Celestron Nextar computerized telescope – power?
March 11th, 2010 | 
Author: I have a Computerized telescope – celestron nextar (base) / fastar (tube) and it says +12v output on the base with a round connection input. I’m trying to figure out how to use it, so do I just need to buy a regular 12v power cord from Radio Shack and plug it in?
Yup, that would work. The size of plug you need can be found here -
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_cc14.htm
Used to have an 8" Nexstar myself. Currently, I own a CPC1100. So here’s some handy advice, that I learned the hard way -
If your going to use the scope away from AC power, one of those 12VDC 17AH jumper batteries will work just fine for almost 2 evenings.
http://www.nextag.com/portable-battery-jump-starter/shop-html
The other option is to use a deep cycle gel battery (non-spillable). And a proper recharger (Battery Tender Plus works very well).
http://www.batterystation.com/gelcell.htm
To figure out how big of a battery you want to get is fairly simple.
Your scope will draw a minimum of about 0.5A of power just idling. When it is slewing (moving to an object), it can draw up to 1.5A. I just round that up to 2A. For a typical night, plan on about 4 hours of observing time minimum.
So 2 amps for 4 hours is 8 Amp-Hours of power used. Typically, you do not want to discharge a battery below 50% of its rated capacity, so double the power used, or 16 AH, rounded up to 20AH.
See how that works? For me, I can go for a week at a remote site observing run (like a star party), I need at least 5 nights of power, 16AH time 5 is 80AH, which is fine, but I round up to 100 AH, just in case I wind up observing longer.
If you have AC power, so much the better. I still recommend getting a unit that can deliver at least 2 Amps (at 12VDC) to the scope. Something like this works great. But be sure to check the DC plug to see if it is the correct size.
http://www.mini-box.com/60w-12v-5A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter
Hope this helps and Clear Skies!
Posted in celestron telescope
You can use a standard 110V home outlet with a DC converter that provides 12V power to a small circular fitting that will plug into your base (don’t plug the scope right into the wall – it may do bad things). This demands that you set up relatively close to a house with an outside outlet, or -
You can fashion an adapter cable to plug into the power supply for your automobile, which runs off a 12V system, or –
You can purchase a 12V Marine Deep Cycle Battery – looks like a car battery, but it is designed for extended periods of low drain, followed by a recharge. You can fashion a cable that connects the battery to the round plug, or -
You can shell out the big bucks for a dedicated 12V power supply that is designed specifically to power scopes like this. They are pretty expensive, but they do provide some signal conditioning that is not available by just using a battery – although I have never had a problem just using a 12V battery as long as it is fully charged.
References :
Yup, that would work. The size of plug you need can be found here -
http://www.scopestuff.com/ss_cc14.htm
Used to have an 8" Nexstar myself. Currently, I own a CPC1100. So here’s some handy advice, that I learned the hard way -
If your going to use the scope away from AC power, one of those 12VDC 17AH jumper batteries will work just fine for almost 2 evenings.
http://www.nextag.com/portable-battery-jump-starter/shop-html
The other option is to use a deep cycle gel battery (non-spillable). And a proper recharger (Battery Tender Plus works very well).
http://www.batterystation.com/gelcell.htm
To figure out how big of a battery you want to get is fairly simple.
Your scope will draw a minimum of about 0.5A of power just idling. When it is slewing (moving to an object), it can draw up to 1.5A. I just round that up to 2A. For a typical night, plan on about 4 hours of observing time minimum.
So 2 amps for 4 hours is 8 Amp-Hours of power used. Typically, you do not want to discharge a battery below 50% of its rated capacity, so double the power used, or 16 AH, rounded up to 20AH.
See how that works? For me, I can go for a week at a remote site observing run (like a star party), I need at least 5 nights of power, 16AH time 5 is 80AH, which is fine, but I round up to 100 AH, just in case I wind up observing longer.
If you have AC power, so much the better. I still recommend getting a unit that can deliver at least 2 Amps (at 12VDC) to the scope. Something like this works great. But be sure to check the DC plug to see if it is the correct size.
http://www.mini-box.com/60w-12v-5A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter
Hope this helps and Clear Skies!
References :
Celestron uses a non-standard 12-volt connector. I _strongly_ recommend buying a power cord from Celestron. They make one with a transformer to use house AC power, and one with a auto cigarette plug for battery power. Aside from getting the right size connector, you will get adequate power from Celestron’s transformer, as many "wall warts" don’t have enough current, plus the polarity will be correct. You can buy a power supply from Radio Shack, but you need to be certain you install the correct jack, both diameter and polarity. Use a meter to be sure!
References :