SV241 Pro Astro Power Controller: Budget-Friendly and Built To Compete
The SV241 Pro by Svbony is their second and more advanced power controller for astrophotography.
What Is It & Why It Matters
Power management is one of the key aspects of well-engineered astrophotography setups. In a remote or cluttered rig, tangled cables and multiple power bricks not only make things messy, they also increase the risk of failure, power cut and hazard. The SV241 Pro from Svbony is designed to solve precisely that, acting as a central power hub with both regulated outputs and smart dew control.
It's compact, integrates with software, and offers a generous array of outputs: seven 12V DC ports, multiple USB ports, and temperature/humidity monitoring for dew-heater control. What makes this product stand out (compared to its predecessor), is support for ASCOM and NINA. It means that you can integrate it into your imaging sequences and remotely control power on/off for each and every port and component of your imaging setup.
Key Features & Specifications
Ports & Power
7 × 12 V DC Outputs: Individually controllable on/off for different devices (mount, camera, focuser, etc.) with one Always On port. It is important to point out that the SV241 Pro uses a DC 2.5mm power input connector (as opposed to a 2.1mm connector)
Generous USB Hub: Includes USB-C, USB-3.0, and USB-2.0 ports.
RCA / PWM Interface: Used for dew-heater output. It integrates with environmental sensors (temp + humidity).
Built-in Circuit Protection
SV241 Pro boasts a wide range of 2xUSB3.0, 3xUSB2.0 and one USB-C port.
Smart Dew Control
One of the standout features is SV241 Pro’s temperature-humidity (T+H) input and a “Temp” interface that let you monitor conditions in real time. Using PWM, it dynamically adjusts the heating power of connected dew strips. That means it can automatically increase or cut heater power based on the dew point, helping protect your optics and prevent dew buildup on your optical glass.
Safety & Protections
The unit includes a full suite of protection: reverse polarity, overcurrent, short-circuit, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) protections. Additionally, it can automatically restart after an overload, a handy touch if something trips.
You can fully comtrol the SV241 Pro Power Contril via NINA.
Integration
Thanks to ASCOM and NINA support, you can integrate the power controller into your imaging workflow. That means turning outputs on and off during a NINA-sequenced capture session, for example, powering off your camera or heater automatically.
Monitoring
The SV241 Pro can report on its input voltage and current via its monitoring features, helping you keep an eye on power draw throughout the night.
Build & Mounting
It’s compact (100.5 × 87.5 × 24.5 mm, ~210 g and comes with both UNC 1/4-20 and M4 mounting holes, allowing users to mount it easily to their setup.
How It Performs in Real Use
In our test, we turned all the ports on and connected them to an astrophotography equipment. The SV241 Pro seemed to perform well, althought we did experience one instance of power outage caused by the SV241 Pro.
The PWM1 and 2 that are dedicated to uo to two dew heaters performs well and were adjustable via NINA. The recommended PWM value is around 80.
A firmware upgrade and using the latest ASCOM driver is highly recommended for stable performance.
In day-to-day use, it handles a fully loaded rig: cooled camera, filter wheel, electronic focuset, mount, and dew strip, all without any issue. The dynamic dew control keeps heaters from over-powering, especially in humid conditions.
Software Installation
In order to get the SV241 Pro up and running, you need two key components: ASCOM driver, Hub Control Manager and optional (but recommended) Firmware Package. All these can be downloaded from SVbony’s website, in the Relevant Documents section.
SV241 Pro VS. Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance
Pegasus Powerbox Advance has been around longer, is more expensive and slightly lighter.
both aim to simplify your rig’s power management, but they do it in slightly different ways. The SV241 Pro leans toward flexibility and maximum port count, while Pegasus offers very detailed monitoring, compact elegance, and a long-established software ecosystem.
| Feature | SVBONY SV241 Pro | Pegasus Astro PPBADV Gen2 |
|---|---|---|
| Power Outputs | 6× 12V DC ports (10A total), 2× Dew Heater ports, 0-15V/3Amp adjustable Regulated Output | 4× 12V DC ports (12Amp total), 2× Dew Heater ports, 3-12V/3Amp adjustable Regulated Output |
| USB Ports | 2 x USB3, 3 x USB2 and 1 x USB-C port. | 2 x USB3 and 2 x USB2 High-Speed Ports. |
| Sensors | Temperature/humidity and Temperature probe | Temperature/humidity |
| Software Control | ASCOM, NINA and Hub Control Manager | ASCOM, NINA and Unity Platform |
| Accessories Included | Dovetail mounting plate, T&H sensors, 1m PC cable, DC power cables and cigarette lighter cable | T&H sensor, 1.8m PC cable, DC power cables |
| Build Quality | Aluminium chassis, compact, clean layout | Durable blue anodized aluminum. |
| Net Weight | Approx. 210g | Approx. 250g |
| Approx. Price | ~$149 | ~$360 |
| Strengths | More ports, more affordable | Stability and enhanced software experience |
Svbony’s new pro astro power controller is in direct competition with the well-established PPBADV power controller by Pegasus Astro. Svbony aims to promise more while being more budget friendly.
Both manufacturers have a more basic USB hub for astrophotography, but at two very different price points. The Pegasus Astro option is considerably more expensive.
The included 1 meter long USB type-B to type-A PC cable might prove too short for most users.
Things we love about SV241 Pro
Dovetail mounting foot is included for easy assembly.
Generous number of USB 2 and 3 ports, as well as DC ports.
Robust protection mechanisms, ensuring rig safety
Great built quality and slick design.
Things That Could Be Better
The dedicated Hub Control software is very basic with poor UI and at times confusing.
DC on/off setting are not saved after each use and you have to switch individual DC ports back on every time.
Verdict
The SV241 Pro is a seriously capable power-controller for astrophotographers who want centralised control, remote operation, and smart dew management without breaking the bank. It’s not ultra high-end, but for value, flexibility, and integration, it punches well above its price.
If you’re building or upgrading a rig, especially witha degree of automation while trying to keep the cables tidy, this power controller is a strong contender. For those who demand per-port precision or industrial-grade ruggedness, there are more expensive alternatives, but few offer such a generous mix of features for the cost.
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Disclaimer: SVBONY supplied this product for review purposes. Astromaniac Magazine maintains full editorial independence, and this review reflects our impartial and honest assessment.
