Build a Cheap, Simple Laptop Light Control Hutch

iceman (Mike) · #1 04-01-2007, 07:30 AM

Al Sheehan (sheeny) has written a great (and very timely!) article on how to Build a Cheap, Simple Laptop Light Control Hutch.

You can read the article on the IceInSpace Projects & Articles page, or directly by clicking on the link below:

Build a Cheap, Simple Laptop Light Control Hutch

Many thanks to Al for writing the article. I might have a go at one myself before Lostock!

If you'd like to contribute a review, article or other content to IceInSpace, please contact me.

iceman (Mike) · #2 04-01-2007, 07:48 AM

Article uploaded.

vindictive666 (John) · #3 04-01-2007, 08:12 AM

hi

just wondering whats the wallpaper on the laptop

looks cool a link perhaps or just the name will suffice

thnks

Astroman (Andrew Wall) · #4 04-01-2007, 08:49 AM

Good thing about this is you can use the box for storage too, great work Al.

sheeny (Al) · #5 04-01-2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vindictive666

hi

just wondering whats the wallpaper on the laptop

looks cool a link perhaps or just the name will suffice

thnks

I can't tell you that (or I'd have to kill you...) cause I'm at work at the moment, but I'm pretty sure its a Hubble shot. Google Hubble and have a browse through the gallery... if you are like me there are so many cool wallpaper type shots that you'll have trouble deciding!

Al.

ving (David) · #6 04-01-2007, 01:14 PM

simple and yet so effective!
good on ya Al.

vindictive666 (John) · #7 04-01-2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheeny

I can't tell you that (or I'd have to kill you...) cause I'm at work at the moment, but I'm pretty sure its a Hubble shot. Google Hubble and have a browse through the gallery... if you are like me there are so many cool wallpaper type shots that you'll have trouble deciding!

Al.

thanks i should have remembered, its been a while ive been to the hubble site

lol

[1ponders] (Paul) · #8 04-01-2007, 03:10 PM

Nice one Al. You could even put some sticky Velcro inside/outside to attach focuser and mount controls to as well

sheeny (Al) · #9 04-01-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Nice one Al. You could even put some sticky Velcro inside/outside to attach focuser and mount controls to as well

So easy Paul! I already have velcro on my focus controller.

Al.

Rigel003 (Graeme) · #10 04-01-2007, 05:39 PM

Thanks Al! This seems like such a good idea that I rushed out and bought a container this afternoon. I've been futzing around with old pillow cases over the laptop screen during timed exposures - not a great arrangement. I'm thinking I'll need to drill some access holes in the lefthand bottom side though, for USB cables for camera and autoguider control.

As a side issue, can anyone suggest a source of suitable red filter material for the laptop screen itself?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #11 04-01-2007, 05:44 PM

Graeme try stage lighting suppliers. They can supply not just the red gel filter but neutral density filter as well. Very reasonably priced. I have a number of different pieces with velcro on the back to match up the pieces on my Laptop screen edge. Works a treat and is much more robust than celophane

sheeny (Al) · #12 04-01-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rigel003

Thanks Al! This seems like such a good idea that I rushed out and bought a container this afternoon. I've been futzing around with old pillow cases over the laptop screen during timed exposures - not a great arrangement. I'm thinking I'll need to drill some access holes in the lefthand bottom side though, for USB cables for camera and autoguider control.

As a side issue, can anyone suggest a source of suitable red filter material for the laptop screen itself?

I contemplated drilling some holes as well for ventilation and my power cable for the lappy, but I'll suck it and see first. My USB cables come out the RHS so there's room past the mouse. I'm hoping there's enough room for the power cable to loop around come out that side too without drilling holes. After having the lappy in the hutch fo while I don't think at this stage that I need ventilation holes.

As for the screen filter, I use a piece of dark red perspex that I bought from the local glazier, attached with velcro dots. The other thing I do is adjust the screen brightness with the function buttons. I have a power management profile set up that minimises screen brightness (and some other settings) for astro work. If I find the screen is too dim to read I bump the brightness up just enough to read it. On my lappy the function button with the left/right cursor buttons decrease/increase screen brightness respectively, which is handy.

Al.

Rigel003 (Graeme) · #13 04-01-2007, 07:39 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, Paul and Al. I do reduce the screen brightness to the minimum with the function key but it's still way too bright. Need to get a filter of some sort.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #14 04-01-2007, 07:50 PM

Great simple idea Al.

Easy to make and use. I like it