Skyshed POD cover

[iamzoso60]

There are quite a few people on here with Skyshed Pod's, so I thought I would post a picture of mine complete with a vinyl cover that I have had made by a local company.

Its lightweight, waterproof and will be great in the Winter months. It's removed and fitted in seconds.

[Telrad]

It looks great, that vinyl cover certainly looks like it does the job! Thanks for posting iamzoso60

[Steep]

Can it be tightened up round the base with a draw cord as well as using the tie downs? I'm thinking it might help to keep the wind from whilstling up underneath (having worn a kilt in windy conditions I know how the wind can whistle! )

[iamzoso60]

It can have a drawstring around the base. I only picked it up yesterday, so I wanted to make sure that it fitted. Plus, I go on holiday tomorrow for a couple of weeks, so at least I know that no matter what the weather throws at it, it will be waterproof.

I'll have a play around with a drawstring when I get back.

[carastro]

PODs can have a tendency to leak at the pivots when rain is heavy.

I was rather shocked at the price that SkyShed were selling them at - around £200 so I made my own from Tarpaulin - cost me £14.

May not look beautiful but it does the job. How do you lift yours on and off easily iamzoso60?

I lift mine on and off with a prop. I have loops on the far side which I lift it by, and it is weighted in four places to make it drop down.

I had only pinned it and not stitched it when I took this photo.

[iamzoso60]

Sorry for delay in reply, but only came back off holiday in the early hours of this morning.

I used a footstool to gain a bit of height and throw the cover over the top, then I can equal it out by pulling the bungee cords which are permanently fitted onto the cover. I had 3 or 4 attempts before going on holiday without any problems. Maybe awkward if in high winds, but I doubt he POD would be used in those conditions.

The cover cost me £80.

[Dorchastro]

Hi lamzoso60. I'm a newbie here and just built my Skyshed Pod. That's a great cover that you've put on yours. I'd like the same for mine, hope you don't mind me asking, where did you get yours made?

[carastro]

I made it myself.  It wasn't easy.  Used this stuff:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400505428830?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&var=670104801238&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Actually the one in the photo is the first one I made which I made of tarpaulin, but after a bit it started to develop holes, so I made the 2nd one from the material on Ebay.  I laid the tarpaulin on top of the POD and made pleats with (needlework pins), then stitched it and cut off the surplus pleats inside.  I put weights at the bottom and a strap at the top for lifting it on, also straps next to the weights, so I lift it by all the straps and a prop, and with a shove the weights slip down the opposite side.

Carole 

 

[Dorchastro]

Hi Carole,

Thanks for replying with details. Have grey seal problem by pivot point and thinking of making or buying cover as extra backup.

Nigel

 

[carastro]

Yes so do I which was why I made the cover.  It worked for a long time but this last year I seemed to be getting water leaking inside even with the cover on, I don't understand why unless the waterproofing had deteriorated in the fabric, plus I left it on for a while when I was in an imaging doldrums and then found green slimey protococcus underneath, so I have stopped using the cover as it wasn't stopping the leak any more anyway.  

I generally cope with a bucket under the leak and if there is a heavy downpour just go out and empty it before it overflows.  Seems to work.

Today i cleaned all the residue of the green slime off the dome and it's looking nice and bright white again (couldn't face doing it during the cold weather).

Carole 

 

 

[ollypenrice]

This thread is not a great advert for the Pod...

Olly

[Dorchastro]

Didn't expect the POD to leak. Got around it though, but will get a cover as a backup.

Nigel

[carastro]

Quote

Have grey seal problem

By the way, what are you doing with grey seals in your POD?

Carole 

[Dorchastro]

Ah good question Carole! Told my wife your comment - she laughed. She's now threatening to buy two inflatable Grey Seals to stick in my POD! Good to hear from you though as I was concerned about a comment on this thread not being a good advert for the POD. This is not the case. The POD is a dream come true for me and I can highly recommend. I didn't expect it to leak when I first built it to instructions, but now I've resolved them it's  dry inside. Had a good testing session this evening as I can now remotely control the telescope and Camera from inside the house - great in winter so I don't get cold outside. Looking forward to imaging.

Nigel