power supply for DS 2114

[firemouth]

Hello,
I was looking at the meade DS 2114 reflector scope and it takes AA batteries.
What alternative power adapters are available for this scope?
AC
DC

Thanks

[MistrBadgr]

At one point in time, I believe there was one that clipped onto the 9 volt connection that connects to your battery pack to the mount.  They may still have one.  But, off the top of my head, I do not have a number for it.  You will need to talk to a dealer for that information or maybe Meade Customer Support.

There are a couple of ways you can do it yourself.  One requires getting a power supply that can handle at least 500 mA.  I have used one as small as 350 before successfully.  But, I think 500 is a little better in terms of cushion. 

You can make the connections a couple of different ways.  The first is simply go to Radio Shack and buy a connector for a 9 volt battery, cut off the original plug on the power supply and hook up the 9 Volt connector.  The thing you have to watch is that you are now working with the sending end of the connection and not the recieving end.  I believe the red wire that is normally hooked to the positive side of things needs to be hooked to the negative lead of the power supply wire.  In case I am wrong, think this through yourself.  If you get it wrong and put the power on the mount backwards, you will probably burn out the board in it.  The other way is to install a plug to accept a normal power supply jack in the cover that goes over the battery holder and hook the 9 volt connector to that.  Additionally, the motors are good for 12 volts.  I have found that my mounts run with a lot more authority and accuracy on 12 volts than on 9.

I have a post on this subject in this DS section that is over a year old way back in the listings.  It pretty much says what I just told you.  If you put a plug in the battery cover, you might want to have a jack for it that has a 90 degree bend.  The space between the cover and the upper portion of the mount is a little tight for straight jacks.

I have three DS mounts and all are set up to use a 12 volt power supply.


Hope this helps,

Bill Steen

[firemouth]

Looking at it, that was what I was thinking.
So it is safe to get this plug....
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=kitInfo&Q=&sku=379651&is=REG&friendly=Meade_07576__546_AC_Adapter_25_7_6.html

So, I could use 1 cord with AC and then get a second cord and splice a cigarette lighter adapter to the end for a portable supply?

What I am worrying about is having too much juice from a portable 12v battery.

Comments?

[MistrBadgr]

The Meade adaptor is exactly what you would need.  I believe that you could pull power from a car battery.  Other scopes do it.  However, you probably need to do this with the car not running.  Voltage from the alternator may be in the 15 volt range, rather than the 12 volt of the battery.  I do not know if the boards and motors in your scope could handle that.  You might want to take/borrow a volt meter and check the voltage output from the car plug-in and see what that is before using it.

Bill Steen