7x5 imaging obsy - progress started

[dyfiastro]

Good afternoon everyone

Over the coming weeks I am hoping to build a more permanent home for the scope.
I am looking to build something to house a 130PDS and HEQ5 with a little growing room.
All my imaging will be done remotely so does not have to large.

One of the main issues I have come up against is wind so the walls need to be high enough to give some protection.
I have already decided on its location and will give me good views east,south and partially west.
At this stage I am unsure about going down the route of a pier so may stay with the tripod for now but need a little advise.

The location has enough room to build anything up to about 6x5 but not a lot of extra room for a roll of roof design.
The roof will either have to lift up towards north or be hinged so it can be lifted up on over (so keeping the size and weight down is a must).

Can anyone give any suggestions for the minimum height of the walls etc... to enable good views south but also protect against the wind?
The initial idea at present is something around 5x5x5.

I am going to start build over Easter and have a week off the end of April to get everything finished.

Thanks everyone in advance

[dyfiastro]

Well plans have moved on somewhat and after seeing a fellow members setup in the flesh, it gave me a fresh set of eyes to tackle the project with.
I have remeasured the site and can just about squeeze a 7x5 structure in.

I have now decided to down the roll-of-roof design. The shed that will be cannibalised will be arriving on the 24th, In its standard form it is a 7x5 Reverse Apex Sentry shed with double doors.
Having already taken that week off work as annual leave I am hoping to have it built by the may bank holiday.

There will also be a hollow block pier being built which I am hoping to complete over Easter.
 

[AKB]

Good luck with that.  I hope to follow in your footsteps shortly with a small obs'y too.  Do, please, document the progress!

 

[dyfiastro]

Tonight I began marking out and clearing the patio area.
At this point I found that the particular area that I have chosen has more dips than a welsh road.
This was something that I had not realised before but thankfully is an easy remedy given that the entire area is built on sand.
I have just finished pulling up the slabs ready for re-levelling over the next few days.

I will also be building a hollow block pier instead of using the standard tripod. I have sourced the blocks and already have a 2x2 slab for the base.

 

 

[laser_jock99]

Glad you decided to go bigger- 5x5 would have been very tight- but I guess you are limited by ground space?  

[dyfiastro]

15 minutes ago, laser_jock99 said:

Glad you decided to go bigger- 5x5 would have been very tight- but I guess you are limited by ground space?  

Thanks.
Ground space is a premium yes. I have more space in other areas but this is one of the only areas with unrestricted views to the south and east.
The other thing is that I am on a corner plot, this is the only real area that cannot be easily seen from the road.

[dyfiastro]

Thought I would post a bit of an update.

The groundwork and footings for the obsy have started to be put back down and the hollow block pier has been built.
I did have a little bit of an issue with one of the holes not being central (off by about 5mm) due to my own stupidity but everything is together.
The whole thing is bolted together using 10mm threaded bar and then also glued together using "sticks like s**t".
Once complete I intend cladding the whole pier so it will look a lot nicer. One thing I have got to decide this weekend is if I want the pier central or slightly forward, both have their advantages and disadvantages but as I intend to finish to footings etc.. this weekend I need to decide soon.

The wood to re-enforce everything and build the roll-off-roof structure has been ordered and will be here on Tuesday.
A few sheets of Ply have also been added to the order to clad the inside and should also aid in strengthening the structure.
I am very much in two minds at present in regards to adding DPM or VB so any input on this would be great.

The laptop that I have been using for imaging and control is not the fastest and really struggles with everything running.
I have decided to give the obsy a bit of an upgrade and spent the last few days upgrading and installing everything on a SFF PC that will be used instead.
This already runs a lot quicker and should also allow for better fps with the ASI120MC-S.
Due to having a dedicated PC I also decided to get a cheap Pan/Tilt wall bracket and arm for the monitor. The idea at this stage is to mount it in such a location that it can be pulled out once the scope is in a custom park position to be able to take flats a lot easier.

A friend of mine is going to help with the electrics and I am currently wondering if its worth running some conduit under the floor for easier cable management.
I will also be running a number of data cables to allow for faster and more stable remote connections (Cat5e).

 

[laser_jock99]

Sounds like good progress.

[newbie alert]

Keep us updated..thinking of doing something like this at home myself..

Best of luck 

[dyfiastro]

Thought I would post a small update.

The footings are nearly complete, finished off the final gravel layer and just letting it settle.
Most of the wood arrived to re-enforce the donor shed and I have spent the last two nights staining the interior ply panels to save some time next week.
My initial thoughts went towards a matt black. however, after thinking about it a dark slate was chosen to try and balance thermals whilst reducing reflections.

The Donor shed is arriving on Monday and hoping to have it built and re-enforced enough by Wednesday at the latest to be able to chop the roof.
I have also taken another look at the direction in which the roof will be sliding off and have decided to slide it sideways to prevent blocking views south.

After some thought in regards insulation etc... I took a trip to local outdoors store today and managed to get a load of space blankets that had been reduced.
These I intend putting between the frame and ply but allowing for an air gap each side, I will also be adding a layer to the roof as well.

I have been considering names. I know a name is not required but have noticed that many do indeed name their obsy and also telescopes.
There are a number of options including "The Sea Breeze Observatory" which is a direct translation from welsh of the name of our bungalow.
Something like the "Isaac Roberts Observatory" considering where I live. Ynyslas where I live was also the site for an experimental anti-aircraft rocket testing facility during the war,
I have been trying to dig up some information about it to see if there is anything interesting that could be used for a name as well
bring a big fantasy and sci-fi fan opens up numerous options as well.  Any input on naming schemes and ideas would be great.

Will post a load more once everything arrives on Monday and the build begins

[laser_jock99]

26 minutes ago, dyfiastro said:

I have been considering names. I know a name is not required but have noticed that many do indeed name their obsy and also telescopes.

There are a number of options including "The Sea Breeze Observatory" which is a direct translation from welsh of the name of our bungalow.
Something like the "Isaac Roberts Observatory" considering where I live. Ynyslas where I live was also the site for an experimental anti-aircraft rocket testing facility during the war,
I have been trying to dig up some information about it to see if there is anything interesting that could be used for a name as well
bring a big fantasy and sci-fi fan opens up numerous options as well.  Any input on naming schemes and ideas would be great.

Cantre’r Gwaelod Observatory? You can still see tree stumps on Borth beach.

[dyfiastro]

10 minutes ago, laser_jock99 said:

Cantre’r Gwaelod Observatory? You can still see tree stumps on Borth beach.

That is a cracking idea, however I need a name that I can pronounce and spell
Well that is another option added to the list and yes they are still very visible and I have photographed them many times

Thanks

[laser_jock99]

2 hours ago, dyfiastro said:

....... yes they are still very visible and I have photographed them many times

Thanks

Have you ever found the Bronze Age footprints? I've looked at several Spring Low Tides and never seen them.

[dyfiastro]

33 minutes ago, laser_jock99 said:

Have you ever found the Bronze Age footprints? I've looked at several Spring Low Tides and never seen them.

No, I think they are more visable over towards tywyn and barmouth but never say never.
The game suggestion is starting to grow on my as well, the mythology etc... ties in really well as well

[dyfiastro]

I test fitted the mount onto the pier today for the first time and everything did not go as smooth as I had first hoped.

After cutting the threaded bar and bolting everything up it soon became clear that something was not right.
The mount was not sitting right and would not tighten down.  I could feel and see a fair amount of movement between the tripod top and mount base.
A little further investigation and I came to the conclusion that the threads on the bar are tightening the tripod base but not the mount.

The standard tripod centre bolt only has a small amount of thread on it and then tapers down a fair amount to prevent this.
I set to and ground off the threads from a portion of the threaded bar which now allows the mount to be tightened down correctly.
The mount is now secure on its base and the pier. I intend inserting a small section of ply in the final version to aid in an vibration reduction but for a test fit I am more than happy.

I have also had confirmation that the donor shed will be arriving between 06:30 - 07:00 tomorrow morning.

[dyfiastro]

OBSERVATORY BUILD - DAY 1:

Today went better than I had planned. The Donor shed was on the drive before 06:00 which gave me a really good start.
The floor was cut out to accommodate the pier and then slotted into place perfectly. Apart from a small issue of the floor being cut slightly too small which I will be taking care of, the structure is together and had a coat of protection and colour. The weather had forecast to be pretty dreadful but turned out a lot better than I could had hoped

Work will resume tomorrow bracing and cladding ready for cutting the roof.

[michael8554]

Looking good Dyfi,

I'll be interested to see how you get on with cutting the roof off - plenty of images please!

Potential damp/drainage problem on the shed wall nearest the conservatory?

In the end, did you put in conduit for cables ?

Good luck

Michael

 

 

[dyfiastro]

22 hours ago, michael8554 said:

Looking good Dyfi,

I'll be interested to see how you get on with cutting the roof off - plenty of images please!

Potential damp/drainage problem on the shed wall nearest the conservatory?

In the end, did you put in conduit for cables ?

Good luck

Michael

 

 

Thank you.

I intend taking as many as possible. At this stage I cannot see there being any real issue with regards drainage, there is actually more room on that side that it looks in the photo.
If this becomes a problem or looks like it could become one then a simple drainpipe system can be constructed to divert the water to a better area.
No conduit in the end. I worked out that I should not need it as everything is going to be very close to the pier and I have instead got a cable strip like you use in offices to run the few cables needed along the floor. If this needs to be added at a later date there is enough clearance underneath to run a small pipe. Main power and Ethernet will be coming in from the far side of the conservatory into the far corner of the obsy. They will then be run in trunking along the wall to master sockets and an extension then run across the floor to the pier.

[dyfiastro]

OBSERVATORY BUILD - DAY 2:

Due to poor weather today (High winds, hail and rain) did not go as planned. It was however not a total loss and I should still be on track to chop the roof tomorrow.

Some extra supports have been put in place as well as the ply being cut and attached on three sides. I need to get some more to do the last side and the upper half of the roof section once it has been cut. The mount and scope had their second test fit to confirm where I needed to cut the roof and to confirm clearance with the scope attached (I have also allowed a little extra for larger scopes down the line). The scope in its home position is fine when the roof is on. I will however need to program a custom home position into the computer to allow the roof to be rolled off, this is no big deal and something I had already thought may be the case.

One side of the support rails got test fitted today. Both sides will have their final fit tomorrow along with their runners before chopping the roof.

 

Any Further bracing will be done as needed. Tomorrows plan is mainly to get the roof rolling and everything secure.
If everything goes to plan then Thursday the power and Ethernet will be run, the pier covered and the carpet will be going down.

[dyfiastro]

OBSERVATORY BUILD - DAY 3 + 4:

Wednesday was very much a mixed bag in regards to getting things done. I ended up having to go and get more wood and a few other bits which set me back a few hours. I ended up having to cut up all the wood in the yard to get it in the car as the company in question could not guarantee delivery this week
However yesterday afternoon I did manage to finally cut the roof.

After a few teething troubles yesterday I got the roof rolling, the runners are in place and wheels on. Some further bracing was required but is now a lot more sturdy.
I have started covering the cuts front and back with an extra set of shiplap panels as well as covering the sides with rubber matting.

I have added a small window above the door, however this will need to be modified in the morning to allow for a rubber cover to go over the top of the door. The poor weather today has put me a little behind schedule however I am hoping to catch up a little tomorrow as most of the work now can be done from inside.

 

[dyfiastro]

OBSERVATORY BUILD - DAY 5:

Well a fair amount was done today, finishing off a few exterior bits and then setting about sorting the inside.

The last bits of extra shiplap and rubber covers got fitted over cut lines, this should go a long way to prevent any wind and rain getting in. To be fair we had some heavy rain last night and everything was bone dry inside this morning.

The inside got another coat of paint, the carpet was layed and the cables run (Electric and Ethernet). I have not connected the obsy side up yet until I have confirmed the layout tomorrow.
Work has started on cladding the pier and it will be rapped with left over carpet tomorrow.

Apart from a few minor bits tomorrow will consist of confirming the interior layout, connecting cables and by tomorrow afternoon I should be able to start installing the mount and scope.

[JemC]

That's looking quite good now, i think you have done a cracking job,  does not look to costly to carry out either,

Has given me ideas for my shed, 

[michael8554]

Congrats dyfi, and built so quickly!

Michael

[dyfiastro]

Thankyou

I have been really lucky in some ways with the weather this week, the forecast was a lot worse.
Having taken the week off work I was very much on a tight schedule and wanted it built and working by the time I go back to work on Tuesday.
The original idea was to have everything automated but in reality its going to be a while before I can get the roof rolling on its own.
In between time I will be employing a resident caretaker to roll the roof off for me if I am away from the house.
 

[dyfiastro]

OBSERVATORY BUILD - DAY 6:

Well what can I say, its just about finished. I had a small issue earlier with the channelling that guides the roof, this is going to need to be replaced with something stronger to prevent the rollers coming off the rails. I currently a few ideas one of which I may explore tomorrow.

The last of the internal work was completed today and the pier also finished. Electrics and Ethernet have been wired up in a temporary manner at this point until I know for sure where everything will end up.

The mount, scope and obsy computer are all in and connected up. I have mounted the monitor on a swinging and adjustable arm allowing me to also use it to take flats easier.
A quick test was done tonight but a full diagnostics and test will be done tomorrow to make sure everything is working and configured.