This is a generic question, I apologize if this is not the right place for it. I have an ASA mount that has a power connection at the telescope that I'd like to use to power my Aluma CCD47-10 and SC-4C guide camera, and I'm hoping to get some guidance on how to do this. The photo below shows the available cables. I can get 12 V across the green and red cables, but the other two don't have anything. What do you all think would be the best way to do this, and how should I split the power between the two cameras? I have made cables in the past but for low-current and much less expensive configurations, and want to make sure I do this right.
First of all, you should check what the amperage rating is on that connection, and make sure it is sufficient to operate both the CCD and the guide camera. Also those wires don't look like particularly large gauge. If they are too long and too thin, the voltage will drop when you bring cooling to full power. If the voltage drops too much the camera will shut down the cooler to protect itself. If you want to power two devices, they would need to be connected in parallel. Connector pinout is in the user manual (and is the same for both). WARNING: If you accidentally connect the power backwards, which is surprisingly easy to do if you mis-read the connector diagram, severe damage WILL result if the USB cable is plugged in. We can't protect against you shorting +12V directly to the USB shell ground. Bad things happen, i.e. sparks and smoke. Such damage is NOT covered by warranty. If you do make a custom cable, test it as follows: Disconnect ALL other cables, especially the USB cable, and make sure the camera body isn't grounded through the telescope. Then power it up. The camera is protected against reverse power, so if the connection is backwards nothing will happen. If it powers up okay then you are good to go.
I picked up some connectors from Digi-Key that I'm hoping will work. The wiring diagram I found on the CCD manual shows that pins 1, 3, and 5 are positive, and 2, 4, and 6 are ground. Do all of the pins need to be wired? I'm concerned that pins 1 and 2 are very close together and it will be difficult to solder connections to them cleanly.
Yes, all pins. Tricks you might try: 1. Use heaviest AWG stranded wire you can get in there through the hood (cover). Then spread the strands to solder to pins. e.g 1 wire split to attach to 2 pins or 3 pins. 2. Solder a short length to each pin, bring through the hood. (eg 6 individual wires, 3 red, 3 black). Then solder them together to heavy gauge wire outside the hood. Heatshrink the bunch. Make sure you understand the orientation of the wiring. eg looking into the camera.
If you don't wire all the pins, you will overstress the connector at full cooler power. That may cause damage.
This is proving to be a challenge, as the connection pins are fairly delicate and I'm not that precise at soldering. I'm wondering if I can instead cut one of the extension DIN cables that came with the cameras and connect those wires directly to the +12V and ground wires. That way I know the connections are good at the pins. Any obvious dangers with that?
Alternatively, you could buy a spare DC cable so if you chop one up, you'll have a good spare: SKU 68007 Order here: https://diffractionlimited.com/product/12vdc-extension-cable/
