Tuesnoad - access to mains?

[Fay]

I think Ian & Mike were discussing the possibility of mains access at Tuesnoad. Did anything come of it?

[Ian]

I think we left it with Jeff. We suggested a long extension lead, and one of those little power meters that maplins sell for a tenner so we can pay for it...

[MarkS]

And an RCD.

You really MUST have an RCD when playing with mains electrics in the dew and damp.

[Ian]

oh you're no fun...

I can see that tripping in the middle of the night, and we can't get to it to reset it.

[Carole]

Does that mean we have to start a new thread entitled
"Leisure batteries for sale"?

[Ian]

possibly, or alternatively working out methods of resetting an rcd through a letter box.

Do we have any keyhole surgeons in the society?

[Fay]

What is a RCD?  I am getting worried thinking about when I'm in the garden with the extension cables etc etc & it is running with dew!!

[Ian]

it's as safety device that cuts the power if necessary, rather than fry you...

[mickw]

Shortish extension lead frommthe office to the bog.
RCD then extension lead out to the Somme.
Job Done 

[Ian]

good call. I was wondering if we'd get away with having one on our end, but that'd really only do half a job.
Fay, do you plug into a socket in your shed/garage? Any electrician worth his salt (and following regs too I believe) should have fitted one already. Have you get a small box on the wall with circuit breakers in it, in you garage/shed?

If not, I'd go buy one from homebase tomorrow. 10% day, you know...

[Fay]

No, but I have been told that is anything happened it should trip the fuse box under the stairs.

I have been thinking of some sort of small box, in the garden. To lay the multi plug socket in, with attached plugs, to protect them from the damp, during the evening.
I have to use 2 extension leads which I plug together, which I always place in a bag on the grass.

[JohnP]

Fay - something like this should do at a minimum...

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=9828324


Cheers,  John

[Fay]

Thanks John, will order one.  Does it go into the mains with the extension cable plugged in?

[JohnP]

The idea of mains connection down in that field scare me...! Imagine all those imagers with extensions cables running to their scopes etc... sounds like a nightmare... what's wrong with using batteries...!!!!

[Ian]

that wouldn't be a problem. I've got a 500W floodlight we plug in if we've got mains power...

[Delphine]

... what's wrong with using batteries...!!!!

They are too heavy to carry [for me at least].  I can't even lift them!!!!

Delphine

[JohnP]

True Delphine - I'd overlooked that. I would of course be more than happy to assist you carry or taking your batteries down for you if needed..

I just think mains cables drapped everywhere would be a nightmare. The only way I could see it working would be if there was a designated area for the 'mains users' I have enough problems not tripping over the tent ropes (& have done so on quite a few occasions) - the thought of 50m extension leads & damp wet grass scares me. Saying that though it would be useful to have mains during the day for battery charging etc.

Thks,  John

[Fay]

I was thinking of the battery charging bit, as my battery ran out last time. Mick lent me his.

[mickw]

But
Laptop power supply = about 2 amp
Mount  ------"------- = about 2 amp
Plug top fuse            = 13 amp
Plus you would also need it to be a long heavy duty lead.
Only 3 people could use it   
Pity, it was a nice idea

[Mac]

I've got some rigger boots and rubber gloves, i'm sure theres an 11kv feed next to the field, quick tap off of the transformer
and it will be free.

[Fay]

The laptop, doing long exposures for around 2 hours hosting a guiding cable, CCD camera & guider camera must take a lot more power, than just viewing thru the telescope.
Then if you have a bad night & are slewing here & there,  the power will not last long especially if it is cold!!!!!

[MarkS]

I think mains leads trailing around a dark field is an accident waiting to happen - people hurting themselves or kit getting damaged.  However, a "recharging station" for batteries would make sense.

[Delphine]

True Delphine - I'd overlooked that. I would of course be more than happy to assist you carry or taking your batteries down for you if needed..

I just think mains cables drapped everywhere would be a nightmare. The only way I could see it working would be if there was a designated area for the 'mains users' I have enough problems not tripping over the tent ropes (& have done so on quite a few occasions) - the thought of 50m extension leads & damp wet grass scares me. Saying that though it would be useful to have mains during the day for battery charging etc.

Thks,  John

Many thanks for the offer to carry my batteries John - much appreciated.  I haven't actually bought any batteries yet as I have been practising with my telescope near the back door of my house.  I agree with the concerns about mains electricity at the DSC.  The charging station sounds like a good idea to me

Cheers
delphine

[Mike]

I will have a chat with Jeff and we will talk to the owner about something, maybe in the ladies loo, for charging batteries.