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Old 15-04-2012, 12:59 PM
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cventer
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Melbourne Australia
Posts: 957
I have had my observatory now for a while and thought I would update on latest progress.

Rolloff roof has now been automated with a garage door opener integrated into Lesve Dome Controller software controlled by a Velleman 8055 board and a DCB-05 gate controler.

I also added an AAG Cloud Watcher as well as a scope position sensor to stop the roof from decapitating my scope.

The scope position sensor uses an Eaton Cutler Hammer Polarized Photo sensor model 1451E-6514 and a polarised reflector mounted to the underside of the Paramount MX Dovetail base.

It has an SPDT relay that is open unless the scope is in an exact location accurate to ab out 2 cm. Gate controller wont open roof if this sensor is open.

Brett Soames one of our members here is a guru with this stuff and setup the DCB-05 and Velleman with wiring for me.

Its a great system and now allows me to go to bed with AAG Cloud Watcher monitoring for Rain and High Wind. If it detects either the scope is parked and the roof closed.

Video of it in action here:
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Click for full-size image (roofclosed.jpg)
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Click for full-size image (CloseSensor.jpg)
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Click for full-size image (AAgCloudSensor.jpg)
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Click for full-size image (Polarised-Reflector.jpg)
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Click for full-size image (GarageOpener.jpg)
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