The Ultimate Powerbox v2 (UPBv2 in short) is the successor of the 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!

 

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 is a device that makes a sufficient number of amperes available for nearly any situation.

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.

Ultimate Powerbox v2 Features

	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!

We strongly believe that if you own a remote observatory or you do advanced imaging you are going to love this device!

A Solid Input Socket

A large and solid XT60 DC input socket ensures that power cable is always secured in place. The socket type was selected to provide all the power you need without voltage drops

More than 20A of Total Power

The power controller has been designed to support up to 20 Amps of total input current, with a maximum of 7A per channel.

Please note 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 the “electric juice” to your precious equipment. Sophisticated short-circuit and overload per port protections can cut the power and report the incident into our software. Every MOSFET is capable to providing up to 7 Amps of current.

Metal & good quality output sockets ensure that the Ultimate Powerbox will provide all the juice you need ,and you can secure your extension power cables in place and out of the way.

Built in Power Sensors

A precise voltmeter and an ampmeter (which can measure up to 30A) measure and display your power input in real time. 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 Super-Speed 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 is stuck and you have 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 2.5 Amps. 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 on the market (Unipolar or Bipolar) e.g. Rigel, Robofocus, Moonlight Motor, etc.

Make sure you have the correct cable for your motor. Every manufacturer uses its own pin-out. Contact us if you have any questions about the type of your motor.

Supported Stepper Motors

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 / 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 3 Amps of current is available. You can tune the output from 3 Volts to 12 Volts 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 8 Amps. So, in addition to the Smart 4 x 12V outputs you have one more to connect additional equipment. This 12V output port always stays 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-in devices can be controlled from UPB software (ASCOM /INDI / Standalone)

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.

Note: You can select which Dew Heater output is controller by the “Auto Dew” function.

ASCOM 6.4 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 a Stepper Motor (ASCOM Focuser)
• Pass environmental settings to supported software (e.g Sequence Generator Pro / MaximDL )  (ASCOM Observing Conditions)
• Switch ON or OFF all 12V outputs. (ASCOM Switches)

INDI Support

Ultimate Powerbox v2 is fully compatible with INDI and INDIGO

• Indigo: http://www.indigo-astronomy.org
• Indilib: https://indilib.org/devices/auxiliary/pegasus-ultimate-power-box.html

Fully compatible with StellarMate

External Brackets for Mounting

We provide an optional pair of brackets to secure the Ultimate Powerbox device onto a Losmandy 3” or Vixen plate. 

LED Indicator for Power and Failure States

The LED will blink in code to warn you regarding important power issues (e.g over or under voltage). The always dimmed LED can also be turned off using the software.

Power Cables are Included in the Package

Four (4) power cables (DC 2.1mm to 2.1mm male - 1m) are included in the package. The cables are thick enough to support up to 6 Amps of current.

External Environmental Sensor

The 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.

Zoom-able and Exportable Graphs for Power and Environment Values

The software logs all voltage, current, temperature and relative humidity readings. All these plots are zoom-able and easily exportable in PNG image & CSV text format. Keep a full record of your night conditions.

Timer to Shut Down Outputs

Choose a time and start the timer to shut down the output ports on schedule.

Memory Persistence Outputs on Start-Up

You can easily define which outputs should turned ON during startup. The setting is stored in system’s EEPROM memory - A neat feature in case of a power failure!

USB 3.1 Connectivity

The controller is always connected to the USB Hub (7th internal USB port). No extra cable is needed. Just connect the USB Hub to your laptop and you are ready to go.

Reverse Polarity Protection

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

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

This device is firmware upgradable to support future features and bug fixes.

Warranty

This device and included sensors are covered by a two year warranty

Compact Size and Lightweight

A blue anodized aluminium compact-sized box to enclose the controller board. The size is 12cm x 10cm x 3cm (4.72 inch x 4.06 inch x 1.2 inch). The weight is 400 grams (14.1 ounces).

In the Box

Optional Accessories

Small Factor PC Base Plate for UPBv2

Power Supply Unit (12V / 10A) – XT60 P

Battery Coupler

Pair of Black Aluminium Dovetail Brackets for UPBv2

Power Cable for SkyWatcher EQ8 Mount

Power Cable for SkyWatcher EQ6R / AZ-EQ

Small Factor PC Base Plate for UPBv2

Anodized Aluminium Base Plate to Securely Mount your Small-Factor PC (e.g Intel NUC)

Documentation

• Please visit Download page for latest software
• Quick Installation Guide
• Product Manual (Aug/19)
• Mini factor PC as Wifi Hotspot
• Autofocus using SGPro
• Installation guide for Pair of UPBv2 Dovetail Brackets
• Serial Command Table (Jul/19)

Motor Cable Pin-outs

• Starlight HSM Motor Cable Pinout for UPBv2
• Rigel nStep Motor Cable Pinout for UPBv2
• Robofocus / Moonlite / Lakeside Cable Pinout for UPBv2
• Pegasus Motor requires a common straight RJ45 to RJ45 network cable

F.A.Q

Q: What kind of power supply do I need?

A:  We suggest to buy a good linear 12V-13.8V / 10-20A branded power supply. Cheap units cause voltage drops on high load and ripple effect. This will cause issues and artefacts to your precious CCD Camera. You can also use a Lead Acid battery (12V-13.8V).

Q: What type of cable do I need to use for input?

A: If you are going to make a custom input cable please note that you need at least a AWG 17 cable. Make also sure that you do not exceed 2 meters (6.5 feet) to to reduce voltage drops.

Q: I would like to use the Ultimate Powerbox into my remote observatory. What if the device freezes for some reason?

A: We have good news for you. The device has a hardware watchdog and resets itself if the controller is not responsive after 2 seconds.

Q: My observatory is in a very cold place. Is there any issue with the electronics of the device?

A: All electronic components were selected to support temperature ranges from -40 to +80 °C. Moreover USB3.1 Hub controller is an industrial grade model which fully complies with this temperature range.

Q: I have a new feature request. Is it possible to implement it in the software / firmware.

A: Sure, we are here to listen our customers. Please contact us and tell us about your idea!

Q: What if I accidentally short-circuit an output?

A: Ultimate Powerbox has an internal protection for all outputs. In less that 5 milisecs it will cut off the power of this output and a warning message will be appeared at the software screen.

Q: What if I accidentally reverse input polarity?

A: Ultimate Powerbox has an input reverse polarity protection. Device will not power on and of course will not allow any voltage to leak to outputs.

Q: What if I short-circuit a USB Hub port?

A: Device has a USB short-circuit / overcurrent protection per port. It will instantly isolate/disable the selected USB port. Just remove the USB device and replug it to bring it to life.

Q: I have a USB device which requires more power than a normal USB port.

A: Each USB port provides 2.5Amps of current. You will be fine.

If you use an Intel M3/5 Stick which has a USB-C socket you will need a USB A -> USB-C “fast charging” cable that can provide 3Amps. Normal USB-C cables have an internal resistor which limits current to 2.2Amps and leads to PC Stick shutdown. 

Q: In the middle of the night humidity rises up. What can I do for my optics?

A: Enable auto-dew functionality. Device firmware will adjust the power of both Dew Heater outputs consulting the humidity / dew point levels that environmental sensor reports.

Q: Can I upgrade the firmware?

A: Of course, device has been designed to support firmware upgrade for future features or bug fixes. Software will prompt you for a firmware upgrade, if there is a need.

Q: Why don’t you place a mini PC inside the Ultimate Powerbox?

A: We really don’t support this idea. Why to buy something and pay noticeable amount of money for a mini PC that will be obsolete (in its specification) after 6-12 months? We suggest you to just get a compute stick, plug it in the 6th USB hub port to supply it with enough power juice and you have your tiny PC up and running! If you don’t like it after some time, buy another one with higher specs and lower price for sure! Check the user shots for an example of this approach!

Q: Does it support INDI

A: Yes 100%. There are two implementations. Indigo and native INDILib. Both support Windows/OSX/Linux.

• http://www.indigo-astronomy.org/downloads.html
• https://indilib.org/devices/auxiliary/pegasus-ultimate-power-box.html