How much to build an observatory?

[Alchemy (Clive)]

Originally Posted by g__day

Suggest you split your budget into components:

1. Clearing land - checking drainage and firmness of footings, pruning trees etc
2. Slab, pier and wiring mains power ($300 - $1,500)
3. PC, UPS and/or line conditioners and network infrastructure
4. Dwelling (four walls and floor) for the size of observatory you wish ($300 - $800)
5. Roofing system - roll off, rotating dome and degree of automation you want etc (here's where you could spend $1K - $5K)
6. Heating, cooling, fridge, etc - how basic or comfortable a setting to you want?
7. Security system and insurance

Allocate $ per each major category of spend.

1. 0
2. support for mount 200
3. transport existing in and out as required.
4 2500 for materials
5. push roll off.. dont need anything else
6. We live in oz dont need a warm room.
7. 2 blue heeler guard dogs. not cheap but i dont get robbed.

I constructed my ownhttp://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=24513

timelines about 3-4 weeks on and off, by my wife and i, made of timber as thermally its the best, bricks hold the heat - tin well try sitting in it on a hot day.
i left an overhang all around for ventilation, it gets no hotter than outside.
if you build your own roll off you can have as much room as you want.
we are in a windy location so i had to go a bit overboard on the structure side of it, but its rock solid.
if you want some more pics or specs i can post another pic or two that might help

cheers AL

[xelasnave]

Paul I did the cheap approach... a garden shed that rolls away (12 vlt winch)
It was under $1000 and that was using expensive pine panelling to line the internal walls and ceiling. I could not use sheeting as it would not fit in my small car whereas lenghts of panelling did..The shed in effect sits on a floor (with small wheels) with a channel so as to go around the pier.

Although only 1.5 mter square it houses the scope on the pier and provides a good warm room.

Power is 12vlt from a large car battery with a small inverter if I need 240vlt to recharge the lap top.

It rolls on and off easy but I added a $130 4wd winch cause I should not strain myself (hernia, heart and old to boot)

When it is cold I can close the door so when I finally get auto guiding will be able to stay warm...I have in mind a $100 closed circuit cam rather than a window which would be dearer and cause a lose of insulation.

Slide off roof and domes would be harder to keep warm in.

It is simple and a cost effective method which for me has advantages over the others.

Good luck with the decision making process.

alex

[xelasnave]

Also when closed it does not look tempting to those who may be aware of the valuable gear a dome may contain.

alex