Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Sept 23, 2010 5:39:09 GMT -6
Muliti-function Power center for Astronomical Sessions
Sometime ago, a former student of mine gave me a portable power center....
It was dirty and paint spattered, but he said the last time he used it a few years ago, it worked fine. The only thing is that he lost the recharger adapter.
Hell, I'll take anything and maybe I could use it for astronomical pursuits...
I brought it home and left it in the garage...forgetting all about it. Recently, I came across it and wondered if I could use it to enhance my observation sessions, as it does have a lot of options to exploit...
It has two lights, a DC/AC inverter, two cigarette lighter adapters and in the back.....
Jumper cables!
For those times when listening to Led Zeppelin on the car radio while observing- killing the battery.
I have a host of transformers laying about in the workshop and tried a 12v one with a female plug. Plugging it in, nothing happened. Well, it has been years since it was used and maybe the tired batteries had it. But after a minute or so, the red LED started to glow. The damned batteries were taking the charge!
Sweet!... #Yay#
I left it plugged for about 1/2 an hour, (the instructions say to leave it charging for 40 hours...
). Anxious to see if it took some electrons, I unplugged it and turned on the lights.They work!
Dang!
They were dim, but they work.
While working on some projects in the workshop, I left it connected and it seemed to be taking the charge well. I only left it connected for about an hour or so, and want to monitor it while it charges. Never know what might happen.
I cleaned it up, satisfied that it has some life still left in it. If anything, I can always swap out the old batteries for fresh, more efficient ones. Maybe even replace the incandescent lamps for some less power hungry L.E.D ones too.
So, when I return to the work shop, I'll continue the slow charge and maybe it'll be a great addition to our observation sessions, providing auxiliary power to laptops, drives or lighting.
If any of your batteries fail during a joint session, my rates are quite reasonable...
