AstroAF - Mounting Quieter 3 Mini PC and Power Hub to Celestron EdgeHD | Cable Management

[@marchoude2303]

Nice setup. I have the same fan-less mini computer you have. Mine gets REALLY hot, do you not worry about the PC melting the plastic bracket you printed?

[@AstroAF]

Hi Marc! Thanks for stopping by! I’ve had no problems at all. The mounting bracket allows for airflow between itself and the PC. My PC gets pretty warm but never too hot to touch. Cheers! Doug

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

That setup is impressive. Much better cord management than my setup. My setup has a hand that holds dangling cords when the mount is slewing to insure no snags. The hand unit works remarkably well, but unfortunately it is not permanently mounted to the rig, as is your device. Rather, it is permanently mounted to my arm and seems to follow me wherever I go! Maybe someday I’ll figure out how to bolt it to the rig like you did with your multiport unit. Any suggestions?

[@AstroAF]

😂 Hi Lance, I’m always for what works! If you want to go after it, some zip ties, a few Velcro straps, and some wire loom of your choosing is about all you need. The way I think about it is trying to make a set of harnesses. What’s nice is I can quickly remove a harness for teardown but also quickly setup again with all wires organized. You want to choose the shortest cables that will work for the runs. Definitely keep in mind strain relief, you don’t want anything pulling on your ports/jacks. Keep in mind runs that need room for slewing or camera rotation. That’s pretty much it. Find groups of wires heading to the same area and make them a harness.

[@KJRitch]

Is the GPS dongle used to give NINA your latitude and longitude or are there other functions? I use a couple of app son my iPhone, Compass and PS Align Pro has that data. I purchased a Buckeye Stargazer Synta-Bar-20mm mount and used VHB tape to attach to the bottom of my Mele PC. It slides into an Alstar Universal Quick Release Finder Shoe Base for SCT at Amazon. Bolts onto my C8. I've got one USB port on my Mele available for my Astro Oasis Autofocuser when I get the 30mm clamp. I hope you didn't have rewire too much after discovering you needed to move cables around. I tried to use my ASI071MC Pro USB hub from my ASI174MM guide camera and PHD2 got confused. Were did you get that little power distraction box? I'd like to have only one power cable going up to the OTA. Right now I have two power cables going to the Mele and Camera. I'll have a 3rd when I install the autofocuer. These cables get heavy and might affect guiding. Thanks

[@AstroAF]

Hi KJ! It actually provides location data to the mount through EQMOD in the location section. Just choose com port and baud rate. The power hub is a Deep Sky Dad, I think I have it in a video from last summer.

[@KJRitch]

I'm looking at using some of the Alex Tech Cord Protector. I have three 5.5x2.1 power cables coming up from the my lithium power station (Bluetti EB3). One goes to my Mele 3Q, another to my ASI071MC Pro and the third eventually to my Astro Oasis auto focuser. Still haven't got the clamp but my daughter has received shipment and I will see her this weekend. Is the Alex Tech 10ft - 1/4 inch Cord Protector wide enough for three cables? I'm measuring my cables and the diameter is slightly over 3/8". How many cables can you get into the 1/4" sleeve you ordered. I'm thinking 1/2" may be better but maybe you can get three cables in the 1/4". Also, is that an ADM Accessories dovetail bar on top? With all the weight on on the back and you have focus wheel will you still be able to balance DEC by moving the power station and Mele closer to the front of the scope? What is the estimated weight of your OTA with everything. Does your HEQ5 two counterweights enough to balance? Thanks.

[@AstroAF]

Hi KJ! I’m running 3 cables in the 1/4”. It wraps around on itself a bit so there’s room for 3 but still get full wrap. I zip tie the ends to secure it. They’re easy to clip off when I need to make a change and then just zip tie again. Dec is balanced, I have an ADM weight on the front under my mounting rail. I think I’m around 20.5#. I’ve got the 2 counter weights plus I added a couple 2.5# sand-filled dumbbell weights sandwiched in between. I’ll be taking those off at some point and adding a 3rd legit weight.