Garden pier height

[jambouk]

If one were to have a pier in the garden, is there a way have it so the height of the mount could be easily varied from night ro night, from very low (newtonian height) to very high (mak-cassegrain height)?

Thanks.

James

[laser_jock99]

I have heard of people using old dentists' chairs hydraulic mechanism to lift scopes up & down

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Siemens-Dentist-Chair-/200963046770?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Medical_Equipment_Instruments_ET&hash=item2eca54bd72

But I guess any sturdy hydraulic ram would do?

[jambouk]

That is a fascinating idea!

I wish i was more technically / engineeringly minded.

Thanks for that.

James

[r3i]

I have heard of people using old dentists' chairs hydraulic mechanism to lift scopes up & down

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Siemens-Dentist-Chair-/200963046770?pt=UK_BOI_Medical_Lab_Equipment_Medical_Equipment_Instruments_ET&hash=item2eca54bd72

But I guess any sturdy hydraulic ram would do?

That's a cunning plan - guess it depends if there's much play in the mechanism but maybe that could be engineered out?

Variable height columns have been discussed before and one potential source was this company: http://www.linak.co.uk/products/Lifting-Columns.aspx  No idea as to the cost of these things.

Another option is the USA company Pier-Tech, who manufacture fixed and variable height piers but they aint cheap: http://www.pier-tech.com/pier-tech2_telescope_pier.htm

[jnb]

Wouldn't any variable height mechanism make the pier less stable? Would it perhaps be better to simply put a platform around the pier for those occasions when you want a low pier?

[StevieDvd]

Low pier plus extension perhaps?

[laser_jock99]

Wouldn't any variable height mechanism make the pier less stable? Would it perhaps be better to simply put a platform around the pier for those occasions when you want a low pier?

Not if it was well enough engineered.

[jambouk]

The hydraulic idea is a good one, i've never have thought of that. I need to look at costs.

I also like the idea of the platform for when the newt is on the pier, but having a three foot step up at night might result in a few trips and swearing... Roll on lottery win then i can have a large obsy with two piers

[Carbon]

I vote for low pier plus extension for simplicity.

[Ibbo!]

Here you are James an off the shelf solution

http://www.pier-tech.com/

Steve

[r3i]

Here you are James an off the shelf solution

http://www.pier-tech.com/

Steve

Already linked to in #4

[jambouk]

Looks good. Just $2500, but not sure how weather proof it would be if it wasn't in an observatory. Seems pretty sturdy though and they guarentee it doesn't lose polar alignment when elevating or lowering the pier; impressive.Not sure how muhc P&P would be to the UK and how much customs would charge.

Maybe there is a UK outlet.

It's all pie in the sky at the moment really, just gathering information.

James

NG11 8AA

 

[r3i]

Looks good. Just $2500, but not sure how weather proof it would be if it wasn't in an observatory. Seems pretty sturdy though and they guarentee it doesn't lose polar alignment when elevating or lowering the pier; impressive.Not sure how muhc P&P would be to the UK and how much customs would charge.

Maybe there is a UK outlet.

It's all pie in the sky at the moment really, just gathering information.

I'm not aware of a UK dealer for Pier-Tech.  As a finger in the air estimate, by the time you've got it shipped and added duties, tax etc. etc., a 1£=1$ conversion rate might not be far off.

[jambouk]

That would sound about right.

One of Altair Astro's piers is £600 though, and that is fixed height.

As I say, it's all pie in the sky very much.

James

[Ibbo!]

There did used to be a UK dealer , if only I can remember who it was.

He had one a Kelling a few  years ago

Steve

[r3i]

There did used to be a UK dealer , if only I can remember who it was.

He had one a Kelling a few  years ago

Steve

Found him - Kevin Smith (Sirius Observatories): http://www.siriusobservatoriesuk.com/Pier-Tech.html

[jambouk]

I've sent him an email asking how weather proof they are, and roughly how much.

Thanks again all. I'll report back if i find out more.

James

[Ibbo!]

Kev - thats him

he started me with the Taks

does some cracking solar as well

[andyboy1970]

Make it the right height for the Mak and make a small wooden platform to stand on when using the Newt!

Cheap and no pier issues.

[jambouk]

I had my mount at its lowest the other night for the newt and i still needed a step ladder to look into it for some things, and for the mak i have the mount at full height, so the "small step" would probably be three feet high! Lol. And i don't fancy trying to mount the newt with the pier that high, it would cripple my back even more!

I'm convinced the hydraulic pier would be stable enough for my needs. Just depends on cost and how viable it would be to leave it exposed in the garden.

But keep the ideas coming in.

James