Lame weather... so fettling with my starter setup (and like playing with technology!)

[gaz81]

Last time it was clear I had a go with leaving my laptop out side and using Remote Desktop to monitor after I set off imaging. 
 

So took it a step further and added a specific imaging PC and fixed it to the tripod. 
 

It’s an old Dell WYSE thin client with full windows 10, Wi-fi etc. Everything is plugged into that. Set it APT, PHD, plate solving, Sharp Cap etc etc. 
 

Then finished up trying to keep the cables tidy 🙂 

All seems to have tested ok (indoors anyway!). 
 

Whole idea being I can plop it outside and get going as quick as possible. 

[wormix]

I love these set ups with the 72mm and AZ GTi - what length subs do you manage with it?

[happy-kat]

A question please. What about dew forming on the electrics and openness of the Dell box? 

Your thin client box having had a peak at second hand prices looks very interesting solution. Do you know which model your one is please.

Edited November 2, 2020 by happy-kat

[gaz81]

1 hour ago, wormix said:

I love these set ups with the 72mm and AZ GTi - what length subs do you manage with it?

I’ve gone to 400s with it, but that’s pushing it a little 🙂 

I do like it though, nice and portable. Could do with wiring it to the PC though rather than Wi-fi, having said that I’ve had no issues with the Wi-fi on it. 

[wormix]

2 minutes ago, gaz81 said:

I’ve gone to 400s with it, but that’s pushing it a little 🙂 

I do like it though, nice and portable. Could do with wiring it to the PC though rather than Wi-fi, having said that I’ve had no issues with the Wi-fi on it. 

Do you guide through WiFi as well then?

I have an AZ GTi on order, so tempted to try EQ mode with my Meg72 rather than lugging out my HEQ5 all the time. 
 

 

[gaz81]

47 minutes ago, happy-kat said:

A question please. What about dew forming on the electrics and openness of the Dell box? 

Your thin client box having had a peak at second hand prices looks very interesting solution. Do you know which model your one is please.

Yeah, you are right. Could do with something  there. Maybe a box that sits over the top but allows air to flow etc. It’s a fanless PC so don’t want to block all the vents  

It’s a Dell WYSE 5020. Was £40 off eBay. It did have a 32gb drive and 4gb RAM. I have upped that with stuff I have around the house so now it’s a 256gb SSD and 12gb of RAM. 
 

I’m still pretty new to all of this 🙂

[gaz81]

Just now, wormix said:

Do you guide through WiFi as well then?

I have an AZ GTi on order, so tempted to try EQ mode with my Meg72 rather than lugging out my HEQ5 all the time. 
 

 

Yeah, there is no ST4 port so guiding is via Wi-fi. It’s just the Slywatcher 9x50 finder with the clone T7C camera (clone of the ASI 120MC)

I was using an old QHY5, just changed it to that over the weekend. 

[Len1257]

Sorry but those mains electrics fastened to the tripod make me shudder. I don't know how quick you could cover it all up if there was to be a sudden downpour but there's a good chance your whole setup could become live if that happened. Your first reaction would probably be to get the scope under cover and that might be your last. Get the mains stuff into a plastic box and just run 12V to the gear. Convenience should always be sacrificed to safety. I assume you have an RCD feeding this lot but I still don't think it's safe.

[gaz81]

3 hours ago, Len1257 said:

Sorry but those mains electrics fastened to the tripod make me shudder. I don't know how quick you could cover it all up if there was to be a sudden downpour but there's a good chance your whole setup could become live if that happened. Your first reaction would probably be to get the scope under cover and that might be your last. Get the mains stuff into a plastic box and just run 12V to the gear. Convenience should always be sacrificed to safety. I assume you have an RCD feeding this lot but I still don't think it's safe.

Absolutely... got a weather proof electrical box on order at Amazon etc. 
 

thank you for the feedback, is appreciated. 

[gaz81]

So, took the feedback and started again

This time enclosed the mini PC and power in weather proof mains enclosures (two of them, back to back).

Still some work to do but waiting for a few more bits and got to fit an inline RCD to the extension.