Power Supply Type?

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JayTee United States of America
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Power Supply Type?

#1

Post by JayTee »


So while rummaging in the garage I came across a power supply. It says it's 12V, so I tested it and yes, it is 12VDC -- I think.

The label doesn't say the output is DC. When I put my voltmeter on DC it reads 12.1V, when I put it on AC it reads 25V. Can I assume this is a DC power supply? See the pictures and give me your best guess.

Thanks,
JT
DC PS.jpg
DC PS Label.jpg
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#2

Post by Voyageur »


What, you only found ONE unidentified power supply? I thought they reproduced in storage.

Sorry, JT, I can't help you ID it, couldn't resist the joke...
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#3

Post by Lady Fraktor »


The output says 12v DC at 1.5A
AC would be a solid line with this ~ under it.
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#4

Post by Richard »


Yes that is a direct current power supply of 12v and around 1.5 amps tip positive as is the norm, not good for Go To Mounts , will work but I dont recommend it
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#5

Post by Richard »


Having another look, looks like a charging unit for something certainly not to be used for a Go To mount charging units normally dont exceed 1amp so 1.5 may be a proper power supply , so its your call
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#6

Post by Gordon »


Just to confirm. That power supply is using the newer 'symbols' for AC and DC. You will see this quite often now.
AC DC symbols.jpg
AC DC symbols.jpg (7.12 KiB) Viewed 2916 times
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#7

Post by JayTee »


Thank you all for weighing in. I will go under the knowledge that it is a DC power supply.

Richard, are you saying that 1.5 amps is not enough juice? My Celestron DC power supply has 2.5 amps as the output, and if I recall I think we typically recommend 3 amps or higher to power a go to mount, yes?

Cheers,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
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∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#8

Post by Aratus »


The problem is the peak power used when slewing at high speed. If the mount can't get the juice it needs, it sulks and takes the alignment with it! I give my 11" a dedicated power unit of 10A. I seem to remember that 3A should work on a smaller mount at least. I recommend getting a good quality power supply. I expect that the motors are not cheap to replace.
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#9

Post by Burris »


Mark 1, Mod O converter. Could have been for a radio, a spot light, your guess is as good as mine. used to have a drawer full. Now I mark them. threw the rest away. Lol! not worth frying a mount. Bill
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Re: Power Supply Type?

#10

Post by JayTee »


Burris wrote: Sat Aug 03, 2019 3:18 am Mark 1, Mod O converter. Could have been for a radio, a spot light, your guess is as good as mine. used to have a drawer full. Now I mark them. threw the rest away. Lol! not worth frying a mount. Bill
From a guy who only knows enough about electronics to get into trouble -- can a low power (amps not voltage) situation cause a board to fry?

This curious mind wants to know,
JT
∞ Primary Scopes: #1: Celestron CPC1100 #2: 8" f/7.5 Dob #3: CR150HD f/8 6" frac
∞ AP Scopes: #1: TPO 6" f/9 RC #2: ES 102 f/7 APO #3: ES 80mm f/6 APO
∞ G&G Scopes: #1: Meade 102mm f/7.8 #2: Bresser 102mm f/4.5
∞ Guide Scopes: 70 & 80mm fracs -- The El Cheapo Bros.
∞ Mounts: iOptron CEM70AG, SW EQ6, Celestron AVX, SLT & GT (Alt-Az), Meade DS2000
∞ Cameras: #1: ZWO ASI294MC Pro #2: 662MC #3: 120MC, Canon T3i, Orion SSAG, WYZE Cam3
∞ Binos: 10X50,11X70,15X70, 25X100
∞ EPs: ES 2": 21mm 100° & 30mm 82° Pentax XW: 7, 10, 14, & 20mm 70°

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Re: Power Supply Type?

#11

Post by Intrepid »


It is a switching power supply with an output of 12 Volts D.C. It is rated for use with information technology equipment (ITE) and Audio Visual equipment (AV). It also has built in limits (LTS) -usually current and temperature - so that it is safe for domestic use. It is all on the label.

Most GOTO scopes are very voltage insensitive because
a) The electronics run at 5 Volts (sometimes 3.3 Volts) and are supplied by a voltage regulator. As long as the input voltage is above 7.5 Volts the voltage regulator will output a regulated 5 Volts to the electronics.
b) The motors are driven using pulse width modulation, where the control makes up for lower voltage by delivering wider pulses. It is true that as the voltage is reduced below a certain level that the maximum slewing speed will drop but that will not affect alignment or accuracy as that is determined not by the speed of the motors but by the feedback provided to the control by the encoders.
For example many Meade and iOptron mounts (and others) are designed to operate from 8 AA cells. I have operated both brands with out any problem using 8 NiMH rechargeable cells which provide 9.6 volts nominal.

Using a 10 amp power supply when a smaller regulated supply is recommended by the manufacturer will just result in more damage in the event of a mishap.

Intrepid,

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