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Old 16-06-2018, 02:49 PM
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ROR Dobservatory Build

I finally got started on my dobservatory build this week for the 32". I've been thinking about this project almost as long as the telescope itself. The big scope is no problem to get out and set up, even though it weighs 191kg. But I find the least enjoyable part of observing is packing everything up at 4am in the middle of winter when there's ice stuck to everything. Having the observatory is going to be a treat, as all you obs owners already know.

I expect it will take me a few months on and off to finish the build, so I'll post a few photos of the progress as it happens. I'm enjoying the cool temperature much more than the extreme heat wave I endured during January while building the shed on the property. Between that and the brown snakes, I'm surprised I'm still here.
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Old 16-06-2018, 02:51 PM
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Everyone needs a before photo to see where the journey started. It took me two years to finally settle on this spot in the yard.
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Old 16-06-2018, 02:53 PM
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It took the Dingo 8 hours to dig the 39 holes. The ground is like concrete, but at least it forms a strong foundation for the structure.
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Old 16-06-2018, 02:54 PM
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Looking forward to it
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Old 16-06-2018, 03:10 PM
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First few days of progress. The obs is elevated 800mm to get out of the near ground seeing effects which the big telescope is more sensitive to. I'm going to build an isolated pad for the dob to sit on, which will be 50mm lower than the floor height, so drops the eyepiece height a little more.

The floor system is posts set at 700mm to 1000mm in the ground, then bearers and joists attached with some nice James Hardie 22mm Scyon exterior floor sheeting. The dob pad flooring is going to be 18mm compressed concrete sheet. All the materials have very low thermal mass.

The sidewalls will be 900mm high so the dob can see over it. I'm making a steel frame roof and sidewall that will roll off the 900mm high timber wall. I got a great idea from an engineer friend in the US who built a ROR obs. He used roller bearings located inside ezy strut channel as his ROR system. I like the idea because the roof is captive and can't separate from the base of the obs.
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Old 16-06-2018, 03:11 PM
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Good enough reason for another long drive Colin.

That's all for now. More photos in a week or so.
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Old 16-06-2018, 04:25 PM
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Great progress Allan. I can imagine how cool it's been out there.
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Old 17-06-2018, 06:55 AM
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Sounds amazing Allan
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Old 18-06-2018, 06:23 PM
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Looking good Allan, keep the pics coming. Are you there for a few days of hard labour....
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Old 18-06-2018, 06:50 PM
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Good to see the progress Allan. Seems you have moved the location to behind the shed or has all the grass died off? I have heard the drought is bad out that way.
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Old 18-06-2018, 08:34 PM
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Matt, I think I’m going to be here for a few months hard labour, just looking at the size of the project.

John, yes I moved it over by the shed, I settled on there as the best spot.
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Old 18-06-2018, 09:52 PM
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Quote:
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Matt, I think I’m going to be here for a few months hard labour, just looking at the size of the project.

John, yes I moved it over by the shed, I settled on there as the best spot.
Allan is that the spot where the pile of dirt was, behind the shed? Or on the "imaging field", haha?
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Old 19-06-2018, 06:56 PM
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It’s very close to your imaging field Glen, so I might have to find you a new spot next time.

I started on the dob pad today, in the centre of the observatory. I’ll build that while I have room and then lay out the joists around it. The four big posts are almost one metre in the ground and have used 400kg of concrete. It feels very solid, and I hope the view through the eyepiece is the same.
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Old 23-06-2018, 04:28 PM
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Another week of building completed. I can testify that it is still fairly dark and very, very cold at 6:30am when work begins. I'm also reviewing my labourers rate as I think he's been slacking on the job.
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Old 23-06-2018, 04:33 PM
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The dob pad took two days to build, by the time I got the four big posts concreted in the ground with over 400kg of concrete, and then all the frame work constructed around it. I've carried this idea around with me for a couple of years now, and I'm happy it's turned out so nice and solid.
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Old 23-06-2018, 04:45 PM
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I think your labourer needs a Scooby Snack.
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Old 23-06-2018, 04:50 PM
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Is that like the dog version of the Snickers ad?
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Old 23-06-2018, 05:16 PM
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Allan,
Just read about the captive wheels in C channel...
I used this up at Heathcote and I use it successfully on the Mainsail ROR which houses my NEQ6/ C11.
Recommended.
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Old 23-06-2018, 05:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allan View Post
The dob pad took two days to build, by the time I got the four big posts concreted in the ground with over 400kg of concrete, and then all the frame work constructed around it. I've carried this idea around with me for a couple of years now, and I'm happy it's turned out so nice and solid.
Nice progress, looks good & at least one of you is keeping fit during construction.


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Allan,
Just read about the captive wheels in C channel...
I used this up at Heathcote and I use it successfully on the Mainsail ROR which houses my NEQ6/ C11.
Recommended.
Sort of like a very large version of slides for car/camper fridges are a great idea.
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Old 23-06-2018, 05:56 PM
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Awesome Allan how exciting is it 🤪🤪 I look forward to watching your progress 👌👌👌good luck buddy
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