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New deck and observatory install
Got the deck taken out, and my buddy and his small crew put in an 18 inch round pier with a T base 5 feet deep. The dirt in my hill is super strong and solid, and I'm guessing that pier base isn't moving at all if much at all. Just levelled the J bolts (except he used screws with flat square 3 inch plates on the end. It'll be solid. So, that part is done. Monday they install the actual deck, should be done my tuesday. Wed. my observatory shows up. Can't wait.
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Comment by Charles Dunlop on April 28, 2012 at 12:36pm
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The dome is turning on it's motors. That's rad. Now if I could get the shutter done it'd be totally done, but from the directions I can't understand how the magnetic switches work, so I'll just have to wait until they get back to me with pitcures.
Might set up though, just manually open the dome and let the software rotate it.
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The electronics are interesting, the contruction is not very perfect at all on these things, but there are wheel measures and fancy magnetic sensors to let the computer know where the position of the dome is, how open it is, etc. Quite interesting design, not my style of engineering but the thing will work. Installed the pulley components on the shutter this AM, now I'm about to install the horizontal motors, then the locking mechanism. After that all that's left is the electronics themselves. could be done today, most likely some time this week. doesn't really matter as no clear skies until this coming weekend at the earliest.
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The dome is done. Electronics not installed yet, but it's useable.
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I just hope I don't freak out my neighbors!!!! Actually there used to be this huge tree and provacy wall there, I gave her the view back, and then took a little bit of it away with this. Should be nothing.
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Comment by Marc Basti on April 16, 2012 at 4:27am
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Now that looks like an observatory! I can hear Leddy now-I don't understand him, he builds this beautiful deck then he puts this big "Fisher-Price house" on it lol. Looks great Charles, Marc
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Sky is clear but im not telescoping. Too flipping tired after that assembly all day.
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Comment by Trevor Woodrow on April 15, 2012 at 6:24pm
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Nice, don't know what I am more jealous of, that dome,or that nice clear sky!
Happy for ya Charlie!
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BTW it's bigger than I was anticipating. Maybe I should have gotten the smaller one or only one base ring on the wall. Hope nobody get's angry! I'm pretty psyched on it though, I mean, the thing is pretty rad. Turns pretty easily, it's definitely an upgrade from my skeshedpod.
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Now I need to put in the pulley system for the opening latches, and equatorial (lateral) motors for the dome rotation and i'm done. Wheeewww... stopping now, shower and taking the lady out. STOKED. Clear skies but I'm not telescoping tonight, wait until it's done.
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