The roll off frame which is 2 frames that roll off either together or in opposite directions.
The metal plate reinforcing for the truss is an important feature.
Its cut out using a grionder and a thin metal cutting disc from a sheet of 1.6mm galvabond plate you can get from Bunnings. I think it was 500 x 400 or so plus lots of screws. This means plenty of room for the telescope not hitting the bottom of the truss. Normally you would have a horizontal beam at wall height which the scope would hit.
Its strong too. My son hung his whole weight off this truss and it didn't budge at all.
The frame is made out of 50 x50 and 40 x 40 aluminium square section to keep the weight down. You currently can roll these sections effortlessly and smoothly a major upgrade from my last observatory where the roll off frame was a real problem. That was with treated pine. Metal is far superior in this application. Timber is not strong enough, is heavy and can give a bit over time.
My other observatory has a surprisingly heavy flat roof made of treated pine and Kliplok roofing. Its a bit hard to opena nd close but that suits the area which can be bombarded with very strong winds.
Greg,
Looks like the Obs is well underway, nice solid construction too ( yep steer away from timber , termites are a problem down our way , regular inspections and treatment )
You have a lovely location too.
In regards to kayaking, my wife and I kayak occasionally at the Inlet , Burrill and other places, she’s also a member of mollymook outriggers ( casual group ) They have a group at Conjolla if you’re interested. Plenty of water ways from Conjolla to Durras, a great part of the South Coast.
Cheers
Martin
You have a lovely location too.
In regards to kayaking, my wife and I kayak occasionally at the Inlet , Burrill and other places, she’s also a member of mollymook outriggers ( casual group ) They have a group at Conjolla if you’re interested. Plenty of water ways from Conjolla to Durras, a great part of the South Coast.
Cheers
Martin
Stop it! You're making me jealous, for what I don't have ..and sounds like what my wife has been, not so subtly, mentioning since we acquired Eagleview "house by the sea this, house by the sea that"... geeezus woman, look at that panoramic 83km view! will ya?! Maama Mia! ...
Mike
Will likely end up Martones and Gregs Neighbour....
Greg,
Looks like the Obs is well underway, nice solid construction too ( yep steer away from timber , termites are a problem down our way , regular inspections and treatment )
You have a lovely location too.
In regards to kayaking, my wife and I kayak occasionally at the Inlet , Burrill and other places, she’s also a member of mollymook outriggers ( casual group ) They have a group at Conjolla if you’re interested. Plenty of water ways from Conjolla to Durras, a great part of the South Coast.
Cheers
Martin
My new house has a steel frame and that is comforting to know it won't burn or be affected by termites. Also very strong.
Sounds good Martin. More of a warmer weather activity though.
Observatory moved along today. I got more materials yesterday.
Today I did final work on the frame and tracks, moved the rear wheels further in so I can roll it off just a bit more to take in all the available field of view. Also installed some stops so the roll off roof will stop when rolled off.
Install some overlatches to hold the roof down when I've finished imaging. Installed some chicken wire to hold up the insulation blanket.
I out the roof on tomorrow and another board of cladding to hide the wheel and close up that gap.
Then colorbond mini orb for the gables and its install time for the pier and mount and a table.
Then install a door I bought. Then wire it up. Then painting.
I should be imaging in it within 2 weeks.
The attached photo is from Sunday. The new work done today doesn'y really look much different to this but it's work that has to be done.
You know anyone who's good at doing this..? will you use copper or lead?
Mike
Hahaha. Yes good question.
Roof sheets are now on and about to order the cappings to finish it off.
Installing pier and some cables today. I intend to pin the pier down with 2 anchor bolts so if I have to rotate it to match south more accurately I can.
I'll install the PME mount today as well and tonight if I get all that done I'll do a rough polar alignment and if the pier is in the right orientation I'll anchor bolt it thoroughly tomorrow.
The roll off roof glides effortlessly - a first for my observatories. These wheels and the sliding gate tracks are terrific. First heard of them on this site so that paid dividends.
The combo is flexible, I can lock the 2 halves together as one and roll it off (maximum view) or split and have half roll off (similar view but a tad less).
I installed 6 overlatches to create that. Bunnings sells them. Well made and work well and easily.
I have quite a bit of left over beautiful Blackbutt engineered floor boards. I intend to lay that on the floor once everything it watertight.
It looked like I would have enough left over lovely marble floor tiles but I used them up.
Hey Greg, in the photo of the observatory showing the window and closed roof, what's the box shaped object, with the circles (?) on the top, to the left on the outside of the house?
Looks like a very large split-system heating/cooling unit to me.
V.
Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Hey Greg, in the photo of the observatory showing the window and closed roof, what's the box shaped object, with the circles (?) on the top, to the left on the outside of the house?
Yes its a reverse cycle ducted air condtioner for the house. Behind the observatory is a 4500litre water tank that takes rainwater and services the toilets and washing machine.
I built a neat little flat pad next to my observatory at my dark site this week.
It has a really well made pier that one of the members here made for me from Perth as a prototype. Very solid.
I'll primarily use this pad for an iOptron CEM70 mount that I have gone through setting up (firmware, debugs etc etc - new gear same story).
I now have that mount up and running. I plan to use AP130 F4.5 and CFF 105 F6 on this mount.
Next time there I hope to be very productive imaging wise. 4 clear nights this week went to waste.
..and sounds like what my wife has been, not so subtly, mentioning since we acquired Eagleview "house by the sea this, house by the sea that"... geeezus woman, look at that panoramic 83km view! will ya?! Maama Mia! 
...
will you use copper or lead? 
