Pegasus Environmental Sensor for UPBv2 - RJ12 Jack

The RJ12 Connection: For UPBv2, v3, PPBADV, PPBMicro, and DewMaster2

This sensor is the standard environmental probe for the current generation of Pegasus Astro controllers that use an RJ12-style EXT port. It is specifically designed for the Ultimate Powerbox v2, Ultimate Powerbox v3, Pocket Powerbox Advance, Pocket Powerbox Micro, and DewMaster2. This is a critical distinction, as older controllers require a different connection.

If you own an original Ultimate Powerbox v1 or the standard Pocket Powerbox, you need the stereo jack version of the sensor (PEG-SENS-UPB), not this RJ12 model. Check your controller's sensor port before you order.

Automated Dew Control: From Ambient Readings to Heater Power

The primary function of this sensor is to enable the intelligent "Auto-Dew" feature in Pegasus controllers. By constantly monitoring ambient temperature and relative humidity, the sensor provides the two variables your controller needs to calculate the current dew point. The firmware then compares this dew point to the air temperature and precisely modulates the power sent to your dew heater strips.

• Dew point driven: the controller works out the dew point from your readings and sets heater power from it, rather than running your straps at a fixed level all night.
• Current aware: on the Ultimate Powerbox v2 the algorithm also takes into account the maximum current each heater draws.
• Tunable Response: With the Ultimate Powerbox v2, the algorithm adjusts heater power every 10 seconds. You can also define the "aggressiveness" of the response from 1 (gentle) to 10 (maximum power) to match your local conditions.

UPBv3 Integration: Prioritizing External Placement Over the Internal Sensor

The Ultimate Powerbox v3 includes its own internal environmental sensor. A sensor built into the box reads the air where the box sits. Plugging this external RJ12 sensor into the UPBv3's EXT port gives you the ability to place the probe in a more representative location, such as near the objective lens or corrector plate.

When the external sensor is connected to the UPBv3, the controller's firmware automatically deactivates the internal sensor and uses the readings from the external probe exclusively. Auto-dew then works from the conditions where you placed the probe.

A Spare for the Ultimate Powerbox v2 and Pocket Powerbox Advance

The Ultimate Powerbox v2 and the Pocket Powerbox Advance both ship with a temperature and humidity sensor, and the Pocket Powerbox Advance connects external accessories through its RJ12 EXT port. Pegasus lists this RJ12 sensor for both controllers, so it is the part to order if yours has been lost or damaged, or if you want a spare in the field case.