Powered by Celestron’s Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, the Celestron PowerTank Lithium Pro ($199.95US) is smaller, lighter, and safer than sealed lead acid batteries. The technology is also more environmentally-friendly, since it does not use toxic heavy metals.
The PowerTank Lithium Pro LiFePO4 chemistry holds up to 2000 charge cycles and has an un-recharged shelf life up to 10 years. That means you won’t have to remember to recharge your battery every few months like with a sealed lead acid battery. Its large 17-hour capacity and lack of maintenance make PowerTank Lithium Pro the ideal choice for an emergency kit. Store one in your home, your garage, and even your office.
This higher capacity unit is the latest version of Celestron’s bestselling PowerTank Lithium. The PowerTank Lithium Pro offers twice the battery capacity of the original, making it ideal for more demanding applications. It features a 12-volt DC 5-amp telescope power port (Celestron cable included), a 12-volt DC 10-amp car battery adapter port, and two 5-volt DC USB ports – one 2.1-amp and one that supports rapid charging. Charging input is 16-volt DC at 2000 milliamps, and it charges fully from flat within six hours.
Measuring 8.75 inches (22.2 centimeters) tall by 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) wide and 4 inches (10.1 centimeters) deep, the power pack’s portable form factor means it can go anywhere from a remote dark-sky location for astroimaging to a weekend of camping. When it’s powering your telescope, use the included 2-inch straps to secure the unit to your tripod leg where it is out of the way.
One side of the unit features a strip of LED lighting in both bright white and red. This turns the unit into a convenient safety light during star parties or a work lamp to clean up your observing area when the night is done. You can even use it as a bright emergency light during a power failure and illuminate an entire room of your home.
Weight is 4.5 pounds (2 kilograms) and it carries an IP-65 weather/dust-proof rating. PowerTank Lithium Pro can also travel with you on your next vacation. At 158.74 watt-hours, it meets current FAA regulations (160 Wh) for transport in your carry-on baggage, but as always, check in advance with your airline to verify they do not have stricter policies.
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