I built a permanent observatory this summer for my EdgeHD11 telescope. It is controlled by a Beelink miniPC attached to the telescope (so it moves with the scope). Tonight I tried a multi-target run, and three times the PC shutdown during the run. I’m wondering if there’s an issue with power supplied to the PC? It is connected to a Celestron dew heater controller, also attached to the telescope, so everything is moving during slews but the connectors should be stable as they’re all moving together. Is there something I should be thinking about here, or should I be looking for a more stable PC?
What input voltage range does your Bee-Link specify?
If you are using something like a Pegasus to control your dew heater, does the Bee-Link starve for voltage when the dew heater needs more?
Is your main power supply stiff enough to handle all the loads, Mount, slews, heaters, cameras, computers?
Mount slews are likely the peak current draw, and maybe that is when the compute gives up?
I recommend a power supply that is rated for at least twice the amperage of your total peak load.
Check power connections are tight. Connections should be closer to a few milli-ohms rather than a half-ohm. A half ohms costs some voltage at 2-10 amps typical for a system.
Voltage drop = current draw (amperes) x connection resistance (ohms).
I’m using a Celestron Smart DewHeater & Power Controller 4x to power all of my devices. I am using the standard Celestron 12V/10A power supply, may need to upgrade to a 12V/20A XT60 power supply as the power controller does accommodate that. I’ll watch the current drain tonight to see if that is needed. I haven’t needed the dew controller yet as temps have remained well away from dew point this month.
I also had to use a 2.1-2.5mm power adapter to connect the Beelink to the power controller, that may be a weak point too. I have since taped that connector tight with electrical tape to minimize any movement with that connection.
Plus the supply’s output voltage can be regulated with the knob at set point of your choosing.
I use their PowerPole distribution systems with a roll of suitably sized Red/Black wire, their crimpers and a bag of crimp-on connecters that fit the distribution box.
Then, I recommend that you get their ready-made PowerPole to connector-of-your-choice:
You could also use these rather than cutting cable to exact length and crimping on connectors.
Your 2.1 mm to 2.5 mm adaptor is fine while it works, until it doesn’t work reliably.
With any DC supply, you can assure yourself of its operation with a DVM, a clamp-on Ammeter, and a (very slow, very cheap) 1 MHz oscilloscope. If you are running a switching supply, you will see the switching speed of 40 to 120 KHz noise on the output. To make matters worse, the switcher suppliers have gone to FM-ing their switching speed to reduce RF emission for the FCC. That broad-band noise coming in on the power lines is bad if your equipment is operating in the noise band.
Is your CMOS chip operating there? Read the poop-sheets. Hard to see on a 2D image unless you try a very quiet supply and compare images.
If you are running a full-wave rectifier transformer supply, (you will notice the specified weight is higher because of the transformer laminations inside) you will see a mV or five at 120 Hz and very likely below operating frequency of any of the equipment.
Yes, but only since I first posted. The mini PC is set to NOT go into sleep mode, power down, etc. Also bought a 20A power supply for the dew heater as it is rated for 20A max but they only supply it with a 10A capacity power supply. I suspect this could be a problem during times of max current draw. The setup has been drawing only around 3A but so far this fall there have been no nights where the dew heater itself was needed so I expect much higher draw when the dew heater is on.
I have not had any problems since I first posted, so I’m hoping these improvements have stabilized the setup.