SX problem.............give me strength!!!!!!

[mickw]

too heavy for me.

You could always beat up an old lady and nick her shopping trolley 

Or..............

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=97489

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9676677&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=trolley&fh_eds=%C3%9F&fh_refview=search&ts=1257416652993&isSearch=true

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/76279/Access-Storage/Manual-Handling/Wolfcraft-TS600-Folding-Platform-Truck

[Carole]

So mount and camera is OK on one battery, but have laptop on a different one

Hmmm, better check my stuff before DSC then. 
I'm running DSLR own battery,but software for this on the laptop. 
Laptop, Mount and SC3 (as a guide cam) off leisure battery.

I have an invertor,and was going to run all 3 off of that.
Does this mean I will have problems/need to get a 2nd Leisure battery!!!

Carole

[mickw]

No, the problem Fay is having is with the SX needing it's own power.

Although depending on the size of your battery, you may have trouble - or not.

If you haven't already, try all your stuff set up how you intend using it during the day and see how long the battery lasts.
Image the wall again 

Or better still a clock - won't have to time anything then 

[Mike]

Yep. Set it up and try it out.

It's normally not a good idea to run a laptop or other devices on the same power line as the camera as electronic noise can be introduced into the circuit degrading your image. Although depending on your set-up and quality of equipment it may be negligible.

[Mac]

Yes, I only use it for dew heaters. All my batteries are charged after every session. I should think about a leisure battery, but they are too heavy for me.

Those dew heaters draw quite a large current normally, 2-3 amps, so your 17AH battery will last somewhere in the region of 3-8 hours normally,

As for the laptop, hmmm difficult question to answer,
It says in their post parallel port? i thought they were usb ports! anway.

Just plug something you know to be working into each of your ports, USB, Serial & Parallel, if they all work, then they are fine,
That's probably the easiest way for you to test them.

As for the inverter being inefficient,
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48723 90% Efficient.

so in a word no, you lose only 10%

Laptop power assuming 150W = 12.5A off of 12V
17AH battery would last. 1.3 hours powering the laptop
with the invertor powering the laptop you loose 10%
so it would be rougly 1.2 hours
roughly 6mins. different due to inefficiency.

As Darth Vader once said, "use the invertor". or was that "Use the Force"
might sole those niggling problems,

Anyway, I though you might have used the mains down there this time.

Mac.

[Fay]

Mac, the webcam is serial, don't have a parallel, that is ok.
  It was just a thought, i will bring invertor with me to DSC. So do you connect inverter to battery & then still plug two items into inverter?

[Mac]

It was just a thought, i will bring invertor with me to DSC. So do you connect inverter to battery & then still plug two items into inverter?

you can, or you can use their mains.
I've got a spare lead, you can borrow

[Fay]

Thanks Mac

[mickw]

You should at least try the battery/inverter thing to find out what your limit is should we end up somewhere without power.
At least give it a shot indoors.

[Fay]

well Mick, I want to use SX for guiding, I usually use webcam, so can always use that. I seem to remember my batteries were always running down too early

[Carole]

It's normally not a good idea to run a laptop or other devices on the same power line as the camera as electronic noise can be introduced into the circuit degrading your image

Well I might get away with it then because I'm only planning to use the SC3 for guiding, and the camera has it's own battery.

I'll give it a try before DSC.  I have a car size 12V battery btw.

Carole