Ok, I've been down this path before so happy to share my experiences. Its not for the fainthearted but will give you a greater appreciation for those that have done it and do it well.
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Originally Posted by stevous67
1. 3G wireless internet service, but not sure what is a best practise product. Does anyone use a wiresless internet service that works reliably? What equipment do you use?
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If there are no other comms available, then 3G wireless is a good option. I would suggest investigating Satellite options too. The lag with satellite can painful for remote desktop sessions. I know you're set with CCDAutoPilot but you may want to consider ACP Expert with its web interface as it much easier to control over less than optimal network conditions. You need to think about the backhaul of large amounts of GB of data and what will be the cost of doing this. Alternatively, just use the comms as the control channel and head up there every month with a external hard drive to obtain the data you've collected over the last few weeks.
You need to think about a router/firewall with port forwarding. Most will do port forwarding these days. Ideally a static IP address assignment makes it easier. Just to PAT (port address translation) to the different web services on the internal network.
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Originally Posted by stevous67
2. IP remote power switching system, with say 8 [?] switchable relays, auto PC rebooting function, scheduled system power downs. Again unsure of recommended unit?
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Yes, mandatory component to power cycle stuff. I suggest its wifi enabled and if possible telnet or comms port accessible so you can script the startup (power on) and shutdown (power off). If you are running off grid, make sure the inverter is ample. On-grid, get yourself a quality UPS to filter surges etc. Make sure the IP power switch has no fans i.e. an industrial unit. Fans suck in dust and crap. You will have a failure in now time. Make sure the remote power switch is accessible independent of the PC thats onsite. i.e. if the PC has crashed and its needed to access the power switch, you're hosed.
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Originally Posted by stevous67
4. GPS device for precise time monitoring
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Don't waste your money. Internet time sources are more than sufficient.
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Originally Posted by stevous67
5. Weather station: I have the AAG Cloudwatcher weather monitoring station with wind speed device and SOLO controller.
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I used a AAG Cloudwatch for a couple years but found them unreliable. I went through two units. I understand the newer units have improved reliability. You want a smart system. There needs to be provisions that if the weather station no longer see the PC, the dome closes. Similarly a mechanism to override what the PC is doing i.e. if it hangs, the weather system needs to have the ability to close the dome (external close output independent of the PC health). You will not find a better weather sensor than the Boltwood Cloud Sensor. Not cheap, but neither is your equipment you are trying to protect.
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Originally Posted by stevous67
6. PC suitable for low power consumption, windows based.
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One of the most critical components. Again, go with a system that is fanless for reliability. An SSD will reduce the heat a fanless unit needs to contend with too. In addition, look for system bios that supports a watchdog for the OS you intend to run. The bios polls the watchdog service running on the OS. If the service doesn't response to a hello after a configured quantity of attempts, the bios reboots the PC as its assumed the system has hung. I've been using FITPC for years.
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Originally Posted by stevous67
7. Camera surveillance. Monitoring the mount, telescope, within the dome, and outside the dome. I know and use two different brands, HIKvision and AVTech. Has anyone a suggestion on what works for them in regard to remote viewing and their requirements?
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Yes, very handy. Make sure it can be turned on and off as needed. One with IR lights in the dome can be good to know what the scope is doing. Stick another on a pole beside your weather station pointing up so you can evaluate the sky conditions visually yourself. Cloud sensors don't pick up the faint high level cloud that can be seen in a web cam capable of integrated exposures