Finally started prep work on my deck on the South Coast NSW for a NexDome 2.2m observatory which is due to arrive late January 2021
I opted for an elevated H4 framed hardwood deck 400mm FFL in lieu of a concrete slab as I wanted to have a 360 deg clear line of sight from 20deg up at the rear of my property which has a narrow backyard.Due to the tight space, the 2.2m Nexdome suited my situation perfectly.
There are 4 piers 250mm dia , one central pier for a future pier mount and 3 tripod piers which will be used for now
Underside of deck will sit 6mm above top of pier level with 3 x 80mm holes drilled through deck boards for tripod feet in the final polar aligned position ( Also provision is made for a bigger EQ8-R mount either pier or tripod mount in the future ( I currently use an EQ6-R mount )
A trench has been dug from rear of house to deck which will carry a 230V 20A dedicated power circuit and 2 x Cat5e UTP data cables in HD underground conduit. Dual data outlet is already fitted off in the house ( Study )
Next step is the deck footings and galv stand off brackets then framework
I’ll update when frame is completed
Cheers
Jeremy,
Thanks for commenting
Unfortunately I don’t do Facebook
I’ll post more photos after frame is completed
Peter ( the wonky astronomer ) Blue Mountains and Paul Muller in Melbourne helped me out with answering many questions and sending photos
Alex
Thanks so much
Although I don’t do Facebook I am a registered user of APT, PHD2 , EQMOD, BYEOS and Startools. These have been a great source of help along with IIS
Martin
Update on progress
Deck frame underway this week
Next week I’m running underground conduits for power and data to the deck.
Also running 2 x 50mm conduits under deck from laptop location in the NexDome bay unit to centre pier location for power and data cables to mount
Deck boards and trims to be completed late next week or early the week after
Expecting deck to be completed around the 18th December
Thanks Max
Frame and piers are completed
Power and data cabling to be run in conduit down wall into trench and along underside of deck to Bay unit location
Deck boards go on next week
Completion on schedule on or around 18th Dec
Waiting on an update on Dome delivery in the new year
I’ve just finished roughing in power and data cabling to deck
I also installed 2 x 50mm PVC conduits underside of deck for all power and data cables between mount and laptop which will sit on a little workstation table in the Bay unit
Trench to be back filled with paving sand , then 100mm of top soil and replace the buffalo grass sods I removed
If the rain holds off next week , the hardwood boards and side trims go on and the deck will be ready for the Dome
I’ll have to get an update on the Dome as last time I spoke to Sidereal Trading it was due end of January/ early February
More updates to follow ....
Looking at the photos, it's unclear if you have clearance between the piers and the frame.
The frame and dome will move (wind, foot steps, foot balls etc).
And as I have just found out, the piers could move as well if forces are transferred to them.
Peter
I’m using 140mm Merbau hardwood boards ( I did my main deck off the house 2 years ago with it and it’s still like brand new and solid as a rock )
I designed the deck with the future in mind , if I ever move , I can take the Dome with me and the deck can remain a deck for lounging around , sundeck with bbq etc....( the holes I drill for the tripod and or centre pier I will keep the Merbau pucks and I can glue them back in if I ever move )
Martin
PS I’m lucky where I am at Narrawallee, I’m up nice and high on the rise of a hill 200m from the beach and no big trees around, so protected enough from southerlies etc..
I will unobstructed views NSEW from 25 degrees up
I could have made the deck higher but I preferred to keep it lower with enough under floor ventilation etc...
Observatory deck for NexDome now completed
Just have to lay pavers in strips on open sides for lawn edging plus some more landscape pebbles
NexDome due to arrive from Canada into Melbourne around 25th January , then 2 weeks to clear customs and a few days to deliver my place on the South Coast
Hope to have it installed , wired up , scope installed and operational by end of February
I have 10mm clearance from piers to top and all sides from deck boards and deck frame to allow for movement
Power and data cabling coiled up in north corner under deck ready for NexDome
2 x 50mm conduits for cabling ready in position between mount and bay unit where laptop will sit on a workstation desk
More progress to follow once NexDome arrives in early to mid February .....
If that structure was in my yard, it would be soon covered in pot plants...
Thanks Peter
When the dome is in position , there’s still room around it for small pot plants , garden gnomes, Buda , a white statue of Archimedes etc .... oh and a small door mat at the entry door of the dome
Seriously my wife with probably sit pot plants around it as she’s a keen gardener, we are running out of room , the deck dome takes up a quarter of the yard
Cheers
Martin
Finished oiling Deck , landscape pebbling and paver strips today
Deck now ready for NexDome
Latest update from Sidereal is Deck should arrive in Melbourne docks tomorrow, 7 - 10 days to clear Customs and then delivery to place on the South Coast
Due to COVID and a design upgrade the Dome has taken around 8 months from order to delivery on site ( normally 4 to 5 months from Canada )
Hope to have it up and running mid to late March
Fingers crossed