New observatory build

[Paul Haese]

Time to get rid of the laptop in the observatory Greg. We use Mele computers at Swan Reach Imaging. They get 3M taped onto the telescope and then run a cat 5 or cat 6 cable to a cisco or smaller 8 port switch. Power is one cable from a ground box up to something like a pegasus ultimate which then powers all the other equipment. You can use an IP switch to turn off all the equipment which is all plugged into it in the ground box. You access the IP switch via it's webpage, it has a ethernet cable port for coms too. Then just run a cat 5 cable from the 9 port switch to the house. No more issues with having to go inside the observatory to operate a laptop.

BTW just watch the moisture levels with regard to the cameras you use. When I had the observatory at Clayton Bay I had to conformal coat the exposed boards in the SBIG cameras. I think Atik has this same problem too. Without the coating corrosion takes place very quickly.

[gregbradley]

Originally Posted by Paul Haese

Time to get rid of the laptop in the observatory Greg. We use Mele computers at Swan Reach Imaging. They get 3M taped onto the telescope and then run a cat 5 or cat 6 cable to a cisco or smaller 8 port switch. Power is one cable from a ground box up to something like a pegasus ultimate which then powers all the other equipment. You can use an IP switch to turn off all the equipment which is all plugged into it in the ground box. You access the IP switch via it's webpage, it has a ethernet cable port for coms too. Then just run a cat 5 cable from the 9 port switch to the house. No more issues with having to go inside the observatory to operate a laptop.

BTW just watch the moisture levels with regard to the cameras you use. When I had the observatory at Clayton Bay I had to conformal coat the exposed boards in the SBIG cameras. I think Atik has this same problem too. Without the coating corrosion takes place very quickly.

Good advice Paul. Thanks.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

I've ordered some conformal spray from ebay.

Greg.

[gregbradley]

Had to seal the gates tracks to the purlin that supports them and sticks out from the building to hold the roll off roof as water was getting under the tracks and making it's way inside. Just thought I would make a note of it.

Greg.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Greg,
Just a heads up on remote access.
I use Windows Remote Desktop in my Dome on the South Coast
Windows Remote Desktop is included when you purchase Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro
I do use 2 laptops , one temporarily inside the Dome and the other permanently located in my Study in the house 20m away. I have full control of my imaging in the Dome from the Study and could easily connect it via internet with IP address to control it from Sydney but I have no interest in that , I’m a hands on person.
You could set up a Windows Remote Desktop with 1 laptop or PC inside the house and just a NUC inside your Obs either mounted to the base of the mount or an a shelf with your other Astro hardware.
When building my Obs , I ran 2 x Cat5e data cables from Dome to my Study and fitted a wall plate with 2 x RJ45 Cat5e sockets , adjacent is 2 x DGPO’s ( power points)
I’ve had this running since 2021 and no issues at all

Cheers
Martin

[gregbradley]

Thanks Martin.

I have wifi internet in the observatory can I somehow connect using remote desktop via the internet? Otherwise I would have to run a cat 5 cable to the house.

Greg.

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by gregbradley

Thanks Martin.

I have wifi internet in the observatory can I somehow connect using remote desktop via the internet? Otherwise I would have to run a cat 5 cable to the house.

Greg.

Yes you can connect Windows Remote Desktop over the internet with a secured connection using a VPN ( Virtual Private Network ) buts it’s a painful exercise if your not computer tech savvy and there’s ongoing costs !!

See link below …
https://blog.helpwire.app/remote-desktop-over-internet/

How far is your Obs from the house ?

Cat5 e cable is good for up to say 85 to 90m ( including patch cords to sockets ) between devices plus it’s permanent and not reliant upon wifi signal strength etc…

If it’s a relatively short distance like mine ( up to 30m ) I’d recommend to trench it from house to Obs like I did and future proof your Obs . Or if you have a wall or fence you could run it in conduit along that wall or fence.
I ran mine underground, did it myself with a small trench digger ,Conduit and fittings , Cat 5e cable , sand etc.. Cost me $380 in materials and $450 for hire (3 years ago ) , took me 2 or 3 days to complete. I ran 2 cables , 1 additional for redundancy.
Alternatively get a quote from a local electrical contractor in the area

Cheers
Martin