I do deep space and planetary imaging from remote sites and I want to extend my options for powering my laptop, cameras, telescope and other electronic accessories.  I have looked at the Optima D31T (75 Ah) but before I make a purchase I would appreciate others' comments about their battery experience and recommendations.

 Skycruiser

I have used a number of power schemes over the years. Most recently, I just finished making a powerpack we jokingly call The Nuke.

It uses three 33AH Glass-mat Technology 12V batteries and is built into a wheeled tool box that is about 12x16x20 inches. It has a battery charger and 1500W inverter, a 12V receptacle, a 12V hair dryer for dew removal, and I'm having a custom-fit Telegizmos 365 cover made for it to keep everything water tight overnight.

It runs my SBIG ST-7XME, two laptops, an STV autoguider, and an AP900 mount all night with plenty of juice leftover to run my 12V electric blanket while I sleep in. Uses about 40% of capacity and recharges in about 6 hours.

The downsides are cost (about $600, most of it in the inverter and charger) and weight (just under 70 lbs).

I have no doubt that it could run the mount, a laptop, and a webcam or similar imager all night long on just one of its three batteries.

12V accessories are your friend. If you have a 12V converter for your laptop you'll save at least half on energy consumption.

Planned upgrades:

• Two additional 12V sockets
• Anderson PowerPole cables and connectors to replace the hard-wired setup
• 12V coffeemaker

I use a size 27 deep cycle battery rated at 105 amp hours with a 400 watt inverter and I also always have a spare size 24 at 85 amp hours with me too. I also made a cable with two male cigarette plugs on it so i can plug it into my cigarette lighter plug and charge them when I'm traveling in my truck.

JJ 

 I use the Optima D34M (55aH) with an 800 watt inverter (I have three 12 VDC outlets in addition to the one on the inverter). I can run my laptop, an LXD-75 SN-10 (w/EQ-G mount), a small LCD monitor (DVD player), and my Canon XTi for a night's worth of observing with this setup.

Steven