Interesting DIY platform project

[Thiink]

I have been keeping myself busy at work (ie. trying to avoid boredom) by researching tracking options for the dob. In my travels I found this website (http://www.stevesastro.net/equipment/eqplatform.htm) with information on a home made tracking platform. Not a bad project!

Ive started saving (ha!) for tracking of my dob, and dont know what way I want to go yet (for imaging etc). I wouldnt want to spend more than $1000 which limits me to either something like a Dob Driver or a platform. I like the idea of being able to take longer exposures without field rotation problems (ie. platform), but adding goto at the same time (ie. dob driver) sure sounds enticing!

Also this is interesting (http://projects.gbdt.com.au/eq6-1/) for people who already own an EQ6.. very interesting!

[Merlin66]

I ended up going with the proven Bartels set-up ( plus field rotator/ focusser) then added the Eckart encoders for full display/GOTO. The whole system including motors/ g'boxes etc ( excluding a beat up old 386 computer) less than $800.

[Thiink]

Id rather buy a complete setup ready to rock with minimal installation required. Mels systems do seem good though.

[davidpretorius]

I have the dob driver II, very easy to cut into the dob base and put together.

Now, you have a 350d, which is different to me, i only have a modified toucam so your thinking along the lines of field rotation really can't be answered by me.

Look I am very happy with my dob driver, it is great for viewing and imaging for minutes and minutes. I would like to progress to getting a 350d and doing minute long exposures etc. I have to make a bigger alt bearing for this and in which case, i will simply build the base from scratch.

do you know what i really think...... i do believe that eventually, it will be a eq6 at least for my 10" reflector. I would love to prove myself wrong, but all those guys out there with g11 and paramount etc can't be wrong. sorry fellow dobbers!

[cjmarsh81]

Yes, very interesting.

[cjmarsh81]

David,

Does your Dob Driver move the scope in both Azimuth and Altitude?

[davidpretorius]

yes,

AZ:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8626&stc=1&thumb=1 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8626)
ALT:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8624&stc=1&thumb=1 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8624)

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8625&stc=1&thumb=1 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8625)ht tp://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8627&stc=1&thumb=1 (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=8627)

Works a treat for planetary and viewing. Mel Bartels is also very good. I have the facility with this buggy to act as a wedge and so convert to RA/DEC so i can get around field rotation.

[cjmarsh81]

Very nice. Maybe one day (couple years from now) I will go either down the track of motorising my dob or moving across to an EQ6 mount.

[davidpretorius]

there is no rush, the dob gets you a big telescope to start viewing cheaply. you then spend time refining where you will spend aprox 2x the initial investment getting a motorized mount, great eps' etc etc

[cjmarsh81]

This thread has me thinking of making my own motorised dob mount with a couple of stepper motors. The only hard part is synchronising the altitude with azimuth to track something. I'll think on it for a while.