Decisions.... decisions... and a bunch of questions..

[el_draco]

At the point of designing/buying a dome and need some input.

Q1: 1/2 or 5/8 dome? Any recommendation?
Q2: Fibreglass or Metal? Longevity and heat retention
Q3: Suppliers ?
Q4: Cost? I'm aiming at a 3m-4.5m diameter
Q5: If I build, are their any stand alone dome control systems that I can use?

I attempted to contact Astro-Domes a couple of days back via their website and got nadda except a "We'll get back to you" message> Can't imagine they'd be THAT busy!

Any suggestions, comments, thoughts greatly appreciated
Rom

[mswhin63]

Thermal conductivity is the key to most device including sheds. Fibreglass is less conductive than metal so will naturally cooler, although I remember an add on TV for a type of colour-bond with low conductivity (guy yelling at test sheet in the desert and wind) but I expect it to be expensive.

[mtodman]

Hi there Rom,
Have you tried contacting Sirius Domes in Brisbane for pricing? They supply a 3.5M fibreglass dome with optional motorised rotation kit. I purchased the 2.3M dome only from them and found them to be extreemely helpfull. The dome itsself is very well designed and finished. They even assemble and label everything before disassemblimg and shipping.

I expect it won't come cheap though. ~$9,000 for the dome only option and anouther couple of thousand for the motorised rotation kit.

Matt

[BPO]

A couple of days ago it was the 5th of January! They were probably BBQing on a beach somewhere. I'd give them a little more time. :-)