Obs Cable Ducting - Power Vs Data, if I had my time again...

[rogerg (Roger)]

Next time I build an observatory I'm going to do my darndest to remember two 3" cable ducts through the concrete, not just the one.

I have had various troubles with power cables interfering with data transmission cables.

I thought one 3" stormwater pipe would be enough. But now that it's quite awkwardly packed with lots of data and power cables I can see a clear need for two.

So ... anyone who is considering building an observatory and ducting cables to the telescope pier I strongly suggest you put in two distinct 3" pipes through which you can put data and power separately.

The 3" size is not just to allow cable width but also plug width.

Of course fault #1 in my case was not installing power points at the base of the pier. I have 21 power points around the edge of the observatory (all bar two in use) but none at the peir.

My tip for the day.

Now, back to wrestling cables through this thing.

Roger.

[Marke (Mark)]

Roger I run a data cable to mine but I have managed fine with WiFi.
I got a high powered usb 2mW wifi adapter with a big hi gain aerial off ebay
I am 20m from house inside an all metal shed and I get 98% signal strength
so havent bothered finishing up the cable yet.

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Marke

Roger I run a data cable to mine but I have managed fine with WiFi.
I got a high powered usb 2mW wifi adapter with a big hi gain aerial off ebay
I am 20m from house inside an all metal shed and I get 98% signal strength
so havent bothered finishing up the cable yet.

Hi Mark,

Just to clarify - The ducting I am talking about is between pier and other computer/equipment in the observatory, not from house to observatory (for that I only have gigabit ethernet and mains power).

It's between pier and computers inside the observatory that I have several USB, LPT, RS232 and many variations of AC and DC power.

Thanks,
Roger.

[Marke (Mark)]

Can you convert any of the 240v to 12V DC ?

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Marke

Can you convert any of the 240v to 12V DC ?

Much of it is. In theory I could have a much neater system but hasn't worked out that way in practice.

I have several of 5v, 12v, 16v DC going through there. Typically anything low voltage DC I extend the wires through the conduit rather than having plugpack etc at the pier. There is 240v going through for a few things.

When I next pull them all out and re-do it I might reduce the number of 240v cables from 3 to 1 with adaptor at the pier, but it's debatable, it's nice not having plug packs and big bundles of 240v stuff at the base of the pier. Much nicer hidden under the cupboard on the side of the obs.

[Marke (Mark)]

When I did mine I put 240v to the wall and a single DC cable under floor from battery to a power box on the pier and every thing runs from that .
I have 12V version of everything including a DC powered usb hub . If I needed AC at the scope I just plug in an inverter.
PC connection is a single USB cable under floor

[rogerg (Roger)]

Originally Posted by Marke

When I did mine I put 240v to the wall and a single DC cable under floor from battery to a power box on the pier and every thing runs from that .
I have 12V version of everything including a DC powered usb hub . If I needed AC at the scope I just plug in an inverter.
PC connection is a single USB cable under floor

Thanks for your reply Mark, interesting to hear how you've done it.

[Marke (Mark)]

There is a couple of pics in the Obs forum of my setup