Leak in skyshedpod

[blinky]

I’m not sure if @SkyShed - Wayne is still in this forum? I’m having leak issues with my pod, mainly at the pivots which I’ve redone the seal on tonight but…. When I open the pod up, water seems to pour out from inside the section that I lift up, I’ve no idea how it gets in there to seal it up? Anybody got any ideas/experienced this before?

 

[blinky]

Just redone the first pivot seal…

[Swoop1]

What is it that pivots?

[blinky]

I’m no good at explaining these things! Think of the skyshedpod pod as like a spaceman’s helmet, the visor slides up right? The big bolt at the left of the image is the pivot where the ‘visor’ slides up. Water keeps coming in and I can’t stop it. I might have had a breakthrough though…. When opening and shutting I could see there is a pinch point and the gasket was getting jammed, I’ve now cut the gasket short, so it now ends before the pinch point meaning it no longer jams. I need to wait on a wet day to see if the water is dripping off the gasket on to the other gasket and draining away though…

[Merlin66]

An “open” and “closed” image might help explain the problem.

[Swoop1]

Got it now- it is where the opposing halves of the dome slide over each other.

[carastro]

Mine leaks at the pivots too.  Think many have the same problem.   I just place a bucket under the pivots and empty it if there has been a downpour. 
 

l use a dehumidifier in the winter months to keep everything dry so if need be l can suck up any splashes.  
 

Not ideal but works for me.  I have also read of someone fitting a piece of gutter  under the pivots with a hose through the wall to drain it back outside. 
 

carole

[blinky]

5 hours ago, Swoop1 said:

Got it now- it is where the opposing halves of the dome slide over each other.

Yep thats the place, try as I might I can never solve it

[blinky]

5 hours ago, carastro said:

Mine leaks at the pivots too.  Think many have the same problem.   I just place a bucket under the pivots and empty it if there has been a downpour. 
 

l use a dehumidifier in the winter months to keep everything dry so if need be l can suck up any splashes.  
 

Not ideal but works for me.  I have also read of someone fitting a piece of gutter  under the pivots with a hose through the wall to drain it back outside. 
 

carole

I do the same with buckets but its just not great, all that kit and 2 buckets full of water!

[carastro]

Quote

I do the same with buckets but its just not great, all that kit and 2 buckets full of water!

It's a flaw in the design, and as you say not ideal.  

I managed to find the photo of what some-one had done. it was a screen grab from on here a few years ago.  I hope whoever it was doesn't mind me re-posting to help fellow Astronomers. 

Carole 

Edited July 20, 2021 by carastro

[blinky]

I was thinking of doing exactly the same! That would fix it once and for all and save me needing to worry about leaks.

[Swoop1]

Sadly, leaks are always a risk with roofs that have sliding elements/ openings. 

Fortunately, the denizens of this her parish are a resourceful lot and a solve can always be found.