Gina

I now have plenty I can get on with but will still be taking it slowly. Some years ago I would probably have got all this going in a few days, now it will take several weeks. Never mind - sobeit!

The limit switches and coloured push buttons have arrived and look fine. I'm particularly impressed by the limit switches. They seem ideal.

Yes, I guess that could be a problem.

Same here.

The trouble with Veroboard (other strip boards are available) is that the copper corrodes. I presume that's why "proper" rain detectors have gold plated strips.

Should get a change to test the rain detector today - showers forecast.

Bolt ends cut off with hacksaw.

I think I may stick with the "belt and braces" approach to my ROR - retain the lock-down latches and window bolts and disengage the clutch when locked down. That way the motor drive can't try to open the roof when it's locked down. With the pin and loop system the roof will be safe when closed by the motor but I can still lock down manually (with a vengeance) if storms are forecast. I may add a toggle switch on the control unit to remind myself on the remote control that the roof is locked down if I can't think of anything automatic.

This quote shows what I'm talking about though this shows the anti-lift fittings higher up than I want. With it lower down, the square hole will be in the middle of the top rail of the observatory fixed framework. The coach bolt will go through that top rail and, with the wood screws, provide a very solid fixing.

I think that will be all I'm doing today. The limit switches and coloured push buttons are due to arrive tomorrow. The hook/loop parts of the storm roof lift prevention system have one square hole and two countersunk holes. I already have coach bolts that fit the square holes and the others will have wood screws to hold the hooks straight. I shall probably fit those tomorrow too.

Drilled the pin plates for the roof frame bolts so that the plates can go in the right position and attached them to the roof framework. They will be held level by wood screws on some of the countersunk holes. I shall need to shorten the coach bolts to clear the hook plates with a hacksaw.

The springs have arrived and the biggest one seems fine - I have it fitted. Here's a photo.

Ordered a couple of these limit switches - I like that they're adjustable and waterproof to IP65. Heschen CNTD Limit switch TZ-8108 Adjustable Roller Lever 10A 250VAC SPDT Momentary for CNC Mill Plasma IP65

Didn't do anything this evening other than take a photo.

Tomorrow is another day and looking forward ti receiving the springs to try. Not doing any more on this job tonight.

This is looking like failing the KISS principle. Getting complicated. OTOH stalling the motor trying to open the roof when it's locked down is not really recommended!

I have a linear actuator that I could use instead of the latches to hold the roof closed. This could be remote controlled. It has it's own built-in limit switches. The ring and pin roof holding system on all four corners in combination with a motorised bolt to hold the roof closed, should be just as strong as the farm trailer latches I'm using ATM. As for the bolts that hold the window closed, these are probably not necessary - certainly not on the north side as the cord and pulley system holds the window closed. I could use a solenoid operated latch on the south side.

If I install the gate hangers as a ring and pin system to prevent the roof lifting off in a storm I may not need the lock-down latches. The motor drive will prevent the roof opening as long as the clutch is engaged (if not engaged the roof could be blown open!). I'm going to have to think hard about this. First, I thought I could detect if the latches were locked down by checking for an electrical circuit between the two halves but then I realised that the roof opens and the top halves move. I could run a wire between the two top pieces up under the roof and down the other side but this would only close the circuit if both latches were locked.

Yes, I know what you mean!!! Me too.

Think I've sorted out the window - pulling it open. Bungee cord from the top of the window to a fence post. Simple but it works.

My observatory isn't square either but it works.

Yes, I am taking it easy. Not done very much today - been rather too warm but getting cloudy now so might do a bit this evening. Have made some progress though.

These are the digital input lines for the Arduino :- OPEN - Push button CLOSE - Push button ABORT - Push button Rain Sensor (relay) OPEN limit switch CLOSED limit switch RPi Open RPi Close RPi Abort Digital output lines :- M1INA - Motor control M1INB - Motor control CSD0 - Current Sense D0 to RPi CSD1 - Current Sense D1 to RPi Analog input :- CS - Current Sense voltage Total I/O lines = 14. This is well within the capabilities of the Arduino Nano. There is another input that might be advisable which I discovered whilst testing the motor drive and that's the ROR lock down latches. There's also the tower bolts on the window. I could just provide an OFF switch on the control unit but I couldn't trust myself to switch OFF when the roof is locked down. "Locked down" is another signal that could be sent to the RPi for display indoors.

Too hot to work in the observatory at present. From my earlier visit I decided the control box can go high up on the partition wall in the warm room. In which case one box could contain both local controls and the RPi for remote control. That would save the interconnecting cable and some work. Since I plan to have remote control eventually, I might as well allow for it.

Ordered a box of heavy duty extension springs Large Assorted Box of Large Expansion / Extension Springs (From 5.5" to 2") One of these should do the job and the rest will probably come in useful 😀 Due to arrive tomorrow with Amazon Prime.