The Ultimate Powerbox V2 is discontinued and will be replaced by the Ultimate Powerbox V3 (expected approximately June 2023)
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.
Ultimate Powerbox v2 quick glance:
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4 x 12V Smart Outputs
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3 x PWM duty cycle channels for Dew Heaters / Flat panel / Fans
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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)
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Variable / Software Configured 3-12V / Regulated Output of 3Amps
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12V / Always ON Output for your mini PC
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Environmental & Power readings
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In a compact size with plenty of features!
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
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 re-plug 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.
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.
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
Three channel duty cycle PWM outputs
Three Pulse width modulation (PWM) outlets are capable to provide power to your “thirsty” Dew Heaters / Flat panels 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
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.
Technical Specifications
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 / Flat panel) 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) |
Documentation & Software
Product Manual (updated May/22)
Installation guide for Pair of UPBv2 Dovetail Brackets
Installation guide for Small Factor PC Top Plate
Enclosure 2020 Installation Guide
AstroImager from CloudMakers – 3rd party software for OSX
TheSkyX Pro X2 Plugin for Windows / OSX / Linux
Obsolete software (please use Unity)
Ultimate Powerbox v2 Setup for Windows (v1.4.7 – Apr/21)
ASCOM UPB Focuser Driver v1.6 (Jun/20)
ASCOM Observing Conditions Driver v1.5 (Jun/20)
ASCOM Powerbox Switch Driver v2.3 (Jan/21)