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  #81  
Old 11-02-2022, 01:33 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
Highest Observatory in Oz

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Today I had the control room picked up from its old home, 600m AMSL at Terroux, north of Canberra, and delivered up to its new home at 1450m AMSL at Eagleview in the Tinderry mountains, south if Canberra. La La the Chicken has a rather more lofty and significantly more spectacular view now while once again guarding the observatory

Next will be to form up the shed slab and foot path for the 18" visual Dob, then order the concrete for this and the main telescope support column.

Mike
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  #82  
Old 11-02-2022, 01:47 PM
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astroron (Ron)
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Getting Better everyday Mike
Cheers
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  #83  
Old 11-02-2022, 01:55 PM
AdamJL
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Fantastic, Mike

So exciting to watch this come together.
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  #84  
Old 11-02-2022, 02:12 PM
Dennis
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Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike View Post
Today I had the control room picked up from its old home, 600m AMSL at Terroux, north of Canberra, and delivered up to its new home at 1450m AMSL at Eagleview in the Tinderry mountains, south if Canberra. >snip
Mike
You are so lucky Mike, when I was a young lad, we living in t' shoebox in t' middle o' road, worked fourteen hours a day, week-in week-out, for sixpence a week.

I would love to have lived in your control room - sheer luxury.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue7wM0QC5LE

https://genius.com/Monty-python-four...en-live-lyrics

Cheers

Dennis
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  #85  
Old 11-02-2022, 02:25 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
Highest Observatory in Oz

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Getting Better everyday Mike
Cheers
Slowly but surely Ron...

Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamJL View Post
Fantastic, Mike

So exciting to watch this come together.
Cheers Adam

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis View Post
You are so lucky Mike, when I was a young lad, we living in t' shoebox in t' middle o' road, worked fourteen hours a day, week-in week-out, for sixpence a week.

I would love to have lived in your control room - sheer luxury.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue7wM0QC5LE

https://genius.com/Monty-python-four...en-live-lyrics

Cheers

Dennis
LUXURY!

One of the all-time best comedy skits that one Dennis

Love Monty Python

Mike
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  #86  
Old 11-02-2022, 03:12 PM
croweater (Richard)
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Loving this thread Mike. Things really taking shape.
Cheers,Richard.
PS. What the heck is that guarding the door
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  #87  
Old 11-02-2022, 11:11 PM
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Joshua Bunn (Joshua)
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Its all moving along at a rate Mike, when do you expect to take some images from up there?
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  #88  
Old 12-02-2022, 06:33 AM
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mura_gadi (Steve)
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Would love to have seen Venus up there over the last few mornings, been awesome in the burbs.

You'll have to rename the hut... signs getting a little faded anyway...
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  #89  
Old 14-02-2022, 08:08 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
Highest Observatory in Oz

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Loving this thread Mike. Things really taking shape.
Cheers,Richard.
PS. What the heck is that guarding the door
Slowly but surely...and it's a vicious robotic chicken security guard

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joshua Bunn View Post
Its all moving along at a rate Mike, when do you expect to take some images from up there?
Who know's still a bit to do

Quote:
Originally Posted by mura_gadi View Post
Would love to have seen Venus up there over the last few mornings, been awesome in the burbs.

You'll have to rename the hut... signs getting a little faded anyway...
Great sign Steve and yes only looked at it naked eye in the clear dawn sky but it was its usual beacon self hovering over the treetops
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  #90  
Old 14-02-2022, 08:18 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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The new view from my new control room..?..might move into it

Yes, the solar panel is now on the wrong side (east) of the building, I will be mounting more significant panels on the Northern side (facing the camera) of the shed.

Mike
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  #91  
Old 14-02-2022, 09:40 AM
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astroron (Ron)
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Looks like a place to hold Ned Kelly.
Great view through the bars.
Cheers
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  #92  
Old 14-02-2022, 10:58 AM
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mura_gadi (Steve)
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I'd guess the bars are too keep that rooster out, or its the rooster's nest for sure.

Good luck with the weather hopefully there will be more work days than not in before it gets really cold, looks like a "site" now at least.


If you know anyone arty ...
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  #93  
Old 14-02-2022, 11:16 AM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Looks like a place to hold Ned Kelly.
Great view through the bars.
Cheers
Quote:
Originally Posted by mura_gadi View Post
I'd guess the bars are too keep that rooster out, or its the rooster's nest for sure.

Good luck with the weather hopefully there will be more work days than not in before it gets really cold, looks like a "site" now at least.
The bars were always on the site shed, that's how I got it ie. secure for a building site. I left them on as I was never living near the observatory and had gear stored inside. It has solid lock protection with an extra metal guard and headless bolts secure everything so they can't be removed with a screwdriver or spanner and while yes, an angle grinder can get through most defences and a chain attached to a utes tow ball can pull pretty hard , the shed is as secure as one can make it, at least from all but the most determined R-Soles...and for them, well?..we have an insurance policy I guess?

Yes, the robotic chicken (Rooster?) is highly dangerous

Nice bit of artwork there Steve, I like it

Mike

Last edited by strongmanmike; 14-02-2022 at 11:41 AM.
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  #94  
Old 14-02-2022, 04:43 PM
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xelasnave
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Good on you Mike it is wonderful to see all your progress..Well done.
Alex
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  #95  
Old 14-02-2022, 10:56 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Good on you Mike it is wonderful to see all your progress..Well done.
Alex
Cheers Alex

Mike
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  #96  
Old 15-02-2022, 06:24 PM
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Camelopardalis (Dunk)
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Wow Mike, that’s quite some vista from your control room
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  #97  
Old 15-02-2022, 07:38 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Wow Mike, that’s quite some vista from your control room
Yes, have to say Dunk, it is indeed all raaather cathartic, that's for sure

Mike
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  #98  
Old 18-02-2022, 07:08 PM
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strongmanmike (Michael)
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Went shopping this afternoon

4 X 170W panels, 60A regulator, 2000W 12V-240V inverter and some connector cables...some big batteries coming soon...

Mike
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  #99  
Old 18-02-2022, 10:16 PM
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xelasnave
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excellent but be careful ... if you actually run 2000 watts in a 12 vlt system...calculate how many amps...mmm thats a surprise I bet think of possible melt down and avoid getting up there...that is why folk go for 48 vlt systems...2000 watts at 12 volts is 160 odd amps ...in 48 vlt system its only 40 odd amps...anyways add up your watts divide by 12 and it should be no where near 2000.

it is fantastic seeing you getting on with it.

alex
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  #100  
Old 18-02-2022, 11:12 PM
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MrB (Simon)
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Went shopping this afternoon
Oh man, Nice, but I sure hope you used a Trade card for a discount, or atleast you are/became a Nerd-Perks/Club member for credits to use at next visit?!


If you're interested in more info than what's in the manual about the regulator, it is actually an Epever Tracer6210AN.
https://www.epever.com/product/trace...ge-controller/
They're not bad regulators. I've had the 40A version for about 5 years with no drama's.
If you're interested on data-logging or an easier setup/menu experience, there's a few external modules available:- Remote dot matrix LCD(model: MT50), WiFi module, Bluetooth module, Networking(TCP) module, RS485->USB converter lead etc... these all use one of the RS485 ports but unfortunately you can only use one device at a time. The second port is only for syncing two (up to six) regulators.

Edit: Found a system accessory chart. TCP module not shown for some reason.
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