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SkyFi 3 | Is It Possible To Remove Internal Battery & Power Exclusively Via Micro USB Port?

Is it possible to remove the internal Li-ion battery from my SkyFi 3 and power it exclusively through the micro USB port? 

Here's why I wish to do this:

I'm using SkyFi 3 in a 16" Dob with ServoCAT. Everything resides in the bottom of the rocker box, and SkyFi is connected to the ServoCAT via a USB cable.

When observing I'm powering the SkyFi via a 12v to 5v regulated power supply/charger through the micro USB port on the SkyFi. When everything is turned on the power supply provides power to the SkyFi and I never have to worry about it losing power through a long observing session. So far so good, the system works great.

BUT... I observe in Michigan where it is not unheard of to observe in winter temperatures as low as zero degrees F, sometimes even below zero. I store my scope in an unheated space, so I don't want to worry about setting up the scope, turning everything on, and having the power supply/charger fry the SkyFi's Li-ion battery because it's below freezing. And I'd rather not have to remove the SkyFi unit at the end of every observing session and replace it at the start of the next, since it's tucked out of the way in the bottom of the rocker.

If it can be powered exclusively by the power supply/charger, with no battery inside to worry about, then it becomes simply a turnkey system.

Removing the battery also obviates the need to unplug the SkyFi from the ServoCAT at the end of each observing session, because leaving it plugged in drains the SkyFi's battery (see my other post on this subject).

Can this be done?

6 comments

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    Bill Tschumy

    I have no idea if this can be done. I can send your query to the company that designed the SkyFi 3 and see if they can tell us.  Note that even if they say it can be removed, this will void any warranty. 

  • 0
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    Doug Scobel

    Yeah, void the warranty. I kinda figured that would be the case.

    Thanks in advance for checking, Bill.

    Doug

  • 0
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    Frainiea

    Bill, this is the same situation I am in (recent post regarding)...did you ever get any feedback.  Reading between the lines here my basic question is still the same.  Can I connect Skyfi 3 to a power supply and turn it on and run for long periods of time with the charging light on.  I guess another way to ask the question is will the unit utilize direct power, not the battery if it is plugged into a 5 V source.  Instead of the supply going into the battery and the unit running off the battery.

     

    Ed

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

    I did get feedback that it would void the warranty.  They also said it might be possible to build a special unit that would bypass the battery.

    I'm virtually certain that if you run the SkyFi 3 while it is plugged it, it will still be pulling power from the battery which in turn is being charged by external power.

    This is probably fine for the short term.  However, lithium ion batteries do best when periodically discharged and recharged.  If you leave it plugged in continually, it will probably eventually degrade the battery.

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    Doug Scobel

    My warranty will expire in June, so after that I will probably open the case just to see what's in there. But Bill if it is as you describe I'll just close it up and use it as it is.

    In the winter months I'll have to remember to remove it from the scope at the end of each observing session and keep it indoors (i.e., warm) until the next session.

    Thanks for your help, Bill.

    Doug

  • 0
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    Mcgee

    If you are in the U.S. it should be noted that opening the device cannot void your warranty. For the warranty to be void a manufacturer must prove any modifications made are the cause of any malfunction.

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