New observatory (simple)

[xelasnave]

I have started on a new observatory for the caravan site...
It is similar to the cube..its really two cubes ☺ each 1.2 x 1.2 x 1.2 mtrs.
The frame is overkill in the extreme, good old seasoned to the hardness of steel 2 x 4 (50 x 100mm) hardwood. However I had a stack of it and although difficult to work with it means the cost of the frame will only be bolts and drill bits (I expect to go through a few with this wood).
The frame will be 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.4 half being somewhere for the roll off roof to park.
Finished cutting it just a moment ago.
Still not sure about cladding...corrogated iron or fibrous cement...the cost will determine what goes on to a degree..and the work...iron is more work as the fibros cement should go straight on without cutting ..maybe if my estimates of frame cuts works out.
I have enough thin ply to line it and may build each wall on the ground with cladding insulation and lining ad bolt them all together...sounds easy that way but easy to stuff up if anything is not spot on...
Hopefully I can complete it in a couple of days as I have to return to Sydney...probably drill holes and bolt the frame and putting on cladding will be drill ever hole☺
I still have to move it to the van site which will be fun.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Lucky find...I was worried about using hardwood for the roof but just now found some pine that will do the job ..lots of nails in it but it will be ok...and found some flooring and insulation... its funny how all the materials are appearing...but I think I will take a rest even though its only morning I feel as though I have done a days work...maybe a couple of hours rest and see if I can frame up the roof...or at least get started.
Alex

[leon]

Good stuff Alex and at least it wont fall over with that sort of timber holding it all together, looking forward to seeing it completed mate.

Leon

[xelasnave]

Thanks for the encouragement Leon.
I have spent a restless night as I have realised that when in this observatory the polar camera of Polemaster may not see the SCP and so ran various design ideas such that I went around and around...all that without looking at the scope on the mount...which I will do when the fog lifts...maybe its not a problem but if it is solving it will test me.
Cant convince the owner of the car trailer to go to town for materials...she unreasonably pointed out that she is busy until Monday...Tabby cant supply me so its a trip to Bunnings in Lismore...you should see the list☺ even with all the stuff laying around I find I need iron for the roof, coach bolts, cladding, hinges...cement ..there is more but you get the idea...but that only gives me one day to build it before I go back so that means a huge effort... I am going to build it at the house, shed actually, then take the assembled sections to the van site...But already the simplicity of this approach means anyone can build one this way...I am going to put it in place on chocks (rocks) to get it level and build the floor last which although sounding strange has various advantages.

I have denailed all the pine for the roof and hopefully will build it today..I am breaking the rules here as it is going to be flat...no fall really but to put in the slightest fall adds a great complexity ...its only 9 x 6 foot so I think I can get away with no fall...I mean the water wont sit in a pile in the center will it☺.
You should see this hard wood..the colour is beautiful..a really nice red...
Alex

[xelasnave]

So the roof is all laid out on a flat floor (something hard to get sometimes) but given I have to line up wheels I am wonderinf if to leave it until the bottom is built...anyways more good news...I just scored some cheap but as new black carpet which can either go in the van or in the double cube...and dragged out all the insulation laying around and it looks as if there is enough to cover the walls and the roof...been looking for wheels for the roll off roof on Bunnings site and could not find anything perfect for my particular needs...then it hit me..buy two cheap skate boards from kmart or big w sholud get something under $20 each maybe even $10 and just bolt those wheels to the roof beams...I dont know what the roof weighs but I doubt it would be more than 40 ...say 50...so 4 wheels each side should do it...maybe get 3 skate boards thats 6 wheels aside and that should roll easy.
Have not had time to work on the aspect of seeing the pole from within the box but I suppose if I cant find a solution I could mount the polemaster scope on top of the scopes... I could do it via sharpcap but I do like the polemaster and am determined to get my moneys worth out of it☺.
Its raining here so may give it a rest for a while and think a few things through...Sun started to shine during this edit but I need a rest for at least 30 minutes.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Maybe get 4 skate boards and keep one for relaxation☺ ...no but they are so handy to help move stuff.
ALEX

[Startrek]

Gee Alex you on a mission up there building your Obs
Skateboards are very useful
I had one in the late sixties and used it to put the garbage can out on the front lawn at my parents home ( my weekly chore amongst other things ) Full garbage cans in those days weighed a ton, especially for a skinny kid , skateboard worked a treat

One question, how are the termites up your way ?
They are a bit of a problem for us down the south coast , gotta treat everything

Can’t wait to see the finished product up and running !

[xelasnave]

Termites are abundant. They will eat most everything...books clothes furniture ...anything that is stationary really. Not steel of course.
They will win so no point in thinking you have a chance really...I will make the floor as good as I can to hold them out so they have to come out in the open to get to anything but they will come thru cement ..I may lay some termie mesh if I can find any...maybe sit the box on iron sheet so they have to come out to get to the timber ... I bury pine around the place to monitor if they are near...they dont like movement I think..I had a door that survived for years but when I left that house empty for six months they ate it thru. I should be able to see them arrive and that is the key ... disturb them as much as possible... they can eat the hardwood it could be eaten out and is still very strong ..the pine is a different matter but if they get to it I will fibre glass it and they can eat the lot☺ ... Also there are three different ant nests around the van and ants will have termites for breakfast...but there is so much wood on the ground past the clearing one hopes they may leave me and alone....maybe pour that diesel I drained from the sunken boat on the ground ...I am not sure if that could work.
Anyways being realistic by the time it all falls down I will be in old age care or dead...I can build faster than they can eat☺
Alex

[xelasnave]

Decided not to nail the roof up today as a bit tired and therefore prone to mistakes..but some careful measuring should enable me to nail up the roof...main thing is to think what goes where...and perhaps leave one side un nailed.
I will be alone most of tomorrow so it should get done..just assembling materials is a big job...I could cut up the insulation...paint stuff even ..maybe sand the hardwood..at least clean all the dust and dirt.
Like all jobs the more you do the more that seems to present...I could lay the carpet in the van ... anyways even if I wait till Tuesday to start (which is really the way of it) in ernest there are plenty of things to do..mmm cleaning up the mess I have made so far for example.
I figured I can at least have polemaster on one mount and see the pole by orienting the box North South...on the other mount I may have to mount the polemaster camera on top of the scope...anyways it is not the same problem that kept me awake last night.
Alex

[xelasnave]

So managed to get driven to Lismore with a car trailer.
Purchased everything I need to complete the "double cube" ...I decided to go with fibro for cladding and iron for the roof. I forgot to get a couple of skate boards when at the shopping center but fortunately Bunnings had some nice small cheap wheels that should work fine..they dont say what their limit is so I purchased 16 of them which should give the roof an easy rolling motion...each only has to carry less than five klgs if my guess as to the weight of the roof is close...purchased all the screws drill bits hinges door bolts and even two locks ..one for the "double cube" and one for the gate.
I wanted to get a 240 volt drill cause I have many holes to drill...so I start looking mmm $200 no and finally saw one for fifty..then along side that one in a drab box one for only $21... thats all I want I dont care if it breaks down so long as I get 50 holes done...at the register I ask the guy if it could be any good at that price. .he says its got 12 month warranty so you should be ok but why dont you get the "pack"..what pack I ask...over there. .its got the same drill and an angle grinder and a sander as well and its only $20...so to save a dollar I went with the "pack"☺. Three tools for only $20 how good is that☺
And I got a fibro cutter which hurts cause I know I have one somewhere but heck I need one tomorrow...and some neat clamps which will be so handy working alone.
So tomorrow its just a case of drilling a few holes and putting it all together☺ ..should be finished by lunch time tomorrow..or the next day at least...
May have scored some free paint..apparently it rubs off if you brush against it on normal walls but maybe it will seal the fibro..anyways its free.

Just got to convince someone to deliver everything that I have assembled to the van site early tomorrow..
I did not have time to get all I need for the two new piers but I can start digging the holes if I get everything else completed. ..only need some pvc pipe, star pickets and cement and I dont need a car trailer for that...
Alex

[xelasnave]

Ready for moving to the van site.
I am glad I did not think this thru as its a bigger job that I thought☺
Alex

[xelasnave]

Cladding and iron roof.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Not as much done as I had hoped for but at least transported everything down...materials tools a small genny and established exactly where it is going to sit and made a level area to assemble stuff on...and laid out the first wall with cladding in place ready for drilling and assembly which took a really long time but if it is out if only to a small degree the rest becomes hopeless to get right...just a little thing like the door is a little tricky but all now seems ok..I may go down later tonight to take some star trails thru the trees to confirm I have North South spot on.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I am so glad I did not screw anything yesterday ..the door was in the wrong spot.
I was too tired to get star trails and they are not critical at this point.
My legs feel like they are at melting point but I am not going to let them hold me back ..I can still crawl☺.
Alex

[xelasnave]

And crawl I did today ..what else can you do when you build a wall laying flat on the ground☺.
After many small and most stupid mistakes I have completed the first wall..frame cladding insulation and ply panelling on the inside ...this one is the cruticial one as it sets the squareness and has the doorway...the others should not take long...The hex driver was too small for the large screws so I had to use a socket and ratchet. ..that slowed things down and each hole needed a large hole in one piece of timber and a smaller hole in the other so changing drills slowed me down..still neede butter one the screws to manage the hardwood..butter makes it better☺...admittedly there is still daylight and I have time to do perhaps the remaining walls but to be honest I am spent at the moment so rather than over tax myself I decided to stop.
And I think I can get away with cutting two small trees of only about 100 mm width and perhaps ring bark two others to get a view of the CSP. AND ...more good news..I have scored some paver bricks which I can use for the floor short term and when they settle perhaps cover with a cement skin...but even just the pavers will allow me to lay the plastic timber flooring...and found one of those old fence post hole diggers which I can use to get holes for the piers ..its a most robust unit and very heavy which means it will dig well...may have to buy some star pickets they can be both plentiful and scarce in the bush.
Sorry for no photo of today but I forgot to take my phone on purpose so I would not be interrupted.. .forgot about photos.
The new drill is a little ripper..forward and reverse, variable speed and a depth gauge which was real handy. Runs off the little genny which is a boon as the larger genny is just a little heavy for me to lift into the car.
And I will get to use the angle grinder as I found some chain that I can take a section from so I can padlock the gate...isnt it exciting☺ ...but like most jobs the more you do the more there is to do...
Alex

[xelasnave]

Wall number one with door way.
Alex

[xelasnave]

All walls completed now just have to stand them up and join them.
Alex

[xelasnave]

The paver bricks fell thru so I am going to have to pour concrete which I wanted to avoid to let the ground settle mainly as I dont know how they levelled the dirt..they probably cut down to hard clay to accomodate the water truck and I dont need to worry about the soil compacting... anyways pavers would have been perfect..maybe I can borrow them..I will ask☺.
So started early today and now have all the walls standing upright with a holding screw at each join but still have a few on the bottom to go but its pretty well done...happily my cuts left the top beams (that will be the track for the roof wheels) at the desired separation so all things being equal the roof should go straight on and the wheels not run off the beam...I will add something to guide them of course. ..Given the weight of the roof I am thinking I may have to build it in place either that or build a ramp and drag it up with a block and tackle...which I would have to make cause I lost my block and tackle in the bush a couple of years ago..a huge loss..I have two endless chains but they dont work well unless vertical..at least mine dont..if not vertical they jam and it's near impossible to free them up...I suppose a giant tripod could work but thats not easy for me to put together by myself these days...my legs are burning but I only have another day here so I am going back this afternoon and get all done that I can...I certainly would like to finish the roof.
So here is a photo showing the thing upright.. .the photo shows one wall still on the ground but its up now.
Alex

[Sunfish]

Novel construction with good solid hardwood for the ROR . I like it.

A solid concrete slab with 100mm visible clear to the ground would be better than pavers to keep the white ants and the black ants out. It will float the whole construction , keeping it braced and level so that the top can be open.

Or you will need knee braces in the top corners , which is what the Japanese post and beam kit builders do in every building .

Maybe the roof could be super lightweight like a caravan or composite material, old freezer panels. It will blow away , not blow in.

[xelasnave]

Hi Ray
The pavers will be temporary...two reasons ..I dont know what the ground is like and want it to settle as much as possible and also my cement mixer is at another property and I just wanted to get this finished rather than wait to put down a slab.
The roof will be pine sime because I need to build it in place ..I am not physically very capable with my crook legs and although not old I have been around for 72 years☺
I have spent all morning attaching the wheels..the battery for the hex driver went flat..why I dont know..so I had to hammer to sctews in which took ages..it should have been a 15 minute job.
Here is a photo of the first stage of the roof..two bits of wood with wheels☺
Alex

[xelasnave]

It was not a flat battery the drill that was to carry the hex driver seems dead...I tried it on my astronomy battery and nothing happened other that the wire got hot which may be an indicator that there is something wrong with it☺

So for the shortest day it was a long one for me.
It took a while to square the roof fot the wheels lay the ply and the ply and get the iron just right for coverage but I at least got it all done and will screw the iron down next time up here...still lots of things to do but at least it is almost at lock up stage...better start looking for tenants☺...
Here are so photos taken when I packed up 15 minutes ago.
Alex

[Imme]

Great work Alex. You never cease to amaze mate.

Many in this world could are a leaf out of your book when it comes to your “passion” for things......my hats off to you

[xelasnave]

Thank you Jon for your very kind words. I think there must be plenty of folk just as "passionate" as me...in fact I am sure of that...its just I rattle on a bit you see.

But I do believe one must keep interested in stuff...new stuff particularly...and always realise there are lots of humans on this planet. .more here than any other planet that I know of..and so many different interests they follow and therefore so much new stuff for each of us to learn about.

I am happy to have got the observatory mainly completed...did not take long...although still.a lot of work to do next trip...I just want to get it all working.
Thanks again
Alex

Additional photo...this is looking at the back..I was too lazy to cut the fibrous cement cladding..it only needed to cover the front section so the sides at the rear are un necessary...however it occurred to me that I could add a roof (under the rolling roof) and use it to house the small genny and battery and other stuff and mount the solar panel on the second roof..and if I dug down two feet I could have standing room...but I will see where water flows before I start digging☺.

[Outcast]

Looking good Alex,

May I enquire why you didn't build it with standing height in mind? Not trying to be critical or anything, just curious since you mention perhaps digging down to give you standing room..

Cheers

[xelasnave]

Hi Carlton
You certainly may enquire.
The main game was always the 8 x 4 x 4 "box" to house the scopes. The laziness left me not cutting the sides to that size (remember however everything that seems simple is unfortunately a major effort for me) and as an after though I thought that I could make a little room to house the genny and battery..that sort of thing...it was then I thought to dig down but only for the "shed". Standing straight is somewhat a necessity in my world☺.
The main area is dependant on four foot high walls...and thinking more about it I probably dont need the shed area to be standing room as I can position the genny such that I can get at it from the outside.
And I always welcome critism as often it alerts one to a problem that you have not considered.
Thank you for your interest.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Anyways drove down yesterday so all work has stopped until I return.
Alex

[Outcast]

:thumbsup:

[xelasnave]

Up date.
I figured how to screw down the roof☺ I cant climb up on it...so ...if I do one sheet at a time I can stand on the ground and I think reach everything ...however since I got back it has not stopped raining.
Well there are breaks but I cant get caught with the iron off as I dont want the ply lining to get wet at all...it may not like it☺.
But I have set up in the caravan and have now spent 3 nights in it...first night it got down to 9 degrees which I find cold...I found a cement paver and put it on the gas stove which took the edge off the cold..was careful re ventilation☺.I have not got the fridge stove or lights working but have set up the astronomy gears battery and inverter for basic needs like phone charging lappy charging camera battery and tablet...I have set up my artist easel and paints in the annex and set up a basic work bench ... the bed is great☺ plenty of space in the van and most comfortable...a little water draining into the annex but I will dig a better trench today.
I have managed some star trail snaps to identify trees hiding the CSP... I have cut down two but because of the rain and cloud can not yet tell if there is a limited view of CSP...There may be two other trees which are a little too big for me so if they are in the way I will ring bark them and see if I can get away with that approach... I have dug out my large chain saw but with crook legs its a bit dangerous really...maybe do them with an axe could be safer.
I have been agonizing as to what to do for a floor...First I was going to do a slab..then I thought to make up 2ft square pavers but thinking things through I think I should lift the thing and make up a frame to hold a thick ply floor.. I have nice cut trees close for two tripods and two endless chains if I need to lift it but I can probably just roll it onto the floor when its built...that option has the advantage of being able to react better to the ground settling more..but also I read from a chap who had built a couple of observatories his preference for a framed floor over cement because of the cements propensity to gather and hold heat...and I can see that cement may not be the best option...anyways hopefully my next report is that the roof is completed...today I am going to see if I have enough 2x3 for the floor...maybe Monday pick up some ply...slowly slowly but I am getting there..once I would have this done in a weekend but the legs really slow things up somehow.
And thinking about electricity in the van..I think I will not even try to use the existing wiring... I can track from the solar panels to the regulator to the battery so I think I wont bother with the existing 240 circuit and just hang an inverter near the regulator with a four point power board...its an old van and I dont trust the condition of the 240 vlt wiring...and I am going to use 10 lt water bottles to supply drinking water and not worry about using the existing water tank in the van..who knows what could be in it☺ but I will stick a $50 bilge pump at the dam to bring up water for washing and bathing and maybe a vegie patch.
And unrelated..there is a car rally going past here on 20 th so wont that be fun for some photos☺.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Thinking about the floor some more..I will build the frame inside the structure and trim the ply floor to fit..that means I will have to be real careful and exact but lifting the thing is a lot of work which ever way you look at it.. there is opportunity for gaps but hopefully they will be small enough to be hidden with some board.
But the rain is getting worse ... but on the positive having time to think about things is a big help and probably means I am actually saving time..at least I have not spent the day errecting two tripods and two sets of endless chain. But I cant get out even to measure and cut the frame as I have to have the roof off just for that...maybe I could crawl around but again I camt uncover my wood pile with this rain.
And worst of all when it does stop photos will probably be out cause it will be real dewy.
Probably have to run the genny for a battery charge.
Also I found some excellent bracket material to weather proof the external corners..a big score as I thought I would have to buy something and out here its not only the expence you want to avoid but getting it home.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Measured for the frame so off to the wood pile.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Frame cut and delivered to site and just in time as it started to rain...just got the iron back on in time having taken it off (all but one sheet) to do the screwing this afternoon. ...anyways another small forward step.
Alex

[xelasnave]

It's funny how what seemed a simple project gets more complex as you get into it...it is like it's finished but not a third of the way done,...this floor is becoming a difficult job.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Got the ply and black floor paint (for top of and bottom of floor) ...forgot the screws but they can come later.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I have been lucky this morning as the sky was clear enough to take some star trails and narrow down the trees in the way of the CSP so another step forward.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I was so tired today but I managed to screw down the iron roof at last ...borrowed a step ladder which gave access to all the roof without actually climbing on it but for me it was like climbing My Everest...up and down each two screws ....but I am so happy it's done and only two screws missed the beam which I can sort out ..Add a little section of beam just for them.
Also the ply for the floor was brought down so I will be able to complete the floor over the next couple of days ... Well get it mostly done.

Trimmed the excess ply lining and a few over hangs. There are a lot of little things to get it all right...bit out of square which oncewould have me burning the lot but I have overcome such obsession with perfection...it works and on the whole does not look too bad...anyways the next one will be perfect this one is a proto type...thats how I can accept little flaws.

The timber I fixed to the roof to stop it going off track failed but it moves ok until I add something more.

So it's a clear day looks as though it will be a clear night so I will set up the heq5 on it's tripod to get an idea how high to have the pier but I doubt if I will get any photos as I think I need an early night....but I have lit my pile of wood in the fire pit to see how that effects dew in the clearing...Anyways it will be nice to sit by it and just look at the Milky Way and relax.
May do some toast..there is nothing like toast on an open fire.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Damn it...initial observations tell me that the eight inch won't work in this set up as the thing is not wide enough...the cube in Sydney was oriented with the diagonal lined up North South which gives room for the eight..I just did not think it through...So the options seem to be..leave the eight out and bring up the cube for it up here, or rotate the whole thing 90 degrees which although seemingly impossible can be done with rollers and rails...or partly dismantle it and widen it .... Anyways the 80 mm should fit although I will set it up another night too tired too disheartened at the moment..before I do anything I will bring the eight up and set the eight up and see just what I am working with....Great night here and doing some widefield but the dew is as expected very heavy and I don't think the fire will help...also more trees need to come down as I can't see the Southern cross which is a surprise..I love surprises...yes I love surprises and problems as they can only help build ones character.
It feels better writing it down for some reason.
Look at everything that has gone right and don't let the minor set backs ruin your day...beats talking to myself...arrrrrggghhh
Alex

[dikman]

Alex, when you're making things up as you go these minor setbacks are inevitable (I have a lot of experience with this :D).


Just sit back by your fire, enjoy the quiet country surrounds, savour the night sky and think how many of us would love to be there.


It's good for the soul.

[xelasnave]

Thank you.
Its been a good night so far.
Managed some shots although with great difficulty...the dew shield I found seems to be working...but that fire sure took some wood..just spent half and hour dragging more in under moonlight... this cold no worry with snakes.
I wont let minor set backs destroy my day rather night.
I will give it another hour and have an early night.
Alex

[dikman]

Just a thought re- your fire - have you thought about trying to find an old pot belly stove or slow combustion heater to use outside? That way you could have a fire but not go through tons of wood.:)

[xelasnave]

I have tons of wood that I want to get rid of its just hard work moving it...part of Bush fire prevention strategy. I like to watch the firs and coals as well.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Been occupied building a flash desk for my daughter in exchange for some help with my project.
Fashioned some wood attachments to guide the roof..the timber I had was always a bit of a worry cause it had to miss some bolts..I will have to take them out and counter sink them which is what I should have done in the first place so was at Bunnings at 6-30 am and got me the appropriate drill bit plus some heavy plastic to go under the floor.

Tomorrow I will make a template out of one eight ply to use to cut the 19 mm stuff as it needs to be tight but not so tight that it gets stuff lowering it in...still have to paint the floor.

Too tired to take photos which is a shame as it is very clear but not being able to use pole master yet I want to avoid the frustration and divert my energy just to building..I can't manage working hard all day cook etc and stay up all night...

Got my hands on a small wheel barrow so I can add clay in the annex area and level it off...So much to do.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Counter sunk bolts so brackets pass cleanly, made template out of one eight inch ply will cut floor hopefully in one section tomorrow made 15 legs for daughters desk..good day.
Alex

[Startrek]

Alex
Enjoying your posts, great reading
At least when your Obs is finished you won’t have to worry to much about wind
It’s been blowing its head off down the south coast here for days
I must be crazy I’m out imaging in 25 to 35 km/hr winds plus an 80%waxing moon overhead
I don’t have the space in my yard to fit a Pod or a ROR Obs , just gotta fight the wind with my 8” windsock
Good luck with it !!

[xelasnave]

Hi Martin

Adversity breeds excellence and drive inventiveness.

Would not "the cube" (there is a thread below) solve your space issues..It's only four foot square foot print and the lid opens with curtains to provide a nice wind break (and additional light shielding).

The wind is bad up here (at the house) but my spot here by the dam is relatively protected from the wind...I don't think being lower is all that bad because the previous future observatory sites were exposed to the wind and worse to lightning which apparently hits the hill top of here and the neighbours property much to frequently for my comfort ( I have a fear of lightning because I was hit thru the phone line once and so as they say once bitten twice shy) fortunately it seems a good choice here.

But it is cold in the van at night, not that it's a worry whilst in bed but when I got up ( 5-38 am) it was 4 degrees and my only solution is a pavers brick heated on my small stove...I put it on 30 minutes ago with a very small flame and already it is a balmy mmm I expected more but it is now 3 degrees but right now the Sun is starting thru the window...but I don't feel the cool at all in my legs and rugged up it's ok up top.

SO my short list is to paint and refit guide brackets, drill thru template (rather that cutting it all to shape) to provide points to transcribe the outline of the floor...Make a bench out of hardwood so I don't have to crawl around the ground to mark out the floor, do the cutting and painting and even drilling for the fastening points...I planed it last night and its a case of necessary preparation and it will be handy for all sorts of things...then on the bench cut the floor, paint it two coats black although wgen it is down I have some imitation floor boarding to put on it..it will look nice but will add to the insulation aspect cause I will put insulation between the top "flooring" and the bottom ply...paint is mainly..well exclusively to protect the floor really when I think about it..damn any colour would have done...anyways it is what it is...and I think I will rotate the whole lot 45 degrees as that is the orientation of the cube in Sydney and the eight works in that set up..it does not reach low stuff but I want only stuff near above for quality..If I want M31 I need to take a set up up the hill near the house ....Rotating the box is not that hard I think if you only expect an inch at a time approach..I was concerned because I did not have that much water pipe for rollers but I spotted some that I need to "borrow" and cut into one foot lengths:D...Anyways it dawned on me at 3 am I can use some saplings ..may need more than pipe cause the bark will crush you would think adding to friction...still should work either way...when in a permanent position I am changing the door..there is a beam which means one has to bend down to fit thru something less than four feet high..but cutting that beam will reduce the stability of that wall..however once in place I can add some beams running out at 45 degrees and anchored so removing the beam opens the doorway to straight thru upright access..A lot of effort admittedly but for me it is almost a safety issue as bending puts me way off balance ..and I don't want to fall over with an eight inch in my arms...then when in place and before fastening the floor I will dig the holes to take the piers...only half a meter square say say e depth but with star pickets driven as deep as they will go (Frankie pileing) ...add some sewer pc pipe...and for the brackets for the mount I am going to try something I have never done but should work..Make a resin fitting using those stainless steel scouring pads as reinforcement rather than fibre glass...I think although resin the stainless steel approach should make it pretty rigid...anyway they will be on bolts so if replacement is needed it will not be a big deal...plus I have this trick for resin things...I add black tile grout for colouring and it looks great..easy and cheap..like some folk like their woman...but not me..easy and cheap is for material things only;).
THEN OR DURING... I have stuff for the exterior corners and perhaps a fear batten both interior and exterior to hold down the cladding and the lining... maybe some power points and turn the back section into a shed to house the little granny and batteries..put some so.ar panels on the roof...maybe a auto garage door set up so I can open it with a remote...It's easy to move but I guess with ASIAIR and all I could just close shop from inside the nice relatively warm van...now up to ...3.5 degrees...maybe the thermometer is wrong it does not feel cold at all....????... Anyways the Sun is really coming in now so I will have another cuppa and some vitimans and Apple and some bacon from last night and get to work...a good thing with it being so cold which would be colder than most frige no freezer section is I can leave cooked meat out..so I made breakfast last night..

Anyways I have a great fridge in Sydney which the batteries in this van will run easy as...
Cooling for summer is what I am working on..might have to go for air con via a granny to cover the worst of it..some fans from acool box under and a roof to go over the van and annex...

BUT as you can see it's almost done.

Alex

[xelasnave]

Nearly done but going to Tabby market for some lunch.
Alex

[xelasnave]

The bench and laying out the floor is all I managed today but thats ok still making progress.
Alex

[alan meehan]

Looks really good alex, love you story as well ,I have a timber floor in my
garden observatory and its great under your feet much better than concrete
ALAN

[xelasnave]

Thanks Alan and I was just now thinking what a wonderful thing my little blue genny is for without it using all this hardwood and doing everything with hand tools probably would make the project near impossible... for me.

Wow it is cold in this van ...-1 at 6 am so I went outside expecting dew rather ice on the car but nothing and that is a worry.
The wind is drying out the place which we really dont want cause burning off wont be possible...at least the way I do it...lite up late afternoon so the dew puts the fire out or at least makes it controlable and I do so want to do a burn around the van.
Layed awake trying to figure out the best spot for the pier for the eight because that figures in how to lay out the floor.
Dead center of its four foot square probably is not best...but I cant resolve it with imagination as much as I try ..cause usually I can "see" things in my head as good as on paper..I am sure dead center is not the best place... I was going to bring it and the eq6 this trip but changed my mind at the last minute thinking I would not have time to set it up, which is correct as I dont have the time or rather the energy after working all day (sure I have rests but they are rests so a break does not see me doing things with that spare time)...but it would be great to put it in place and find the best spot...sure I can move the box around next trip but I need to work this out now as I am ready to start fixing the floor in place...maybe I will try getting an idea using the heq5 with something like a stick in plzce of the eight to get a better idea...anyways going to Lismore today for provisions with the girls ...my daughter and my friend her mother☺.
Another issue is planting grass for the van area to stop dust but then there will be grass to mow ...
Heck the wind is picking up.
I was tempted to lite to fire last night ...so glad that I did not...nearly forgot my golden rule, which I did remember, dont lite up if there is wind and or no dew...
Anyways I will have another cuppa and move the mount around and determine if I need anything from Bunnings...And when at Bunnings uying stuff for my daughters flash desk one of the guys out the back gave me 15 lengths of 70mm square pine which I used for the legs...they had minor flaws that when dressed really gave them character...saved a bundle...I am such a lucky man the way folk give me stuff when I need it...look at this van..the site preparation was free the van was free most of the materials came to me free, my labour was free... I often think that karma does happen...as it seems to work for me...
Alex

[xelasnave]

If anyone can help...what is the radius on an old eq6 from the polar axis to the puck...if I know that I can make up a template replicating the space and travel for the eight inch.
Alex

Problem solved..pier will be 7.33 inches closer to center of box and 1.5 to one side..also the bottom of the scope could extend out yhe door just a little☺...fantastic.
And for the door I can cut out the top beam and place a beam about a foot above the ground which I will have to step over but thats better than getting thru the current small doorway.
Alex

Cant start work until the ice melts☺
Alex

So decided not to wait for the ice to melt and decided to start the genny and drill me some holes. Damn thing would not start, so gave it a rest and tried again, still no go, a few more then went thru the routine...turn economy mode off..check...make sure cap is loose cause the air vent does not work..check...leave it in the Sun to warm up..have another cuppa...check the oil..it has an auto cut out if the oil is low...no go..no spark plug spanner here and to early to go to the house...another cuppa...went back..damn it I had not switched it on..switch on started first pull...but whilst waiting I realised everything was wrong...it was a mirror reverse ...the template needed turning over...so it was lucky the genny did not start as everything would have been wrong☺.
Anyways one third thru now and so far all looks good...so far.
Alex

And a word of warning...tie your beard up..I could not figure these little "hits" I was getting around my face but then I saw some wiskers sticking out of the cooling fan in the drill...lucky I realised and now stop doing a close up inspection whilst drilling.
Alex

Somehow I managed to assemble this section outside in one piece and drag it thru the tiny door but happily due to many checks and thinking things thru it sat perfectly in place...I wont fasten it to the exterior until all the frame is in so I can make sure everything is one the same level...I hate it when you lay a panel type floor and a bearer is too high and although you nail it down so no one can tell always deep down you know that underneath is not percect and you just cant live with that.
Anyways I may knock off now and go work on the desk for my daughter.
And let me tell you about my trick with the not functional fridge..I pit stuff in there and will always use kt as a pantry..I dont like the idea of gas as things can go wrong...I will bring up my neat 12 volt Aldi fridge in time...last night I cooked some loverly sausages and had half for dinner...the other half I planned to have tonight...so last night U left the fridge door open and as it gets to freezing in the van (1 degree at 6 am or thereabouts and ice on the timber outside) everything was pretty cool ...so put the left over sausages in the fridge which even now is at 5 degrees ...low enough for cooked meat.
But as I have said the more you do the more things pop up in the finishing dept and that does not include painting which even for this small unit is a bit of work.

And I worked out how to rotate it...should work...I will get pipe and place them at the top of an inclinded hardwood plank so when the box is leveled up to sit on the last piece of pipe the thing will want to run down hill turning as it goes...It will be ontetesting to see if it rotates with no effort other yhan lifting it with a lever...thinking it thru I cant see how it wont work.
Alex

She was too tired too work so I came back had a short nap and completed the other frame sections but was too tired to put them in so I will do that in the morning afyer the Moon thing.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Just as I thought it went below the trees just at the right moment..still its pretty warm..a toasty 2 degrees☺
Now do I wait for Sunrise or have a nap.

Edit at end of the day----

So as not to appear at the top of this section and give someone else a go... I record here what happened today...I did not have a nap but did a few things in the van to keep warm... checked the 12 volt on the fridge..does not work so it will remain a pantry☺...added the cooking fat from the sausages to my near run up scented candle to get more mileage and now the van smells like mango sausages are cooking☺...but finally when the Sun came up I got stuck into putting the floor in place ..making sure it was level...which was not easy cause the whole thing is not level so I had to use a tricky time consuming method to get it right...but its all nailed in..hopefully tomorrow I can cut the 19 mm ply floor ( it has to go around the internal support beams) which is why I have a thin ply template...

if I can do it by myself I want to rotate the lot 90 degrees...and if I can dig the holes for the piers...but if I just get the floor cut and dropped in place I will be happy.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Progress has been slow.

Getting the floor template done in one eight of an inch ply (whats that 3mm??) took some doing and it was getting stuck when checking it which told me that when I tried to put in the 19 mm ply floor in one piece it was not likely to work and probably ran the risk of getting stuck ..so I cut the template down the middle lengthways (2.4 mt.) which made things so much easier and the spin off was I could see where the bearers were which will be so helpful later when fastening the floor and I was able cut the holes for the piers much easier and by using the template make sure they were where they are supposed to be...
So when the templates (now 2☺) were ok I cut out the main sheet...I had bought a cordless saw which would have made the job easy but it had issues so I had to use a jig saw..rather tedious..I think I would have cut 5 meters all up with the jig saw..down the length, and the holes for the piers were half a meter square and then all the intrustions of the internal frames...it took ages.

Have yet to paint it...
Had to do do more things to the frame for the floor and talk about disaster..I used nails and of course with hardwood you must drill...well the drill was a touch too large and the nails would slide out under reasonable pressure..of course nothing should have moved but it did and ...anyways next time I will wait until I have the correct drill...to make matters worse I discovered I had a box of screws that world have been better...but its done and looks good and the floor seems level..although the whole thing was not level so I had the construct the floor not level it will be level when I put it all on piers...

So that was the easy part.
Rotating the thing was on the list today..yesterday I rounded up some water pipe to make rollers...early start ..clamp the first pipe on the bench start the genny and the angle grinder runs but causes the genny to stop...so I put the angle grinder down on the ground without switching it off��...big mistake..I restart the genny and the angle grinder churns up dust and takes off straight over my foot and ripped my new boots..I reacted quickly and stopped the genny and thought just how nasty that could have turned out...so I loaded up the pipe and took it up to the house and cut about eight sections of pipe...back to the van site ....so by jacking up the obser atory (with a crow bar) and putting lengths of hardwood and pipe on each corner and levering it a bit here and a bit there I finally managed to rotate the whole thing by 90 degrees. To look at the thing you would have bet it would not go anywhere...but I knew it had to else the eight inch would not work in it...
But by the time I got all that done it was dark ..I just finished and came in for a rest so I thought I would use the rest time to update my progress if anyone is interested.
Tomorrow there is a car rally going past the front of the property but I cant find a good spot for photos..you must stay on your property so that limits me to a long straight and I cant go to the magic corner just up the road from here which would see them in full slides...anyways I brought down the iron for the edges but not sure if I can cut it with the miserable hack saw I have...hopefully I will get some painting down but thinking about that. .. the rally may see dust reaching me here although I am a fair way from the road...anyways I still have plenty to do but having the rotation done means down hill now...oh I do have to dig the pier holes which for me may be a long job ...then the cement but its nearly finished.
Alex

[dikman]

You were bloody lucky that angle grinder didn't take your toes off!!!


Dust? I thought it had been raining there.:lol:

[xelasnave]

Yes very lucky the angle grinder could have been damaged☺. And the boots were only those $6 ugh knock offs..I cant wear anything else because my feet burn ..they are all I can tolerate for a while...so cheap and thin so you are right...

It stopped raining days ago..maybe a week..I have lost track of time... but certainly its been fine for a while and windy most days so things have dried out. I gathered some clay the grader left at the side of the drive ( he used my drive to turn in and left great clay) and I had to use the pick the break it free...I am going to use it for some pottery ideas I have and I have already started refining it...looks great and cheaper than the art shop.
Its a great night here clear no dew but I am so tired I cant be bothered to even do some widefield... I am going to watch some history docs and get an early night so I can start early to morrow.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Some photos to add to yesterdays post.
Alex

[xelasnave]

So far the rally cars are disappointing ..I recon some of the locals go down the road faster...hang on one just went by sounding more like I expected..he did not slow down for a hump whereas all the others did..so far.
They are pretty quiet.
Alex

Anyways got one side of the floor painted.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I am back in Sydney so progress will be seemingly halted...but not so...I need an inverter and circuit board for the van...and I need to round up stuff to take up..I was going to cut up the cube to provide a box for a widefield set up this time down but maybe I will just concentrate on the main box.

I did start painting the lining black...the paint for the floor is water based so when I washed the brush I use that solution for the ply paneling...rather nice effect...and that way nothing wasted...I hate waste...
Alex

[xelasnave]

Today's progress.

A monumental achievement for me...just now finished in the dark. I left it until dark cause I did not want the neighbours to think I was crazy.

In the cube I built a cement pier which I thought if I can get it out of there and somehow lift it over the balcony and throw it over and somehow lift it into the car that will be one less pier to build up North...I forgot that I had not only bolted it down but put it on wet concrete when I put it in...so when I removed the nuts it still would not move.

Fortunately only this morning I found a couple of steel wedges that I forgot that I had and so hammered these and got it separated from the patio.. I was then able to drag it to the other end of the patio where I figured I could probably lift it over and drop it one storey on some plants that would cushion the fall...but I could not lift it and safely drop it as given its weight it was probable it could bounce and damage something...it had so much steel in it I was not worried that it would be damaged but bouncing could have it hit something or cartwheel down the drive even being square that was a concern....so I fashioned a ramp and attached two ropes to the pier to drag it up the ramp..when at the top of the ramp I tied it off with only a foot between where they were tied off and the top of the rail...edged it off the ramp and balanced it on the rail and edged it over holding on so if fell slower..only a foot..enough to not rip the rail out..the rail took it that way and then by easing off on one rope and then the other I was able to slowly and safely lower it to the ground...

I am so happy and hope the ramp idea enables me to get it into the car..I don't know how I will get it out when I get it up North but maybe a couple of ropes up some trees and a little winch (turffer) I picked up at Lismore car boot markets for $15 will justify such a huge investment.

If I remember in the morning I will get some photos but it sure would have been great to have recorded the event on video.

Also I managed to get the EQ6 down the stairs without it being in a box..in a box I can slide things slowly but I managed to sling it under one arm and use the other to hold the rail...it was slow and painful but I did it... for me this was also a big event.

I can't believe I managed to do it all with relative ease.


Alex

Photos.
Alex

I got it into the car but I nearly died..I have been hours trying to recover...but it's in ready to go.
Alex

All loaded ready for the next step..cutting some trees...I have cut down a few..enough to realise it's really a big deal..and I know how to drop them but still dropped three iron barks in the dam...so also loaded is heaps of rope so the newly acquired van does not fall victim.
Alex

[Startrek]

Alex
I really enjoy reading your progress and understanding how you achieve little milestones which ultimately result in hopefully a rewarding completion to your project
I must have missed it but did say your Obs is big enough for your 8” f5 ?
Hopefully it is so you can maybe chase after some of the dimmer DSO’s

Good luck and enjoy your the fruits of your labour’s when it’s finished , hopefully with plenty are clear dark skies

Cheers

[AndyG]

Thanks Alex for sharing. I'm following your epic journey with great enthusiasm. Much like a ongoing Phantom comic in the newspaper, except your adventure actually has a goal, purpose and I believe, a resolution!

Speaking of home observatories, mine is bigger than yours, but infinately less effective. We are in the process of getting a new roof on our house. There is currently no roof present above us tonight.

Naturally, an opportunity to observe was taken from the comfort of indoors... In this case, Jupiter :p

[xelasnave]

Thanks Martin
I write here to put some pressure on myself as I see the date of the last entry and usually things I have listed to do. And I look at the photos sometimes to remember what I have been through.

The observatory will take both the heq 5 with the 80mm and also the eq 6 with the eight inch. ..the reason I had to rotate the thing was so the eight would have room to move.

I have just now walked into the van after 10 hours on the road..in the car is the cement pier and mounting stuff for the eq6 and indeed the eq6, I forgot how heavy it was...its big...as well as the eight inch and lots of stuff such that the car as packed with only room left for a driver...the night here is perfect but I am too tired to set up...moving that cement mount and getting it in the car really knocked me about...well it was not the only thing as packing to a real long time..I am bit sore and very tired.

Now how to get the cement pier out of the car??? That will keep me awake��
Alex



Thanks Andy.
Look leave the roof off and install a big tarp that you can move as required:)

I could not help myself I went out and arranged some tools and looked at things that will help get the cement pier out. I have some nice logs ( don't know what they are but looked like hardwood and is as light as softwood) which I could rig as a tripod which could work...maybe later tonight:P
I am so tired but after a cuppa and a rest I feel ready to go but I know it's best if I try and sleep... and maybe get up around 3 and try M31 with the Nikon and a 200 mm lens..Being out there just now I realised I have a good North view . ...usually North is of no interest.
Alex

What I did manage to bring was my ALDI camper type fridge which means I can get a couple of roasts to do over the fire pit...there is nothing like a nice leg of lamb slowly cooked over a smoky fire...four or five hours. .. so I can do that and able to keep it after cooked.
Alex

Couldn't get up for M31 but there is cloud here now so probably didn't miss a thing.
Been up since 6-30 am and set up most stuff for more work. Have to clear the car out so I can see if I can get the pier out..well I will get it out somehow but I don't want to knock myself out like when I put it in.

Just setting up here is a task. Set up the solar panels and battery for the astronomy side, but have to do some major rewiring in the van..I want to bypass what is there and know what is running about the place. I purchased another inverter to run the van so as to keep the van and the observatory separate systems.

The to-do list is growing but last night I found a list that I was working from and heck I sure have made some progress.

It does not always feel that way cause you tend to think about what still needs to be done but I do like looking over those lists to realise it is actually moving forward..

I have decided to use the clay for a rather unique chess set and rather than make pieces the same will make everything a individual piece which relieves pressure to copy pieces exact...how to fit it in however.
Alex

Easy as...came out in no time (I didn't time it but maybe only ten minutes) a little planning goes a long way. Really didn't need the turfer but the ramp was critical...

And the other pic is what goes on top of the pier to hold the eq6..it houses the top of the tripod which enabled me to keep it simple..done years ago...but newly painted:)
Alex

[dikman]

You're doing well, mate. When I read your earlier post about moving the pier I immediately visualised the ancient Egyptians building the Pyramids by hauling big blocks with ropes etc (unless you believe aliens built them).


Reminds me of when I bought a large anvil (280 lbs) and had to get it out of the car! Biggest problem was the boot had a high lip on it!!


Sitting around a fire, roasting some meat (baked potatoes in the ashes, maybe?) and a beer - couldn't ask for much more, I reckon.:thumbsup:

[xelasnave]

Oh how I would love a 280 lb anvil.

Thanks for your encouragement Richard.

As to veggies.. potato,sweet potatoes pumpkin..all great for baking.. but in a conventional baking dish...I do use a camp over but usually just for bread or pizza.

Beer rarely if not at all...but I have been getting whiskey to forget the legs sometimes but a bottle only last two days...well not two days but 24 hours starting at 8 pm it is gone by 8 pm the next day..but I find it dulls my legs ... but not being allowed to drive means I rarely use it...been thinking of making my own..just for fun..

I don't seem to get drunk just slower and more careful cause I know my ability is different.

Thanks for your post as it is so nice to have a rest and find a comment..Anyways back to work.
I have decided to take the tree down like in the Lord of the Rings, well not entirely but pull it down rather than cut it..I reckon if I dig a hole in the direction it is to fall, add water, tie some ropes under tension it will eventually fall over. Anyways that has started, about two hours ago...so any month now.

Alex

Little progress on the observatory as spent all my time sorting the van and the electrics and trying to climb over the accumulating stuff. At least the car is unpacked now.
Alex

Not a roast but just cooking sausages and carrots on a star picket. Late edit rather than new post so someone else is on top...the sausages were great but the carrots were excellent ..tasty as perhaps the best I have ever tasted as the fat from the sausages ran down and gave then a unique flavour...I spent time today leveling the thing and working out footings and fixed the turffer which was playing up... I am going to do some beef jerkyover the fire tomorrow if I can fit that in.
Alex

Cut down four trees and taking an exposure now to see how many more so I can see csp
Alex

Not much happening as I have been getting a little astronomy in ...also one night up to 3-30 am processing:P so I have been exhausted during the day really. Today I spent time squaring the thing up and adding additional screws in various places. I cut some planks to add to the exterior for additional strength and measured for the corner iron sections but my bargain Aldi Genny would not run the angle grinder..just now..there are three gennies at the house that will do the job as I have used the angle grinder on them and they worked ok. I played at digging starting the holes for the piers but frankly I could not go on so came in to cook a meal as I forgot to eat today.
It's like when you get a house to lock up stage..it looks complete but actually that is when the work really starts.
I am going to bring down the old 1100 amp hour 12 vlt batteries from the house having gained experience and confidence as to moving heavy stuff using ropes and that neat little $15 turffer. The batteries are on their last legs but I expect I can get a usable 50 amps out of them which should run the fridge..anyways those at the house will be happy to get them away from the house as folk have been telling them stories about old batteries blowing up and they feel they are dangerous.
Sorry there is not more to report and I suppose from now on it will be just small things like painting adding a better door maybe a motorised roof...And building the pier for the 80 mm might be fun if I can't get a welder and have to make the connector fitting in fibre glass..well not fibre glass but resin and stainless steel dish washers...
Alex

[astronobob]

Going great guns, Alex, wont be long until the night of 1st light within, tho it may seem forever, it is a real exciting time - then on its easy sailing ! !
Looking on with interests.

[xelasnave]

OK...back to work.
This morning at day break I got back into it..
Rounding stuff up last night I decided to paint all the exposed pine that I had to use...had to only because it was available and I had no similar hardwood..after using hardwood pine seems so pathetic...still doing the roof in hardwood ?..a real challenge.
So the painting that I planned is complefe plus two new canvassesfor some recreational acrylic pour art work later...plus one that I had to start over..

Now I have to go around and add fastnings where needed, a tedious job but necessary now the thing is in place..and I want to at least start the holes for each of the pier footings don't need to dig much but it will for me be rather painful...maybe I should have bought a bottle of booze for this part...but what do you do..they won't dig themselves...I have worked out the pier for the heq5 in detail and although as simple as I can come up with effectively requires a ply mold for the cement which although that will take some effort after it is completethings should go rather quickly...I hope ..Anyways that's my rest period done..another hour of work and then something to eat if I remember.

And I came back to find two swallows have made a nest over the light fitting in the annex ..I had taken the glasscover off for transporting the van now I can't put it back cause they are there...but neat company..they sat close by all this morning and although I know they were only concerned it was nice to have a living creature nearby..even the ants seemed to be gathering around the work bench and getting in the way but I didn't step on any.
I must give them names later.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I have not been well so I have not done one tenth of the things I had planned this trip.
However..designed the pier and assembled the materials which I will take back to Sydney and build most of it there.
Dug the holes for both piers and although they could be deeper think they will do after all I work with short focal lengths .. highest, the eight inch, is only 1000mm and with pole master now finding a tiny window thru the trees I can call the holes dug...I have still to drive in the star pickets and still have to cut another four..so getting very close.

Over the last couple of days I have cleaned up the annex which was a junk pile to look at assembled a set of shelves installed two small tables and removed stuff that is no longer needed..petrol chain saw various tools all the art gear...so it looks great and is functional to do small jobs.

Also went and got the fire pump that supplied the house dam water which I un necessarily replaced thinking it did not pump..it did... so the payoff is I now have a dedicated fire pump...needed inlet hoses and fire fighting hose and today put it in position fitted everything, what a job, one of those things that should be real simple but it took me a couple of hours..and it was so hot..a big bonus was I was separated from the dam by a barb wire fence but I had to cut away a section to position the pump so now I can walk down to the dam and cool my feet..there is a little jetty that needs some work but I t will be really nice to sit on late afternoon...I just now finished the fire pump set up filled it with petrol but was too tired to pull the starter..I have to be careful doing that because of the back ..so I have poured some petrol into the air cleaner and after I feel rested will give it three pulls..if it starts I will happy and will soak the place cause there are fires to my West and there is a Westerly wind blowing..two firesI think..lots of smoke..but if it does not start I am finished for the day...maybe when I know whats going on with the fires I will become more motivated but now I am dead beat..
My big problem is this van needs air conditioning and I need something under 2000 watts else I will have to bring in the 5 kva and it's a thirsty unit plus not sine wave..probably just need to forget about it really..just now put in a 240 volt fan and painted all the exposed windows white which helps but it was still 35 degrees...don't want to get heat stroke again ...so cooling is a difficult problem for me...I have some ideas but they will have to wait for my next attack on the to do list.
Alex

8 pulls ...did not start damn it..now I will be on a mission until I get it to go...I wish I finished earlier now I will be removing the spark plug in the dark..And I certainly hope it's not the carby..could be dirt in the main jet as it's been sitting idle for a while crud accumulates and before you know it..I will do a couple more pulls later but I will find a spark plug spanner to see what the plug has to tell me after that ..the plug will tell me what's wrong...but I really need to work out how to put on an electric starter this cord nonsense is uncivilized...anyways done that sort of thing before..its just another thing for the todo list. Still so hot.
Alex

Here is a snap of the object of my attention.
Alex

[dikman]

That jetty looks.......interesting.:lol:

[xelasnave]

It does require some repair for sure but I can imagine a deck chair late afternoon drinking an iced tea and hopefully watching wild life come in for a drink. The dam has some ducks but they fly away as soon as they see me but maybe in time I can feed them and have them hang around.

Great day.

Fixed the house/dam pump and stocked all the appropriate water tanks.

Fitted the extention to the fire pump at the dam and report it works and the van site is well covered...even was able to wash the car.

Mostly so happy that the old house was not destroyed.

And the wind the has eased so may be they can get on top of it.
Alex

[Startrek]

Sounds like a very beautiful, peaceful and tranquil area you have I there Alex
It must be a pleasure to build your Obs in such a great place
Take your time , it will make completing it and using it much more memorable , remember the story of the tortoise and the hare ( slow and steady wins the race )
Really enjoying reading your progress
Martin

[xelasnave]

Thanks Martin..I don't buy that tortoise and the hare story at best it's heresay and at worst it is a fabrication by those who would control us to educate us to accept less and think we can win with inferior tools when clearly a much more proactive approach is called for.

Although I certainly think there is some merit in the Chicken Little fable when considering the climate change players as I am convinced although the sky may be indeed falling there are no doubt many foxes shouting the warning and certainly the NP lobby has billions of reasons to shout the loudest...personally I would only listen to the solar power supporting foxes.

We think we have so much time but that is an illusion...I fully expected to have this observatory finished in six weeks with an absence in Sydney in there and just look how long it has been...but I have been working so hard...each post on iceinspace is a rest period...And look at how many...so I have been working all that in between...excluding a couple of hours painting...And taking photos and driving.

Then little things like these Bush fires and sickness all takes away the little time you have.

Anyways a big day today I have to go to the bank, and do a materials and food shop but I hope to get something done...I must get at least one thing done or I see the day as wasted.
Got to go rest period over.
Alex

[JohnF]

Alex ned time a storm comes through and knock down trees, you will be able to find hardwood if you do have a chainsaw. Lost muffler on mine, but it should turn up. Son gave it to me missing the Muffler bolts, who my son moved out of home. Recently purchased a ALI Whipper Snipper/Brush cutter with a Pole saw attachment, Cuts through 5 inch limbs -- dead sally wattle, haven't tried bigger yet.



Saw a 140 Amp older for only $30 about a week ago. Was tempted myself, but think I want more power. A year ago sold my 230 AMP Tradesman Welder -- took up too much room.



Have made myself an Anvil at TAFE a 12 years ago from a section of Railway track, which they supplied to the whole class -- enrolled in a full-time Welding course my son was doing to help make up the numbers. If not enough students they can cancel the Class. My son was doing that class.

Certainly not as good as a big commercial anvil, but better than nothing.

As far as dropping a tree. We had a Sally wattle that threatened to fall on an old Range Rover I am doing up. Had found a couple of big Ratchet Straps that a Semi Trailer had lost, along the side of the road. So used these to tie the tree back towards another tree, After a few months as the bottom rotted out, used those to pull that tree down.



If you can ever find Blind snakes -- they look like large Earthworms, they love eating termites. Put them into the Termite nest.

[xelasnave]

John I could not turn a predictor loose on its prey...they may be small but they only have one life I don't want to be in any way responsible for ending their little hint of existence.

Alex

[JohnF]

Compass should give you south -- take into account the difference between Tru south and magnetic south. An Angle of the south Celestial pole could possibly be done with a protractor and spirit level.

[xelasnave]

Thank you John for your suggestions but let me update you.
I cut down some trees and found a very small window to use my pole master (a small camera you place in the polar axis or where your polar scope is found).
With it and the program it comes with you use stars around the Celestial South Pole to find the Celestial South Pole ..it is rather exact thankfully.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Back down in Sydney and started on the pier for the 80mm. It needs to be short so everything will fit in the four foot between the floor and the roof.
It has a long way to go but I show these early stages so you can see the ply as when finished all the ply will be black.
The way I do this is to mix black tile grout with the resin before I add hardener. But it's just routine fibre glass routine although I do overlay the glass with impregnated paper to give it a smooth surface and remove the necessity to sand.

Edit. Near done. See last photo.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I have been rather crook for a while now so progress has slowed but I have completed the ply/ fibre glass pier.
Had to abandon the idea of a nice finish but it is strong and I can't detect any flex. Next is to pour the footing etc but still a lot my way off completion...not so simple..well it's simpler but so many things still to do.
Alex

[Startrek]

Alex
Structural integrity is more important than cosmetic looks
You have done well , looks solid and will serve you well once bolted down
Martin

[xelasnave]

Slow going.
When you get old or have to cope with physical limitations it is good to remember things are just a little harder but you can by being careful and patient to still get things done.

So this week I had to take it very slowly but I managed to get done in a week a job that should have only taken half a day.

For many reasons I ad to build the structure first ...and glad that I left the footings untill last because I had to rotate the structure thru 90 degrees...anyways taking it slow doing only a couple of feet each session I am happy to say the footings are pretty well done...there are a few spots that need more attention but I could get away with what has been done.
I wanted to put both piers in but just could not get them done..hopefully next week.
Here is a photo of the little job that has taken me a week of intermittent effort.
Alex

The photo is of the back side which I will eventually cover to house batteries and Genny...although if I added another slideoff roof could house two additional scopes and mounts.:P;);)
Alex

[xelasnave]

Major step forward.
Was able to purchase a small 1.6 kw air conditioner for the van but just thought should have got two one for the van and one for the observatory.
What I realise is management of heat is going to be a huge problem for both the van and the observatory.
Both need to be under tarps as a first step...next a fan system for both constructions. It would be good to finally have a system that powered up and can supply power to two air conditioners for days you need to do something..but if your not there to have something kick in when temp reaches say 30...I painted all windows exposured to direct Sunlight with with paint...surprising how that helped.
For the van I am thinking two poles either end with a rope between do you can put up a trap pup tent style...digging the holes...need a post hole digger..manual $90 mmm maybe a fancy petrol one...got the poles not 10 meters away..the ones cut down to clear the spot.. they are big but this timber looks like spotty gum but it is lite weight ...so I could probably manage one...and that little cordless chain saw can cut them..I would not like to try the cordless on spotty or iron bark...although it has been a surprise since day one..it's great.
But when working inside the observatory last week doing some footing work...I keep adding more:)..it was pretty hot but surprisingly cool inside...but I wish I had put wool in the roof ...I am thinking of adding wool and another cladding layer..roofing iron seems the way to go..more fire proof has become an issue...need to have its own sprinkler system that you have to hopefully hold the fire at bay..I like the idea of doing much more to insulate...going to put bean bag balls between the ground and the floor...probably encased in concrete...

I think I will cover the roof of the observatory with solar panels and stick insulation under them so they can do a roofing job.
It seems the more I do the more there is to be done.

[xelasnave]

By putting in footings I have taken away the advantage of air flow under. But the frame divides the floor into, in effect little boxes..this is where I plan to fill with bean bag balls...but if I cut a hole so as to connect rack box in line..blow air via a little say 60watt fan so the air must travel thru the boxes of bean bag stuff...and on the last on a exhaust fan and a desiccant in each box (cooling water vapour and not air is key apparently)..and outside a garden to keep this region insulated from the hot earth all around...I noticed in the house as hot as it was the floors were cold ..just a fan pointers down harvested this cold air opportunity...I wonder if the surface area that the air in my floor system would help somehow.. but at a guess would expect under is going to be five degrees cooler maybe more. And a sprinkler on the Annex so you can wet it and have a big Coolgardie fridge...but that would help...maybe blankets on too to hold more water...good for fires as well...
Alex

Blankets all over the van roof and even the observatory roof with a water tank dripping water...that would cold things you would think.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Update...
Tried the new aircon on the 2 kVA Genny and it runs ..I expect it should cool but as yet it is not installed ...but test one was a success...and just realised I forgot to cut off the choke...it runs rather well under choke and I did not notice...so next time should be real smooth.

So very happy as I did so want to have a use for my $200 Aldi Genny...I just hope the aircon puts up with electricity from a Genny. .only $400 delivered...so $600 only for the aircon all up.

Today cleaned out the floor area and the holes that I have dug for each of the piers..took much longer than expected but it was cooler in the observatory than in the van...I purchased the short star pickets, at Bunnings in Sydney so as to make sure they are on site, to use in a Frankie pile approach and the day after tomorrow I will fill the holes with water ( maybe later if I can recover after today's effort) so as to hopefully make driving in the star pickets an easy job..just so long as they go in I will be happy. Debating whether to paint them ..probably by the time they rust thru I will have the same issue..

I guess I must paint them otherwise I will worry.
I manage the perfection thing ok but there are times I have to give in to keep it quiet.

The only problem with the aircon is that the window I wanted to put it in is just 2 inches too small (height width is ok) and that means I will have to build a box ...I suppose I could cut the window but certainly that would mean cutting thru framing...I will give it more thought but a box seems sensible...And with a box I can fix a fan to blow over the unit...that must help.
But I want it in the van Annex which should be cooler than outside completely.
Not sure if I mentioned it but I have worked out how to place a canvass over the van..looked earlier and selected the logs.

I did want to do some imaging tonight but the clouds have rolled it ..not only that but that damn fire is still going so there is still smoke...and maybe after the drive yesterday and a full work day today an early night is in order. Still really want to do something..all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...

Also did a little tidy up of the footings which turned out great..I never thought I would get them finished with the one rock at a time and pattycake approach.

Anyways I need a nap. Thanks for checking in.
Alex

[xelasnave]

It's hard going with only an ordinary hammer but I think I will get there...but I can only manage 10 minutes pounding and need an hour break...
And I decided against painting cause it probably would come off anyways from the abrasive action during installation.
Anyways before they disappear under concrete I thought I would post a photo so you get the idea.. there will be five for each pier ..ten all up.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Big day today.
Got all pickets into the heq5 form work area. Near killed me but I really wanted to make some real progress.

Put the pier in place only to find the bolts were too long ...rather than dig deeper which given the pickets were driven home would not be an easy job I thought to bend the bolts ..making them shorter but giving much better key into the concrete when poured.
So bending them...I was lucky to be able to use the bracket for the jockey wheel on the van to hold the bolt and used one of the pipes I used to roll the on around to allow my minimal strength to bend the bolt..I bent them all and have fitted them on the pier and may even put the thing in to morrow...if I can recover...the pounding was very difficult for me.

But so happy to be making decent progress for a change.
I will post photos if I remember tomorrow but I sortta can't move at the moment...still if it clear tonight I have the heq 5 with the 115 mm ready to go..polar aligned last night but it clouded over.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I regard the van as part of the observatory ..today I laid around but it got to 40 degrees in the van and was only 35 in the Annex so I went out there and had my feet up resting but so could not help myself in putting up the stuff to put to aurconditing in place..I had the materials and by using clamps and leaning on the wall and chair was able to out things in place..but when it was all clamped up I thought..heck it's only a couple of screws may as well finish it so I screwed it all down...took no time at all but man did I sweat... tomorrow the girls said they will come down and lift it into place so maybe tomorrow I won't have to endure so much heat.

So I feel great cause this should have been done days ago and I feel rather smug using the clamps getting it done step by step and not abusing my ankle.
Still can't drive.
Alex

That is a swallows nest on the light if you are wondering.
Alex

[Startrek]

Looks like your still making some good progress even with an injured ankle
Enjoying reading your progress

[xelasnave]

It is in position.
Alex

[xelasnave]

It has been so nice since I installed the air conditioner a d it works.. until my ankle is better I cant seal it proper but taping some cardboard does a fair job at the moment.

But I have been sitting down on the job...I can't do a ythi g else and although a unbelievable battle I am happy a d proud to announce both piers are concreted in place ..the finish looks ruff a d it is on purpose because I am beat so I concentrated on structural soundness and with pretty it up when the floor is in place with an additional layer ..the ruff finish will act as a good surface to key in that pretty final touch.

I know..no photos it did not happen...so here is a photo pre clean up ...and my little life saving work chair.

I did not worry about isolating the cement from the frame which was my first idea and thought vibration wont be a problem cause I will never be in there when imaging and by running the cement to the frame I think the piers will be more stable.

[xelasnave]

This project has done me some favours...the various challenges, having to rotate the damn thing when almost imovable for me...but it has kept me same thru the fires and dad going up and down.. you are on this he could go at any time and I should be there all the time...but I know he will go well past a hundred..but it svtews things...working to get all this keeps me normal.

So...update...had a bean bag chair and emptied the contents into the floor cavity, lowered the floor in place resisted the urge to screw it down choosing to seal gaps with foam and hold in the beads...painted inside what was left to be done, ... Fitted mounts and polar aligned...ruff but to position mount pretty close to see if it fits..unfortunately pole master sees only half the sky thru one mount so I need to raise the mount a little...made a door fitted it added a bolt lock.
Sorted out the roof which occasionally was jumping it's track...just needed some guidance.

All my gennys have given up..so took a key start model from the house..so good...anyways three gennys need looking at..I didn't have space or tools so they are on the to-do list.
The batteries I was so happy about that came with van are useless but I have that sudt working..regulator panels on roof battery box wire etc..I have ordered three 100 amp sealed batteries...I am setting up a number of different battery banks..say keeping my fridge going. .it will drain any of my current banks..so it's handy to have a battery that will keep it going longer...
Bought another pump..$200 from Bunnings and 200 MTRS of 19 mm Polly pipe for water transfer and a spray system in the future.
The Annex would hold water such that it threatened to collapse so I put in three thru skin fittings and now collect that rain water..it goes to a toxic tank at the moment but I have a decent tank at the house they don't want that I will set up.
But surprised how good this little pump worked..good to get some water to van..cementing etc..but the water supply and fire control is getting there...

Fitted a guide scope to the 115 mm refractor only to find the camera cable was too short..little things...you know the other night I was trying to polar aligned and forgot to switch the mount tracking off...sent me crazy😀

The observatory is too small to allow anything other than manual control for the right and the 115mm refractor..they will hit the walls..I get my region of sky above ..which is limited but I am figuring just to image stuff straight up...but it makes the wifi control less useful..anyways I have another observatory in mind cause I really need another mount😀...two sheets of thin ply to make a cylinder and get this..the removable lightweight doom is no more than a cheap dome tent with a couple of coats of resin...that should work .but another idea after working with that foam is.. you make your some out of wire, bird wire on a wire frame a couple of layers to enable molding it ..cover inside with paper , spray foam on outside sand down add Matt and resin..

I managed some captures of Orion ..to get the core..
I purchased Registar which enables combining images from different scopes and cameras. Had a go and got this..you can see why I want a core😀 and the on with out the bolt on yet.
Alex

[xelasnave]

The image was from combining stuff from the various set ups 80 mm eight Nikon and zwo.
Just testing but I am getting the hang of it and if it will be useful.
I can run a dragon fly set up sotta.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Finally made it out of Sydney only to find the recently installed fire pump was crushed by a fallen tree.
Alex

[xelasnave]

I have had a guy here, still working, cutting trees to open up the sky and the Celestial South Pole. So thats great however the pier for the eq6 is a little out as even with full adjustment on the mount it is just a little off...I worked out however I can fix the problem by elongating the holes.
I wonder if Bunnings have a tool to elongate the holes...May be a round file in a drill I guess.
So I hope to get a little more sorted ow that I can see CSP and the Milky Way which has been hidden to me.
This project has taken much longer than I expected but I hope to have it 100% finished before 12 months have passed and I am thinking of building another roll off to house say a 12 or 16 inch.
Alex

[Startrek]

Alex
I bought a set of these drills ( 3 sizes ) with a rasp section for elongating holes at Bunnings 6 months ago
It worked well in 4mm steel , not to sure about steel thicker than quarter inch though ?
Martin

[xelasnave]

Thanks Martin they look great.
The CSP is clear so many trees down..this guy has done what I thought would take a week...very happy.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Before and after.
Alex

[miker]

Hi Alex,

Which adjustment have you run out of? Azimuth? If so can you just move, remove or thin down the pin that the two adjuster knob/ screws bear on?

Michael

P.S. I have an AZ-EQ6.

[xelasnave]

Thanks excellent suggestion but it may be ok it seems. But certainly if it is not your idea may save the day..er night.
The problem I ran into using polemaster is it gets the observatory wall so tomorrow I hope to raise it to clear...lots of little things to sort out but it's nearly there...but so good to have the trees gone.
The tree guy will be back tomorrow and start cutting up the tree that fell on the pump.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Well last night climbing in and out thru the four foot hole that is the door got to me..it was agony...I left the top on to give the structure strength but I had my tree fella to cut out the top bit so I could walk in and out with out contortion.
So this is how it looks now...I have raised the mount on the bolts and when the lappy is finished is current stacking will see if pile master can see over the wall..if not tree fella will cut out a section..won't be as pretty as before but heck it's about function.

Alex

[glend]

Pile Master, love it Alex. Sounds like some sort of cream.:rofl:

[xelasnave]

That was pole master:D

Well I tried the pole master and the PA points about 4 inches below the top of the wall at the moment..To cut out that much requires doing a fair bit additional structural work but I am going to try and tilt the mount which I will try later..it won't be level but it should not matter too much if I can get a view of CSP and at least get reliable PA.

Addition via edit.
I just now looked at the mount in the above picture and you can see the pier is tilted so hopefully that is the problem.
I measured everything and put everything in place when I poured the concrete so it really should be ok
Alex

[xelasnave]

The eq5 mount was too low so I added a section and now the pole master sees over the wall. Set up the 80mm and imaging now,

The eq6 I gave the holes some enlarging with a file..I made a special trip to Bunnings but they did not have the tool that Martin suggested..Anyways put it all back but pole master shows it it still out just a wee little bit.. more work with the file needed.

Great to be using at least one mount..although I did some widefield unguided with DSLR at up to 200 on the eq6 and it worked well even being a little bit out.

So the thing is more or less complete but with all these trees down I am thinking to build a log cabin with roll off roof and maybe get a 16 inch.

Alex

[glend]

Geez Alex, a log cabin roll off roof, that sounds pretty heavy (The roof). What about putting an old caravan on blocks, with a pier up through the floor, and a slide off roof - might work ok and be less work than a log cabin, but probably ugly as hell.

[xelasnave]

The roof will not be logs only the walls. No windows one door. Only 8x8 internal or maybe 8x16 with a bunk and kitchen counter for making tea and snacks.
I have only done about half a dozen plans ..but it will be a while before I can start it.

I have often thought about a pier in a van approach but on my reckoning there is a great deal of work and perhaps more than is apparent on first consideration.

Anyways I am having the tree fella cut the fallen trees into 10 foot lengths mainly to make them easy to move...I have not counted but there may be as many as one hundred trees down so I need to use them somehow.

The young guy doing the work is a keen chap...I said that I could make a wild west fort and he says yeh we could do that easy...In the future I will dry hire a machine and have tree fella remove the stumps and level the cleared land.

The first reason for the clearing was to be able to see the CSP and more sky overall but I really needed to distance the van from the trees as a precaution for Bush fire...leveling the land is for that reason as fuel control will be easier..fence it and get some goats..maybe a couple of donkeys.

What I need is a way to "thickness" the logs ..
I have worked out a simple open end joint which should enable construction with green logs...And when I get the 16 inch it will live on a tripod on a nice cement floor for a long time before I go for a pier...no doubt trying to fit so much in a small space has caused my various issues with the latest observatory but I think running a tripod for a while avoids what I have just put myself thru.

I near went mad with the eq5...I completed the pier extention working all yesterday on it...bolted the mount on top and the dam thing wobbled, so I would take it off add or subtract a couple of washers but still a wobble..the bolt seemed a little too small and there definitely was some play..but I thought once it is tightened there should be no wobble as all the bolt has to do is tighten to hold the thing down...but no matter what I did ..wobble..I was ready to fibre glass the lot...but I noticed a thread in the plate from the tripod ( which I fix to the top of this ply wood pier) and I thought this has got be the problem ..it is causing a slight separation and is not tightening...so out with the rat tail file purchased to elongate the holes and removed the thread so the bolt did not bite any thread...crossed my fingers and thank goodness no wobbles.But the time wasted was unbelievable... And I was so self satisfied coming from absolute despair to knowing my patience gave me yet another victory.

The sad thing is I like finding objects manually but the observatory is too small to do that comfortably so I will have to use goto...not that I mind but I do like to peek thru the finder scope...usually I have a 70mm but the objective fell out and one of those many todos...
Anyways I got a perfect PA with unguided runs of 5 minutes tolerable but I opted for 60 seconds subs ..managed RBGHa and Lum and a few darks...only have had four hours sleep and need to motivate and do some lights.
Alex

[xelasnave]

Probably to early but it shows the mess and finishing details yet to complete.
Alex

[xelasnave]

An uninteresting update.

I had problems with the roll off roof such that it was jumping the track..it seems the timber guides were able to move out just enough...so...anyways getting the observatory closed at 2 am with a crow bar is no fun ..I widened the running surface but thinking it thru it really needs to run in a u section track..I think I have some laying around so I will fix that so it just can not fail.

I invested in three 140 amp hour batteries (That gives me 420 amps at 12 volt only draining to 25% = more than enough) which replace the near useless batteries that came with this free van..what a disappointment the original batteries turned out to be..I was mentally valuing them at $800 I thought they were special but was a cheap fix for the previous owner..they were really no more than car batteries.

Anyways the new batteries (acid matt) fit into the nice battery boxes (not inexpensive but free to me) and no wiring had to be changed.

There are two solar panels on the roof which I estimate at 100 watts each and I replaced the regulator that I fried months ago...all is good and my fridge loves having sufficient power such that fridge matters are now somewhat normal...now why are these new batteries important to the actual observatory..well now the 120 amp battery borrowed from the astronomy department is now back in the observatory set up ..so..for the observatory it has...a 120 watt panel with regulator built in..a fantastic product..a 120 amp hour battery and a back up 750 watt genny...so it is now entirely separate from the van and visa versa...

I am so happy I got someone in to clear the trees..I was going to cut them myself which was not a good idea with crook legs..you need to be able to move real quick sometimes...and this guy really worked...nearly as hard as I would back in the day and only $200 a day..three days? Maybe four...and he tells me he can dry hire a machine so I plan turning it into a park..a place for archery like...he got some of the tree that fell in the dam out but with the machine we can make it beautiful...and although the petrol tank on the fire pump, which the tree fell on is tinted it looks ok..I have not tried to start it..I know slack.

I have more logs than I know what to do with and if anyone wants to build a log cabin I can supply the logs ...is 50 cents a foot ok? You select , cut and take away and pile up branches etc...serious folks...an opportunity to build that log cabin you always wanted.

Still so much more to do as it is all the small jobs that take time and although I thought originally expected that I would get this done in six weeks it is near one year.

I am rather happy with my achievement as it was far from easy and without sooking too much my legs pain almost prevented me carrying it to completion..so many times I was going to give up..in fact sell all my gear but here I am now with a dream set up...now my next project I am seriously thinking about a 16 inch and building a log cabin observatory.

It seems like a big job but if I do one log each day it seems manageable...I have cleared a patch just in case I don't back off and testing a couple of cutting methods to key the logs. I need a dolly to move them but I can use a ramp to put them in place.

There more you think it thru the easier it becomes and now that I will give up Sydney living I will be able to do this...it would look so cute...and I want to get my old yacht back and put it in the dam..or another boat....then my world will be perfect...

I need to do the logs in a way that they can shrink as I can't wait for them to season the right way..I don't have that time really...anyways I won't go for a pier first up ..I will leave a foundation but run the new scope just on its tripod eq8? And figure out just how high I want it all to be after long usage before I commit to a permanent set up...but put in a stove and bed desk etc.

I won't add photos because things are still a mess and I will leave them to much later when it is truly finished..garden on the outside and paint etc...if ever. Maybe I will cause these before shots will show work everywhere..in progress...well the whole place is in a terrible mess..dead gennys, uncompleted outside bench, the forge is laying on its side, the veggie garden is just a mulch pile, there are pile of logs off cuts and branches piled all over, rounds laying everywhere...but I only see how it will be...when I can walk out off the log cabin down the jetty onto the sail boat..It don't have to go anywhere...and great guest accommodation if any of the girls visit.

Alex

[Startrek]

Alex
Enjoy reading your update and progress
Your certainly producing some great images out of the Obs
I guess you would be under Bortle 2 skies up there at Tabby ?
Martin

[xelasnave]

:lol::lol:Get the picture:lol::lol:

[xelasnave]

I am happy I bring some enjoyment to someone.
The images only reflect the quality of the gear and the sky.

I don't know the rating I have never worried about its rating but the reality is..to my Soulth there is nothing until you get to Grafton 120klms by road..to my East an hour's drive we have Casino...the only town that I know of any that does not have traffic lights lights..to my West is Tabulam with maybe ten street lights and to my North there is a little Town..Bonalbo 30minute drive...not much grid power so a lot of folk don't use much lighting..I only use a small led light as I see well in the dark..I don't really need it although a was given a battery so set up some flash led light strips . .you can see your way around at new Moon by star light...at the other place I can read newspaper head lines from star light.probably could here I expect...the reason I don't use Goto is you can see everything ..it is quicker for me to move the mount manually than wait for those slow motors.
Alex

[Outcast]

Looking good Alex, amazing setup achieved with hardwork & improvisation..

Looks like a great spot to while away the hours.. are there any fish in the lake/dam?

[xelasnave]

Thank you Calton.
No fish yet but I plan to put in some maquarie perch not only in that dam but in another dam on the place and in fact putting in another dam to bring together various fish farming techniques I have put together over the years to greatly reduce production costs..an experiment to test novel food production for fish. A fish costs a great deal to feed so the less money spent on buying food the better and the last time I looked production cost was around $10 a kilo which makes the price you get at the farm gate critical ..my method could reduce production costs by half perhaps even more..but I need to test it in three different dams..it's inexpensive, a few solar panels, small pumps, lights and wire netting a d Polly pipe..that it's beauty..inexpensive for hopefully high yield..also I developed a high yield yabbie system that strangley I can run in the same dam as fish...it is funny cause use of the system provides more food for the fish and protects big yabbies while providing some small ones for fish food...anyways aqua culture is one of my hobbies that I really dont talk about...but I could write a book..been into it for 25 years.
Alex

[xelasnave]

No progress on fish farming although I have the excavator here now but the girls have a list of things they want done so maybe I just have to forget fish farming.

Anyways..an update on this observatory.

I have the old eq6 working and the heq5 working in there as well.
Been using the eq6 for wide fields only and the heq5 to carry the 115mm..but it should have a new eq6 in the new place.

All the little things are completed and really all that remains is an external coat of paint ..to this end I purchased a spray gun from Bunnings which hopefully will make the job very easy..the clean up however sounds terrible..maybe line up every painting job do it all and throw the unit away..only cost $40. I have plenty of paint stored away and when the excavator is done will do the painting so I can say it is truly finished.

I have ordered another eq6 to go in the "new" roll off and may even get a second one so that will be three all up..the idea is..115 mm on a new eq6, the 8 inch on a new eq6 and the 80 mm on the eq5 and the Nikon with a decent wide field lens on the old eq6.
I need at least one more camera really two so maybe a narrow band and a one shot colour..now all this sounds expensive but I rationalized it this way..a while back I was happy to buy a 16 inch at around ten grand, a suitable mount in a similar price range and a seven grand camera..for just one set up..now I can get all I spoke about above for say eleven grand so I am saving maybe 15 grand also I won't need a real fancy computer...so I can use my ok desk top and another desktop coming as a gift that will do the job...

So the two new eq6 in the roll off..one on a pier the other on a tripod so I can maybe do a trip West, the eq5 and 80mm and Nikon wide field on the old eq6 in this small observatory...

Observations...the thing I built needed to be just a little bigger as the 115 mm could hit a wall ..ok for the way I do things..hands on always checking..but the roll off I want a remote set up and plenty of room around things to adjust stuff...I can do it in the small one but it is cramped and I don't do cramped that well this days.

For anyone thinking about the approach I took here I would suggest..just as long (8 ft) but a little wider maybe 5ft but think how you rig will fit...and perhaps just one mount..which gives room for a little desk one end...everything was built around the size of a sheet of ply hence 4 ft by 8 ft..just adding a foot changes the convenience of this approach. Four ft high works but you need to think it thru..again night was determined by the width of a sheet of ply...a tally it was the size of "fibro" sheets as well..the ply was a lining but both fitted size considerations.
Alex.

[Startrek]

Alex
Enjoying reading your progress , you have done so much work up there and looks like your on the home stretch
For your 8” scope I can personally recommend the ZWOASI2600MC OSC camera
You have seen most of my images with this camera so there’s no need to validate my recommendation on how well it performs
Keep well and clear skies
Martin