Rechargeable Batteries

More Information  · Images of Some Features Price $102.95 Shipping $17.95 List Price $143.95 Weight 17.15 lbs. Warranty 2 years

The 17 amp-hour Power Tank has all of these features:

• a large 17 amp-hour capacity rechargeable battery (with somewhat less capacity when used in temperatures below 32 degrees F), which is enough power for several nights of observing with most telescope and accessory combinations

• two 12 VDC cigarette lighter plug outputs for powering scopes and dew heaters, with sliding covers to keep them dirt- and debris-free when not in use

• separate recessed 3V, 6V, and 9V DC 5.5mm male pin jack outputs for powering accessories or recharging a cell phone at a star party (tip positive, ring negative, 1 amp maximum load), using the cord below

• a cord (the right-hand cord labeled C in the feature image below) with a female 5.5mm pin jack plug on one end to connect to any of the three DC outputs mentioned above for powering a variety of accessories; the other end of the cord terminates in a four-way tip that has 1.- a 5mm female pin jack plug, 2.- a 5.5mm female pin jack plug, 3.- a 3.5mm male pin jack (tip positive, ring negative), and 4.- a 2.5mm male pin jack (tip positive, ring negative)

• a separate 8’ long DC power cord (the left-hand cord labeled C in the feature image below), with a cigarette lighter plug on one end for connecting to one of the cigarette lighter plug outputs on the Power Tank and a female 5.5mm pin jack plug for connecting to the 12V DC input on a Celestron telescope on the other end

• a very, very bright 800,000 candle power built-in spotlight for scope setup/breakdown and for finding your way across a dark field (definitely not for use at star parties if you want to preserve your dark-adapted vision . . . and that of other observers)

• a bright built-in red lens lamp for scope setup and takedown (too bright for reading star charts; a variable brightness LED flashlight is still best for that); the lamp can be removed from the Power Tank, although still connected by a power cord, and attached to any convenient metal surface by means of a magnet on its back

• separate on/off switches for scope power, red lens lamp, and spotlight

• battery indicator lights that show the status of the battery – ON/ready to use; needs charging; charging; or OFF/fully charged

• an AM-FM radio with built-in speaker to keep you company when observing alone (it’s best to use a separate CD player or iPod and headphones while at a star party, in case your choice of music doesn’t agree with the other observers nearby)

• an external 110V AC recharger for replenishing the Power Tank’s battery charge up to 100 times or more; the two parts of the adapter for U. S. and Canadian use are labeled A in the feature image below (since Celestron products are sold world-wide, the Power Tank also includes AC adapter plugs for use in Europe and Asia, which are labeled B in the feature image below); the AC adapter can be used with any 100 to 240 volt 50/60 Hz AC power supply

• built-in heavy jumper cables for starting your car in an emergency (250 amp cranking capacity for 5 seconds when fully charged), and

• a molded-in carrying handle.

In addition to powering Celestron scopes, the 17 amp-hour Power Tank can also be used with 12V Meade scopes, including current LX200R models. However, a Meade #607 DC cord is needed to connect the Power Tank to a Meade 12V scope due to the difference between the sizes of the 12V DC input plug center posts on Meade and Celestron scopes. Because the Power Tank has a 12-volt DC output, it cannot be used with older Meade non-GPS LX200 scopes that require an 18V DC external power supply.

To calculate how long the 17 amp-hour Power Tank will operate your particular complement of equipment, add up the maximum amperage ratings of your telescope and your telescope accessories. Divide 17 by the total amperage draw of all your components to find the worse case number of hours that this Power Tank will operate your system. Keep in mind that accessories will usually not operate continuously at their full rated amperage. A dew heater might be rated at a 1-amp draw, but that is when it is turned up to maximum power. Seldom are dew heaters turned on full and left at that setting. Operating at only 1/4 to 1/3 of the rated power is usually more typical. The actual operating time of the Power Tank on a single charge can therefore often be two to three times the length of the worst-case scenario calculated above. Your operating time will depend on the ambient temperature and the particular combination of components you are using.

A note on assembling the AC adapter: The AC adapter has two parts, the adapter itself, and the prong assembly that snaps into the adapter and plugs into your 110/120VAC household wall socket. Do not attempt to slide the prong assembly straight into the adapter! This will cause damage to the adapter that is not covered by warranty.

Refer to the feature images below for proper assembly. Note that the metal prongs of the prong assembly are placed at the opposite end of the adapter from the end with the cord connected to it. The prong assembly is placed on top of the AC adapter so that tabs on the prong assembly can drop into small slots in the sides of the long and wide slot of the AC adapter. When the tabs drop into the slots and the top of the prong assembly is flush with the top of the AC adapter, slide the prong assembly into the AC adapter in the direction of the arrow in the image until the prong assembly clicks into place.

You should not have to remove the prong assembly unless you move overseas and need to connect your Power Tank to a different type of AC outlet. The prong assembly can be removed from the adapter by using a pencil to push down on the tab in that adapter that locks the prong assembly in place.

Printed instructions are supplied with the Power Tank. If all else fails, read the instructions!