The Powertank portable, rechargeable batteries are an easy and economical way of ensuring power supply to the motorized mounts. With its lithium-vivianite rechargeable battery, the manufacturer, Celestron, has introduced a new Powertank to the market: the Celestron Lithium 86 Wh.
Celestron Powertank Lithium LiFePO4 84Wh
This new Powertank combines the advantages of lithium technology – high power density, cycle life, better environmental compatibility – with a well thought-out design. Using the supplied Velcro tape, the Powertank Lithium 86 Wh can be simply fastened to the tripod leg.
It not only provides a 12 Volt output voltage for the telescope mount, but is also equipped with charging sockets for your tablet and smartphone.
A cable with utility plug connects the telescope with the Powertank. This standard originating from the cigarette lighter in a car has become well established. Most mounts include a corresponding cable in their scope of delivery. You can, however, also buy the cable separately here.
The Celestron Powertank Lithium 86 Wh also has a torch (flashlight) function, optionally with white or red light. All switches and sockets are protected by hinged lids, making sure that they stay free of dirt or dust during long-term storage.
Talking of storage: There is a problem with the classic Powertanks, in that they will fail, if not used for a long time. They suffer self-discharge, which is accompanied by a loss of storage capacity. Starting to use a telescope again after an extended period of not observing the night sky may result in a very unpleasant surprise indeed. In this area – the so-called storage life – the new Powertank Lithium 86 Wh is also superior to its predecessor!