Observatory Build

[TrevorW]

Well I needed some inspiration to proceed down this path, now that I am retired with time to do these things, inspiring projects by other member here made be see the light, excuse the pun. Seriously the only way for me to pursue astro photography productively and efficiently is with a permanent set up. I received 2 quotes one for a custom made shed (both excluding roll off roof) the other for a cool room type enclosure ridiculous prices around $4000 for a 2x2x1.6m structure, buyer beware in a demand market, so they are both off the cards, now I will be looking to do my own build for less than half that, maybe, hopefully. I will keep you posted of my progress. So far today has been, run trench for electrical, install under ground conduit and run the cable, material cost to date $60 (including a trench shovel) -:P

[TrevorW]

Day 1 of build

[strongmanmike]

Excellent start Trevor :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

A long way to go though :thanx:

[TrevorW]

Day two of build preparing area ready to do footings - got started on but unsure if need to to form work before pouring concrete in to trenches with the rebar, 3d printing some little stands for the rebar to sit on to set height :)

[LonelySpoon]

Off to a good start!

Is the conduit for power or data?

My suggestions:

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

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

Neville
LSO

[oska]

Great start but I'm not gonna race ya :p

Following on from Neville, if you're running data too, try to keep it 300mm+ away from the power if running parallel. It wont kill the data altogether but it will reduce the speed.

[TrevorW]

Its power, the cable is covered by another conduit and tape. Data will be via wifi, but will run some data cable JIC :)

[dikman]

Neville beat me to it, not sure of the rules over there but here power has to be a minimum of 600mm deep, data separated by, I think, 300mm (it's a long time since I worked with that stuff and can't remember all the rules).
And yes, run a decent size conduit for data, along with a draw wire/rope for later use. Cable is always better than wi-fi.:)

[appiice]

Hello Trevor

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

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

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

Ed

[TrevorW]

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

[appiice]

Trevor

Yes you know what you did in 2022

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

Ed

[TrevorW]

Rest assured all safety precautions where adhered to to ensure compliance with Australian Standards, also checked by an approved electrician :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Also need idea for what size stirrups to support 2x2m floor, how many as well I figuring around 12 :help::thanx:

[xelasnave]

I don't know how you intend placing them but I come up with 16:D

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

Alex

[TrevorW]

Thanks Alex , 16 yes or with 12 each area would be about 1 square meter, the floor I'm looking for 12mm ply on 75x75 joists, most of the time the obs will be unoccupied as will run remotely from within the house, laid data conduit today and starting on the formwork :)

[xelasnave]

Go the 17 mm ply ..my floor is 19 mm particle board, on top of that 17 mm ply and on top of that plastic fake timber 5 mm and it feels great ....solid as concrete and warm as toast...I feel guilty having such luxury...actually go 19 mm ..you deserve it...the price difference is not much.
Alex

[TrevorW]

Got the footing done run conduit for data cable flat or round CAT6 cable ??, mini load or mix your own ??, the volume isn't that great only .3 cubic meter for footings :)

[xelasnave]

Looking excellent..you are nearly finished now ..got the pier in and most of it is now done.
Alex

[AstroViking]

Looking great, Trevor.

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

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

Cheers,
V

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

[TrevorW]

If I do my own I would go for ready mix bags just add water (not rapid set) around $200 for 30 odd bags while mini loads quoted around $300 - :)

[dikman]

Round data cable. Flat cable would only be suitable for very short patch cables due to the lack of decent shielding.

If it was me I'd be mixing it by hand in a wheelbarrow (if I couldn't get hold of a cement mixer) for two reasons - the cost and I badly need the exercise!!! Yes, I've done it before.

A great job, Trevor, keep posting.:thumbsup:

[oska]

Great progress Trev. Flat cat6 is for running under carpet. Get round for your use.

Steve: https://www.umart.com.au/product/edimax-5m-black-1g-cat6-network-cable-flat-46724

[TrevorW]

Ok thanks was only able to draw one lot of round cable through the conduit appears to be a blockage somewhere in the conduit,so I will try and see if also can get some flat through, otherwise one cable will have to do :)

[AstroViking]

Well, you learn something new every day... Now I know that flat-cat6 is available.

[TrevorW]

Well a bit of persistence and some ingenuity I managed to get two length of round cat6 thru the conduit, 30 bags of cement and a mixer on the way to do the footings, costs so far close to $700 although more likely $650 as I purchased extra I won't use and if I exclude additional tools which will come in handy for other jobs, I have allowed a budget of $3000 for the build but like all good construction projects it'll probably run over budget :)

[xelasnave]

The smart thing to do is prepare your budget in private so you get a figure..you then double that figure when discussing the project with anyone family and friends in particular and finally when it is complete you can usually boast that you only went over budget by 10 %;)

Great stuff I am enjoying all this..makes me want to build one:P
Alex

[LonelySpoon]

Cheops Law: Nothing ever gets built on time or under budget...

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

At least he had slave labour :)

[strongmanmike]

Yeeeees...well..:face: I know what that feels like...I think I have managed to get away with it...just...arhem, it's called love..?..I think :question: :help:

Your build looks to be progressing nicely :thumbsup:

Mike

[TrevorW]

At least he had slave labour :)

[TrevorW]

O'Kay got the footing done today, I didn't need as much concrete as I thought, so I saved $50 there, hired a mixer $44, all done in 4 hours with some slave help although I did buy him lunch :)

[TrevorW]

Day seven of the build, checking to make sure the big scope will fit, then I laid the base for the start of the walls I must admit that base is not exactly level close but not perfect but I figure as long as I get the top rails that will support the roll off roof level,then a little bit out in the base shouldn't matter, sealed with polyurethane sealant

[xelasnave]

Trevor...I am as slack as they come (sometimes) but please draw on my sad experience...if it is not perfectly level make it so...some concrete and a spirit level and it is done...otherwise every damn thing you do going forward you will be remembering your inattention to such a small detail...it is so easy to fix now.

Alex

[TrevorW]

Thanks Alex the work involved for the amount out is more than its worth correcting but like they say genius is 99% desperation and 1% ingenuity or something like that :thumbsup:;) besides if it doesn't work I can rip it down and start again :screwy:

[strongmanmike]

Not perfectly level huh?...I'm sure you will get it adequately sorted, coming along nicely though Trevor :thumbsup:

That low cost all weather telescope looks the bomb too, imported? how much are they? :question:

Mike

[TrevorW]

That low cost all weather telescope looks the bomb too, imported? how much are they? :question:

Mike[/QUOTE]




Had to fight my dog for it :) :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Day 8 of the build and the walls are making a good progress and yes its level corner to corner and all the top rails :)

[xelasnave]

Great to see you are moving forward..Thanks for sharing your journey.
Alex

[strongmanmike]

Yes excellent progress Trevor! :thumbsup: you doing all that by yourself?

Mike

[TrevorW]

Yes and no had some help laying the footings but as as they say sometimes too many cooks spoil the broth but I'll probably need a strong hand or two getting the roof done. Now a question if I use C channel for the rails do I face it inward or outward ??? :)

[strongmanmike]

I'd give you a hand if I was nearby :thumbsup:..and inward? ie more external protection for the castors and accessible from inside? :shrug:.

Mike

[TrevorW]

Well the frame is finished that took 4 days but not full days been a bit warm over here for the last few days :)

[strongmanmike]

Gee, looking good Trevor :thumbsup: the excitement must be building? :D

Mike

[LonelySpoon]

Lovely job so far!

Have you settled on cladding?

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

I'm thinking colourbond Maxirib :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Wall membrane and flashing around footings before the cladding goes on decided on mist green (match existing garden shed) for the walls but will have white roof. Have ordered the C channel for the roof rails. :)

[appiice]

Hello Trevor

You are making good progress, hopefully the clouds will be gone when you are finished.
Without meaning to be critical but hoping others may see this and save themselves some time, if you had of made the wall frames outer face flush with the outer face of the slab the mini orb you mentioned using ( or any wall cladding ) could extend below the top of the concrete slab by 30-50mm and you would not have to rely on the flashing fixed to the top of your slab keeping the water out.

One final observation, do you have the bottom plate fixed to the studs only with nails into the end-grain, if you do that will be the weak link.

Best wishes with your build

Ed

[TrevorW]

Did think of that but the bottom rail is bolted to the footing and I set the threaded rod (attached to a plate) back from the edge so no chance of the bolts pulling out of the concrete. The studs are held not just with nails, 75mm screws, nails, hard as nails, also studs are set into the bottom rail via mortise. With the easterly winds we have where I am in summer I wanted to make certain it was solid as a rock.

[TrevorW]

OK the cladding came, I've done the bearers for the floor and started on the cladding, picking up the c channel tomorrow for the roof :D

[TrevorW]

The roof rails are on, now for a break over Xmas New Year :thumbsup:

[xelasnave]

It is looking really good ... you have done an excellent job.
Alex

[LonelySpoon]

Looking great.

Should be finished in time to still catch Mars this time round!

Neville
LSO

[dikman]

Break?? I wouldn't stop until it was finished.:lol:

[TrevorW]

Thanks guys, all good builders have a Xmas shutdown :thumbsup:

[TrevorW]

Roof frame done now for the cladding, but I think I will do that when frame on runners, also where to buy trolley wheels just the wheels with precision bearing 8-1omm axle :)

[TrevorW]

While waiting on suppliers to open after xmas so I can move forward on roof , I've completed some flashing along edges, the door jamb/sill and floor. Floor has also been waterproofed. :)

[LonelySpoon]

Coming along nicely.

What are you going to do for final floor covering?

Because I'm in and out of the dome room while its running I went for interlocking rubbery squares from Bunnies, easy to cut to fit around pier, etc.

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

Was thinking the same thing either that or carpet :)

[xelasnave]

Great to follow your progress...for the floor even 2 inch rubber foam is not a bad idea and you may say that is crazy now but after you have dropped a camera it seems like a great idea...I only have half inch rubber mat ...

[strongmanmike]

Some nice (non Ikea :P) shed building techniques going on there Trevor :thumbsup:

Mike

[TrevorW]

Cheers mate I try to be a bit of a perfectionist in some things (doesn't always come out that way though) and I like neat and tidy :)

[glend]

Good to see you braced the wall top corners with 45 degree noggins. That is an area of great stress when the wind is howling.

[TrevorW]

Thanks I just thought it would make it more sturdier that way :)

[TrevorW]

Progress to date :)

[strongmanmike]

Looking excellent, again, some lovely work incorporated there...I'm embarrassed :ashamed: :lol:

Mike

[TrevorW]

[QUOTE=strongmanmike;1579541]Looking excellent, again, some lovely work incorporated there...I'm embarrassed :ashamed: :lol:

Mike[/QUOTE


Hell mate don't be I'd readily have a professional build it for me or buy a Piertech tele station (although they never did answer my email re a quote) or the like, if I could afford it, it ain't perfect but hopefully shes weather proof when I get the roofing on and gutter flashing etc :)

[LonelySpoon]

That's an impressive build with some interesting details.
I like the tie-down strap arrangement.

There's certainly nothing the neighbours could complain about!

Neville
LSO

[xelasnave]

Looking good Trevor it is great to see someone getting stuck into building his observatory. It won't be long now..well done.
Alex

[TrevorW]

The roof goes on not far off completing :)

[TrevorW]

Roof insulation and floor mats, door next week flashing week after, then internal walls, insulation as well :)

[LonelySpoon]

Trevor,

You may be setting some sort of speed record here...

Looking great.

A caution about the floor covering:

I very carefully cut mine to fit snuggly, and in a combination of much walking on and warmer weather they are buckling up in places. I will need to trim the edges back a few mil.

As yours are going in in summer this may not happen, though.

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

Yes direct sunlight is a killer one part started to buckle but cheap enough to replace, thanks fro feedback :)

[TrevorW]

Wall insulation and internal walls done :)

[TrevorW]

Lockup :)

[xelasnave]

Congratulations Trevor..well done an example of how it should be done.
You can feel very proud of yourself as well you should.

Alex

[TrevorW]

Thanks Alex :thanx::thumbsup:

[LonelySpoon]

Well done Trevor!
Looks great.

A question re the door: is it a 'proper' external door? I just used a standard door (because I had one...) and after about 8 months the outer surface started coming away, despite many paint layers and sealing.

It turns out they are just mdf over a cardboard cell structure and I ended up re-skinning it with 3mm ply but will eventually go for all metal.

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

Solid as a rock external door cost me $200 to have made plus $100 to install :thumbsup:

[oska]

Congratz, champion effort!

[LonelySpoon]

Good move!

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

I painted the door added a door vent, did some capping on plasterboard installed skirting, now to sand and paint internal walls and give door second coat, the flashing for roof to come then electrical etc, the beauty about this is that I now can consult on a build for others and how to avoid errors as I made a few :)

[xelasnave]

What this only your first.

You have done well Trevor but now you know how to do it...when is your next one?

Are you automating the roof?

I loved following your build ...there is so little activity in this section I always feel I should put something up and what I have found out is you never run out of stuff to mention as it seems, at least for me, it is a never ending process.

And remember to keep your posts coming as I am sure our posts here must help get folk started.

Well done.

Alex

[TrevorW]

[QUOTE=xelasnave;1580891]What this only your first.

You have done well Trevor but now you know how to do it...when is your next one?

Are you automating the roof?



YES my first observatory build I don't PLAN TO MOVE HOUSE or do a lot of travelling in retirement as my wife has MS and confined to a wheelchair due to mobility issues, so I thought it was about time I did set uyp my gear permanently..


I hope to move towards it being fully automated, there are a few ideas in my head, I like the idea of a rack and pinion roof opener just need to source the materials


thanks ALEX

[geoffl]

Nice this looks pretty cool, i am thinking of something similar in my back yard to house my scope.

[TrevorW]

Painting done, carpet laid, gear moved in, only two things left to do then all complete, hope you all enjoyed the journey and thank you all for the encouragement and feedback https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t4c/1/16/1f642.png

[xelasnave]

That looks deadly.
It has been wonderful following your build... look into gate motors as I found it is a great solution...and you get two remotes.
Congratulations for a job well done.

Alex

[AstroViking]

Congrats, Trevor.

That was a very quick build, overall, and I'm well impressed with how it's turned out. Well done, and I can't wait to see the first image.

Cheers,
V

[dikman]

Well done! The inside looks very classy.

[LonelySpoon]

That's fantastic Trevor!

Your build could be used as the textbook entry in making a roll-off observatory!

Now to enjoy the fruits, which I guess means, now you find out how waterproof it is...

Happy hunting.

Neville
LSO

[oska]

Bravo! What a thing of beauty, well done. Thanks heaps for documenting it ;)

[alan meehan]

Well done Trevor that will last for years of great viewing

[TrevorW]

Thanks all for the kind words :)

[strongmanmike]

Yeah nice work Trevor, looks great! It's been fun following your build, you did it pretty quick too! Hope the final commissioning goes smoothly :thumbsup:

Mike

[TrevorW]

Thanks but as usual after a long hiatus nothing works the way it did or should but I'll get there in the end :)

[DJT]

Great job Trevor. Really engaging thread and looks like a fantastic outcome.

D

[TrevorW]

Final pictures of the build, thanks all for kind remarks, completed in under 3 months for a total cost of around $3k

[TrevorW]

Current update, I have now added a weather station, an external solar powered wifi camera to monitor the observatory. Also a fan inside which can be run remotely (12v battery/ solar). Sorted NINA to operate the setup from inside the house, so no more cold winter night sessions. Just got to sort the data cable connections wifi can be a bit slow, then move forward on automating the roof :)

[glend]

If you have 5G service in your area, you may find that easier than a cable connection, or wifi. I run a private 5G Hotspot connection for everything at my house, moved off of NBN. You can buy 5G Hotspot boxes which can handle up to 32 attached devices, at streaming speeds. Check out the Telstra 5G Hotspot Inseego box.

[AstroViking]

Well done, Trevor! That's a very quick build, and a reasonable cost, too.

Gives me hope that when I do get a block of land I can knock up something similar.

[TrevorW]

Thanks Glen and Steve, the budget was around $3k but after it hit that mark I stopped adding receipts for extras will do a complete cost up and post spreadsheet when time permits :)

[strongmanmike]

Excellent value for money Trevor and your productivity so far has been prolific :thumbsup:..err?..my build..arhem..was a biiiiit more than that :scared2: :face:

Mike

[TrevorW]

Inside camera to monitor scope from my mobile


https://www.facebook.com/100004295136945/videos/192027700260377/

[LonelySpoon]

Cool!

What camera is it?

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

Tapo C100 got free delivery on Amazon :)

[LonelySpoon]

Trevor, does the Tapo 100 need Alexa and a dedicated tablet? It's not clear to me from their ad- but I might just be thick this morning!

I'm still looking for a dome monitor to check things have lined up properly.

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

No, just an app from Google play on your phone will monitor it, same app use for Tapo Wi-fi power plugs :)

[TrevorW]

Well with our first real winter rains I found some leaks, fortunately not over the equipment, a trip to Bunnings for some good old silicone sealant will fix them, really my fault should have done some real testing before I put the foam ceiling insulation in :)

[LonelySpoon]

Trevor,
If you don't already have a scope cover, while at Bunnies pick up a BBQ cover.
Keeps drips off and works against dust, too.

Much cheaper than the real thing.

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

Current update -the leaks all fixed we've had some heavy rain, hail, wind and cold throughout June with above average rainfall. In fact only in the last week has the sky been clear enough for some imaging but the moon is out, the bane of an astro imager :)

[strongmanmike]

Good news Trevor :thumbsup:

So, if you have fixed some leaks, does that mean you are now an ex-spurt..:question:

:P

Mike

[TrevorW]

Problem is that expert means a drip under pressure, and as I'm retired I don't have any real pressure except maybe bouts of wind :)

[TrevorW]

Can someone suggest a cheap way to motorise the roof, its easy enough opening and closing by hand but if I can make it to close up without me venturing outside the better :)

[xelasnave]

Maybe a cheap 4wd winch because you get all the wiring and a hand control ... you would need more wire I guess to get the controller to the house...

A cheap garage door opener because you get a remote.

Or a gate motor which comes with remote.

The area of concern is how to set it up;)

I think if it easy to close keep it manual...the reality at the end of the night you should put on your lens cover and put a cover over your scope....so you need to go there anyways.

alex

[LonelySpoon]

Two $50 geared wiper motors happily rotate my 100kg dome, but I had to make up all the cogs, etc.

For linear I like the idea of an automatic gate setup.

Neville
LSO

[oska]

An Arduino will make any of these options NINA compatible. Astrobloke on YT has a tutorial.

[TrevorW]

Thanks guys :)

[LonelySpoon]

Also check out:
https://lunaticoastro.com/

They make a software/hardware ROR solution with linking to weather monitor, automation, etc.

Nice mob from my contacts with them (I'm supposed to be checking out their dome solution for them but life, etc).

Neville
LSO

[TrevorW]

Have a noisy roof doesn't slide as well as it first did wondering whether its the rollers, are brass/metal ones a better option than the plastic ones i have used :)


https://dandenongcastors.com.au/cdn/shop/products/GRQ75SS.jpg?v=1579490448