It was one of those very clear October nights like we have sometimes. Not too cold. No Moon in the sky. The neighbor's outside lights were not on for a change. Conditions were about as good as it gets here for observing in the yard. I decided to haul out the 8-inch dobsonian and check out some of the many wonderful deep sky objects visible this time of year. I carried the OTA, base, observing chair and a couple of eyepieces out the basement door and set up between the retaining walls. I plopped in a low power eyepiece and turned on the Rigel QuickFinder. Hmmm, no red circles visible in the QuickFinder. The battery must have given up. I removed the finder from it's base and took the coin shaped battery out and tested it to be sure. Almost no voltage. Time for a replacement. .This type of unity finder uses a CR 2032 3-volt battery and is rather common on many electronic devices these days. These batteries usually sell for $2.50-$3.00. Normally I have an extra one or two in my parts drawer marked “Batteries and Holders”. I looked in the drawer. There were a bunch of AAAs, AAs and Ds but no 2032s. Drat!. But wait, there was a new holder that would hold two AAAs. It only took a minute to drill a hole in the body of the QuickFinder and push the wires of the battery holder through. It took a couple more minutes with a soldering iron to attach the lead wires. I temporarily attached the battery holder to the QuickFinder with some small rubber bands and soon I was outside observing. As the night went on I started thinking about how much more reserve power two AAAs had over that thin little 2032. Also, how much cheaper the AAAs were, too. Looked to me like I needed to make a more permanent change for battery power. And more finished look would be nice. The next day I trimmed the wires and glued the battery holder to the QuickFinder body. I cut a small piece of PVC pipe and fashioned a battery cover. After painting it black to sort of match the QuickFinder I attached it with a small amount Goop (one of my favorite adhesives). Here you can see a photo of the cobbled up version of the battery pack and another photo of the “finished” version. This is an easy project and something I probably should have done years ago. The small battery pack only adds a couple of ounces of weight to the scope and causes no balance problems.
In full disclosure I have seen a battery pack being sold online by ScopeStuff for about $14. So the idea is not original. But my version cost about the same as a new 2032 battery would and I didn't have to burn any gas to go get a new battery. I'm happy with this simple little modification.
10 Comments
3/21/2013 05:48:06 am
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7/5/2013 06:23:04 pm
Cheers! Regarding this informative article, I am fascinated greatly! I thought that you will find it is important that you enjoyed! thanks a lot to this post
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7/18/2013 07:11:55 pm
That sound's great! It is not the money which matters, but the effort we took found a result is what matters. I am sure you would be really happy to find your efforts are working super cool. These are the results of creative thoughts.
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I carried the OTA, root, observing preside further a two of eyepieces absent the basement passage plus determined up amid the sustaining fortifications. I plopped in a dejected might eyepiece further turned on the Rigel QuickFinder. Hmmm, no roseate rotates perceptible in the QuickFinder. The group obligation retain given up.
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5/2/2014 03:58:21 am
Rigel QuickFinder. Hmmm, no red circles visible in the QuickFinder. The battery must have given up.
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5/6/2014 10:56:50 pm
OTA, root, observing rocker also a unite of eyepieces external the basement opening also lay up amid the sustaining curtains. I plopped in a despicable domination eyepiece moreover turned on the Rigel QuickFinder. Hmmm, no roseate cycles overt in the QuickFinder. The group duty own given up.
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7/21/2014 08:10:55 am
thank you for the information. this was very helpful I have a heart rate monitor I use now and was considering getting a body bugg. I currently just track my calories burned by the reading on the machines.
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7/21/2014 10:14:58 am
Let me start by saying nice post. Im not sure if it has been talked about, but when using Chrome I can never get the entire site to load without refreshing many times. Could just be my computer. Thanks.
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Having been just looking at related blog content with regard to our project research and My partner and i happened to stumble on yours. Many thanks for this helpful material!
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10/20/2014 08:53:18 am
It is outlined with the important suggestion and that’s good to carry as guidelines.
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About the Author:
Terry Alford has been an avid amateur astronomer since 1979. He is currently a member of two astro clubs: Bays Mountain Astronomy Club (founding member) and Bristol Astronomy Club. Since 2001 Terry has taught Astronomy Labs at East TN State University. His first ATM project was in 1979 and was an equatorial pipe mount for an 8-in reflector. His woodworking shop also turns out toys for grandkids. Archives
June 2017
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