SGL6 Star Party - Booking now open

[RikM]

Hi There! I am very new and will be buying a telescope in the next two weeks! (The Skywatcher Explorer 150p EQ3 - 2) Would this weekend be a good way for me to get used to using my new telescope with help and advice from other more experienced enthusiasts? or is this weekend mainly for very advanced astronomers??

Lana, I have the exact same scope as you, (it's a cracker BTW:D), so if you get stuck with anything, feel free to come and find me and I will help out in any way I can.

[Photosbykev]

A lot has happened in the past week or so. Tent and sleeping bag arrived and we've just got back from a 25 mile round trip visiting a large camping outlet. Now have a self inflating bed, fold up table, tent light (easy to modify for red lighting) and a power hook up cable with RCD unit..... wallet is £70 lighter !!

I already have a stove, so now I'm almost done with the basics... I'm going to put the tent up this afternoon to trial run it and see what it all looks like

Remember to seal the seams if they aren't already taped

[malc-c]

Kev,

I guess you're talking about between the tent and groundsheet ? This tent appears to have the groundsheet sewn in to the tent bottom - no gaps at all

[Photosbykev]

Kev,

I guess you're talking about between the tent and groundsheet ? This tent appears to have the groundsheet sewn in to the tent bottom - no gaps at all

I was talking about the hangers between the inner and outer shells unless the tent you have only has an outer shell? The sealant will have been supplied with the tent if it needs doing, if you don't have any don't worry about it

[IanC11]

if its a brand new tent your best practice is to erect it then hose it down for at least ten miutes, this allows for the nylon flysheet to expand very slightly, this fills the very tiny gaps created during the sewing process. You only have to do this the once.

Ian

[malc-c]

Guys thanks for the tips...

This is the tent - an Vango Alpha 300

It appear to have the "dome" centre part with the flysheet and porch bit as two separate parts. There was no sealant supplied, and the flysheet uses velcro type connections to the two "ribs" that cross from either corner.

[Jarndyce]

Hi Helen

Finally got around to booking. Stefski will be sharing with me. Remember it's the small tent this time, Stef!

Hoping for clear skies.

Richard

[cloudbuster]

sorry to be a pain, but is it possible to get a refund on my booking for SGL6, as my boss has now decided that i cant have the time off.

cheers

bob

[malc-c]

What a (won't swear as its a family forum) your boss must be....

[cloudbuster]

yes Malcolm....he is a naughty man.

No disguised expletives allowed Bob.

[northernnutter]

Argghhh....I'm crying in my soup here!! Being a newbie, this would have been a fantastic opportunity to learn loads, and meet some lovely people. Unfortunately, I've found it too late! Rostered on nightshifts for that week, so can't even pop over for a one night!! And being from Northampton, I'ts right in my back yard!!:sad:

Oh well...guess I'll have to wait for next year.

Have a great time everyone!

[TheMightyKong]

Just paid up for my pitch, fingers crossed for clear skies

[antimorris]

Just booked for Friday and Saturday nights. Unfortunately I can't do the whole run as my husband can't get off work and someone has to stay at home to watch the baby!

I am new to this forum so looking forward to meeting everyone - fingers crossed it is clear!!

[Astronome]

What type of electrical connector does the hookup have??

ATB

John

[Helen]

You'll need a standard caravan attachment. Something like this is ideal Crusader Products Mobile Mains Kit | GO Outdoors . Be safe.

Helen

[Adrian Condon]

Hi Folks,

Interesting question on electricals for camping.

Maplins are doing an adapter....

15m Camping Cable Reel with Safety RCD : Camping Hiking Accs : Maplin

I am thinking of getting one as it has a 15 metre extrenal cable plus a built-in RCD safety cut-out, useful given that camping fields have a "potential" to be wet.

Cheers

Adrian

[Astronome]

What type of connectors on the hook up?

[Helen]

The ones that take the 3 round pin blue camping ones - the picture in the Maplins link shows the connector you need to plug in.

Helen

[Astronome]

Ok just ordered one of those connector systems - mine does not have an RCB so got new one..

Thanks.

[AstroGnome]

Wouldn't be too worried about RCDs in your cables as all the electric points at the site have them built in already.

Better safe than sorry, though I kept tripping the site one each time I tested the one on my cable.

[SteveL]

I kept tripping the site one each time I tested the one on my cable.

Please dont test your cable at lucksall, especially in the middle of a clear night

[Kai]

Wouldn't be too worried about RCDs in your cables as all the electric points at the site have them built in already.

Better safe than sorry, though I kept tripping the site one each time I tested the one on my cable.

What if the ones on site are faulty ???

I would err on the side of caution here and make sure your electrics have their own RCD protection.

[reddoss]

Is there be a contact phone number for the camp site?

[Helen]

Campsite contact details are:

Lucksall Caravan Park or call 01432 870213

Helen

[Whippy]

That maplins unit doesn't appear to have a MCB (minature circuit braker) on it. Personally, I'd be a bit wary of that as units sold at specialist camping outlets have a RCD and a MCB. The last thing you want to do is either blow your kit up, trip the circuit on the field or worse still electrocute yourself.

Tony..