{"product_id":"pegasus-astro-pocket-powerbox-advance-gen3","title":"Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen3","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen3 (PPBADV3) is Pegasus Astro's compact power, dew and connectivity hub for a telescope rig. It takes a single unregulated 12 V DC feed at up to 14 A (168 W) through a 2.1 mm centre-positive jack and redistributes it as four individually switchable 12 V outputs, an always-on 12 V output, a software-tunable 3–19 V output at 3 A, and two PWM dew-heater channels rated 5 A maximum on RCA connectors. Alongside the power side sits a six-port USB3 hub — four USB3 Type-A and two USB2 Type-C, 3 A per port — and a bipolar stepper motor driver at 1.5 A per coil, so a focuser runs from the same box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe enclosure is blue anodised aluminium measuring 115 × 75 × 27.5 mm and weighing 350 g, with M3 blind mounting holes in the body. Control is through the built-in Wi-Fi web dashboard, ASCOM 7 and ASCOM Alpaca drivers, or the INDI framework — and the unit also runs standalone with no computer attached.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/ppbadv3_1.png?v=1787766639\" alt=\"Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen3 blue anodised aluminium power and dew control hub\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRun a portable astrophotography rig\u003c\/strong\u003e and want one cable from the battery or PSU to the mount instead of a loom of separate supplies.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImage with a cooled camera, a mount and a focuser\u003c\/strong\u003e that together draw well inside the 14 A the input connector supports.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFight dew\u003c\/strong\u003e and want heater output tied to a real dew-point reading rather than a manual dial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWork remotely or from indoors\u003c\/strong\u003e and want power switching, focus and environmental data reachable over Wi-Fi, ASCOM Alpaca or INDI.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlready own a stepper focus motor\u003c\/strong\u003e and would rather drive it from the power box than add a second controller to the saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFour switchable 12 V DC outputs, 6 A per port:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.1 mm connectors, each with independent ON\/OFF control in software.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlways-on 12 V output:\u003c\/strong\u003e stays live for anything that should not be power-cycled with the rest of the rig.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdjustable 3–19 V output at 3 A:\u003c\/strong\u003e software tunable, for DSLR and mirrorless battery couplers and other non-12 V devices.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo PWM dew-heater channels, 5 A maximum:\u003c\/strong\u003e RCA outputs, level set in software, with automatic adjustment driven by the environmental sensor's dew-point reading.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSix-port USB3 hub:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 × USB3 Type-A and 2 × USB2 Type-C at 3 A per port, each port individually enabled or disabled, with surge and ESD protection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt-in stepper focuser controller:\u003c\/strong\u003e drives bipolar stepper motors at 1.5 A per coil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnvironmental sensor input:\u003c\/strong\u003e RJ12 socket reading 0–100 % relative humidity (±2–5 %) and −40 to 80 °C (±0.5 °C). The sensor is in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWi-Fi web dashboard:\u003c\/strong\u003e the unit serves its own browser interface, with ASCOM 7, ASCOM Alpaca and INDI available for automation software.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtection circuitry:\u003c\/strong\u003e reverse-polarity and overvoltage protection to 50 V on the input, surge and ESD protection across the USB ports.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirmware upgradable:\u003c\/strong\u003e over USB or through the web interface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue anodised aluminium enclosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e 115 × 75 × 27.5 mm, 350 g, with M3 blind holes for mounting hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElectrical \u0026amp; Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gen3 is built around a single high-current input path: 12 V DC nominal, tolerant to 15 V, entering on a 2.1 mm centre-positive jack rated for the full 14 A (168 W). That headroom is what makes per-port ratings of 6 A on the 12 V outputs and 5 A on each dew channel usable in practice — the ceiling on a real session is the total the supply and the input connector can carry, not any single port. Reverse-polarity and overvoltage protection to 50 V sit ahead of the distribution, so a miswired supply is handled at the input rather than downstream at the camera.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the data side the six-port hub separates USB3 Type-A ports from USB2 Type-C, with 3 A available per port and individual enable\/disable in software — useful for power-cycling a camera or guider that has stopped enumerating without touching anything else. Surge and ESD protection is applied across the USB ports. The 3–19 V adjustable rail is a separate regulated output at 3 A, tuned in software, which is what feeds a mirrorless or DSLR coupler at its native voltage instead of a nominal 12 V.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/USB-3-side.png?v=1787766639\" alt=\"USB panel of the Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen3 with four USB3 Type-A ports and two USB2 Type-C ports\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMechanically the box is a 115 × 75 × 27.5 mm blue anodised aluminium enclosure at 350 g, with M3 blind holes tapped into the body so mounting hardware attaches directly rather than through a strap or a shim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRig-top power distribution\u003c\/strong\u003e for a mount, cooled camera, guide camera, filter wheel and focuser from one 12 V supply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutomatic dew control\u003c\/strong\u003e on a refractor objective and a guide scope, with heater levels following the measured dew point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSB consolidation\u003c\/strong\u003e so a single USB3 Type-B cable runs down to the imaging computer instead of four or five separate leads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMotorised focusing\u003c\/strong\u003e using a bipolar stepper motor driven from the box, with no second controller on the saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRemote and observatory operation\u003c\/strong\u003e through the Wi-Fi dashboard, ASCOM Alpaca or INDI, including switching individual outputs and ports.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePowering a DSLR or mirrorless body\u003c\/strong\u003e from the adjustable 3–19 V output through the matching battery coupler.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePower input:\u003c\/strong\u003e unregulated 12 V DC, up to 15 V, on a 2.1 mm centre-positive jack. A supply able to deliver the current your whole rig draws is what sets the practical limit; we stock the matching \u003ca href=\"\/products\/power-supply-unit-pocket-power-box-advanced\"\u003ePegasus Astro power supply unit\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12 V outputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.1 mm connectors, 6 A per port. Four are individually switchable and one is always on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdjustable output:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–19 V at 3 A, software tunable — used with a camera \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dslr-power-couplers\"\u003ebattery coupler\u003c\/a\u003e matched to your body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDew heaters:\u003c\/strong\u003e two PWM channels on RCA connectors, 5 A maximum. Standard RCA-terminated \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/dew-control\"\u003edew heater straps\u003c\/a\u003e connect directly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSB:\u003c\/strong\u003e the hub connects upstream over USB3 Type B, with the 1.8 m cable supplied. Downstream there are four USB3 Type-A and two USB2 Type-C ports at 3 A each.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocus motor:\u003c\/strong\u003e bipolar stepper motors at 1.5 A per coil. Send us the motor you are using and we will confirm the pinout and current fit before you order.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnvironmental sensor:\u003c\/strong\u003e RJ12 socket. The temperature\/humidity probe is included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware:\u003c\/strong\u003e ASCOM 7, ASCOM Alpaca and INDI, plus the on-board Wi-Fi web dashboard. Alpaca and INDI cover Linux and Mac setups where a Windows ASCOM stack is not in play.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e M3 blind holes in the enclosure. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/pegasus-shoe\"\u003ePegasus Shoe\u003c\/a\u003e holder mounts the unit to a finder shoe. Brackets made for the Gen2 body are not carried over — the Gen3 enclosure is a different size, so ask us before reusing older hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/envsens.png?v=1787766639\" alt=\"Pegasus Astro temperature and humidity environmental sensor supplied with the Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen3\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA power supply is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Gen3 distributes 12 V; it does not generate it. A field battery or an AC supply sized to your rig's total draw is a separate purchase, and we stock both.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe input is the real budget.\u003c\/strong\u003e Individual ports are rated at 6 A, but the input connector carries up to 14 A total, so that figure is what a full rig has to fit inside.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInput voltage range is 12–15 V.\u003c\/strong\u003e Overvoltage protection covers up to 50 V on the input, which is a safety margin rather than an operating range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDew heater output is PWM on RCA connectors.\u003c\/strong\u003e Heaters terminated in another connector need an adapter; tell us which straps you own and we will sort out the right lead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA focus motor is sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e The driver is built in; the stepper motor and its cable are not in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe two Type-C ports are USB2.\u003c\/strong\u003e High-bandwidth cameras belong on the four USB3 Type-A ports.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGen2 mounting hardware does not transfer.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Gen3 enclosure measures 115 × 75 × 27.5 mm against the Gen2's smaller body, so brackets bought for the older unit will not fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The unit runs standalone out of the box — connect 12 V to the input, plug your equipment into the 12 V outputs, and it distributes power without a computer attached. Adding software control is a matter of connecting the supplied USB3 cable or joining the unit's Wi-Fi dashboard, then loading the ASCOM 7, Alpaca or INDI driver for your capture program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does it replace on my rig?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 12 V splitter, a separate dew controller, a USB hub, a DSLR power adapter and a standalone focus controller — all of which normally arrive with their own cables and their own power leads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much can I actually run from it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe input connector is rated to 14 A (168 W). Each 12 V output handles up to 6 A and each dew channel up to 5 A, within that total.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I power a DSLR or mirrorless camera?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, through the adjustable output. It is software tunable from 3 V to 19 V at up to 3 A, which covers the common coupler voltages; you supply the coupler for your camera body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it control a focuser?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. A bipolar stepper driver rated 1.5 A per coil is built in, so a stepper focus motor plugs into the Gen3 rather than into a separate controller.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo the dew heaters adjust themselves?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can. The included RJ12 temperature and humidity sensor gives the unit a dew-point reading, and the two PWM channels adjust their output from it. Manual level setting stays available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it need a Windows PC?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Alongside ASCOM 7 there is ASCOM Alpaca and INDI support plus the on-board Wi-Fi web dashboard, so Linux, Mac and browser-only control are all covered — and standalone operation needs no computer at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from the Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen2?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gen3 adds the Wi-Fi web dashboard, a built-in stepper focuser controller, USB Power Delivery, ASCOM 7 and Alpaca support, and a larger USB hub — six ports (4 × USB3 Type-A, 2 × USB2 Type-C) against the Gen2's four. Input capacity rises to 14 A from the Gen2's 12 A, and the enclosure grows to 115 × 75 × 27.5 mm and 350 g from 100 × 71 × 24 mm and 250 g.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat comes in the box?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Gen3 controller, the temperature\/humidity sensor, four DC power cables (two at 1 m and two at 0.5 m, 2.1 mm connectors) and a 1.8 m USB3 Type-B cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/cable_upb.png?v=1787766640\" alt=\"DC 2.1 mm power cables supplied with the Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen3\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 350 g aluminium hub that turns one 12 V feed of up to 14 A into four switchable 12 V outputs, an always-on output, a 3–19 V adjustable rail, two automatic PWM dew channels, a six-port USB3 hub and a stepper focuser driver — controlled from a browser, ASCOM 7, Alpaca or INDI, or from nothing at all. Bring a 12 V supply sized to your rig and it handles the rest of the cabling.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pegasus Astro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54143886327919,"sku":"PEG-PPBADV3","price":614.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/ppbadv3_1.png?v=1787766639","url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/products\/pegasus-astro-pocket-powerbox-advance-gen3","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}