Portable Battery Pack such as Celestron PowerTank

[VinSnr]

Yup,..SimLim Tower has a shop in the inner corridors,...can't remember if it was 2nd or 3rd...small shop selling nothing but batteries!! They carry the affordable Unicell 12V different Ah. They also carry the chargers. I picked up a 12V 12ah SLA Unicell battery & a charger that charges this and the lower Ah batteries as well (smaller charges can't charge the higher Ah cells). Then opposite the battery shop, is another selling battery connectors for ciggy lighters, croc clips, blk & red cables etc etc! So ran there to grab the croc clip cables and connectors with the correct size jack to fit my IOptron GotoNova socket...all in all approx SG$50 (give or take more or less).

Just make sure when you charge the SLA, that no one can knock into it or it's near anything flammable, as the charger uses croc clips which can be knocked off (and possibly crossing causing a 'short'). Just playing it safe! Charger has lights to show 'red' charge status and 'green' full charge/trickle.

And then you just have to get a small 'tupperware', line it with foam and slip the SLA in! Waterproof and easy to store!! A Full charge can last you thru the nite and then some!!

AstroBargains also sells these Unicell batteries, with the tupperware box. Just get in touch with Joo Beng!! Or visit Sim lim...either way!
Lastly, 'Unicell' has a showroom at Kaki Bukit for those in the East!! Do a google and you can get the address!

Have Fun!!

Possible to show a picture on all these "parts"? This way people will have a good idea of what they need to get.

[timatworksg]

Ok,...Good idea. Will grab some pics soon to show the 'parts' that make up what I have.

[timatworksg]

Okies,...here is what I'm currently using for Mount Power. I have a Vixen GP with IOptron Goto Nova motors fixed. I hate running the power extension cord at home and at when I Ob outdoors, it's a portable source. I could have gotten a smaller one (lower Ah) but I have plans for this Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery. Here are some pics so you have an idea of what you could get, and perhaps improve upon. All these were bought at SimLim Square (not Tower...sorry mixed up! The place where all the PC stuff is where you wanna go), 2nd floor if I recall, side corridors, corner shop with a sign that says 'Batteries.com' or something like that! Sorry but I didn't really take notice of these! The croc clip with it's cable, and plug was from a shop directly opposite this one. They also carry croc clip with wires to ciggy adapter! And a whole bunch of other connections! Cute girl too!!...AHEM..cough...back to the subject!

1: Here's a pic of the set up. (left to right) the croc clip from battery to mount, the SLA battery & the charger unit which comes complete as shown. I bought the bigger charger unit as it will allow me to charge lower Ah batteries if I downgrade. If you get a lower Ah charger and upgrade the battery, you need a new charger!



2. Close up of the cable with croc clips from SLA battery to mount. The 2 croc clips with the red & black wire attached where cut and spliced to the black & white cable with the jack! There's a cable connector there (the white plastic thingie) which now has been replaced with 'Heat Shrink' tubing over the splices.



3. Close up of the Charger. It comes as shown with croc clips that hook onto the SLA battery points when charging is needed. Just make sure nothing flammable or has potential of catching fire is nearby. Also away from children and people who tend to not take notice of such things!!! It's not that dangerous, but exposed leads are a hazard anyway. Just put it high or away in some corner when charging!!
Charger unit has red (charging) & green (charging done/trickle) lights!



4. The Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery.There was a small plastic cap on the red point to protect from shorting the battery if something metallic fell over them. But being small...I can't find it!!!



All in all, I spent no more than $60 on this. The battery was around $20+ and charger $30+ with the cables a couple of bucks!

Lastly Unicell has an office in Kaki Bukit. Do a google and you can find them. Lots of contractors buy them for various applications for equipment.

Hope this helps if anyone is wondering whats this all about, an alternative from the Power Bank, or just ideas to make a better set-up. Dump the battery and cable into a fitting sized tupperware and your done!! Oh yeah...I haved used it for 3hrs straight...and then 2 days of nothing, then used again (no re-charge) for about 2hrs. Perhaps it's still new..lol!!
I'm considering getting a lower Ah unit which will be smaller in size and set it to my half-pier so less wires dangling!! So much DIY ideas,...so little time!

Cheers and Have fun!!

[VinSnr]

Good job on the pics. Now it is very clear especially for newbies looking for a cheaper power supplier than those Power Tanks.

[timatworksg]

No Probs...thanks for the heads up and hope it helps and gives ideas!!

[vivid]

I have that 12V 7.2AH from Unicell too. Powers my 35W metal halide torchlight. Got 3 of them, try not to leave them discharged for too long (same for NiMH, Li ion polymer etc), goes dead and cannot charge up.
I have a 12V 12AH one for my radios. If you go to Sim Lim Tower there are so many brands. With a 12V 7.2AH you prob can add a small strip of LED strip (red) and paste it beside the battery or something. Don't even have to buy a red LED torch. Hands free for 8hrs easily.
1m of 1210 SMD LED is about 18 bucks, GL Hub at B1 Sim Lim Tower sells shorter lengths like 1 foot but prob like $10-12. 5 meters in 1 reel is really cheap. My new house has about 60 meters of 1210 and the bigger 5050 LED strips for mood and direct illumination.

Just splice the wire and connect it up. Test polarity first with a multimeter of coz to be sure.

The unicell girl from 2nd sty SLS cute huh Tim?