gadgets and gear for the eclipse

[h0ughy (David)]

I have just been going through some of the gear I will be needing for the eclipse. In my panic mode I found I had not enough USB ports for the main laptop that will be controlling the cameras - the macbook air 11 (its only got 2 USB 2 ports). So I decided to sacrifice a power source for the windows lappy (my new one has well over 5 hours uptime - plenty I hope for the setup and then the main event. But the mac wouldn’t have a hope in hell of powering a hub and running that for a few hours. so I used my external lappy battery backup as it has a powered USB socket and then raided the local Jaycar store.

I might just say that the nerds that were behind the counter were very understanding for my challenge - finding a powered USB hub for my problem. then with a snip and a solder they then created my powered USB hub - and here it is:

first rate - ok I need a bit of tape but I couldn’t have done this (neatly)

with Solar Eclipse Maestro I can connect up to 4 cameras and the GPS, so there is 5 usb ports right there, then two of the camera require the use of a shoestring USB GSUSB trigger, there is another two.

so I think I have it covered now

now I will have to see how I can put this to work and test.......

I can say that without this software I can never have thought of doing this.

the other nerdy gadget I bought was a digitech electronic luggage scale to measure the weight of the gear when packed up

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Neat solution

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Larryp

Neat solution

Well i hope it ends up working for me Larry

[Dennis]

Ahh Dave, your astro-antics never fail to astound, or entertain me. Always some fascinating happenings going on in the H0ughy ecosphere!

Cheers

Dennis

[multiweb (Marc)]

Just watch out for the power black out affecting the whole of northern QLD 14th of November in the early morning hours.
I take it you're driving up there right? The plane won't take off with all the gear you're taking wiht you

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Ahh Dave, your astro-antics never fail to astound, or entertain me. Always some fascinating happenings going on in the H0ughy ecosphere!

Cheers

Dennis

you are the inspiration Dennis - the polar finder, the hutch, the scope coat.....oh and of course the focus mask mind you though you seem to be a man of mystery lately..... so whats in the basement?

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by multiweb

Just watch out for the power black out affecting the whole of northern QLD 14th of November in the early morning hours.
I take it you're driving up there right? The plane won't take off with all the gear you're taking wiht you

lol Al and I have booked tickets for 40kg excess baggage each so it will be a tight squeeze

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

you are the inspiration Dennis - the polar finder, the hutch, the scope coat.....oh and of course the focus mask mind you though you seem to be a man of mystery lately..... so whats in the basement?

Hi Dave

Not much - just a mal-functioning EM200 mount – I’m removing the electronics box and returning it to AEC for repair by Takahashi – Brisbane can look forward to pristine, clear skies for the next few weeks….

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy (David)]

i also put together the mechano set of the starlapse - on the other new toy, the manfrotto tripod

[OzEclipse (Joe Cali)]

David,

excellent setup. Is that tripod a Losmandy starlapse tripod or one you've bought separately? Joe


Edit: I just saw the ref that it's a Manfrotto. Looks like a solid bit of gear.

If you or Bojan have stability problems, just bring a handful of substantial elastic bands and attach 2L water bottles to the legs. Joe

[bojan]

David,
did you try this setup (full load) at 16° elevation?
It seems the centre of gravity will be too far to the South side...

I foresee issues with mine.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by OzEclipse

David,

excellent setup. Is that tripod a Losmandy starlapse tripod or one you've bought separately? Joe

its a Manfrotto 504HD Head with 546B 2-Stage Aluminum Tripod System with the starlapse added on top with the extra camera holder

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by bojan

David,
did you try this setup (full load) at 16° elevation?
It seems the centre of gravity will be too far to the South side...

I foresee issues with mine.

yet to do that - will do this week. it was the first time i put it together so will look at the loading

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by OzEclipse

David,

excellent setup. Is that tripod a Losmandy starlapse tripod or one you've bought separately? Joe


Edit: I just saw the ref that it's a Manfrotto. Looks like a solid bit of gear.

If you or Bojan have stability problems, just bring a handful of substantial elastic bands and attach 2L water bottles to the legs. Joe

yes i did try out the water bottle at astrofest. worked like a charm when using the polarie

[DarthWombat (Alex)]

Now why didn't I think of the water bottle as counterweight thang? Very clever!

I've just accepted a chance to take over some accommodation in Trinity after the original booker had to cancel.


I will have to weigh my ED120 and HEQ5-Pro - I reckon they're still gonna be too heavy. I have a carry case for the ED120 and accessories, a canvas bag for the tripod and a pelican-clone case for the mount.

The only other item of concern is the battery. I have a small 6AH sealed lead-acid battery but I'm not sure that I'll be allowed to carry it up by air - I'll have to check with the airline

Perhaps I could use the battery as a counterweight...

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by DarthWombat

Now why didn't I think of the water bottle as counterweight thang? Very clever!

I've just accepted a chance to take over some accommodation in Trinity after the original booker had to cancel.


I will have to weigh my ED120 and HEQ5-Pro - I reckon they're still gonna be too heavy. I have a carry case for the ED120 and accessories, a canvas bag for the tripod and a pelican-clone case for the mount.

The only other item of concern is the battery. I have a small 6AH sealed lead-acid battery but I'm not sure that I'll be allowed to carry it up by air - I'll have to check with the airline

Perhaps I could use the battery as a counterweight...

i even contimplated preordering a battery and picking it up there

[steve000 (Steve)]

Very nice mate. I once had a similar idea im glad to see it actually working perhaps I might dig out the soldering iron and have a go my self

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by steve000

Very nice mate. I once had a similar idea im glad to see it actually working perhaps I might dig out the soldering iron and have a go my self

surething - but since i am near useless i relied upon the skills of others hope it works for you

[h0ughy (David)]

actually after reading the manual i have the starlape the wrong way around on the mount - will post a pic the right way around later

[gregbradley]

The Star Lapse looks like a substantial piece of gear. Very impressive.

Greg.