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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Power Shield for Astroberry

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The 12v power is connector, is that a common style connector with leads that can run from a battery pack with say a car style cigarette lighter socket on ?
3 years 5 months ago #61140

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The input connector is an XT60 type, such a connector is needed because the board can handle 15A, and a usual DC jack (2,5mm/5,5mm) can carry only 5A.
I have quickly checked on Amazon and there is XT60 to cigarette lighter cable.
3 years 5 months ago #61144

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Great news, thank you
3 years 5 months ago #61147

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Hi!

Why not an Anderson Powerpole connector for 12A?

Magnus
3 years 5 months ago #61152

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To be honest, this type of connector was not known by me till today, but I like it, I can imagine replacing the XT60 with a 45A type of Powerpole.
The only question is this Powerpole connector more common in astrophotography? Because if it is, then makes sense to change it.
(XT60 is I think absolutely not common, but in every RC shop it is available)
3 years 5 months ago #61166

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Hi!

To the best of my knowlegde, the Anderson Powerpole connectors are very common among astro people - replacing the "cigarette lighter" connectors. And I'm talking about these:

andersonconnect.com.au/store/index.php?m..._info&products_id=93

A lot of people for instance use a "Rig runner" on top of their mounts to distribute power to all the devices - based on these. For instance:

www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=rr_4006u

The device your are designing is effectively a far more advanced version of a RigRunner (sort of).

Magnus
3 years 5 months ago #61186

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Replied by Joaquin on topic Power Shield for Astroberry

They are very common in ham radio. There are racks for power distribution, very popular, some with fuses. Some models can stand very high currents.
3 years 5 months ago #61198

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I like the original design OP has. Powerpole connectors are great but seems like it would take up more real estate on the hub itself. Those connections are somewhat wide. The 2.1mm connection seems better IMO with the reverse polarity protection
Last edit: 3 years 5 months ago by Daniel DeSclafani.
3 years 5 months ago #61200

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Hi tikiss and all,
very good work, I'm interested in one maybe two machine-populated units.
Just some notes:
  1. ATM 4 GPIO left unused. If GPS reset is not used and 3Dfix led can be sacrificed, we could have 6 gpios to let the unit control focuser stepper motors using already available Radeck Astroberry Focuser indi driver. On the power shield side, only a JST like connector to link one of those mini stepper controller modules is needed.
  2. MCP3202 can be replaced with 3208, and populating 1 INA328 and OP-AMP per channel we'll have amps readings per-device instead of total. Maybe it's an overikill, don't know.
  3. the OneWire pin can be used to chain one or two DS18B20 temperature sensors to monitor stuff that has to be kept dew-free: since ambient temperature and relative humidity are already avavilable, we can calculate dew point temperature and automatically regulate heaters at minimum power needed to keep dew away. Obviously lacking (or not working) the sensor, the channel works in manual power mode. I've already done it with Arduino, code is simple and I can contribute it.

What do you think about it?

Matteo
3 years 5 months ago #61232

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I have also checked these, but I was mainly focused on which can be used on PCB side, the only disadvantage is the population on the board could be a little bit difficult compared to XT60 which is a solid block together with pins.
I will order a couple of samples to see how it looks.
3 years 5 months ago #61460

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Yes, I have also found on Wikipedia that radio amateurs using it as well.
3 years 5 months ago #61461

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If I understood the others, they were recommending the PowerPole instead of the XT60 input power connector. I agree with you the normal DC jack (2.1mm or 2.5mm) is better (more common) to use for the outputs.
As far as I understood the PowerPole has also a kind of polarity.
3 years 5 months ago #61462

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