the moisture was not from leaking and there was no condensation on the dome walls, only on the mount
Perhaps it's a leaky solar vent. Mine was not watertight and in heavy rain would let a little water in. Thankfully I had covered the telescope (and still do today) with a large plastic bin liner when I noticed the odd drop falling from the fan. Simple fix though - silicone sealant the clear plastic cover where it meets the metal housing.
Perhaps it's a leaky solar vent. Mine was not watertight and in heavy rain would let a little water in. Thankfully I had covered the telescope (and still do today) with a large plastic bin liner when I noticed the odd drop falling from the fan. Simple fix though - silicone sealant the clear plastic cover where it meets the metal housing.
Cheers, Marcus
thanks Marcus,
i sealed up everything else today and that was the only thing i did not do
But a word of caution mate, after the near disastrous lightning strike I suffered this week (as you know), I'd seriously look at some way of protecting the gear in the dog house or at least have some way of physically isolating both the power and data cables from the mount itself.
Even a data cable alone can be very dangerous as I found out.
But a word of caution mate, after the near disastrous lightning strike I suffered this week (as you know), I'd seriously look at some way of protecting the gear in the dog house or at least have some way of physically isolating both the power and data cables from the mount itself.
Even a data cable alone can be very dangerous as I found out.
i have a double power point with powerboards from it - easy to unplug
David, Mark and others
Sorry to bother you but I think my observatory is arriving next week and I wanted to ask specifically what was the method of fixing the panels to the deck. I have hardwood decking on a permapine (ie not hardwood) deck. The deck is very solid as its constructed from 200x50 sleepers al la JohnG's design. But I was wondering exactly what bolts/screws or what ever was used to afix the panels to the decking. Actual measurements of screws and washers would be of massive assistance. I affixed the actual merbu decking to the deck using spiral nails which I can garantee will never pull out, but want to make sure that the panels dont pull off the decking. Did you afix the panels to the decking or go through that to the actual supports below the decking ie the bearers?
Again many thanks
Allan
I had made sure that my decking was at least 6"-8" above ground level, that way it allowed for air circulation and it also allowed me to reach underneath and use 3/8" bolts with flat washers top and bottom to secure the walls, I just drilled through the side wall lower lip and through the decking between the joists. I used two (2) bolts per wall panel.
David, Mark and others
Sorry to bother you but I think my observatory is arriving next week and I wanted to ask specifically what was the method of fixing the panels to the deck. I have hardwood decking on a permapine (ie not hardwood) deck. The deck is very solid as its constructed from 200x50 sleepers al la JohnG's design. But I was wondering exactly what bolts/screws or what ever was used to afix the panels to the decking. Actual measurements of screws and washers would be of massive assistance. I affixed the actual merbu decking to the deck using spiral nails which I can garantee will never pull out, but want to make sure that the panels dont pull off the decking. Did you afix the panels to the decking or go through that to the actual supports below the decking ie the bearers?
Again many thanks
Allan
David and John
Thanks to both of you for your replies. I'll be making sure I will screw the whole thing down as best as I can. Went to Bunnies and saw the lock down devices you made up and will be installing them too
David and John
Thanks to both of you for your replies. I'll be making sure I will screw the whole thing down as best as I can. Went to Bunnies and saw the lock down devices you made up and will be installing them too
Allan to clarify I used just a tad over 700 screws on the decking board portion of the deck - I wanted to make sure that the hardwood deck would be securely fastened to the base - LOL which I used well over 1300 framing clouts on the brackets and 330 screws. Probably overkill but I didn’t want to chance it as I had every intention of screwing the base of the observatory to the deck with several roofing screws. I didn’t drill any holes in the base either - just self drilling tips right through. That was after I had levelled the observatory and had the dome on and rotating nicely.
another note i made sure that any screw i put in for the dome was in the middle of a board
David
Some shots of the finished pier a la JohnG and yourself and some of the pier from a design by Guido Pasi which is absolutely a joy to adjust and setup. Put 3 coats on the deck and 2 on the bearers.
David
Some shots of the finished pier a la JohnG and yourself and some of the pier from a design by Guido Pasi which is absolutely a joy to adjust and setup. Put 3 coats on the deck and 2 on the bearers.
looking good Allan. i was extremely disappointed in the decking stain i chose but i am getting used to it
