Telescope Trolley

[Barto]

Hi,

I've been pondering for a while now about how to set up a garden observatory. Originally I planned to convert a shed to a roll off roof design but decided that this would be too complicated and costly. After many hours of looking through the web and deliberation, I decided that a normal shed with double doors and a roll out trolley would suit me best. I plan to errect the base and shed this year but and have made the trolley in preparation. Ive included a pic. The castors are 5 inch diameter. I plan to fit leveling screws. I didn't fancy spending £250 on a manufatured model.

[Ganemedes]

Hello there, 

    I have the exact same telescope and i was thinking about setting up a garden observatory myself. Your idea is really inspiring, nevertheless i would really like to know how it works during observation. Are the wheels staying in position immobilised during the movement of the telescope? Obviously there are breaks for keeping them in position but slightly movement does make a difference during observation or astrophotography. keep up the good work and ideas. Gongratulations by me. Clear skies. 

 

Salutations from Greece. 

Kyriakos  

[Barto]

Hi Kyriakos,

Thanks for your reply. I too, was stuck for ideas and this trolley seems to be the best solution for me.

I've not tried it out yet but first impressions are very promising.  When the brakes are applied the telescope is rock steady. I am going to fit leveling feet which will "lock" everything in place but to be honest I think that it'll be perfectly usable without. The casters I've bought are very good quality and are quite substantial. They were bought from a local supplier and were quite reasonable. The steel was scrap from work, cut by me and welded up by a colleague.

I'm looking forward to setting up this year and I'll take some snaps and post them on here.

Andy (Barto) 

[Ganemedes]

    The only disadvantage with the build is, that in case of setting the telescope out in the field on no solid ground (tiles, cement), the leveling feet will submerge into the ground. t

The same problem i had a moist night with my tripod. The result was bad leveling of the telescope with valuable time lost from the observation. Just a heads up.

    Nevertheless, your idea and build is really smart. When i have the time (and sources) i will try building something like this.

 

Kyriakos

[laowhoo]

We're on a caster deck (4" casters) and b/c of street LP I'm thinking of escaping into the back. I also have wagon wheels on the scope itself by wh/ we can manage the grass failing pavers, etc., but it takes more doing. Ideally we'll keep the caster deck (wh/ does lock well), but this shed's the thing. That's what I'll be waiting to see. Don't really wanna erect one square in the middle of a (large-ish) tree-lined backyard, but I'm tired of fighting the street and years of it has me obsessing a bit over getting every photon in. I'm also dying to see what difference lower ambient light makes--say we managed to completely block street light w/ a 10' screen, but then managed the same w/ the shed in back. How much effect do those stray/overhead streetlight photons degrade our seeing? The more I imagine it, the fussier I'm getting. Thanks for shoving me into action.

Edited January 16, 2018 by laowhoo

[Barto]

On 1/10/2018 at 10:19, Ganemedes said:

    The only disadvantage with the build is, that in case of setting the telescope out in the field on no solid ground (tiles, cement), the leveling feet will submerge into the ground. t

The same problem i had a moist night with my tripod. The result was bad leveling of the telescope with valuable time lost from the observation. Just a heads up.

    Nevertheless, your idea and build is really smart. When i have the time (and sources) i will try building something like this.

 

Kyriakos

Hi Ganemedes,

I'm a home astronomer, so won't be out in fields. I intend to have a patio area in front of my shed to wheel out onto and then back into. You're right, it wouldn't be any good on rough ground.

I hope to have this set up this year a will post pics.

Thanks for your reply, good luck if you build a trolley.

[Barto]

On 16/01/2018 at 14:24, laowhoo said:

We're on a caster deck (4" casters) and b/c of street LP I'm thinking of escaping into the back. I also have wagon wheels on the scope itself by wh/ we can manage the grass failing pavers, etc., but it takes more doing. Ideally we'll keep the caster deck (wh/ does lock well), but this shed's the thing. That's what I'll be waiting to see. Don't really wanna erect one square in the middle of a (large-ish) tree-lined backyard, but I'm tired of fighting the street and years of it has me obsessing a bit over getting every photon in. I'm also dying to see what difference lower ambient light makes--say we managed to completely block street light w/ a 10' screen, but then managed the same w/ the shed in back. How much effect do those stray/overhead streetlight photons degrade our seeing? The more I imagine it, the fussier I'm getting. Thanks for shoving me into action.

Thanks for your great reply. 

In my town the council have almost removed all the old sodium street lighting and fitted LED. When you used to approach the town there was a yellow haze in the sky, now we are definitely noticing a difference. We are getting dark skies back.

The shed should help to shade the telescope from stray light in the back garden. Looking forward to posting pics in the summer.

Barto

[Barto]

On 16/01/2018 at 14:24, laowhoo said:

We're on a caster deck (4" casters) and b/c of street LP I'm thinking of escaping into the back. I also have wagon wheels on the scope itself by wh/ we can manage the grass failing pavers, etc., but it takes more doing. Ideally we'll keep the caster deck (wh/ does lock well), but this shed's the thing. That's what I'll be waiting to see. Don't really wanna erect one square in the middle of a (large-ish) tree-lined backyard, but I'm tired of fighting the street and years of it has me obsessing a bit over getting every photon in. I'm also dying to see what difference lower ambient light makes--say we managed to completely block street light w/ a 10' screen, but then managed the same w/ the shed in back. How much effect do those stray/overhead streetlight photons degrade our seeing? The more I imagine it, the fussier I'm getting. Thanks for shoving me into action.

Hi Laowhoo,

Thanks for your post. Great to hear what others are doing with regards to setting up and storing their scopes. I think the shed and paved area will be great, and as you say, the shed will act as a shelter. I'll keep you posted when everything's set up.

Barto

Edited January 21, 2018 by Barto

[laowhoo]

We were out yesterday for all things scope, and looking at the Home Depot sheds (our Walmart Builder box store). What I need to do is put together/modify something temporary but stable/sound. It'll have to come in come spring, but my wife is fine with having it up during the non-mowing seasons. Along the fence line should be an option but for poor sight lines, so middle of the yard is all we have.

[laowhoo]

Update. Our neighbors, who we love, put up 3 days ago the ungodliest, god-awfulest...there is no adjective, and if you saw it you'd agree. A porch light sufficient for an airport runway. I'm shocked it's even legal for sale. The most bothersome part of it for me is the sickness  behind it. I can't even go there, wondering why/what is in their needy little mind for such, never mind the absolute lack of any consideration for others, and we've had them to our scope. 

To the backyard we go, and I had an idea this morning to accomplish the trek...a sled. Bought 2 pieces 4" PVC w/ 45* elbows, and we'll cut down the tops to make them flat to accept the scope base from the dolly base we've been using on the driveway. YES! 

[catman161]

A couple of years back I had the same idea and ended up building it all myself after sketching out some ideas. I am in no way a skilled carpenter but the project turned out ok and I learnt lots along the way. 

Havent looked back since. I now leave everything permanently mounted and also cover the OTA as well as an extra precaution and have a dehumidifier in situ within the roll off shed. I went for the option of placing the shed on brass wheels that are intended for electronic gates. Each wheel has a load carrying capacity of 500kg. I just flip the cut out in the floor and push the shed back and off I go. I stand in the shed controlling the scope via EQMod on the laptop.  

[Gina]

That's neat

[laowhoo]

Mad dogs and Englishmen. I built a sled for the scope Catman, not a house. Now you've put me in mind of a small gauge train that the kids ride--straight out to the center of our backyard. Do you suppose the house will sell for more, or for less, having had an eccentric old man in it (meaning me)? My wife's very understanding, and I better keep it that way. But I admit to already having seen your build, after which I tested those waters with her, and her smile said it all. 

[Barto]

On 2/4/2018 at 17:37, Gina said:

That's neat

Thanks Gina

 

[Barto]

Thought I'd update this thread.

It's taken me a little longer than expected but I'm progressing well with the Astroshed. Solar power seems to be working well. Should get the viewing platform finished this weekend, weather permitting. Pavers sat on top of the brickwork level with the shed floor should make it easy to roll out the telescope. I'll make the door threshold removable too, with a removable alloy plat to transition across to the pavers.

The trolley seems to work really well, extremely stable.

To aid alignment, I've made three small stainless steel posts which the trolley will locate against, placing it in exactly the same position each time.its used.

Hope this post gives you some ideas.

Any suggestions will be welcome.

Barto

[chris2]

I want one!!!!!

looks like the perfect solution to my problem

Big ask here, can I buy one?

[Barto]

Hi Chris, sorry such a late reply. I made mine at work. I'll post photos on here if it will help. You can buy trolleys but they are quite expensive.

[Barto]

[alacant]

 

Hi

If you're visual you may find that the tripod is too high. If you're imaging, you may need something more substantial. 

Here's our brute force and ignorance box section effort.

Cheers

[chris2]

Brilliant, looks like exactly the same eqp

Can you make me one?

I will pay, I have no way of making one like this?

 

Chris

[8324689]

Leveling Castors for Workbench with Ratchet Handle Design Heavy Duty Industrial Castors Set of 4 60mm Swivel Castors TD80 Retractable Castors with Adjustable Leveling Pads Total Capacity 2000kg https://amzn.eu/d/afSJcfk
 

 

i have just found these. Could be helpful I think 

[8324689]

OK so built an all-terrain trolley with my brother. No welding ! 

 

 Big chunky 8" inflatable wheels ala Moon Buggy which I need for uneven ground

 

Needs a little cleaning up the edges which I will do 

 

@Barto Would you have a link to the levelling feet and wingnuts you used please?  thanks for the inspiration!

 

 

 

[8324689]

Hi there. 
Could anyone help please with perhaps Amazon links of what I need to copy this entire levelling leg please? 
 

I’m having trouble understanding what I need. 
 

Many thanks 

Edited December 5, 2023 by 8324689

[wookie1965]

On 10/01/2018 at 10:19, Ganemedes said:

    The only disadvantage with the build is, that in case of setting the telescope out in the field on no solid ground (tiles, cement), the leveling feet will submerge into the ground. t

The same problem i had a moist night with my tripod. The result was bad leveling of the telescope with valuable time lost from the observation. Just a heads up.

    Nevertheless, your idea and build is really smart. When i have the time (and sources) i will try building something like this.

 

Kyriakos

Cut out 6" x 6"  pieces of wood place the wheels on them when setting up that will stop the mount sinking.