michaelmorris

First fix complete. It will have a total of 11 double sockets!. This includes two laptops, a screen, an Alexa, 12v transformer, heater, 2 tasks lights, 2 powered USB hubs, hair dryer (for emergency dew control) other assorted bits and bobs + spares in each position (above and below desk, pier and one wall)

I already have some on order. The USB sockets on these are just for charging. I want a USB hub (preferably powered)

Thanks. These look to be just sockets.

I'm presently fitting out my new observatory. The desk will be a length of black kitchen worktop, with plug sockets mounted in a length of black trunking above the worktop. I want to mount a powered USB hub next to the laptop on the observatory desk and it strikes me that the neatest way to do this would be to mount the hub in the trunking. https://www.cmwltd.co.uk/p/marco-apollo-pvc-charcoal-3-compartment-dado-trunking-170mm-x-50mm-3m-length?code=MTD3CH&ppc_keyword=&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Shopping+|+Catch+All+|+Mobile+50R+Tablet+Off&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=8228613988&hsa_cam=10097914518&hsa_grp=99586315165&hsa_ad=436118636525&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=pla-294682000766&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjww_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccKe2o_NDUJRwDtdmBTc6d0nP8XhrfYzDerWiNL43x6_66IP6Ur-c0hoCSRUQAvD_BwE Look as I might, I can't find a powered USB 3 hub that is designed to fit in a standard plug socket back box. Can anyone help? Cheers

Thanks. It's been nearly 5 years since I last had an observatory. ☹️ It's been a long road, but I'm nearly there 🙂

First fix on the electrics today 😁😁😁😁😁

Versatile, not very attractive and works like a greenhouse! Final roof design still not finalised (it's a long story). 😟 Final design will be a shallow barrel vaulted roof.

Door made, temporary roof on and now fitting out the inside. Waiting for electrician to do first fix on electrics.

Cladding nailed on 🙂

In practical terms for our uses, is it better to go for a switched power supply or Regulated (aka linear) power supply?

Unfortunately 365Astro can no longer supply these 😞

Yes, just the mount head. the tripod will go in a bag that once contained a camping chair.

I've just picked up a second hand HEQ5 Pro, primarily for use at star parties as a my AZ EQ6 GT is soon to be installed in my new observatory (when it's finished) and it would be great if I can just leave it in there. I want to get a compact case for storage and transport of the HEQ5 Pro. I'm looking at the case that FLO sell. https://www.firstlightoptics.com/telescope-bags-cases-storage/oklop-padded-bag-for-sky-watcher-eq5-heq5-az-eq5-mounts.html It looks okay. Has anyone got any experience of these bags? Can anyone suggest and alternative? PS - I don't have the original packaging foam, so the Geoptik's offering is not suitable 😞 Thanks

My new observatory is coming along nicely. I'm presently planning out the electrics and thoughts are inevitably turning to choices of 12 power supplies. With everything running I could conceivably pull over 8A at 12V. In my old observatory I had a QJE QJ1863 regulated power supply giving 13.8v output rated at 10A (12A surge) which served me very well. Unfortunately I can't find another QJ1863. Can anyone suggest a good stable 13.8v 10A or larger supply that won't break the bank? Thanks

Lookin' good. 😎

Vapour barrier stapled to studwork on the two outward facing walls. Next will be the larch cladding on these two walls.

Final wall frame and door frame finished 😁

Run off rails installed. 🙂 Next is the door frame, door and the final wall. After that, it's floor joists and internal cladding on walls.

Latest progress with the observatory. Both metal clad walls that abutt the fence line now installed. Next will be the run off rails across the top.

It helps when your partner is an (excellent) Architect 😁

Drawing of what the finished observatory will look like. 😁

Back wall now covered with metal cladding with vapour barrier underneath. This is now fixed in place and covered with tarpaulin. There will be a translucent polycarbonate window between the top of this wall and the underside of the run-off rail. This will bring sunlight into the observatory if working in there during the day. There will be a blackout board across this when observing. The left hand wall will be similarly clad in metal as it won't be visible. The exception will be a small flap down panel at the top, which will be clap of Larch shadow board as it will be visible. The other two walls will be visible and will be clad in Larch shadow board.

After another hiatus, work recommences. Sole plates for the walls are down and first wall nearly finished. 😁

This is now out of print 😞 Ian's book looks to fill a very similar niche 🙂 https://www.firstlightoptics.com/books/costers-catalogue-of-2000-visual-double-stars.html