Ultimate Powerbox v2

> DISCONTINUED (replaced by UPBv3)



(UPBv2 in short) is the flagship of our Powerbox series. You asked for more features, we kept our promise:

A USB3.1 Hub allows you to switch on/off each USB port, more power outputs, more dew heaters, a new stepper controller that can drive any stepper motor in the astronomy market as well as an expansion port for devices that communicates with the UPBv2 Controller!

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 are attached to the Ultimate Powerbox from which branch off the other cables powering all devices.

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We strongly believe you are going to love this device!

Ultimate Powerbox v2 upb_peripherals

Ultimate Powerbox v2 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!

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6 x Industrial Powered USB 3.1

4 x 12V DC Power outlets

Embedded Stepper Motor Controller

Industrial 6 port powered USB3.1 SuperSpeed Hub

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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.

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 amp meter (can measure up to 20A) 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’s power consumption in the software.

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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.

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.

  • Ultimate Powerbox v2 - Backlash compensation

Supported Stepper Motors

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.

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
Optec DirectSync or Quicksync motors Ask for cable: PEG-CMOT-HSM
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

Supported By

ASCOM 6

Ultimate powerbox fully supports ASCOM6. In combination with our Unity Software which acts as a server, you can use our latest ASCOM 6 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 or USB Ports (ASCOM Switches – NINA/ MaximDL)

INDI

Ultimate Powerbox v2 is fully supported by INDI and INDIGO

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 N.I.N.A.

Ultimate Powerbox v2 Native Support at NI.NA.

Thanks to NINA developers the Ultimate Powerbox v2 is fully supported via native drivers

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!

Other Key Features

Zoomable and Exportable Graphs

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.

Scheduler to control outputs

Enable or disable each Power or USB port by setting a timer and creating groups of ports

Memory persistence outputs at startups

You can easily define which output (power or USB) should turn ON or remain OFF during startup. The settings are stored in system’s EEPROM memory.

Auto Adjustment of PWM (Dew Outputs)

Device can auto adjust the Heater Outputs by consulting the environmental sensor and calculate the Dew Point. Just click “Auto” and leave to Ultimate Powerbox v2 to decide if it is time to switch on your dew heaters.

* You can easily select which Dew Heater output is controlled by the “Auto Dew” function.

Reverse Polarity
Protection

Ultimate Powerbox has been designing with reverse voltage polarity protection. It will save your night if you accidentally connect the main power supply in reverse polarity!

A hardware
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, is when you own a remote observatory and you need to be certain that everything can be quickly recovered.

Upgradable
Firmware

The 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.

Unity Platform Support

Pegasus Astro Unity Platform is our new all around application. Our goal is to provide a robust and modern application that is going to support current and future products under one roof.

A modern frontend allows the full control of all Pegasus Astro devices.
Moreover, a REST JSON api helps developers from 3rd party software to interact with our products.
As we continuously develop our applications, based on customer feedback, lots of innovative features are going to be added in upcoming releases.

In the Box

1 x Ultimate Powerbox v2 enclosure

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1 x Temperature / Humidity Sensor

4 x Power DC 2.1 to 2.1 male cable (2x1m, 2×0.5m)

1 x USB3 Cable Type B (1.8m)

USB3 Cable Type B (1.8m)

Technical Specification

Supply Voltage: 12V-14V DC (Reverse Polarity Protected)
Power Input Connector XT60 Female
Connectivity USB3 – Type B USB Connector
4 x 12V Outputs Maximum Current 6.5A each.
2.1mm Center Positive
Sense/ Ampmeter in each port
Software: ON/OFF
3 Channel x 12V 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 % / OFF
1 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 accuracy
Ampmeter 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 2.2Amps
Stepper Motor Controller Unipolar and Bipolar Stepper motors, max 2.4 Amps (1.2 Amps per phase) – RJ45 socket
Dimensions 135mm x 107mm x 30mm (new enclosure 2020)
Weight 400 grams (14.1 ounces)

Optional Accessories

Mounting External Brackets

Pair of Black Aluminium Dovetail Brackets for UPBv2

Mounting Brackets for the Ultimate Powerbox v2 allowing you to grab the device onto a Losmandy 3” or Vixen plate.

Small Factor PC Base Plate

  • Small Factor PC Top Plate for UPBv2

An anodised aluminium base plate to securely mount your small factor PC (e.g Intel NUC) on top of the UPBv2.

EZY Focus Hand Controller

The EZY Focus Hand Controller is a perfect match for your Ultimate Powerbox v2 or Prodigy Microfocuser. This little device allows precision control of your motorized focuser. It also ensures a vibration free focus routine!

Accessories Plate

Accessories Plate can be mounted on top of your telescope and accept a wide range of devices such as one of our Powerbox Series, a USB Hub, or any other device in the market.

Power Cables

Power Supply Units

Short USB Cables

Battery Couplers

FAQ