Quote:
Originally Posted by Bassnut
Thats a pretty good detailed write up Paul, Id agree with most of that.
Where I dont agree with though, strongly is the use of a standard PC. Im supprised you dont see any enviromental effects inside it, is it in a seperate sealed box?. Ive had remote experience for a while now, and the most trouble ive had in various configurations in the past is with a standard PC, they always failed eventually. A fits PC is arguably cheaper (with the number of USB ports/WIFI/serial they come with standard etc), is sealed, runs on a 15w plug pack or 12v DC native without it. That would be 10 times less power than a PC? so it can easily be on 24/7. I think youll find fits PCs are pretty much standar even required on remote rigs these days.
Also, its tempting to use a dome that just fits the scope given remote doesnt need room for a person in it. This is great for wind protection, but it can make seeing some 2 arcsec worse due to thermals (depending on location), id say a roll off would be better.
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Certainly a good points and I was surprised not to see any rust or corrosion whatsoever. It's not in a seal box for either observatories. My local computer store guys said they often service computers that have been in really caustic environments and only then do those computers really suffer. Interesting.
I had thought that a FIT PC for both systems will be the way to go in the end and I had not thought it would be a requirement for remote facilities at hosting sites.
I agree about using a larger dome though a Scope Dome is a pretty big dome (standard 3 metres). I have not see any seeing effects in the scope dome I operate. My wide field unit works in a roll off roof.