Roof Automation

lhansen (Lars) · #1 03-04-2010, 09:42 PM

I thought I would share my most recent experience in observatory automation.

I currently have a RCOS 12.5 mounted on a PME with a ST8XME, all under the control of CCDAP4, theSky6 and MaxIm. Up until recently, opening and closing the roof (slide off) has been via a remote control unit, requiring me to get out of bed (usually around 4am or 5am).

I've recently had a controller installed that allows me to open and close the roof using a combination of a USB controller and ASCOM driver. Combined with CCDAP4, it allows me to automatically park the telescope and close the roof - magic.

I now set up image capture sequence in the later afternoon, turn the systems on and let the computers do the rest. I come out in the morning and the scope is parked, the camera warmed up and the roof has been closed. It's pure luxury. Dont forget here in Bathurst it can get down to -11C in winter and getting out of a nice warm bed to close the roof is not a pleasant thought.

Automation used to be the province of professional astronomers and it is now available at our fingertips. I for one cant get enough - next step cloud and rain detection.

Cheers

rally · #2 04-04-2010, 08:54 AM

Lars,

Sounds great.
How much tweaking to get it all working ?

Any details that you can share with us - type of Obs, controller, motors etc ?
Or did you make the whole system yourself ?

Pretty pics please !

Cheers

Rally

lhansen (Lars) · #3 04-04-2010, 11:08 AM

Hi Rally

I love it. As always a fair amount of tweaking is required to make any complex system work properly. The most important component was the relays used to prevent the dome from closing while the scope was not parked.

I did not do the install myself, Brett Soames (who is on this website) did the design, build, configuration and installation of all the components that make up the roof system. Setting up CCAP and the programmable powerboards that are used to drive the observatory systems was left to me.

I'll try to get some images together and post them

Cheers

Lars

Quote:

Originally Posted by rally

Lars,

Sounds great.
How much tweaking to get it all working ?

Any details that you can share with us - type of Obs, controller, motors etc ?
Or did you make the whole system yourself ?

Pretty pics please !

Cheers

Rally

jase (Jason) · #4 04-04-2010, 01:38 PM

Closing up at 4am or 5am is too early for dawn flats!

Seriously though, really nice work Lars. I'm all for automation. I wouldn't say its a pure luxury, but a necessity based on conditions. No possible way I could operate my observatory 160km away without automation. You still have the ease of convenience living nearby should something go wrong. I on the other hand build in numerous fail safes as driving two hours to reboot something is not an option.

I'm aware the doorman has done similar roof control installations and can ship kits for budding astronomers - http://www.thedoorman.com.au/ ASCOM kits still need to be done by the astronomer. The ASCOM interface however is too easy with the Lesve controller - http://www.dppobservatory.net/DomeAu...DomeDriver.htm
I'm a MaxDomeII fan myself as it has some great features such as weather inputs without PC control and wireless comms - mandatory if you need to control a shutter on a rotating dome. MaxDomeII is not for the faint hearted however - quite pricey.

Did you also install sensors for high wind conditions etc?

bert (Brett) · #5 04-04-2010, 03:24 PM

Hello Jase,

Wow, I dont know where you got your info from, but I am humbled you found out where I work.

To be clear, I work for the doorman full time, and the doorman does garage doors, not observatory kits. The only job done by the doorman as regards automation for observatories was done for Grove Creek Observatory, overseen by me.

I have built an observatory for Okiscopey and have built a few roof systems for friends and myself, and for grove creeks dome (shutter only, but stay tuned for rotation). This is done in my play time. Though if somebody wants me to make up a kit for them I am more than happy to do so. Or to offer advice on what motors, tracks, rollers etc.

The system I built for Lars is based around lesvedome with its excellent gui and usb support, where it differs is that lesvedome is used for driving motors directly. I use the lesvedome to drive a motor controller that gives me a lot more control. It can contol any motor that is 5 to 24vdc at any voltage. It really has more features than I can put in this thread, but every observatory I have worked on has different issues arising and the flexibility of this board can get around most of them. It has inputs for things like photo beams to detect obstructions, loss of power closing, battery back up, weather controllers etc....

It has current sensing in case it hits an obstruction (Like a scope) and yes it does happen

.

It ramps up the speed and ramps down for smooth control of the roof.

It can control twin roof/shutter like guys with synchronisation.

It has a remote control override which is practically unjammable.

Diagnostics are built into the controller with a dot matrix display as shown below.

It has many inputs that are built in, for example Lars' scope has to be parked to clear the roof. So we used a beam that bounces of a reflector mounted on the back of Lars' PME back to the reciever, but only when the scope is in the parked position. So the roof will move only when the scope is in the parked position.

Jase How do you find the Maxdome tracking accuracy?

Doomsayer · #6 04-04-2010, 06:11 PM

Yes, I would agree with Lars. I have a similar observatory roof & controller setup which was installed by Brett. I also have the ability to control the roof via a USB link and CCD autopilot. There was the additional challenge for Brett of having a side flap in the roof flip up then the main roof opens, with the RC & PME in a horizontal parked position. Lars has been a more regular user of CCDAP than me - when clear (rarely in the last 12 months) I've been fiddling with instrumentation and other tweaks, so I intend to use more of the automation in future.

A great system if you have the gear to suit.

guy

jase (Jason) · #7 05-04-2010, 06:58 AM

Hi Brett,

Telepathic powers are attuned.

I was in discussion with a few astro friends who mentioned kits could be obtained. I took their word for it as I'd haven't need to pursue it. Clearly you're the man in the know. Will not drop any hints, but there's a big market out there if you deliver an end-to-end roll off roof automation solution.

I like your method of ensuring the mount is parked. A great fail safe solution. Having a dome, the shutter can be closed in any position.

Re: MaxDomeII, I've not had any tracking problems. Once the geometry measurements are correct, where ever the scope is pointing the dome slot is in alignment. The alignment is based on the target's az/dec, not the scopes. Though it can be safely assumed that both are the same.

gregbradley · #8 14-05-2010, 04:48 PM

Nice one Lars.

I am about to install my rolloff roof.

Perhaps I should be looking at ways to automate it too.

Greg.