Pegasus Astro Ultimate Powerbox v2
Ultimate Powerbox v2 (UPBv2 in short) is the successor of our renowned Ultimate Powerbox. You asked for more features, we kept our promise:
A USB3.1 Hub was added -you can switch on/off each USB port –, more power outputs, more dew heaters, α new stepper controller that can drive any stepper motor in the astronomy market as well as an expansion ports for future devices that will communicate with the UPBv2 Controller!
A new “face-lifted” enclosure comes with the Ultimate Powerbox v2.
If you are tired of carrying multiple power packs and dealing with a mess of power and data cables, our Ultimate Powerbox v2, a sophisticated power control unit, is the “Ultimate” solution. Our idea is an enclosure that makes a sufficient number of amperes available.
No cables disturb the movements of the mount and the instrument, only the main power cord and one USB data cord is attached to the Ultimate Powerbox from which branch off the other cables powering all devices.
We strongly believe that if you own a remote observatory or you do advanced imaging you are going to love this device!
Quick glance
4 x 12V Smart Outputs, 3 x PWM duty cycle channels for Dew Heaters / Flatpanel / Fans USB3.1 SuperSpeed, 5 Gbit/s Industrial Grade Powered Hub
Includes 4 x USB3.1 and 2 x USB2 available ports (6 USB ports in total)Stepper Motor Controller (Can drive nearly any stepper motor in the astro -market Unipolar or Bipolar) Variable / Software Configured 3-12V / Regulated Output of 3Amps 12V / Always ON Output for your mini PC Environmental & Power readings In a compact size with plenty of features! Specifications
Supply Voltage: 12V-14V DC (Reverse Polarity Protected) Power Input Connector XT60 Female Connectivity USB3 – Type B USB Connector 4 x 12 Outputs Maximum Current 6.5A each.
2.1mm Center Positive
Sense/ Ampmeter in each port
Software: ON/OFF3 Channel x 12 PWM Outputs Maximum Current 6.5A each,
Sense/ Ampmeter in each port
Blue Coloured RCA Connector,
Pulse Width Modulated (Suitable for Dew Heaters / Fans / Flatpanel)
Software: Duty Cycle % / OFF1 x Variable Output Adjustable via software. 3-12V / 3Amps 1 x Always ON 12V Output 12V passthrough / Always ON / 8 Amps Stock Sensor Input / EXT 0-100% humidity readings with 2-5% accuracy
-40 to 80°C temperature readings ±0.5°C accuracyAmpmeter Measures 0 – 30A Voltmeter Measures 5 – 15V Superspeed (USB3.1) Industrial 6 port powered Hub Industrial Grade: Temperature range -40°C to +80°C
4 x SuperSpeed (USB3.1) ports (backwards compatible with USB2)
2 x High Speed (USB2) ports
USB Ports can be switched ON/OFF on demand via software (data + power)
Each USB port can deliver up to 2.2AmpsStepper Motor Controller Unipolar and Bipolar Stepper motors, max 2.4 Amps (1.2 Amps per phase) – RJ45 socket Dimensions Size is 135mm x 107mm x 30mm (new enclosure 2020) Weight is 400 grams (14.1 ounces). Description
Solid Input Socket
A large and solid DC input socket ensures that power cable is always secured in place. Socket is selected to provide all the power you need without voltage drops
More than 20A of total power
Controller has been designed to support up to 20 Amps of total input current.
* Please notice that Ultimate Powerbox v2 is not a powerbank. It requires an external power source (battery or PSU) to receive its power.
4 x 12V DC Power outlets for your equipment
Four powerful Smart Mosfet transistors provide “electric juice” to your precious equipment. Sophisticated short circuit and overload per port protections cut the power and report the incident into our software. Every Mosfet is capable to provide up to 7Amps of current.
Metal & good quality output sockets ensure that will provide all the juice you need and can secure in place your extension power cables
Built in Power Sensors
A precise voltmeter and an ampmeter (can measure up to 30A) measure and display in real time your power input. If the input is more than 14.5V the power is instantly cut off to protect your equipment.
Individual Current Meter per 12V port and Dew Heaters
Every 12V output and every Dew Heater Channel has an internal and independent digital current meter. You can view each port power consumption in the software.
Stand Alone Software
Our modern standalone software has a neat dark skin! Control all Ultimate Powerbox v2 features from this software. Receive metrics, View and zoom into graphs, name your outputs, tune every setting of your Ultimate Powerbox v2 quickly and easily.
Industrial 6 port powered USB3.1 SuperSpeed Hub
An industrial grade USB3.1 Hub controller ensures that this USB hub will work flawlessly from temperatures of -40°C to +80°C.
A neat feature is that each USB port can be switched ON/OFF individually by the software. A device was stuck and you had to replug the socket in the middle of a cold night? No problem! Just locate the port, click the ON /OFF switch in our software and you recycle the USB port . Simple as that!
At the back of the UPBv2 you can locate:
- 4 x USB 3.1 Super Speed ports
- 2 x USB 2 High Speed ports
Each USB port provides up to 2.5Amps. All USB ports include an electronic short circuit and overload electronic protection.
Embedded Stepper Motor Controller
A stepper motor controller will precisely move your focuser. The controller drives a Pegasus Motor or any other stepper motor in the market (Unipolar or Bipolar) e.g. Rigel, Robofocus, Moonlight Motor.
Make sure you have the correct cable for your motor. Every manufacturer uses its own pinout. Contact us if you have any question for the type of your motor.
Supported Stepper Motors
Pegasus Motor Focus Kit (v1/v2) Requires RJ45 to RJ45 common straight network cable Robofocus Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 Moonlite Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 Lakeside Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-RJ45DB9 Starlight HSM 20,30,35 Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM Starlight MSM 20,30,35 Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM Starlight DirectSync motors Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM Starizona Microtouch Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM Rigel nStep motor Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-MSM Starlight POSI Drive Motor Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM Lacerta Motor Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-LCRT Backlash compensation is already implemented in the firmware and can be enabled, tuned and disabled from the software. A fully ASCOM6 focuser driver is already available.
Three channel duty cycle PWM outputs
Three Pulse width modulation (PWM) outlets are capable to provide power to your “thirsty” Dew Heaters / Flatpanels or Telescope Fans. Eliminate the moisture that is fuzzing your equipment and destroying your clear nights. These outlets can be remotely tuned from your laptop using the supplied software.
A Variable & Voltage Regulated Output
One regulated output that can provide up to 3Amps of current is available. You can tune the output from 3 Volt to 12Volt and save this setting in controller’s memory. Every time UPBv2 boots the port will be tuned to the stored voltage setting,
Always ON – 12V Output
One unregulated 12V output can provide up to 8Amps. So, In addition with the Smart 4 x 12V outputs you have one more to connect additional equipment. This 12V output port stays always ON!
Expansion Port (EXT)
An RJ12 expansion port is available for future devices. Expansion Port allows the connectivity of current and future Pegasus Astro Products. Plugged devices can be controlled from UPB software (ASCOM /INDI / Standalone)
Hint: To drive a second stepper motor via UPBv2 check our optional product for focus expansion capabilities:
eXternal Motor Controller (XMC)Auto Adjustment of PWM (Dew Outputs)
Firmware can auto adjust the PWM Outputs by consulting the environmental sensor Dew Point reading. Just click “Auto” and leave to Ultimate Powerbox v2 decide if it is time to switch on your dew heaters.
Notice: You can select which Dew Heater output is controller by the “Auto Dew” function.
ASCOM 6 fully supported
Ultimate powerbox fully supports ASCOM6. In combination with our main program which acts as a server you can use our latest ASCOM 6.4 supplied drivers to:
- Control Stepper Motor (ASCOM Focuser)
- Pass environmental settings to supported software (e.g Sequence Generator Pro / MaximDL /NINA ) (ASCOM ObservingConditions)
- Switch ON or OFF all 12V outputs. (ASCOM Switches – NINA/ MaximDL)
Above screenshot shows ASCOM Observing Conditions and Focus Driver in combination with Sequencer Generator Pro
INDI support
Ultimate Powerbox v2 is fully supported by INDI and INDIGO
- Indigo: http://www.indigo-astronomy.org
- Indilib: https://indilib.org/devices/auxiliary/pegasus-ultimate-power-box.html
Fully compatible with StellarMate
RPI3 & RPI4
TheSkyX native plugin support
A multi platform plugin for OSX (macOS), Windows, Linux (Ubuntu) and Raspberry PI is available.
For more information visit RTI-ZONE website (3rd party plugin).
Native Support at NI.NA.
Thanks to NINA developers the Ultimate Powerbox v2 is fully supported via native drivers
External brackets support
We provide an optional pair of brackets to grab the Ultimate Powerbox device onto a Losmandy 3” or Vixen plate. Both brackets can be screwed on the side of the controller and grab on your telescope.
Led Indications for power and failure states
Led can blink in patterns to warn you regarding important power issues (e.g over or under voltage). Moreover light can be turned off using the software. Our led is very dim but in case you don’t like it on you can switch it off via the software.
Power Cables are included in the package
Four (4) power cable of DC 2.1mm to 2.1mm male (1m) are included in the package. Cables are thick enough to support up to 6Amps of current.
External Environmental Sensor
External temperature & relative humidity sensor is included in the package. Know exactly the environment conditions in your location. Temperature, humidity and dew point measurements are displayed in the software.
Zoomable and Exportable Graphs for Power and Environment values
Software logs all voltage, current, temperature and relative humidity readings. All these plots are zoomable and easily exportable in PNG image & CSV text format. Keep a full record of your night conditions.
Timer to shutdown outputs
Choose the time and start timer to shutdown output ports when you schedule it.
Memory persistence outputs on startups
You can easily define which output (power or USB) should turn ON during startup. The setting is stored in system’s EEPROM memory. A neat feature in case of a power failure.
USB3.1 Connectivity
Controller is always connected to the USB Hub (7th internal USB port). No extra cable needed. Just connect the USB Hub to your laptop and you are ready to go.
Reverse Polarity Protection
Ultimate Powerbox has been design with a reverse voltage polarity protection. It will definitely save your night if you accidentally connect the main power supply in reverse polarity!
Watchdog
A hardware watchdog resets the device if for any reason there is no response from the controller for two seconds. A neat feature in the unlikely event of a controller freeze – when you have a remote observatory and you need to be certain that everything works as expected.
Upgradable Firmware
Firmware supports re-programming via the USB connection using upgrade software ((only available for Windows), for future upgrades which may become available. We constantly receive feedback from our customers and keep updating the firmware and software with new features.
Compact Size and Lightweight
A blue anodised aluminium compact sized box enclose the controller board. Size is 12cm x 10cm x 3cm (4.72 inch x 4.06 inch x 1.2 inch). Weight is 400 grams (14.1 ounces).
In the box
Ultimate Powerbox v2 enclosure Temperature / Humidity Sensor 4 x Power DC 2.1 to 2.1 male cable (1m) DC Cable (2m) to Cigarette Lighter Adapter (10A fused) USB3 Cable Type B (1.8m)
