DIY Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox (almost)

July 7, 2019

Tonight I'll be testing out the prototype for my DIY version of the Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox--well, a manual operation version. There's no ASCOM or INDI support, but with what I've put together here--12vdc line in, 3 x regulated 12v dc 4 amp out, 2 x PWM-controlled dew control RCA jacks (potentiometer with the silver knob controls output temp). Add an Arduino, a few relays, and a temp sensor and I can build all the powerbox features I use. One reason I'm going down this path (I have a pocket powerbox on my GT81 narrowband setup and I love it) is that the Pegasus Astro version doesn't provide 5v dc output, and I want 5v with up to 4 amps out to power the Raspberry Pi 4 + 4GB RAM I'll be building out later this year, running INDI/Ekos/Kstars or Stellarmate. There's also a big price difference. I threw this together for about 15 USD, and I think I paid $180 for the PPB. I'll let you know how it goes!

Here's my test setup for tonight--testing the DIY Pocket Powerbox. This is my ZWO ASI071MC with a Nikon 180mm f/2.8 lens, ZWO ASI120MM-S + 130mm guiding, on my trusty old iOptron CEM25P mount. That's my prototype pocket powerbox on the back, behind the main imaging camera. I'm going to be doing some long exposure color shots in Vulpecula--Sh 2-92, NGC 6820.