CedricTheBrave

its been back to them before for the same issue although that was several years ago

After first polar align last night I was quite pleased with my pier positioning!

9 minutes ago, vlaiv said:

I'm using ASI185 with 1600mm of FL and OAG. It has 3.75um pixel size, and I bin that x2 and it works nicely.

Have to say I have not tried binning my costar but the constant need to manually disconnect it to get it working will be the end.

May see what s/h lodestar are around

20 minutes ago, Xsubmariner said:

Nice smooth roof. Does the controller have an interlock to enable a mount parked signal to ensure the roof only closes when the scope is parked?

Yes if you select close in NINA it will initiate park first. Also if it detects any unsafe condition it will close again after park. Also won't open unless the mount is live so it knows where it is.

I have used my trusty SX costar as a guide cam for quite a few years now but I feel its time for an upgrade. (its [removed word] me off)

its to go on an Askar OAG on a 14" newt F4.6

which one would you reccomend?

Its good to hear a resolution to this. I have the same cam and always a concern was what happened if....

Now motorised woohoo

Picking up insulated roof panels next week!

I am currently working on adding a bluetooth option to this arduino project to control the rolling roof. here https://projecthub.arduino.cc/cfar/rolling-roof-computer-interface-rrci-a7f9ac

i have found different versions of the ascom driver version 1.0.0 and version 1.2.3 howver I have seen and image showing a version 3.0.1 

if anyone else is using this project could you let me know if you have vers 3.0.1?

I have asked the origonal developer also.

many thanks

Its been a while but i have a roof (frame) that moves!

I find it better to use than others but I am also Windows

It's been a while but now have my roof trusses up. Just a tarp on for now but next step is to stick some board on and make it waterproof.

One step at a time

First truss put together I think I can improve the joints now I know all my angles. Just need to fit a stretcher from the middle. 

This design give me the clearance when it slides over the old shed rood!

Small steps but slowly moving on.

First side base of roof routed out the mounting points and installed rollers.

Runs quite smooth!

On 10/10/2023 at 08:25, Swoop1 said:

I would never have got away with fixing that membrane upside down. The project manager would have made me strip it off and start again.

Tidy looking build👍

the writing is on both ways ! 

Todays job is working out where to position the rollers for the roof!

done a trial on a scrap which looks good and there will be three each side so where to position on the length of 2.7m?

I guess one in the middle and maybe 30cm in from each end?

On 10/10/2023 at 16:13, Carbon Brush said:

A thought on the door - if it is not too late.
Just how big does the door need to be?

Shed doors let you get wheelbarrows and big mowers through.
For convenience they often go full height.

For an observatory you don't need it very wide and it doesn't matter about ducking your head.
Doing this can leave more strength in the wall.

On my build, I did wonder what size I might have to get through the door.
Then I realised that even if I bought a 30" reflector, it could be hoisted in with the roof off😆

yes I agree the door doesnt need to be very big so I will be ducking for sure its wide enough for my shoulders though!

Scope and everything else can go in over the top as its not that high either.

Been away for a short while so things have been delayed but we are making progress. 

Lower framework is nearly done. Just ran out of a few things. Two end frames up and solid and I am now getting an idea of roof size. It will be a scissor truss design so will raise the head height by another 200mm over the current rear end. The front end is lower so the trusses clear it.

Placed the rail on to see how it looks !

Door way is on the end so I will have to make a door to fit. Its all being clad in featheredge so should be solid enough.

Onwards!

On 25/09/2023 at 17:15, Carbon Brush said:

The same pier construction & vibration isolation that I did in 2007😁

does it work?

1 hour ago, bwj said:

How tall are your walls?

Not very. They are as high as you see. the moving roof will be part sided as well so I will be able to stand up inside when it's closed. 

So we are moving forward rain last week slowed me down a little!

Side walls going up will be lined and featheredge boarded today 1st rail across roof of old shed for measurements look good and will have a centre support as there is a truss inside in the middle. 

Power cables run and an ethernet up inside the pier in separate tubes so pleased with that.

Hope to get boards done on sides today and maybe some of the end.

I have to build the frame then remove to nail the board on as I can't get behind them against the fence sos that may be a bit heavy when complete!

Floor base and final few ground screws in and solid

8 hours ago, Mr H in Yorkshire said:

Wow that is one massive base, my query was not well expressed, but I expect the answer is simple. I wondered how any floor vibrations would be isolated, but if the floor doesn't touch the base or column directly then no problem.

The shuttering will come off and the square area of the concrete won't touch the surrounding floor but will have soft tiles covering it all just in case I drop anything (happens)

The Plan is to use the existing shed roof thats next to it to mount the rails on for the new roof to slide over onto.

I built that shed quite a few years ago and it's still very solid.

That's the plan anyway! 

13 hours ago, Mr H in Yorkshire said:

enthusiasm for tinkering but in the daytime I fix Bicycles 

Sounds perfect!

Have you cast the column into the base slab? Any concerns about vibrations?

Hi yes it's an 800mmx800mmx800 hole with rebar formed into a square shape in the base and 4 columns of rebar upinside the 300mm tube all filled with nearly a tonne of concrete.

The top plate has 4 x 500mm stainless threaded rods set down into the concrete.

It's as solid as solid can be I don't forsee any issues

Ok it's been planned in my head for a while bit now it's started!