As you are probably finding, when you have a remote observatory lots of things get in the way of visiting it and getting imaging time in. So the 2 setups is an attempt to make each trip more productive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LonelySpoon
That is an impressive plinth, Greg!
Neville,
LSO
Yes it was a protoype by a guy from Perth.
He only charged me $600. It’s extremely well made.
As you are probably finding, when you have a remote observatory lots of things get in the way of visiting it and getting imaging time in. So the 2 setups is an attempt to make each trip more productive.
Greg
Indeed, only last night, while my current rig was purring away, I was strolling around the observing area, in the dark, (complete with resident wombat), contemplating where to setup the NJP mount ... to take the Starfire EDF...or maybe a camera lens, for wider field imaging your photo was encouraging
Indeed, only last night, while my current rig was purring away, I was strolling around the observing area, in the dark, (complete with resident wombat), contemplating where to setup the NJP mount ... to take the Starfire EDF...or maybe a camera lens, for wider field imaging your photo was encouraging
Mike
I spent an hour in Bunnings and less than $120 and it took about an hour to hour and a half to dig out the area (1.2 x 1.2 metres) lay and level some road base (4 x 20kg bags from Bunnings) and lay the pavers.
The 75 x 35mm treated pine is 2 x 2.7 metre lengths. I got some thick 75 x 75mm L brackets and some 25mm roofing screws to form the square.
If you do it make the lengths about 1.25-1.30 metres to allow for the thickness of 2 of the lengths that go inside the square and 2 that go outside the square. Plus your pavers have to clear the top of the screws in the L brackets, so give yourself a bit of room for that.
Installed the pier and the PME mount yesterday.
Installed some colorbond mini orb on one of the gables.
Hope to install the cappings today so its all waterproof. Perhaps even clad the other gable. 2 days work should see the structural side finished and then that just leaves painting, installing a desk, setting up a computer.
Then a rough polar alignment so I know the pier is in the correct position to allow fine tuning for a precise polar alignment.
I should be imaging in less than a week.
Later I intend to install insulation in the walls and black colorbond cladding on the inside.
I may put a vent in the cladding of the both gables to get some cooling on hot days. Or perhaps a cheap AC unit from Bunnings may be a good thing.
Great updates and work Greg! A buddy and I are starting work on our 2 sheds very soon, so your approach and update is much appreciated! Stand by for more questions possibly.
We are in Bortle 2-1 skies here near Violet town in Vic, can’t wait to get back into Astro after a heap of catching up!! A shed is perfect for me, as I’m often too stuffed from farm work to bother setting up each night, so set n forget will be most enjoyed . Your posts are inspiring. The forum posts I mean 😂
It rained last night and no water got in except one small area where I haven't clad the other gable yet.
I put the first of the flashings where the 2 halves of the roof meet. I'll do the other side this afternoon and see how well it works. I'll post a photo of the flashing so you can see the design.
Basically it goes across 2 ribs and folds down slightly on the top of a corrugation. Then steps up 20mm and continues across another 150mm,
The step up is to allow one of the roofs to roll under the flashing.
Greg,
I’ve been following your progress and looks like a great Obs, well designed and constructed
Won’t be long now until your imaging hey
Ive been down at my Dome for a week and weather hasn’t been too kind
Might get some clear nights over the next few nights but unfortunately high humidity and a full moon
Oh well it’s nice to get a way from the big smoke for a couple of weeks and enjoy the peace and serenity
Greg,
I’ve been following your progress and looks like a great Obs, well designed and constructed
Won’t be long now until your imaging hey
Ive been down at my Dome for a week and weather hasn’t been too kind
Might get some clear nights over the next few nights but unfortunately high humidity and a full moon
Oh well it’s nice to get a way from the big smoke for a couple of weeks and enjoy the peace and serenity
Cheers
Martin
Thanks Martin.
It was mostly clear nights during the new moon period about a week and a half ago. Looked like good seeing as well.
The roof splits into 2 halves so it needed a flashing to cover the joint when the 2 halves are closed together.
Here is a photo of it. It works well and is fixed on one side and sits up a bit higher than the roof on the 2nd side which slides under it by about 100mm.
Got the roll top ridge capping on one side and all the cappings on the left side done.
Bit of a tricky bit where I flattened off the last 150mm of the roll top ridge capping and made a little cap to close it off so the right side flashing would fit over the roll top ridge capping. Goit it in the end though.
Now the gable cladding and cappings on the right side tomorrow morning hopefully beating the rain that is forecast. The roof is pretty water tight anyway.
Once the cappings are finished then it's the door and it's flashings,painting
and door knob/latch.
Then it just leaves painting the outisde and repairing my PME mount and I am good to start imaging again.
Later I'll probably put insulation on the inside walls plus black colorbond cladding.
Also at some point lay a timber floor. I have left overs from doing the main house.
I saw some softish mat material at Bunnings that would make a good safety matt around the pier in case something ever drops. I'll put some of that down too.
Made a cool looking little cap for the end of the roll top ridge capping. I watched a You Tube video about how to close off the end of roll top ridge capping. I'll post some more photos tomorrow.
awesome 
... to take the Starfire EDF...or maybe a camera lens, for wider field imaging 
