This Celestron AC adapter allows Celestron NexStar, CGE, CPC, and Advanced Series scopes to be powered by normal household AC for backyard use, saving on the cost of replacing a set of flashlight batteries to power the scope every 20 hours of use or so.
This Celestron AC adapter contains a switching power supply that converts household current AC power to 12 Volt DC power to operate your Celestron telescope. It allows Celestron scopes to be connected to, and powered by, any 100/240 Volt 50/60 Hz AC power outlet. The transformer has a 2 amp 12-volt DC output. The power supply module has a U. S. standard 2-prong AC plug on a 6' 3" power cord that plugs into any household current wall outlet or extension cord.
A second 6' 3" power cord, terminating in a 5.5mm center positive female plug, is used to connect this AC adapter to your telescope. This cord is permanently attached to the side of the switching module. It plugs into the drive base of any Celestron telescope using a 5.5mm DC input jack - such as the Celestron NexStar i, NexStar SE, AVX, CPC, CGE, and Advanced Series telescopes (and older Celestron Celestar 8 Deluxe, Ultima 2000, CI700, CG9, CG11, and CG14 telescopes). Total weight of the AC adapter, including both power cords, is 9.5 ounces.
Like all AC to DC adapters, this Celestron adapter includes a lawyer-mandated warning not to use the adapter outdoors (where it might get wet). We have yet to hear of anyone turning themselves into toast because they used their adapter outdoors and got dew on it, but the scope and adapter manufacturers (and we) feel more comfortable exonerating ourselves from any possible liability in advance. Don't say we didn't warn you.
A little common sense might be in order when using the adapter. If used with an extension cord outdoors to reach your household power, do not use the adapter where the adapter/extension cord interface can accidentally be dragged into a swimming pool or puddle of standing water. Do not lay the adapter/cord interface on dew-soaked grass that might short out the adapter or on grass where dew might be expected to form as the evening progresses. Damage to you, the adapter, and/or your telescope that is not covered by your AC adapter and telescope warranties can occur in such a case.
Placing the adapter/extension cord interface on a hard piece of insulating material (cardboard, an old rubber bathmat, etc.), putting the adapter /cord interface inside a plastic sandwich bag and zipping it shut with only the cables coming through the mouth of the bag, or suspending the adapter /cord from the telescope tripod so that the adapter can't come in contact with dew-soaked grass might help alleviate the concerns of the ultra-cautious.
