michaelmorris

My guess is that the beast I'm after doesn't exist.

I'm looking at a 21" or 24" monitor, so an Echo Show is out.😟

Looks like a possible solution for my desire to have a moveable blind to block out next door's outside light.  How opaque are these?

1 hour ago, M40 said:

Are you looking to completely power off the monitor? The monitor we have on the pc goes to a power off mode when the pc is off, is that what's in your thoughts?

It's the ability to turn the monitor on and off independently of turning the computer that I'm after.

1 hour ago, Stuart1971 said:

Just add a cheap Alexa enabled smart plug to any monitor….👍🏻

That would turn it off, but not sure it would turn it on again!

I'm shopping to fit out my new observatory.  I'm in the market for a 21" or 24" computer monitor.  Ideally I'd like to be able to turn it on and off whilst sitting at the eyepiece, so an Alexa-enabled monitor would seem like the ideal solution.  Does anyone know if such a beast exists?

Thanks

On 25/04/2024 at 16:22, Alan White said:

Looking more complete each time I drop by on the thread Michael.
This will be a major upgrade on your first one of course.

 

The old one was based on a 2.1m x 2.4m metal shed.  This one is a whole step up 🙂

http://almiraobservatory.awardspace.co.uk/

On 27/04/2024 at 11:24, david_taurus83 said:

An excellent build! Are you in the construction trade Michael?

Nope, I'm a government scientific regulator.  However, my partner is an (excellent) Architect 🙂.  We have built it together.  She has greatly influenced the choice of materials used and the method of construction and has been VERY active in building it with me.

To paraphrase an old advert.

Carlsberg don't do girlfriends, but if they did ... 

Black paint on walls 😁.  Next will be installing and painting some old kitchen units and a worktop.

On 16/04/2024 at 10:01, michaelmorris said:

First fix on the electrics today 😁😁😁😁😁

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)

5 hours ago, malc-c said:

A "smart" socket was also thrown up in the search - with two USB ports - and in black !

details here

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

6 hours ago, malc-c said:

something like this which offers charging and network ports 

 

Amazon search listed a 4 port USB3 plate - but not sure if its a hub or just sockets here and best read the reviews though.

 

Failing that, contact any local AV media installation company as this is the sort of thing that would do on a daily basis and could point you in the right direction

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

5 minutes ago, Grant said:

This is looking ace Michael! Lovely work and nice design 🙂

 

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 😁😁😁😁😁

1 hour ago, Mr H in Yorkshire said:

Why only a temporary roof cover, Correx is such a versatile and useful material?

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?

On 23/10/2020 at 10:52, Neil H said:

Hi i upgraded my bolts for my HEQ5 i did try the bolts with the ratchet like the one linked in this thread but they are to bulky and hit the polar scope 

So i got the upgrade bolt from 365astro they are made like the original but much higher grade metal so wont bend your need to ring Zoltan at 365astro he will get them in for you they are about £5 each 

Unfortunately 365Astro can no longer supply these 😞

17 minutes ago, carastro said:

Presume this is for the mount head itself and not the tripod.  

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. 😎