Large Dob - My outside storage solution

[GasGiant]

Hi all

 

Have not posted in ages as have been too busy with other things. I think my last question was 'how do you store a dob' ! or something like that.  Ive not even had a good gander through this thing yet and Ive had it around 3 months. lol

Anyway. Having no real space in other sheds I have dotted around I decided the best solution was to make a dedicated box for it.   I wanted it to be super easy for me to just go out with minimal fuss when the mood takes me.  I didnt fancy having it stored somewhere and having to disassemble, drag it down the garden, re-assemble etc. I think I would have been soon put off using it.

So I made a box the right size and plopped it on a runway I made especially for it. I can now just open up the door, wheel it out down the ramp and Im ready to go !  Being a bit higher should make observing less of a back bending exercise and if something is in the wrong position I will just need to jump on the runway.  The casters I fitted have locking feet so Im sure it will be secure enough ? 

I will make a cover sock for it and put in some moisture traps and I think it should be ok?  Any thoughts, improvements ?

Ive yet to finish it. It needs some vent holes and the foam lining finishing. The door is lined too.

Excuse the state of the garden cough cough. 

 

Carl 

[Mr Spock]

Nicely done. Mine's in a shed so I have to lift it out.

[Ratlet]

I really like that soloution.  I keep mine in a shed outside (I put a telegizmos cover over it as well so I can put a dehumidifier packet in with it to keep the worst of the damp off).

From the size and shape the building looks a bit like an outhouse.  Should at least deter thieves lol.

[M40]

That's a great idea 👍 certainly going to make life easier for you.

[doublevodka]

Looks good 👍 Should mean you get out an observing a lot more which is great

My only suggestion would be some sort of airflow which will help control the humidity (and heat for the 2 weeks of summer we get)

Maybe have a look at these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=solar+powered+fan&crid=MK1GPYXI0BSK&sprefix=solar+powered+fan%2Caps%2C74&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 a small solar powered fan should give enough airflow to keep things fresh in there.

[Peter Drew]

Pretty much ideal.  I work on a similar principle with fixed housings for large Dobsonians that are deployed from them via wheels on rails.  A 30" is quicker to set up from scratch than a 3" refractor on a GEM.     🙂 

[Fraunhoffer]

Nice cover shed.

Just a thought about sealing or protecting the wooden base in some way if it's made of chipboard particle board. Good comments about airflow and humidity drier etc.

I bought a used SW one  a while ago and the base had got damp at some point in the past and swelled. 

 

 

[tomato]

Great idea, the trouble is I already have a dome and warm room shed in the back garden, another sentry box for my Dobsonian might be a shed too far.

[Sunshine]

12 hours ago, GasGiant said:

Hi all

 

Have not posted in ages as have been too busy with other things. I think my last question was 'how do you store a dob' ! or something like that.  Ive not even had a good gander through this thing yet and Ive had it around 3 months. lol

Anyway. Having no real space in other sheds I have dotted around I decided the best solution was to make a dedicated box for it.   I wanted it to be super easy for me to just go out with minimal fuss when the mood takes me.  I didnt fancy having it stored somewhere and having to disassemble, drag it down the garden, re-assemble etc. I think I would have been soon put off using it.

So I made a box the right size and plopped it on a runway I made especially for it. I can now just open up the door, wheel it out down the ramp and Im ready to go !  Being a bit higher should make observing less of a back bending exercise and if something is in the wrong position I will just need to jump on the runway.  The casters I fitted have locking feet so Im sure it will be secure enough ? 

I will make a cover sock for it and put in some moisture traps and I think it should be ok?  Any thoughts, improvements ?

Ive yet to finish it. It needs some vent holes and the foam lining finishing. The door is lined too.

Excuse the state of the garden cough cough. 

 

Carl 

Nicely done! Taylored to fit it perfectly.