Hi Joe,
Thanks. That is similar, but the design that I was describing only
covers the mount and is much smaller...just big enough to surround
the mount.
Thanks, Rick

--- In ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> ,

wrote:

Hi Rick,

Here is a link to the Hanna City Remote Robotic Observatory,

pics and

plans:
I think that is what you were referring to as a BOX observatory.

http://www.mtco.com/~jgunn/ <http://www.mtco.com/~jgunn/>

Joe

Hi Joe,
I will post if I see them again. They were posted on
the "Observatories" Yahoo group some time ago. However; Remember,
that I siad the design was for mount only...Not scope also. That
would require a much larger case and one that would be more likely
to draw attention.
Thanks, Rick

Hi Joe
I think I remember a Sky and Telescope article a few years ago that showed
the construction of such a pier top enclosure. I will try to find this
article, but maybe someone else has a better recollection of exactly which
issue it was in.

Richard

Hi Rick,

I have been searching the web for a "telescope-only pier housing" for a
couple of years, and this was only one of two that I have been able to find.
If you can locate any other links PLEASE post them - I really would like to
build one as well. I saw a wonderful one a few years ago, and have been
scanning the web to get it back, without much luck.

In my situation, I enjoy my lovely garden yard, where the ideal spot for
a small ready made observatory would be in the corner - where all the fruit
trees block a fair amount of the sky. I am not willing to sacrifice the
trees and ruin the enjoyment of my "day space".

I thought that a less conspicuous pier mounted telescope enclosure would
be a good compromise, with quick access to my set-up, but without a
"building blocking my view" - sort of the large white elephant in the middle
of my outdoors room.

I really hope you, or anyone else here, can share a link for this specific
kind of project.

Thanks,
Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Wiggins"
<<mailto:rickwiggins%40earthlink.net>rickwiggins@...>
To: <<mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>ap-gto@...>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 12:27 PM
Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Leaving as GTO mount outdoors

Hi Joe,
Thanks. That is similar, but the design that I was describing only
covers the mount and is much smaller...just big enough to surround
the mount.
Thanks, Rick

--- In <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>ap-gto@..., "Joseph

Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...>

wrote:

Hi Rick,

Here is a link to the Hanna City Remote Robotic Observatory,

pics and

plans:
I think that is what you were referring to as a BOX observatory.

<http://www.mtco.com/~jgunn/>http://www.mtco.com/~jgunn/

Joe

Arborvitae is the type of evergreen I'm going to use, if you google it
you'll see an image. They're nice and dense, can be bought at the
right height (about 6') and when planted about 2' apart, give a strong
privacy hedge. I'm planning to make an enclosure about 9 x 9 feet on
the inside (unlike a building, I can always trim the walls back a bit
if needed...) and with a good solid gate in a sidewall opening that I
can lock to keep curious kids and critters out. I'm thinking that I'll
plant either grass or a low mossy-type ground cover, have a nice paved
walk to the entrance and a little paved pad inside for a computer cart
I'll wheel in when using the scope. The scope will be on a tripod with
4' deep footings - less intrusive and permanent than a big slab for
the 1200 mount on a pier. I plan a round paved walkway for viewing,
with gravel under the tripod legs and the scope and tripod covered
with Telegizmos 365 covers. Should work well, and look good too.
Money saved from building a remote observatory should buy me a Prius...
Morgan

Hi Joe,
Thanks. That is similar, but the design that I was describing only
covers the mount and is much smaller...just big enough to surround
the mount.
Thanks, Rick

--- In ap-gto@..., "Joseph Zeglinski" <J.Zeglinski@...>
wrote:

Hi Rick,

Here is a link to the Hanna City Remote Robotic Observatory,

pics and

plans:
I think that is what you were referring to as a BOX observatory.

http://www.mtco.com/~jgunn/

Joe

I had thought about this. But since I also need to screen the local
house and street lights, I'm thinking about a "secret garden" - a
space enclosed by a hedge of 6' tall arborvitae, accessed by a gate in
one of the hedge walls. This would provide shelter from wind and
light; security; temperature equilibrium for scope and mount; and
allow me to place it on the best spot on my property - without the
neighborhood watch group getting upset! Even the wife has given the
thumbs up...so I'll keep you all posted as I go ahead.
Morgan

Hi Morgan,

How are your town ordinances in regards to "art"? You might be
able to make a stable pier which "transforms" into a Telescope Mount
at night while looking like (IE) Miniature Lighthouse by day.
Amazing what a box made from plywood can be painted to resemble or
how easy Stucco sticks to Styrofoam and chicken wire.

At night, you unbuckle/remove the top that protects your "Thermo-
Nuclear Concentrator".

I'm NOT advocating you try to hoodwink or defraud. Some city
halls/HOA are notorious for denying projects that have unfamiliar
names in them. While a small shed in the front yard is unattractive,
a small garage isn't.

Tom


--- In ap-gto@..., "Morgan Spangle" <msfainc@> wrote:

Hi Steve,
Would if I could but can't so...the best area is in the front of my
house, and the town won't allow any kind of shed in a front area.

So

my choice is to leave the mount out in an area of the garden next

to

the driveway that I will wall off from view with a dense hedge.

I'll

drop some footings in for the tripod feet (I use a Meade giant

field

tripod, very solid) and plant some kind of ground cover I can walk

on

or grass. Run electric to it from the garage, make a path for a

dolly

to bring the computer and other equipment out (maybe even the OTA,

not

sure whether I'll load it each time or leave it mounted and covered
too), and I can be set up, polar aligned and ready to go in 5
minutes...at least, thats the plan so far. I've got all spring and
summer to work it out. Its really to avoid the winter

setup/breakdown,

like you've done the the Out Haus.

Morgan

--- In ap-gto@..., "Steve..." <astropix@> wrote:

I should have said "structure" rather than "shell".

You can see mine here....

http://www.starrynights.us/Equipment/Equipment.htm

Steve...

--- In ap-gto@..., "Morgan Spangle" <msfainc@> wrote:

Hmmm...that's an interesting thought. What kind of hard shell

did

you

come up with? I have a C14 on mine so it would take a pretty

good

sized barrel or drum...
Morgan

--- In ap-gto@..., "Steve..." <astropix@> wrote:

Morgan,

For a time, I kept my AP1200 with OTA in a bag. We had some

high

winds

and something flying in the air hit the OTA putting a dent

into

it.

So I recommend a hard shell rather than a bag. I believe

that

even

these newer padded bags would still sustain damage from a

flying

object.

Steve...

www.CCDNavigator.com

Morgan,

I have had a AP1200GTO for 7 years now, kept in a observatory here at
my home since day one. The observatory has no heating or cooling,
just
a small exhaust fan to pull hot air out when the space reaches >100
degrees in the summer. The scope and mount are always near ambient
temperature, this seems to work well and means quick set-up times.

The only issues I have experienced during the past 5 years is a few
keypad resetting problems and several intermittent power problems.
All
of the problems I have seen were due to oxidation on the pin
connectors
on the electronics.

I would think twice about bringing the electronics (keypad and
control
box) into a heated space after an observing session during cold
weather, this will eventually create problems with the electronics
due
to condensation. These left in a out building or garage at near
ambient
would be best.

Most important.. I have found that reseating the pin connections on a
regular basis, every 3-4 months works best for me... is essential for
maintaining continunity at all electrical connections if the mount
remains in the elements (event if it is in a observatory). I also
check and clean all electrical connections at least once a year to
prevent intermittent problems.

Mark Clegg
Pittsboro, N.C.






--- In ap-gto@..., Morgan Spangle <msfainc@> wrote:

I'm considering leaving my APO 1200 GTO outdoors over the winter,

so

that setup/knockdown time is lessened, and since I use it by

remote

control to image anyway. I'm in the Northeast, so we do get rain,
cold, and snow; I'd have a pretty good over bungeed to the mount

to

protect it, and could even keep a lightbulb going all the time to
keep moisture from accumulating under the cover. What's the

group's

opinion?


Morgan Spangle

Hi Morgan,
Have you seen the little boxes that some people have made? I wish I
had a link to them, but will attempt a brief description.

Imagine the closed position of a wooden box around just the top of
the pier and just big enough to cover the mount. The box comes in
two pieces that fit together with overlapping weather seals. It has
a round cutout in the bottom to fit around the pier and spring
loaded closer hasps to seal it tight when closed.

Another version has two flat pieces that fit together just below the
mount and around the pier to form the bottom of a box and then a top
hat box that fits over the mount and clamps to the bottom.

Top off the design with a 15 watt light bulb and some bottom vent
holes to allow minimum air flow and I think you have a winner. Even
better, cover the mount first in a nice warm, breathable, non-
hygroscopic blanket (i.e. Gore-tex fabric) first, then cover it.

Just another idea.
Thanks, Rick