Best base for a back yard observatory - Page 2

Terry B · #21 04-06-2012, 09:44 AM

Mine is a slab that I lay myself. Not hard to do at all. Cost about $600 in reo and delivered concrete. I have a cast iron pier that I dynabolted to the slab. It doesn't vibrate. I haven't noticed any vibration from the floor but I dont jump up and down on it when I'm imaging. Sitting at the puter doesn't cause any vibration.

ZeroID (Brent) · #22 05-06-2012, 11:58 AM

The real requirement as I see it is to have a solid base for the pier\tripod whatever that may entail and an isolated floor to keep everything else dry and handy. I confess I do like being above the ground as it really removes the damp intrusion problems of concrete floors.

SkySlab sits on a pre-existing 4 meter square slab of concrete in my backyard. Floor floats ~300mm above this on brick pads at the corners about 1.5 meters away from the pier base which is secured to the slab with a one meter length of M6 threaded rod under tension. Shed is 2.6 meters by 1.8 deep. So far I am very pleased with way it is working. Pier damps within .5 of a second if I bump it, I can jump on the floor and it doesn't move. The pier is a 120 kg 1 meter length of 300 mm concrete drainwater pipe. Just about stable on it's own accord !!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=88712

As an aside on the tripod it can be a nuisance with the three legs sometimes getting in the way of counterbalance weights or feet. The pier is a far better option especially in a small shed.

2stroke (Jay) · #23 24-06-2012, 02:31 AM

It's great reading about you guys who have done multi ob setup's and hearing the results. I would like to hear more about vibrations caused by bad setups though, lol i've only every had wind/breeze issues with the old gear we have

LucP (Luc) · #24 28-06-2012, 01:14 AM

Hello to all.
Just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth, I'm new here and this is my first post.
I rent the house I live in so no permanent structures allowed. This was my idea.
Using a 14ft trampoline frame and replacing the springs and mats with yellow tounge flooring, with a bit of frame work underneath. Then to cut a hole in the centre of said flooring. using a 600mm x 600mm concrete paver on the ground and a plinth from a garden supply shop, I can put my Dob on that, so it is independant of the floor.
The trampoline frame has poles that would normally hold up the netting. I replace the netting with something a little heavier.
All up the job comes in under $400. Now I.
just have to work on the pesky roof
Does anyone foresee any problems with this that I have not?
P.S Great site. I've learned a heap just visiting.

Poita (Peter) · #25 28-06-2012, 09:29 AM

Wouldn't it kill the grass anyway?
I rent too, and have gone with a 'sunken' pier, I can put turf back over the top of it when I go, and a cover for the gear that locks down, and run everything remotely from inside the house when it gets cold.

-Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucP

Hello to all.
Just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth, I'm new here and this is my first post.
I rent the house I live in so no permanent structures allowed. This was my idea.
Using a 14ft trampoline frame and replacing the springs and mats with yellow tounge flooring, with a bit of frame work underneath. Then to cut a hole in the centre of said flooring. using a 600mm x 600mm concrete paver on the ground and a plinth from a garden supply shop, I can put my Dob on that, so it is independant of the floor.
The trampoline frame has poles that would normally hold up the netting. I replace the netting with something a little heavier.
All up the job comes in under $400. Now I.
just have to work on the pesky roof
Does anyone foresee any problems with this that I have not?
P.S Great site. I've learned a heap just visiting.