Glennbloke

On 02/02/2023 at 14:39, IDM said:

That does really help. I have seen a positive review on The Sky at Night website but not much more for the Altair. I do like its simplicity. 

Altair Astro 70EDQ - A fantastic new scope by Altair Astro

I have a Z61 which Is great. The Altair is superior in my opinion in both optics and build quality.  

My Apologies. I was on my phone and it would not allow me to change it. I am now able to as on my PC.

Hi

I recently embarked on a rather large project of a garden office being used as a control/warmroom and building a roll off roof observatory attached to it housing 2 piers. I must admit at times I thought I had bitten off more than I can chew but with lots of great help and support from friends and family, and 6 months later I have my absolute dream build.  
I have a youtube channel youtube@Astrobloke and documented the complete build with a series of videos.

here is a link to a playlist of them.   https://youtube.com/playlist?

list=PLpPxWzAkPT_pLZnVK3XrmgS7XbbqMjF3w

its been a really fun journey and I hope my videos can help with ideas or builds for other people. 
I always respond to questions on my channel so please message me on any videos you have questions on.

The image is the name of my build. “Astrobloke’s Village”,  my wife had it made as a surprise for Christmas. She named it after joking that the size of my build is akin to a village. I love the name and the sign.

Anyway I hope the videos are entertaining and of use. Good luck if you are building something or planning to and clear skies.

Glenn (Astrobloke)

e)

For balancing the cheaper options are ok but for fine tuning you need an easy to read very accurate tool. I question the accuracy of a lot of these cheaper meters, you get what you pay for.

Looks a great set up. I am collecting a EQ8 R Pro tomorrow and cannot wait to get it home and in my ror obsey. 

My OOUK CT10 has proved to be just a little too much for my EQ6R Pro to guide at a level my new 2600mm pro pixel scale needs. Think just the sheer size of the scope plus the overall weight just needs a beefier mount.

Do you think the pier adapter will adapter for the EQ8?  May need a new one or will have to get some heavy gauge metal plate and make something

Thank you for the kind comments. 

If I had more room where The obsey went I would have got a larger shed but it works fines and that's now with a large OOUK CT10 in there.

Any help I can give please just ask, tried to cover as much as possible in my videos.

Clear skies

Hi all.

I have posted details of my roll of roof observatory before but wanted to share all the stages I have been through turning a budget plastic (Keter) shed into a fully automated roll off roof observatory. Everything I have done has been with cost saving in mind. I have had so much fun with the projects and realize this is not for everyone but hopefully I have some ideas you can use to add to your hobby. I have found having an Observatory that I can remote in to such a massive bonus. If there is just a short window of clear sky its no problem as its all set up and ready to go or shut down at the push of a button. I love to be out while imaging and I'll even do some observing while my camera is catching photons but if it gets too cold I can go indoors and remotely control things from there. If I am away from home and its clear I can image. I just love it. I made a youtube channel to document my hobby and have a series of videos on the build and then all the mods I have added. I control the whole observatory with NINA but you can use SGP and any software that uses ASCOM drivers.

I hope the following links help any of you out looking to build something similar.

Clear skies from Astrobloke

My permanent Pier      https://youtu.be/nFGPpS_2Eyo

Budget ROR shed        https://youtu.be/5aq4PHKy_jI

ROR shed update      https://youtu.be/QwhiaKHMGt8

Motorizing ROR          https://youtu.be/dZv0OpL_5KI

Cheap roof control      https://youtu.be/5oAsbLqACmU

Controlling the roof in NINA with routines via an Arduino Uno        https://youtu.be/GGe5lyMhnUY

I can actually clear the walls at just over 20' but never image that low as light pollution, trees and buildings are in the way. 30' would be my lowest. The pier top is 1.2m from the obsey floor.

I recently motorised my roll off roof obsevatory and have now set it up for less than £25 to be able to remote in from anywhere and open/close the roof. I can then via teamviewer start an imaging sequence with NINA. No more missing clear skies when at work or away from home. Clear skies all

Hi Astrorookie.

There is no concrete floor?

That was one of the main reasons I went for the plastic shed as it does not need one. I do have a pier inside that I also built and that has a concrete base but you don't need that you could just use a tripod. In fact thats just what I did until I built the pier.

Glenn

Hi all

8 months ago I posted a thread on here showing my budget roll off roof observatory I had built from a 6x6 keter shed. I had many people ask specific details about the build that was not in an original video I has taken and posted on youtube. 

I have now gone back and recorded these details to hopefully help anyone who is doing something similar.

The observatory went through a pretty rough and very wet winter and performed flawlessly so I couldn't be happier. So if you are on a budget but would like a roll off roof obsey take a look it could be what you need.

clear skies

Glenn AKA Astrobloke

Hi Joe.

I made a roll off roof obsey from a plastic keter shed. It wasn't difficult and before it was ror I used to just lift the roof off as it was nice and light. I mention that in case you don't have the space for roll off

Glenn

Well done for thinking outside the box. I have actually made a Budget roll of roof observatory you may be interested in seeing. I have a video on the initial build that I did about 8 months ago and just done an updated video as there were a lot of questions on specific bits so covered them. I am not suggesting you should scrape that and make this by the way but you may want to upgrade to or change what you have. My obsey is excellent and works really well. Anyway best of luck with the hobby and clear skies

Glenn

Here is a video on my Budget Pier build for my EQ6 R Pro. I previously posted a video on my Budget observatory build which seemed to help a few people with ideas so hopefully this will do the same. Clear skies everyone.

Nice one Graham. Mine is still working a treat. I am now currently thinking over how to best automate the roof. Good luck with your

On 03/01/2021 at 16:08, Pid said:

Hi Glen very interested in doing this type of obsy shed my self i presume that you got the factor keter shed as there is many different models and the only one with bolts for roof seems to be the factor model

 

thanks stuart  

Hi Stuart 

yes i do believe its the factor 6x6. Towards the end of the video I jump online and show the shed details as listed by Argos. I am not sure if other Keter sheds are as easy to convert as this one is.

 glenn

On 29/12/2020 at 09:07, Xsubmariner said:

Hi Glen

A good video and great budget observatory, you must be pleased with the final outcome. May I ask if there was anything you would have done differently now that you have had time operating the system. Additionally have you fitted or considered environmental control to protect the equipment. I noticed you lined the inside with some form of insulation and how did you attach it?

Martin

Hi Martin

Thanks for your kind comments. I am very pleased with the Obsey and it has made a huge difference. Environmental controls and power to automate the roof are really the only changes I will be making. So far it has performed flawlessly for me and I couldn't be happier. I attached the silver insulation with just some double sided adhesive tape. It definitely helps and stays nice and warm/dry no matter what the good old British weather decides to chuck at it.

Glenn

I have owned both OSC and now my current Mono’s. I built a roll off roof observatory and I believe having a permanent set up makes a big difference to your choices. I live in Southend on sea and Bortle 6 skies. I can be imaging within 5minutes of deciding too and stopping is just as quick (no tear downs) 
This seems to afford me the ability to grab a colour image with my mono even if time is short.

On a personal level I love to spend multiple hours on whatever target I have chosen and the ability of an image grabbed in an hour or 2 does not appeal. For me its the journey and experience of working to get that image I am truly happy with. Of course thats me and not everyones cup of tea and  a permanent set up facilitates this a lot easier than for someone who has to set up every session.

17 hours ago, smr said:

I've just bought a Keter Shed for my new house. I might buy another one now...

Thanks for sharing the video, very interesting!

Hi smr

you are welcome and if you have any questions please ask

glennbloke

14 hours ago, Hals said:

Excellent work there Glenn. I like these Keter type conversions.

Thank you Hals

yes they work adapt very easily and work very well

On 17/12/2020 at 11:15, carastro said:

Very nice video.  One comment.  I know you said the roof was bolted down when shut, but since it is so light, what about when it is open, do you have a mechanism to stop it flying off the legs when open.  I know someone that happened to.

As for a name.   Well since you call it a Budget Observatory Build (BOB), what about the BOBsy (BObsy).

Or since your name is Glen, The Gl Ob  (The GLOB).

I also know some-one who called their Shed Observatory The SHOB (He's in Australia). 

 

Hi Carole.

I am quite lucky that I am sheltered from all sides where it is and not had any problems with the roof wanting to leave unannounced.  Thank you for your suggestions on a name. I really need to sit down and settle on something. My wife says I talk too much so maybe Gobsy.....lol

Thanks for all your kind comments. 

If anyone has any questions please don't hesitate to contact me as only too happy to help.

Davey-T, a special thank you as it was your post and another which if I remember was the plastic pig that gave me the info on the keter shed.  I thought it was a great idea and now I have one would highly recommend it. I don't think it can be beaten for its versatility and price point. 

Hi Steve

thank you for your comments. I am still struggling namewise lol. I am sure one will show itself eventually.

i will definitely check out Levesdome project.

glenn