double the acknowledgement by listing our current dues paying members here. Our current members are, in order of opening envelopes:? Leslie B, Amy S, Jay D, Max M, John N, Jeff D, Dot M, George B. > I will continue to send out receipts and if you don¡¯t get one after a week or so of sending your dues, please let me know. > TAAS dues can be sent to me, made out to TAAS or Thames Amateur Astronomical Society for $15.? Thanks. > George > > George Blahun > P. O. Box 17 > Quaker Hill, CT 06375 > > > >
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PS - ordered the sling.? With Prime it's actually expected to arrive tomorrow.?
John
On Wed, Jan 8, 2025 at 11:13 AM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io <jasillasen@...> wrote: Mark, do you have a battery suggestion that plugs into either the AZ-GTI or the SolarQuest?
Skywatcher support suggested 12v 1-2 Ah would be sufficient (if that is what I recall.? I will have to check. Basically, I pulled the specs from the manual and a 110 VAC to 12VDC plug - I think. I really need to start keeping better notes!).
I only asked because with metal gears, it doesn't take much power to track. Will good balance, I was wondering if it could handle more.
Glad to know your experience matches that of support.? I was looking at AC - DC adapters. Now, more practical applications suggest a battery is the more practical way to go.
Thanks. Appreciate what you suggest for batteries.? John On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 11:38 AM, Mark Strollo via groups.io <mark@...> wrote: Lee, Thanks for the troubleshooting and putting together all the pieces of this puzzle. It came together great.?
John, The AZGTi weight capacity is limited by the strength of the motors and gearing. The counterweight serves to balance the load on the tripod and keep it from tipping over when the wind gusts. Much like the newer strain gage mounts. We should consider hanging a weight under the tripod head or a spreader sling from the legs like this.
JJC Tripod Weight Stone Bag,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8MZJPZ7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have one on my tripod to hold the battery. It has a loop to hang a weight from the bottom of the sling. Cheap (~$15) scope insurance.?
Mark
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io < jasillasen@...> wrote: Makes sense and well within the AZ-GTI 11 lbs weight limit.?
I have the EQ mod and counterweight system? - Marks old AZ-GTI.? I asked Sky-Watcher support if there would be an increase in capacity with the EQ and counterweight and they said no.
John Sillasen?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM, Lee P. via groups.io
<lee.polikoff@...> wrote:
No idea, but if the OTA weighs what the specs say (6 lbs), then I would say around 7.5 ills.
On Jan 5, 2025, at 7:23 PM, John A. Sillasen via
<
jasillasen@...> wrote:
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail?
John Sillasen?
|
Mark, do you have a battery suggestion that plugs into either the AZ-GTI or the SolarQuest?
Skywatcher support suggested 12v 1-2 Ah would be sufficient (if that is what I recall.? I will have to check. Basically, I pulled the specs from the manual and a 110 VAC to 12VDC plug - I think. I really need to start keeping better notes!).
I only asked because with metal gears, it doesn't take much power to track. Will good balance, I was wondering if it could handle more.
Glad to know your experience matches that of support.? I was looking at AC - DC adapters. Now, more practical applications suggest a battery is the more practical way to go.
Thanks. Appreciate what you suggest for batteries.?
John
On Tue, Jan 7, 2025 at 11:38 AM, Mark Strollo via groups.io <mark@...> wrote: Lee, Thanks for the troubleshooting and putting together all the pieces of this puzzle. It came together great.?
John, The AZGTi weight capacity is limited by the strength of the motors and gearing. The counterweight serves to balance the load on the tripod and keep it from tipping over when the wind gusts. Much like the newer strain gage mounts. We should consider hanging a weight under the tripod head or a spreader sling from the legs like this.
JJC Tripod Weight Stone Bag,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8MZJPZ7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have one on my tripod to hold the battery. It has a loop to hang a weight from the bottom of the sling. Cheap (~$15) scope insurance.?
Mark
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io < jasillasen@...> wrote: Makes sense and well within the AZ-GTI 11 lbs weight limit.?
I have the EQ mod and counterweight system? - Marks old AZ-GTI.? I asked Sky-Watcher support if there would be an increase in capacity with the EQ and counterweight and they said no.
John Sillasen?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM, Lee P. via groups.io
<lee.polikoff@...> wrote:
No idea, but if the OTA weighs what the specs say (6 lbs), then I would say around 7.5 ills.
On Jan 5, 2025, at 7:23 PM, John A. Sillasen via
<
jasillasen@...> wrote:
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail?
John Sillasen?
|
George - You should have my check by the 15th Lee
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 7, 2025, at 2:21 PM, GEORGE BLAHUN <ks1u@...> wrote:
Although I¡¯ve sent out individual email receipts for the TAAS dues received so far, I thought I¡¯d double the acknowledgement by listing our current dues paying members here. Our current members are, in order of opening envelopes: Leslie B, Amy S, Jay D, Max M, John N, Jeff D, Dot M, George B.
I will continue to send out receipts and if you don¡¯t get one after a week or so of sending your dues, please let me know.
TAAS dues can be sent to me, made out to TAAS or Thames Amateur Astronomical Society for $15. Thanks.
George
George Blahun
P. O. Box 17
Quaker Hill, CT 06375
|
Although I¡¯ve sent out individual email receipts for the TAAS dues received so far, I thought I¡¯d double the acknowledgement by listing our current dues paying members here. Our current members are, in order of opening envelopes: Leslie B, Amy S, Jay D, Max M, John N, Jeff D, Dot M, George B.
I will continue to send out receipts and if you don¡¯t get one after a week or so of sending your dues, please let me know.
TAAS dues can be sent to me, made out to TAAS or Thames Amateur Astronomical Society for $15. Thanks.
George
George Blahun
P. O. Box 17
Quaker Hill, CT 06375
|
Lee, Thanks for the troubleshooting and putting together all the pieces of this puzzle. It came together great.?
John, The AZGTi weight capacity is limited by the strength of the motors and gearing. The counterweight serves to balance the load on the tripod and keep it from tipping over when the wind gusts. Much like the newer strain gage mounts. We should consider hanging a weight under the tripod head or a spreader sling from the legs like this.
JJC Tripod Weight Stone Bag,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8MZJPZ7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I have one on my tripod to hold the battery. It has a loop to hang a weight from the bottom of the sling. Cheap (~$15) scope insurance.?
Mark
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM, John A. Sillasen via groups.io < jasillasen@...> wrote: Makes sense and well within the AZ-GTI 11 lbs weight limit.?
I have the EQ mod and counterweight system? - Marks old AZ-GTI.? I asked Sky-Watcher support if there would be an increase in capacity with the EQ and counterweight and they said no.
John Sillasen?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM, Lee P. via groups.io
<lee.polikoff@...> wrote:
No idea, but if the OTA weighs what the specs say (6 lbs), then I would say around 7.5 ills.
On Jan 5, 2025, at 7:23 PM, John A. Sillasen via
<
jasillasen@...> wrote:
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail?
John Sillasen?
|
Looks good, Lee. Thanks for your work on this project.
George
|
Makes sense and well within the AZ-GTI 11 lbs weight limit.?
I have the EQ mod and counterweight system? - Marks old AZ-GTI.? I asked Sky-Watcher support if there would be an increase in capacity with the EQ and counterweight and they said no.
John Sillasen?
On Sun, Jan 5, 2025 at 7:32 PM, Lee P. via groups.io <lee.polikoff@...> wrote: No idea, but if the OTA weighs what the specs say (6 lbs), then I would say around 7.5 ills. On Jan 5, 2025, at 7:23 PM, John A. Sillasen via < jasillasen@...> wrote:
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail? John Sillasen?
|
No idea, but if the OTA weighs what the specs say (6 lbs), then I would say around 7.5 ills.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Jan 5, 2025, at 7:23 PM, John A. Sillasen via < jasillasen@...> wrote:
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail? John Sillasen?
|
Nice job, Lee.? Out of curiosity,? how much does the slightly modified club scope now weigh with dovetail? John Sillasen?
|
Lee P.
Mark Strollo