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Post by Rick in NWArk on Mar 2, 2016 1:14:38 GMT
This is a DIY project that I have been working on for a few months. I still have a few more details to work out, but I have a working prototype that I'm ready to post here and share with the group. I'll post more of the details below, but first, the pictures: I am starting with a 6 foot folding table that is about 30" high: Here is what the skeleton looks like from the back and then from the front: The components are pretty straight-forward; I'm using 3/4" PVC. Elbows, 3-ways, and a harder to find dual 90. I decided for a 2-foot by 2-foot square for each end and then that leaves 2 32" segments for the width of the table: The last component is the cover. I chose an appropriately sized tarp that has grommits to leverage for securing the tarp. I wanted to get a large enough tarp to cover the top, back, sides, and down to the ground. Before attaching the tarp, I used a ratchet tie-down to keep the skeleton attached to the table. In other versions, I've also used bungee cords. I'm not sure what the final solution will be: And here are the results from the back: And the results from the front... as you can see, I can get 2 laptops and a 21" monitor in there... or 2 21" monitors if I want. Plenty of room! I will continue to work on some details, and then I hope to post (and sell?) instructions to make your own! I welcome any comments, critiques, and suggestions! Thanks! --Rick
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Post by howie1 on Mar 2, 2016 1:39:12 GMT
Interesting LP /dew shield for your stuff Rick. My only suggestion would be to maybe get a couple of these (link down below) and fix them under the folding table top ... (Aussie site but sure you can find similar on the web) ... its a 20AH lithium power bank which will output 12V as well as other voltages and comes with a bunch of diff size power nibs for diff gear. Then you have some emergency power for your laptops, phone, etc. I have just bought one to power SE6 and its a lightweight and compact 12V 20AH solution. Not sure about getting 20AH out of it but when the darn weather clears up I might find out. (Course I could always power it up in the garage and just see when it finally shuts off!) www.kogan.com/au/buy/kogan-universal-20000mah-power-bank-laptops-tablets-phones/Just in case it's of use to yourself or others ... I am going to trial the above power bank with the 6SE as it saves me doing a DIY job ... but I have also wanted to try for some time putting rechargeable D cells into the legs of the tripod, and wiring them up with a jack for recharging. Figure it might make the legs more stable and vibration dampening, as well as one less thing to carry being already in the tripod, rather than a separate 20AH bike battery or whatever. And for my HEQ5 mount I want to try the idea of DIY powered counterweights ala the iOptron power supply version of its counterweight. Again, I like the idea that they are both the power supply and the counterweight all at the same time. So many things to try .. so little time! BTW ... which scope are you going to go out with when you use the shield/table thing? cheers Howie
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Post by Rick in NWArk on Mar 2, 2016 14:30:53 GMT
Thanks for the suggestion, Howie! So far, no big power interruptions at events, I've always had AC. *crosses fingers*
I could really use any scope with this, Howie -- the great thing about this solution is that it works during the day to shield the sun so you can see your laptop while doing solar viewing and then at a star party, it shields light from the surroundings... you just have to have the business end pointed away from others, hahaha!
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Post by howie1 on Mar 3, 2016 0:47:11 GMT
Ah ok Rick. I asked re what scope because I saw a post in the past which was nothing to do with trolleys for telescopes. But this guy had a photo out in the desert of his stuff all ready to start observing. The big newt on a GEM was over one side and on the other was this vertical shelf unit thing which he was sitting at. Couple of shots later he had a shot of himself rolling this box out of a van and I realised what the shelf unit was .... see photo of my rough sketch as I searched but couldnt find the post on Google nor in my bookmarks. Tough to build lightweight, but I guess no heavier on wheels than a wheel barrow full of dirt?
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