After investigating options for powering my HEQ5-Pro mount when observing away from home, I decided on this Celestron Powertank. Chris at First Light Optics responded very quickly to my questions, to confirm that it was compatible with the mount, and estimated it would give me 3 to 4 hours of operation. It arrived, well-packed, two days after I placed the order. The unit is slightly bigger than a pint glass, not very heavy and seems quite ruggedly built. I charged it and connected it to the mount, and initially thought it wasn't working. On reading the manual more closely, I saw that to start the device I had to press the power button twice in succession, not just once! Everything then worked perfectly, and I did a couple of tests to see how long the drive would operate before the battery discharged. Using only the RA motor, without any rapid slewing, the mount ran for over 9 hours. Obviously, if I did a lot of fast slewing between targets, the run time would be less, but I'm very happy with this performance. The red or white LED light panel on the side of the unit is a useful feature. The fixings for suspending the tank or attaching it to a tripod leg are usable but could be better. The USB charging ports can't be used while driving the mount, which may be an issue for some, and the remaining battery charge can't be tested while driving the mount, which is annoying. I haven't yet used the unit in the field, but based on my tests I think it will do everything I require. The lithium-iron-phosphate battery technology in the device is apparently capable of 2000 charge cycles, but mine won't reach that number for many years so I can't confirm it.

FLO yet again, speedy in response to questions on order, processed the order fast with efficient delivery. Looking forward to using this with new scope when it arrives. Thus far looks durable, sturdy, charged fine and all excellent as expected.

Excellent product wish I'd invested in one much sooner, it'll save me a fortune in AA batteries

Regards

Bill

I absolutely love this powerpack- it straps to the tripod leg of my scope and the choice of red or white light in two brightness settings is very useful. It’s fantastic to be able to take my telescope anywhere without having to use batteries or plug it in. The powerpack is sturdy and not too heavy - just what I wanted. It arrived very quickly and well packaged - thank you FLO!

This powertank was recommended by FLO for my Skywatcher 150i mount and scope. The mount will eat through 8 AA batteries quite quickly on a decent nights observing. However, this little beauty will power the thing for 10 hours from a charge. It's easy to use, attaches easily to the tripod leg or has a handy hanging capability. You can't go wrong with this, with it's built in LED lights (white and red) and bonus 2 USB ports to charge your devices. Spot on in every way.

Fabulous. Product, Highly Portable, Convinient and Easy to use. Slightly overpriced though. As always ,Fast delivery by First Light Optics.

This Powertank comes with an instruction booklet, a mains charger with 4 mains adapter plugs, a hanging strap, a tripod leg strap and a 2m DC power lead. It has a rubber lid which lifts up to reveal the power button, the light button, the charge state lights and two USB charging ports. There is a single 2.1mm inner/5.5mm outer DC socket used both for charging and power output.

What is good: It's very light weight - about a quarter of the weight of the old-style powertank. It's convenient to fit on the tripod leg. It works as a red or white light lamp.

What is not so good: The rubber lid does not stay up, which means you can't see the status lights to check when it is charging (lights flashing) and when it is fully charged (all the lights stay lit). The power button is shared by the on/off function and the charge indicator, so, in use, you can't see the charge level without switching it off - so you lose all your telescope settings. The power lead doesn't have a screw-on connector to ensure a secure connection at the telescope end.

At the moment I've only been able to give this product 4 stars because your prophecy of cloud cover following purchase has been correct🙂. I'm impressed with its lightness, how compact it is, how it fits on the tripod and it's ease of use.

I wanted a small compact power supply to drive duel motors on a Vixen GP and after looking around at the various options and asking advice unsettled on the LiFePO4.. It's compact and certainly more modern looking than the powertank options and can easily, with the supplied strap, be fixed to a tripod leg so its out of the way. Operationally the controls are accessed through a flap on the top of the battery. Here you can access the power check/power on button and the light on/of button as well as the two USB ports (1.5 & 5v).

Charging the battery is easy, the accessories supplied in Clyde numerous socket adapters and you simple plug the charge cable in to the power port on the battery.. a secuence of lights illuminate for 25%, 50%, 75% & 100% charged.

I have found two issues with otherwise a good product. Firstly the USB's don't work/charge when the battery is running a scope, why I don't know but I would have thought that would be just such a useful option. Second issue is the "lid" to access the controls was not very flexible and after an attempt tonality it to plug in a USB i actually broke the rubber strap holding the lid to the battery.. just a bit too rough with it i guess, but it should have been easier to access too.

I actually carry the battery in the car for powering kids toys/loads and other charging requirements. It also makes a great light, white or red for home, loft or work..

4 stars because of the two issues above, but otherwise happy with product, better than 8D type batteries every few weeks!

A power charge was needed for my Virtuoso mount and it had to be very portable and as environmentally green as possible for a battery. In addition I choose this powertank because it was very compact and light. If I get 2,000 charge cycles then that is less than 0.07GBP every time I use it plus with the advantage it does not need to be recharged after each use. So far it has been outside in 2-3 degrees for about 1.5 hours each time running a mount using slewing and it is still 75% charged. It is kept in a handy location just in case there is a house power cut as it would be very useful with it's red/white lights and two usb ports. If I needed to run dew heaters I would need another power solution.