Alan White

That’s an interesting piece of footage, The Ring door bells react to movement rather than sound. The local wildlife sets ours off almost non stop, we have switched off the notifications now. As said, the uptake on camera doorbells and the like must have increased footage of this kind, probably filled a data centre or two by now as well.

Very true indeed, thank you for confirming We even keep repeating this behaviour all year. In my case, as I am sure others too, not only for year on year, but decades!

Now that is quite a project and commitment, following with great interest and shared joy. A super and pleasantly eccentric project, it has potential to look very James Bondesque in a good way.

@Jim Franklin that’s super information, but I much prefer we are all mad as suggested by @mikeDnight @SuburbanMak don’t cancel that scan too quickly 😉😉

I too get this most nights for a short time when Lunar observing, however a few nights ago it lasted far longer, perhaps the cold was getting to my brain! Thank you for asking this as I have been pondering doing so for ages, but thought it was just me 👍

As long as the castings survived ok, the bolt should come out with care A shame that such a fine mount went for a bounce, but easily done. Good luck with the repair.

An update and minor tweaks from use. The roof paint notably dropped the temperature and the fan and stat worked a treat, of course now sat quietly. I have found I need power for my tripod mounted mounts and heaters etc So have trailed a mains lead to under from the corner rcd fitted. Of course I tripped over it in the dark! So a lead run in the duct to a surface mounted waterproof socket. How long until I trip over the socket when setting up? And after the cold snap and nights of freezing observing, The Khazi has an upgrade as well. Hot chocolate making facility installed… ok it’s a Caravan Kettle and a Hot Chocolate pot, but it works That’s it for now, well until something else shows itself.

I am still pondering a witty title for Mikes book, but probably best left to Paul to comment 😉 come on @paulastro... On the OP, I have bought and sold many 150 f5 newts and still have one, again. But the one scope I fall back on, is the 4” refractor, it just does things either way little pain, but often much gain … what a Poet I am 😂

Leads and some sorting in my riser column to remove protruding cap heads, now stainless and countersunk. Very close to final circuitry and testing soon 🤞🏻 Countersinking to remove chances of fouling and it looks far nicer than the old rusty ones too.

I try not to use them and am visual only, but then on very dew laden or freezing nights seriously regret my choice, like a week ago when I did not use and had a short session, lens iced up, which I have not had for some years. So I then last week learned my lesson and then I ran dew bands on my 103mm refractor and Rigel finder, eyepieces would have benefitted too, but I damaged my extra power lead in the dark, but found things seriously improved.

Now in after a second shorter session, even with multiple thermal layers, the cold got me! But what a session on Jupiter and Lunar, really enjoyed myself, no plan tonight just go with the flow. How hard it’s frosted and iced up already, I dread the morning when I am due out by 8am, but a worthwhile price for the views tonight.

Out with a much reduced jet stream and reasonable seeing with patches of good. Jupiter is dishing up a super view and notable details, Lunar was very good also. In for a warm and hot chocolate before a final session outside. Frozen solid on ground and paths a Torvil and Dean replay, but after an awful day at work, this is the medicine. Hope others have or do have as much enjoyment tonight.

Have to agree with you @Mr H in Yorkshire, 3d printing really is a game changer. In my case my friend Ed is the maestro and owns the printer, at present I am clueless, but it has wetted my learning appetite to learn more and get involved. The whole process has reignited my interest in making and doing things again.

Ed has printed my covers which are superb prints and refined designs from my cardboard. Wired up some gx16 4 pins and fitted after work, looks great.

The Nema motor is as per the picture.