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Post by Rick in NWArk on Aug 30, 2016 13:52:13 GMT
Finally seeing the finish line is a good feeling and the results are great
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Post by Dragon Man on Aug 30, 2016 15:11:27 GMT
Thanks Bobby, Davy and Rick. Yep, nearly there. If the weather was clear and we could get stuck into it, there's probably only about 4 hours of work to finish it off. But you know how it goes. In a whole day you end up getting about one hours worth of work done because of late starts, lunch breaks, looking for tools, chatting, and then you find something else to slow down the project One full day of work should see it done, but I bet it won't happen that easy
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2016 16:03:32 GMT
The observatory is looking very nice Ken. I hope it provides you with years of great observing. Nothing like having a permanent setup you can polar align, neatly run your cables, and have comfortable place for your computer, star atlas, and other accessories. While I do like tinkering with equipment, having an observatory setup makes observing much more pleasurable.
Clear Skies,
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Post by Dragon Man on Aug 30, 2016 17:59:34 GMT
The observatory is looking very nice Ken. I hope it provides you with years of great observing. Nothing like having a permanent setup you can polar align, neatly run your cables, and have comfortable place for your computer, star atlas, and other accessories. While I do like tinkering with equipment, having an observatory setup makes observing much more pleasurable. Clear Skies, You are so right Tim. Especially the luxury of running a heater in the control room in winter while observing with Video Astronomy
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Post by howie1 on Aug 30, 2016 23:26:29 GMT
If the weather was clear and we could get stuck into it, there's probably only about 4 hours of work to finish it off. Yup, weathers bad up here in Brissie too ... been trying to focus the DSLR in the PST so of course ... bad weather.
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Post by Dragon Man on Sept 3, 2016 15:57:33 GMT
Todays update - 3rd September 2016Last bits of insulation go up: Last ceiling panel goes up: and after the back wall was also panelled, FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even though there are a couple of lights to fit, it's ready to use. We don't need lights yet -------------------------- . . . and because we still had the rest of the day I decided the Toilet needed an update now we have a fancy Observatory I stripped out the Hand Basin Unit and started painting the walls: and changed the tiny little stainless steel hand basin into a large hand basin so it is easier to wash your hands: It's ok Lads, you can sit there in front of the Gas Heater and keep warm while I renovate the toilet room So, I can now start setting up all the gear ready to use! WOO-HOOOOOO!!!!!
It's taken 6 months but it's certainly been worth it. Once I connect up the mount, cameras, and computers I'll make the Video of it all finished and working
A MASSIVE thank-you to a dear friend Bert van Donkelaar who provided much of the Astronomical equipment to me personally, and to our SVAA club to make this possible equipment-wise. And for his constant encouragement.
Also, a huge thank-you to the SVAA club members who physically pitched in and worked hard and helped make this observatory a reality. Me, Tim, Barry, Jake, Ben, Angus, John, Anna, and our other members who encouraged us, and my neighbour Glenn.
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Post by howie1 on Sept 4, 2016 2:18:27 GMT
Congrats Ken. Top job mate!
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Post by Dragon Man on Sept 16, 2016 14:59:29 GMT
Thanks Howie Not a lot reported lately with all the rain and floods we've had, but fortunately all of the work is done. The Observatory is ready to use. If I can get a night without rain or cloud I'll get the scope up and running and give the Observatory its first light. But until then, here's the latest pics The toilet room now looks better: and getting all the final finishing touches done ready for the public: and I also still have to make that Video
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Sept 16, 2016 15:08:12 GMT
Hope she's been rain-tight for you with all these rains!
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Post by Dragon Man on Sept 16, 2016 15:43:43 GMT
Yes Rick, good point. Fortunately we spent the extra money and time on LOTS of waterproofing for every part of the whole build. We even bought the correct sealers for each area, like concrete sealing Silicon for around the base where the building sits on the slab. It was worth spending the extra on the right sealers than trying to save money by using general purpose silicon everywhere. I went up there today to double check how it has coped with all the torrential rain we have had day after day, and there's not one drop of water anywhere inside, even though all around the property is flooded!
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Post by Dragon Man on Sept 16, 2016 15:44:35 GMT
For those people who are wondering,
. . . . . the COST.
$500 for the 3m x 3m (10' x 10') shed,
Building materials, paint, doors, locks, screws, nails, wheels, steel, brackets, custom pressed sheet metal, concrete, stirrups, insulation, etc etc etc all came to approx $1500.
Roofing for the Control Room is 2nd hand and donated, and the concrete slab was laid years ago when we first built the clubroom. Electrical fittings and wiring was donated, and a few items like the guttering were surplus from other projects onsite.
All labour by everyone involved was free and voluntary.
So, the whole project has cost us around $2000*
*not including computers, mounts, telescopes etc.
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Sept 21, 2016 13:48:59 GMT
Man, that's not bad at all, Ken, it sure looks like you spent more than that. The results are really sharp looking!
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Post by Dragon Man on Sept 21, 2016 13:54:56 GMT
Thanks Rick. Yeah, I expected it to cost more, but with a few simple material donations, and lots of participation from members, really keeps the costs down.
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Post by ChrisV on Sept 21, 2016 22:31:48 GMT
That's completely awesome. Now the video tour !
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Post by johnno on Sept 22, 2016 1:15:57 GMT
Ken are you going to put your setup in there?
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Post by Dragon Man on Sept 22, 2016 13:35:55 GMT
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Post by johnno on Sept 22, 2016 14:17:53 GMT
Yep your right I've lost track
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Post by Dragon Man on Oct 1, 2016 10:54:19 GMT
LATEST UPDATE Even though the Observatory is finished, today we spent a few hours finishing up a couple of minor things like lights, extra power points, and getting everything working. I managed to get all my cables sorted, everything connected, fired up the internet via Pharos Outdoor Wireless Broadband with TP-Link CPE-210, and did a quick test broadcast. Everything worked great! My cable tangle has now gone from this: To this: This is the cable duct under the desk: then the cables go through the wall and carry on to the Mount in another cable duct recessed into an angled wooden channel to prevent tripping: and onto the Mount to control GoTo, Cameras, Focus etc. (Tim's HEQ5 on the right) All I need now is some clear sky and it's Battle Stations, Arm the Telescopes, ACTION! (yes, I know, I still have to make the Video) A beautiful View of the Observatory
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Post by ChrisV on Oct 1, 2016 13:39:25 GMT
Love the panoramic shot. Really nice job Ken.
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Post by davy on Oct 1, 2016 14:06:13 GMT
Looking great mate,, you guys have done a smashing job,,,this is going to be a game changer for your club.
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