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Old 07-11-2022, 07:07 PM
TrevorW
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Observatory Build

Well I needed some inspiration to proceed down this path, now that I am retired with time to do these things, inspiring projects by other member here made be see the light, excuse the pun. Seriously the only way for me to pursue astro photography productively and efficiently is with a permanent set up. I received 2 quotes one for a custom made shed (both excluding roll off roof) the other for a cool room type enclosure ridiculous prices around $4000 for a 2x2x1.6m structure, buyer beware in a demand market, so they are both off the cards, now I will be looking to do my own build for less than half that, maybe, hopefully. I will keep you posted of my progress. So far today has been, run trench for electrical, install under ground conduit and run the cable, material cost to date $60 (including a trench shovel) -
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Old 07-11-2022, 08:04 PM
TrevorW
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Day 1 of build
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Old 07-11-2022, 10:49 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Excellent start Trevor
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Old 07-11-2022, 11:39 PM
TrevorW
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A long way to go though
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Old 08-11-2022, 06:17 PM
TrevorW
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Day two of build preparing area ready to do footings - got started on but unsure if need to to form work before pouring concrete in to trenches with the rebar, 3d printing some little stands for the rebar to sit on to set height
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Old 09-11-2022, 09:22 AM
LonelySpoon (Neville)
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Off to a good start!

Is the conduit for power or data?

My suggestions:

If 240v power, should be deeper-600mm with plastic warning tape over it.

If data, put more in, with fishing line down it for later use. You'll always decide you need to run more lines!

Neville
LSO
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  #7  
Old 09-11-2022, 10:57 AM
oska (John)
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Great start but I'm not gonna race ya :p

Following on from Neville, if you're running data too, try to keep it 300mm+ away from the power if running parallel. It wont kill the data altogether but it will reduce the speed.
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Old 09-11-2022, 12:42 PM
TrevorW
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Its power, the cable is covered by another conduit and tape. Data will be via wifi, but will run some data cable JIC
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Old 09-11-2022, 03:04 PM
dikman (Richard)
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Neville beat me to it, not sure of the rules over there but here power has to be a minimum of 600mm deep, data separated by, I think, 300mm (it's a long time since I worked with that stuff and can't remember all the rules).
And yes, run a decent size conduit for data, along with a draw wire/rope for later use. Cable is always better than wi-fi.
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Old 09-11-2022, 05:32 PM
appiice (Ed)
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Angry Zapped

Hello Trevor

Good luck with your build, not wanting to start a flame war but....... you should have put the 240 cable lower, hard to do under a concrete path or at least put some warning tape on top of the cable.

You will most likely know what is there but at some time in the future chances are someone will come along with a hard steel tool and bury it's tip in your 240 volt line.

Best outcome the fuse will blow / trip, worst outcome.....................

Ed
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Old 09-11-2022, 06:47 PM
TrevorW
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Rest assured no one will be putting a shovel into it, the conduit is covered by another hard plastic U channel, (which has that orange tape, then will be covered by pavers, concrete and then obs floor. I have been in the house for 30 odd years,are likely to die there, so if anyone going to stick a shovel in it by mistake, it will be me
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Old 09-11-2022, 08:52 PM
appiice (Ed)
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Trevor

Yes you know what you did in 2022

" but at some time in the future chances are someone will come along " ( who isn't you, has know idea what a previous owner did or just didn't know to tell a contractor about the underground power, all i was saying was, accidents happen, with 24o volt AC you often do not get a second chance.

Ed
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Old 09-11-2022, 09:11 PM
TrevorW
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Quote:
Originally Posted by appiice View Post
Trevor

Yes you know what you did in 2022

" but at some time in the future chances are someone will come along " ( who isn't you, has know idea what a previous owner did or just didn't know to tell a contractor about the underground power, all i was saying was, accidents happen, with 24o volt AC you often do not get a second chance.

Ed

Rest assured all safety precautions where adhered to to ensure compliance with Australian Standards, also checked by an approved electrician
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Old 10-11-2022, 09:03 AM
TrevorW
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Also need idea for what size stirrups to support 2x2m floor, how many as well I figuring around 12
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Old 10-11-2022, 10:47 AM
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Also need idea for what size stirrups to support 2x2m floor, how many as well I figuring around 12
I don't know how you intend placing them but I come up with 16

It should not matter much at worst there will be spring in your step

Alex
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Old 10-11-2022, 11:47 AM
TrevorW
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Thanks Alex , 16 yes or with 12 each area would be about 1 square meter, the floor I'm looking for 12mm ply on 75x75 joists, most of the time the obs will be unoccupied as will run remotely from within the house, laid data conduit today and starting on the formwork
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Old 10-11-2022, 12:09 PM
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Thanks Alex , 16 yes or with 12 each area would be about 1 square meter, the floor I'm looking for 12mm ply on 75x75 joists, most of the time the obs will be unoccupied as will run remotely from within the house, laid data conduit today and starting on the formwork
Go the 17 mm ply ..my floor is 19 mm particle board, on top of that 17 mm ply and on top of that plastic fake timber 5 mm and it feels great ....solid as concrete and warm as toast...I feel guilty having such luxury...actually go 19 mm ..you deserve it...the price difference is not much.
Alex
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Old 13-11-2022, 04:49 PM
TrevorW
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Got the footing done run conduit for data cable flat or round CAT6 cable ??, mini load or mix your own ??, the volume isn't that great only .3 cubic meter for footings
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Last edited by TrevorW; 13-11-2022 at 05:39 PM.
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Old 13-11-2022, 05:20 PM
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Looking excellent..you are nearly finished now ..got the pier in and most of it is now done.
Alex
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Old 13-11-2022, 07:37 PM
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Looking great, Trevor.

For the CAT6 cable, I think the standard cross-section is round, as I can't recall hearing of a flat-section cable.

As for the concrete, it's a tough call. A mini-load may not want to (or be able to) hang around whilst you run back and forth with the wheelbarrow, whilst DIY would be a slog (and very messy, too!). I presume you've done a cost comparison between a mini-load and DIY?

Cheers,
V

(I've mixed concrete before and whilst a mixer makes it easier, it's still a messy job.)
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