What type of observatory to build (if I could soon)

[Daveskywill (David)]

Hello:

I'm wondering about all the different types of pros and cons of roll-off-roof observatories and small dome ones are?

Like some here know that I've been wanting to get one built?

And I've saved up about $800 that could be used for a concrete floor (like the 10'X10'X4" that a local contracter quoted.
And had planned on continuing to save the other (about $2000) for the SkyShedPod thing (so small dome). But then to get to view outside the quarter of the sphere (half of a hemisphere) slides into the other (hinges on both sides). And they talk of with this setup of not being able to easily access the sky over head (like meridian).

So now my mom said she would be willing pay for the whole or mostly whole price of an observatory, if it would be a roll-off-roof type. And it could even be bigger than I had planned with the dome. It would be SkyShed designed and planned too (though not dome, they make both). The way this design is that they include (in the kit) enough lumber for wooden decking and expect that I'll cut a hole in the floor for the pier. And if I used the concrete instead (for this roof-type) I'd not need this deck flooring, so I'm hoping that we can save that portion of the money.

I think that my mom's thinking and intention is that when we go to move away and sell our place here in the country that the property value will be higher and it would look (I guess) less weird if there was a shed-like-looking building on top of the concrete, instead of only concrete.

Which that last thing is what you'd have with the dome gone if I went that route, since we would probably be taking that with us.

I just wondered what are some people's advice here about this?

Since a good mount is really more important than even barlows and a heated dew-sheild I guess this situation should take presidence.

Thank you.
David

[Daveskywill (David)]

We also have really good Amish wood-workers and carpenters here in lower Michigan. So if we do go the route of building the roll-off-roof building we could probably get good quality work for a good price.

I'm just wondering like I've got the plans for those Skyshed plans on my computer. I guess I could show the plans to the Amish, and/or print them out so they could be read.

It's even got a bill of materials and wondered if I should go with letting the company send us a kit (with material) and have it built, or just the plans without the material?

Mom's going to check into the cost of the Amish to do the work.

Thanks.

[ZeroID (Brent)]

Hi David, I'd be going for the wooden floor with a concrete cube for the pier beneath. That way you would be isolated from the pier an also have ventilation beneath to keep the ob shed dry and cool. That's my plan anyway but I don't have to deal with snow etc which you probably have up in Michigan.
You might be better advised over on CloudyNights forum which is based in the USA rather than us southern hemisphere people. Good of your mom to help you out with your plans and finance though.
Good luck with whatever you go with and keep us informed.

[Daveskywill (David)]

I had a question about deep cycle car batteries, for power for the observatory. Of course that's down the road.

But for power out there, I'm planning on mounting a solar panel and wondered about charging 2 deep cycles wired in parallel. That would make the voltage still 12 volts, but double the amp capacity.

Then I wondered if it would be alright to use those to both power the Meade LX200GPS and some things like dew heaters plus maybe my Canon Rebel T2i?

David