Observing Enclosure - Plan "E"

[Merlin66]

This is not an observatory, nor a Visual set-up. It’s designed for remote operation of your fixed, polar aligned, telescope/ camera/ spectroscope in a secure back yard.

I use a C11 with 200mm f4 telelens/ ATiK16 electronic finder, Specta-L200 spectroscope with a Lodestar guider and ATiK314L imaging camera. Mounted on a NEQ6pro driven by AstroPlanner/ CdC/ EQMod with AstroArtV5 for plate solving/ guiding and spectral imaging.

We’ve recently moved house and Plan A was to remove the East part of the roof (3m) of an existing well built wooden shed (6m x 3m) and have a ROR configuration…due to water tanks this proved a VERY expensive solution (>$3-4k)
Plan B was to try the same at the other end of the shed where access is easier…..unfortunately about the same cost!
OK, on to Plan C – buy a 3m x 2.5m tin shed place some foundations and make it a ROR. The only location was close to a high hedge in the East, and the West is blocked by the house. Estimated costs came in around $1500. Hmmmm
Looking for a cheaper alternative, I considered mounting everything on a pretty sturdy 2nd floor veranda. Plan D was to find a suitable – something like the Telegizmo cover. Although the price was around $300, I had an unhappy experience when the ol’ outside chair cover I had used previously blew off in a recent gale and I suffered water damage to the power transformers!
We’re now on Plan E.


Two sheets of 8’ x 4’ 6mm Marine ply, some lengths of 19 x 42mm framing ply, 4 aluminium (19mm i/d) hoops – 1200mm x 600mm and a 6’ x 8’ UV weatherproof tarp from Bunnings Total cost <$200……
The ply is cut to make a 4’ x 4’ “cube” – one side removable as an access door. The 4 hoops hinged near the mid centre of the walls to make a “convertible top” hood covered by the tarp material which retracts back to the south side and exposes the telescope.
The total mid height is 1800mm – enough to enclose the telescope etc.

This should give a weatherproof enclosure and allow quick access to the scope.
The material has just arrived….I’ll post some photos of the progress soon.

[mswhin63]

Hi Ken,

Sounds like you have the similar gear I have use to set-up my "Rental Obs". I haven't been able to continue with much recently as I have just been diagnose with Androgen Deficiency and am too exhausted after University studies to do anything else.

Good luck with your project, I hope to continue with mine either after University or if the treatment starts to work.

[h0ughy]

hope it all works well for you

[Merlin66]

Thanks guys.
The "box" is built and the hoops should be cut and in position later today.
So far so good (said the Captain of the Titanic around 11:30pm)

[gaa_ian]

Looking forward to seeing your set up Ken !

[Merlin66]

Thanks Ian!
Bang per buck it could be a good solution for those permanent back yard telescope set-ups...everything there ready to use.
EQmod + Teamviewer = warmth and comfort of the home office.

[traveller]

Looking forward to the photos ken, always interested in seeing how ppl do there obsessed in very challenging environments.
Bo

[Merlin66]

Box built and checked.
Dry fit up with hoops (actually steel tube not the aluminium as discussed.)
The first three are self locking in open position, and all four clear each other and the box opening.
Clears the mount, telescope and spectroscope.....
Just needs the final hinge plates, glue and screw and tarp fitment.
Webbing strips will be fitted between the hoops under the tarp.
Onwards and Upwards.

[mswhin63]

Nice idea Ken :thumbsup:

[Merlin66]

OK, making some progress.....
The box frame has been painted, the hinge plates strengthened, the webbing between the frames fitted and the first "dry fit" of the UV tarp.
This has been cut and ready for sewing.....
Onwards and Upwards.

[ZeroID]

Looking very good so far, cost effective for sure. Going to fool the neighbours, it looks just like a big BBQ ...:)

[malclocke]

How's this project going Ken? No updates for a while.

[Merlin66]

Malc,
The enclosure was finished...worked as per plan.
A very cost effective solution for backyard telescopes.

However, I overlooked one very significant factor....my wife!!
She strongly resented having the "big BBQ cover" up on the deck and in the end I removed it.

I'm back on Plan A (+1/2)
This involves removing a 2m length of the current shed roof and making a steel portal frame roof, which will then slide over the remaining shed roof.
This gives a "wife acceptable" 2 x 3m observatory.

[Dealy]

Wise move Ken ;). You've got to keep the little lady happy. You now have an excuse to spend a bit more and make it a bit bigger and better :thumbsup:

I spent twice as much as I should have on my obs, worked twice as hard as I would have liked, and the project took three times longer than planned, but the other day my girl finally gave me thumbs up and said it looked pretty cool :).

Well worth the investment for peace and harmony.

Kev

[Merlin66]

Being an unemployed, no income retiree...
Self Funded Retiree = SFR = small F#%^@ return on any investments.
I don't think to many people would take kindly to seeing their income just reduced by 50%...has a hellava impact!
Sorry for the groan...but it does limit the expenditure on any astronomy ventures.....

[Dealy]

Yeah the interest rate cut is a double edged sword :mad2:

[mswhin63]

I don't totally agree, unless you have your own home. My wife doesn't like the blob :Rental Observatory" in the middle of the yard but I basically said bad luck. Also my wife is on a Disability Support Pension and I am on Austudy, so we are in the limiting budget for Astro. Having multiple plans just doesn't work.

I am considering making something smaller but the current set-up is working so well I don't really want to, also concerned that smaller will make it less stable too.

[Merlin66]

Just an update on "PlanA+1/2"

The steel frames had to be re-designed - the local welding guy couldn't do the roof assembly (!!?)
Ended up with three 50 x 75mm RHS portal frames and six 35 x 70mm purlins.
Made up the roof assembly, fitted the old sheeting on the ground. Then fitted the 95mm diameter wheels (to fit the 50 x100 C section used as the track)
Dismantled and marked everything, then one by one lifted the portal frames, located the wheels in the C channel, assembled the checked the purlins and finally re-fitted the sheets.
We now have a moveable roof section, 2.2m x 3m.

Still needs the edge flashing and the wire rope open/ close.
Getting closer! (Not an easy job for one person....)

[glend]

Looks good Ken. I had to lift my roof on solo as well and it can be dangerous.

[Nath2099]

Hi Ken, This is what I plan to do. Wondering, how do you go about keeping rain/wildlife out?

Apologies for reviving an old thread, but it was linked from a current one, and didn't want to but in there.

[Merlin66]

Nathan,
For the box design..
The walls could be permanently fixed to the balcony if need and the "convertible top" is a heavy duty UV tarp which is watertight.
It definitely worked during the trials....
Does that help??

[Nath2099]

Sorry Ken, I was referring to the rolling shed roof.

[Merlin66]

The ROR has side flashing and end overlaps - I can get some photos if needed. This has given a 100% weatherproof solution - no water ingress during the recent VERY heavy storms.
Re Vermin.....good question.
This hasn't been an issue for me (so far) but the edge sealing could be improved using semi-rigid closed foam along the sides and on the roof end overlaps.
It's been working for me.....

[Nath2099]

If you could get some photos next time you're out there and remember too, that would be tops! No rush at all, I'm way off actually starting anything.

[Merlin66]

Nathan,
I'll get some photos of the edge flashing....