Bukko

When I was planning my obby, I drew out every piece of equipment and what they would need in the way of cables. As everything goes underground, a draw wire is in the duct too, just in case. Cat5e ethernet cables are also happily running at GB speeds with no issues and as you say, they are easy to make up. I added a second ethernet cable to each dome, firstly the conductors can be used for part of the security system and also if I have an issue with the data, as a spare. Adding a USB and HDMI sounds worthwhile, just in case you need them in the future. Easy to install today, more difficult later... Perhaps needless to say, just make sure any AC mains cables do not share the same cable runs as signal cables. Good luck Gordon.

I know!! the standing joke is we now have two pools. It all sounds very grand, but in reality the pool room is just the back of the garage that's sectioned off and has the pool equipment there.. The pumps and filters and stuff. A bunch of stuff that requires maintenance of course. Gordon.

Thanks James. Seems is the key word; I have a lot of work to do around the house, not just the terrace. I do plan to get the scope PA'd and run some subs off to make sure everything works then I can bolt the flooring down. Then start on the second dome once the terrace is done.... Gordon.

After a week of other things - the terrace sits on top of the garage and pool room and it leaks.. We have had a lot of rain recently and I could not ignore it much longer, so had to detour to make it watertight. A bigger job than I thought; the terrace was laid flat.. and level so water did not run off and over the years led to water ingress. So it's not just lifting th eold tiles and lay new, I need to put a bit of a slope on it Anyway, I have now taken a break from that and back to the domes. As I am almost finished with the first dome, I took the time to tidy up the warm room so it does not look like a building site storeshed. Also, the cabling in the dome is finished, the PC and UPS safely installed under the flooring and all the cables made off. Tested back to the warm room and also back into the house, I am able to use the Remote Desktop application in windows to control the system. Problem I have is my internet is through a 4G link, so we cannot get a static IP address, so real remote connectivity is more difficult. I can use Teamviewer, but would rather not for security reasons. In the dome, it is also tidy now with nothing more to do to the installation. There is loads of room to move around, 4 people is easy, only the rotation motor and the dehumidifier to trip over. All the PSU's are also secured on the pier. I can't find my old Shoestring box for EQMOD, so ordered a new USB version from FLO, so I have a little while to wait before I can work on the control software. In the meantime, it will be back working on the terrace for me. Hope you like the latest pix. Gordon.

Hi James, I installed a UPS in each dome, probably more important here in rural France than the UK, as I sometimes lose the power without warning. The domes are not on the UPS, as they draw too much current and would drain the battery in a few minutes. It is a stepped waveforem type (please don't judge me harshly, to protect all the IT, I needed five of them...) and they work fine with the switch mode PSU's for the PC, mount and camera. The dew heater is also not on the UPS. There is also a UPS in the warm room, mostly for the 4g internet connection, as I get a stronger signal there than the house. All the PSU's are local to the scope, to avoid running long lengths of DC power. It's all about volt drops... Good luck, Gordon.

As above, managing a quantity of concrete is a struggle sometimes and it is tough to mix by hand, even a mixer only partly solves the problem as it still needs to be loaded and unloaded. Fixing a single concrete slab is also not the preferred solution, as ground movement can transfer to the pier, mount and scope. So an isolated footing is usually installed for the pier. For my build, I did fit a concrete slab, but this also had a separate, isolated footing for the piers. When I say "I" I really mean the buulders I brought in to help... Gordon.

Good progress and well done with the builder. If the motors are wired to include limit switches, then it might be good to get new ones and fit to the roof to make sure the roof stops at the end of the travel. Nothing wrong with adding the safety stop, especially if the motor and gearbox is oversized, it might damage the structure if allowed to go too far... The motor assembly also looks a bit exposed, so do you have somewhere protected from the weather to mount it/them? Keep up the good work, Gordon.

Hi Marvin, Off to Agen tomorrow morning for a look around... First time there as we have been busy since we got here. In a way, a few months of fog now is OK, providing it clears up for the winter.... Hoping... I did talk to the Mayor about the club and she says she was actually joking. I have designed everything to host one, so will probably do it anyway. Some of the neighbours around me stop off and take a look, many are also interested in seeing what's out there. I just need to seriously improve my French first. I can get by talking to the girl in the bread shop, but technical is a problem. I liken my language skills to the Policeman in Allo Allo - if you remember that. As for outreach, I have not really thought about it. There is a big club near Marmande so mine would mostly consist of visitors coming round and drinking wine, I think (as the weather is going to be really bad for a long time...) And if you are planning to visit, you would be welcome. It's a 15 minute drive off the A62 from Damazan... Gordon

Thanks, glad you liked it... I see so many postings on SGL talking about a new EP arrives and they get clouds for a week... Extrapolating the theory, I think I have just condemmed SW France to a summer of rain and clouds. The closer the build has got to testing, the worse the weather has got - today is is cloudy, with some rain and a whole lot of wind. The anemometer has temperature and humidity sensors too, both inside the warm room and outside. I am hoping the humidity sensor will help me decide when I need the dehumidifier and/or the scope heater tapes... Hopefully, soon one dome done with one to go... Gordon.

So... Movie time!! Spent some time the last couple of days to get things working; the mount is still on the handset so more to do there, the Uninterruptable Power Supply works fine too. Plan is to run the PC, mount and camera through it with the rest directly from the mains. The dome motors would probably drain the UPS in no time, so not included. The dome still only runs from the controller, not yet connected to the PC, but it has a remote!! Hope you like the little video of the dome working. Gordon. 5433.mp4

A rake?? Never thought about using a rake, always used a spade.. I assume it works well?

Many years ago, to manage mixing smaller amounts of cement or concrete. I got a mixing tray from Wickes. Been brilliant, but of course it means basically having to turn the stuff over by hand. The good bit is it keeps the ground underneath clean. It also works well if placed under the cement mixer to catch any spills. https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Heavy-Duty-Tuffspot-Mixing-Tray---Black/p/543009 They do say a bit of hard work never did any harm, but I am not so sure... Gordon.

Who says Sunday is a day of rest?? Been a good day to make progress with the dome; got the NEQ6 back on the pier, set up the OO VX12 and collimated it with the Hotech. Installed al lthe camera stuff and cabled it up. Then balanced the mount and ran it to make sure the cables didn't snag anywhere in the rotation of both axis. Happy days. I read the post some time ago on dealing with moisture in the observatory. My first thought was airflow, but there was a strong camp for using a dehumidifier. I see both sides and although I preferred ventilation, understand this will not help if the outside air is humid. So I installed both. The fan is really cheap and cheap to run with around 10 air changes per hour, which should be enough. To make things simple to manage, I installed a switch on the outside to change from fan to de-humidifier. I will need to try the two methods out and work out which works best under what conditions. Getting there... Gordon.

I have given the new concrete base enough time to harden and want to make some progress... Been busy with other stuff around the house, the pool is now around 22 degrees and warming up, so maintenance required to prepare it for use. The winter cover replaced with the summer solar cover to try and catch some extra heat. Hoping the next couple of weeks sunshine will get it somewhere close to usable. So, the new base was drilled and four M16 studs cemented in place. After time to set, the pier was re-fitted and grouted down. I will need to give the grout a couple of days to harden, then clean everything up before replacing the floor and fitting the scope. Hopefully in another week, will be able to test everything. Happy days... Anyway, latest picture attached. Gordon

Looking good. Are you planning on putting anything between the concrete and the pier? Something like a gasket, or just bolt it together? Gordon.

That's a serious piece of concrete work there... I don't think it will move anytime soon. Looking forward to seeing the mount and scope fitted. Gordon.

Sounds like multitasking to me!! Good luck with the weather and hopefully it holds out long enough to align everything Gordon

As usual on a project, not much happens at the start, while we think about what to do and organise all the stuff... Then the bits arrive and little happens for a while, then things happen quickly and progress looks amazing... Then the big stuff is up and the fiddly, technical bits have to be done... The last couple of days I have poured the extra height for the pier base and connected some of the electrics. The warm room now powers both domes and I am close to completing the second dome controls. Stuck on the first dome as I can't really progress until the concrete hardens enough to drill it out for the new pier studs. I knocked off the shuttering and the base does look pretty good. I am missing the big vibrator the builder used to get the air out of the concrete, but did my best. The second dome only needs the motors to be installed and connect the ethernet cables (still need to terminate the cables...) and the PC, install software and test. But having neglected the garden (2 acres in total) I need to catch up a bit there too so I am guessing another week. We have 2 weeks of clouds and rain forecast, so no hurry. I am a believer in the theory of new stuff = clouds so I am bracing myself for a terrible summer in SW France and everyone can blame me... Gordon.

Good luck, Alan, would be interested in how well it works, my NEQ6 is a few years old and knowing the AZ EQ6 is capable of managing a long FL scope might be helpful... Gordon.

Hi Alan, The OO is around 14kg, plus the camera assembly, so possibly another kg or two... It seems to work OK, but the FL is only 1200mm. When I first got the NEQ6, it held a 10" Meade and also did OK with 2 counterweights. I have seen pictures on SGL of another member REALLY loading the NEQ6 but had it balanced well. I don't think the payload is the issue more the FL and balance. The AZ EQ6 is belt driven, I don't know how much better than my NEQ6 it would be (also belt driven now...) De-mounting the 12" is not that difficult, so it would be a relatively simple trial, apart from the need to purchase a Losmandy rail to suit... Thanks for the interest in the build, planning my dream observatory was about the only thing that kept me sane during my last few years of paid work and it just gathered momentum until I carried it through... If I stepped back now, I don't think I would have started it, the costs are higher than anticipated and the spare cash to pay for it less than planned due to extra UK tax and NI on foreign income... (Don't ask!!!) And the bricks were ideal, I didn't want concrete as they hold more heat and at 50cm by 30cm by 20cm, it does not take so many of these to build the base. HTH and thanks again for the interest. Gordon.

If it floods, I am in trouble - the PC and UPS is going under the floor there... G.

Never thought about it like that... With ITER so far behind schedule, I guess there is room for an alternative Tokamak design!! The layout evolved a bit during construction, the flooring was not rigid enough on the four original supports. It was OK for one person to stand on a quadrant, but the bend was too much if two people were standing close together. So another four bricks were added to the outer edges to add strength. Welcome, I guess, to the world of re-engineering !! Gordon

I have at least 500kg of spare concrete mix, so the easiest thing was to increase the concrete base height. I also had some spare melamine shelfing left over, so cut one up and made some shuttering. It's about 20" square and 10" deep. I dropped off the scope, the mount and broke the pier off the grouting to the base. Fitting the shuttering I mixed up around 100kg of concrete and filled it. Tamped down and levelled off, I will give it a few days to harden then take the shuttering off. When done, the scope will be around 30cm from the dome and around 15cm from the shutter motor at its closest. And the scope will not snag against the dome controls when slewing to the zenith. So I guess I have a week before the ocncrete hardens, so I can switch attention to the other dome and finish the controls there while I wait... Gordon.

Thanks Davey, For now, I will stick to the steel piers I have, but it does sound like an interesting option, if Mrs Bukko will let me spend any more of the childrens' inheritance!! Gordon.

Hi Adam, I don't have a pier extension, the plan is to either weld another bit of pipe in, or add height to the concrete pad below... Or do nothing. I got frustrated with LP and where I lived in the UK was getting so crowded. House building was making this worse so we retired to SW France. Lovely dark skies and very friendly people everywhere. I really do recommend the move. Gordon