Telescope Control Case

[Pilgrim (Igor)]

The main Idea of the project is to hide and protect all wires, adapters mini-pc, etc in one partially waterproof case. Leave only 2 cables going to setup - 12V and USB3, then lightweight hub on the mount and cable-managed wiring to.
Second idea was to implement easy switch between 12V and 220V external power for everything.

LCD Screens and keyboard is not main interaction way, but more like backup. Main way is to connect laptop via Remote Desktop either by ethernet cable, or by local router's Wi-fi or by internet-less hardware hotspot.

The device was designed for both backyard and field observation sessions with unforeseen conditions. Can also be left on remote place as switch/control box of remotely operated telescope.

[Pilgrim (Igor)]

So what is inside:

Mini PC (Core i5, 8GB RAM, 0.5Tb SSD),
2 LCD touch screens,
Industrial keyboard with Trackball
Wi-Fi Hosted hotspot,
Ethernet Switch,
2 cooling fans
220V~->12V adapter (500W)
Two 12V->19V adapters for internal mini PC and external Laptop out
12V->5V power adapter & powered USB 3.0 hub on setup's counterpart
Electrical fuses for all circuits.
220V AC in
12V DC in, for external car battery
12V DC out (to setup, up to 12-15A normal load with 30A peaks)
19.5 DC out (for laptop)
USB 3.0 out (to the hub on setup)
Ethernet socket

To be done: Add mini weather station & rain alarm with emergency shutdown

[AdamJL]

There's really not much to say except... monetise this!!!
Excellent stuff

[AstroViking (Steve)]

That is insanely ingenious!!

[ChrisV (Chris)]

Love it!!

[sfarndell (Scott)]

Insanely overengineered. Love it!! Also like that colour filament!

[DarkArts]

What it really needs now is a toggle switch labelled "Arm" and a big red button labelled "Fire".

Looks very neat. Knowing me, if I tried that, I'd discover something I'd left out right after I finished.

[Crater101 (Warren)]

Not only is the work and end project impressive, but so is the amount of planning that must have gone into it beforehand! My compliments sir!

[Pilgrim (Igor)]

Thanks Adam, Steve, Chris, Scott, DarkArts and Warren for your kind feedback!

The device is still not quite finished yet and has not been put into operation.This weekend was the "first light" testing on balcony. And there are some problems arise:

1) It turned out that the HP EliteDesk minicomputer has digital protection from a "non-licensed" power source. It works, but only at 10% CPU speed which make it totally unusable. I supply an additional 5 volts to the central extra pin (without this it does not turn on at all), but this is not enough. I ordered a replacement car power supply from 12V for HP laptops, I hope the problem was solved in there.

2) The USB 3.0 Hub that I used, connects cameras perfectly (which was tested beforehand), but does not work with the focuser and filter wheel. Any device which supposed to work through virtual serial port over USB. It's my mistake to not testing them too before the assembly. I ordered better industrial hub, and have to re-engineer telescope counterpart.

3) Slight mechanical jamming of the wires present in the cable duct. It does not interfere, but it can be improved.

Good points:

1) Nothing exploded, caught fire or burned out
2) All power circuits work as designed
3) The cooling seems enough, temperature inside stabilizing on about +2-3 above ambient.