astro power
For those following the tales of portable power and our adventures at Starfest… the news is great!
We used a 32AmpHour 12vdc battery in the popup trailer to runs its lights, CO detector and other minor bits without issue.
We built a stand angled for approx early August solar declination/altitude for the 10watt solar panel to charge it. This was with spare 1×2’s and a spare 2×2 and a couple of bolts and nuts. It folds down to a compact shape as well. I think the solar panel is an old (10 year) 10watt from Canadian Tire?
We used the 6.5AH (Talentcell 12V LiFePO4 Battery Pack LF4100, 2000 Cycles Rechargeable 12.8V 6.5Ah 83.2Wh Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery with DC 12/9 Volt and 5V USB Output $70) to run the DSLR camera lens heater and to charge up the android tablet running the SeeStar S50 telescope and two smartphones for the three days. It was pretty much depleted by event end. We figured we could recharge it from the 32AH trailer battery if need be.
The 3rd system was a 12vdc 7AH power source in a princess auto ammo box powering the RASCKC Douglas 25cm dobsonian telrad heater and eyepiece heater.
It has a power hub but no limiting controls on it.. so the eyepiece was hot and the telrad was clear! We plan on doing some upgrades to the Douglas including variable power control for the accessories.
There were a *lot* of solar panels in the field!
Starfest also had 110vac charging stations here and there in buildings/tents for use if you did not purchase the field power option.