Pulling my Hair out

[KenGee]

Moan mode on.

Last year I bought a GSO RC16 and a EQ8 it was to go into my Sirius dome that was housing a DSI RC10 and G11.

Shortly after I bought it I had to put my plans on hold and even pack up my existing observatory. Work and family issues meant had my put Astronomy on hold.

November last year saw things improve to the point where I could start to plan getting everything up and going again. To top it all off I had a new dark site to house the Observatory a 2 hour drive away.
The plan was to take 2 weeks leave over Christmas spend it at the farm set the Observatory and tune the scope and mount and get it all ready for remote observing. :D

However despite the green flag I had nothing but trouble and have still not got a working observatory. As South Aussies would know the weather over the Christmas break has been very hot high 30's and low 40's the whole two weeks. The wife didn't want to stay at the farm with nothing to do in the heat.
Today was my last day before returning to work to get the Observatory up ready for the mount. 2 hour drive only to find out my friend had to pull out at the last minute and i could lift the dome into place. :mad2:

It will now be another 2 weeks until I can get back to the site with some to left it on.:sadeyes:

I should be fine since Its all been on hold for so long but seeing the scope and mount sitting in the shed is driving me insane.

I've been reading about H0ughy's doghouse sitting in his drive way, I think he is closer then I am.

I'm having a stiff drink and a lie down moan mode in off.

[KenGee]

Oh by the way do you think I should try to clean my Maxdome circuit board? I found a mouse had made a nice little house in the motor box on top of the board. lots of wee and poop.

[rustigsmed]

sounds frustrating Kenny!!!!
as you say even more annoying when its close to happening even if it has been a long time. I've been interested to hear how the RC16 performs on the eq8. fingers crossed it is up and running soon and installation is hassle free!!

Russ

[KenGee]

Photo 1. This is how you put the dome on a Observatory when it just you and your wife.
Photo 2. Here is the 16 on it's EQ* mount, Still with shower cap covers on.

Ready to polar align and fine tune the collimation, but of course after a long hot sunny spell in SA, we have clouds and rain.

The EQ* needs 4 x10kg + 1 x 6 kg weights to balance scope which is right on the limit of this mount so it will be interesting to see how it goes. i intend to use a SBIG AO systems to reduce the need for the mount to guide, but it still requires good PE.

i wonder if GSO are going to start making mounts? Their new 20 inch is going to need a big one.

Hopefully next weekend will be polar alignment and collimation I will post photo's.

[strongmanmike]

Maaate looks bloody awesome!! :eyepop: you look to have a great spot there too. If I lived nearby would have been happy to assist. Although I am sure it won't be all plain sailing, my fingers are crossed that after the long wait and frustrated Christmas period it all comes together for you Kenny :thumbsup:

Mike

[miker]

Love the improvisation Ken. Is that an engine crane with the stabiliser/castor leg things inserted from the back?:eyepop: I use my engine crane for all sorts of things. Never lifted an engine with it.:P

Michael

[KenGee]

Thanks Mike Lets hope so, Soe of the mirror cells have pinched the optics, but i would rather
Hi Miker ys it is an engine crane and I,ve never lifted an engine with mine either, LOL.