AlienFirstClass
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/13/09
Posts: 738
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Has anyone built an observatory along the lines of the Rubbermaid sliding roof shed?
http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-Slide-Lid-Storage-3752-92-cubic/dp/B000L0EAGE
If so I would love to see it.
Thanks
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starquester
sage
Reged: 09/03/04
Posts: 469
Loc: Three Rivers, MI U.S.A>
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Hi Alien First Class,
Click on the link below my to see
What some others have done,
Alan
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Alan D. Otterson
Windy Ridge Observatory
41-58.966N
85-43.069W
Alan Otterson
Founder&Owner
A Yahoo Observatory Group
Flip Top & Clamshell & Rubbermaid Observatories
http://tinyurl.com/yz9ckk
The Nikon D40 Astrophotography Group
http://tinyurl.com/5j8qw2
A Yahoo Astrophotography Group
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 3292
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I think so, but I don't remember who.
I did see one of these sheds on a small trailer this summer, used as a uitlity trailer/camper.
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Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)
"Nobody get's in to see the WIZARD, Not Nobody, Not Nohow"
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Don Trinko
super member
Reged: 07/05/09
Posts: 131
Loc: Ohio
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I have been looking at it. It is a little small for some scopes and not much room inside for more than 1 person.
The price is right. ($329 at out Menards) Don T.
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Nexstar 8SE
Meade DS2130at-lnt
Astro-Tech 66mm
Coranado PST 40mm
Celestron 10x50 binoculars
Nikon 7x35 Binoculars
EP's 8 to 24 Zuhmell, 8 to 24 Hyperion, 12.5 Astro-Tech Paradime, Celestron 40,26,9.7 plossel,
Zuhmell 32,12.5,6,4 plossel , TMB 5,3.2, planitary II.
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AlienFirstClass
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/13/09
Posts: 738
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Quote:
I have been looking at it. It is a little small for some scopes and not much room inside for more than 1 person.
The price is right. ($329 at out Menards) Don T.
My thoughts also.
That is why I am asking if someone has used the basic design and built it larger.
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GeorgeDuke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 1588
Loc: PARADISE! (So.Florida)
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Too bad we can't get some of the powers at Rubbermaid interested in Astronomy! It would not take much investment to modify or design one of their sheds to work equally well as an observatory or garden shed.
Make a taller, wider slide roof shed for instance.
I have seen several of them stacked one on top of another for Astronomy purposes. Does anyone at Rubbermaid ever look out the window and see what is going on?
There are hundreds if not thousands of plastic sheds being modified and yet no manufacturer has taken notice? Hard to believe! American ingenuity seems to be all in the hands of the end user. None exists at the corporate level.
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George
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SkyShed POD XL-3
LX200GPS 203mm f10
StellarVue SV102ED2 Feathertouch Ser#0018
LXD75 GOTO with Orion 16" pier extension
Baader Hyperion 8mm ,13mm, 21mm + FTRs
2" GSO ED barlow, 2" SV Dielectric and Orion Prism Diagonals
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jcrew
sage
Reged: 08/07/08
Posts: 386
Loc: Mechanicsville, VA.
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Not sure how everyones cameras hook up to their laptops/computers, but you could run or bury (in conduit) a string of USB cables to you garage or shed from one of these rubbermaid sheds. That way you dont have to be "in the observatory", just the scope. Could that work?
Thanks,
Brad
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Orion EON80ed (the rider)
Orion Skyquest XT10i
Sirius EQ-G Mount (the horse)
Orion ST-80
Starshoot II Color CCD Camera
SSAG
40mm, 25mm, 10mm Plossl
13mm Hyperion
5mm TMB Planetary
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andyschlei
sage
Reged: 03/05/06
Posts: 376
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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Quote:
Not sure how everyones cameras hook up to their laptops/computers, but you could run or bury (in conduit) a string of USB cables to you garage or shed from one of these rubbermaid sheds. That way you dont have to be "in the observatory", just the scope. Could that work?
Thanks,
Brad
My preference would be to run cat-5 and monitor / control with another computer using remote desktop connection or open VNC (name / spelling on that last one??). That has worked well for me.
On the other hand, in my new observatory I only have a single active USB line going from the warm room to the scope, where it connects to a USB hub and from there to the camera and a 4-port USB to serial device. That too would not be too hard to extend.
There's my 4 cents. 
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Observatorio de la Ballona
Mar Vista
Lake Riverside Estates
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GeorgeDuke
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 1588
Loc: PARADISE! (So.Florida)
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The theoretical limit for USB cables is about 15'.
You can buy USB cables with powered boosters however.
I have some 25' powered cables.
As far as cat-5 cables, wireless is the way go go these days.
I have 8 computers all running wireless from my router.
The observatory computers are about 100' away and work fine.
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George
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SkyShed POD XL-3
LX200GPS 203mm f10
StellarVue SV102ED2 Feathertouch Ser#0018
LXD75 GOTO with Orion 16" pier extension
Baader Hyperion 8mm ,13mm, 21mm + FTRs
2" GSO ED barlow, 2" SV Dielectric and Orion Prism Diagonals
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Mittag56
journeyman
Reged: 07/08/09
Posts: 5
Loc: West Amboy, N.Y.
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I have been using one for the last year..it's small and not high enough..but on the plus side, it keeps my gear dry and is well worth the price...really a solid building once its snaped together..
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Home Brew 10 inch F5 Dob
LXD75 Dual mount
Antares 105mm
ETX-90 as guide scope
Smallest Observatory in the State
Not enough room for it all!
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f29pc
professor emeritus
Reged: 05/23/05
Posts: 651
Loc: Maine
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Sears carries a Suncast brand that worked for me. Look at it on my web site, it's the first picture under observatory.
Paul
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12" LX200 UHTC OTA
10" LX200 EMC
WO 105mm APO, 80mm APO, 66mm APO
MI250
Next day air makes every night X-mas eve!
www.burkesobservatory.com
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AlienFirstClass
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/13/09
Posts: 738
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Thanks for the responses.
It sounds like that no one has built a CLONE of the Rubbermaid design.
If they have, I would still like to see a PICTURE of it.
Thanks
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JR#8
super member
Reged: 08/31/04
Posts: 191
Loc: Edison, NJ
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Was looking at the double wide vertical unit by rubbermaid but its 1,300. This one is about $500. Being a carpenter. I was thinking maybe build a knee wall about 4' high. That way it give you about a 7' height.
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Meade 10 LX200-SMT GPS
Orion ED 80 APO
Solar Filter
Canon Powershot 80
Canon 20D
Tarmon Lens AF28-80,AF70-300
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BCB
Undercover Saboteur
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 5196
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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Closest thing to a clone may be what I've done with their BigMax 7x7 shed.. Have a look at the link in my sig.
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Mark
Lost in thought. Please send search party!!!
Astro-Tech 111EDT
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
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AlienFirstClass
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/13/09
Posts: 738
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Thanks for the responses so far.
A curious theme...everyone thinks the Rubbermaid slide roof is a neat design but it seems like no one has chosen the design to build a home built clone of it.
Why?
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BCB
Undercover Saboteur
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 5196
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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Maybe because you can't get that roof design in a larger (taller) unit from them ?
It's also possible that with the existing units on the market, you can't get a slide roof design like that to work, due to the roof panels original design. No way to get a complete roof seal using the original parts.
Mine took the roll off roof designs well. I just needed to be able to lift the roof 2 inches to clear a few spots around the tops of the walls.
There was another rubbermaid type of shed used as well. Wasn't rubbermaid, but another brand. Thing was MUCH larger. 8x10 or 12 IIRC, and they managed to have a lift and slide design with one panel, and left the rest covered.
Don't recall the brand though. There were a few of those converted as well. Maybe one of those owners could chime in about it??
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Mark
Lost in thought. Please send search party!!!
Astro-Tech 111EDT
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 576
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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Mark,
You may be remembering the "Thinking Outside" Shed. This is the one I used in my shed observatory. The front roof was easily lifted up and over the rear roof. This allowed a large viewing space and a covered computer and work space. Several people I know have used this shed for imaging etc.
I don't know if these sheds are still manufactured. Mine held a Polar mounted 12inch LX200 easily.
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Enjoy the dark,
Herman
Meade
14 LX200 GPS SMT
12 LX200 GPS
7 LX200 Maksutov
ETX 125
TAK FS128 NSV
Sky 90II
Lunt LS60ThaDS BF1200
Canon 5D Mark II
Illinois
Iowa
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AlienFirstClass
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/13/09
Posts: 738
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Quote:
Mark,
You may be remembering the "Thinking Outside" Shed. This is the one I used in my shed observatory. The front roof was easily lifted up and over the rear roof. This allowed a large viewing space and a covered computer and work space. Several people I know have used this shed for imaging etc.
I don't know if these sheds are still manufactured. Mine held a Polar mounted 12inch LX200 easily.
I believe the company is out of business.
Mind providing us with some shots of how the roof works?
Thanks
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BCB
Undercover Saboteur
Reged: 11/24/03
Posts: 5196
Loc: Look over your shoulder
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That would be the one Herman.. I REALLY wanted one of those, but couldn't source one locally, and wasn't interested in paying a huge cost for shipping..
That was my dream Obs for here though..
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Mark
Lost in thought. Please send search party!!!
Astro-Tech 111EDT
Orion 8" F5 Newt w/Moonlight CR-2 focuser
SVP mount w/Meade 497 Autostar GOTO mod
Treeline Observatory
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 576
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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There is no secret to the roof. Looking at the picture I posted you can see that the roof section for the front half slides over on to the back sections roof. No tracks. No wheels. The roof is light enough to be lifted at an angle and pushed onto the rear section. The key to doing this is that the roofs are held in place with large plastic bolts that screw in to threaded holes in the wall. They can be easilt removed or replaced by hand. Wgen the two roof sections are together they are watertight. I'll look for detail images of the construction. I can't take new ones until mid-November as I'm not in the same state.
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Enjoy the dark,
Herman
Meade
14 LX200 GPS SMT
12 LX200 GPS
7 LX200 Maksutov
ETX 125
TAK FS128 NSV
Sky 90II
Lunt LS60ThaDS BF1200
Canon 5D Mark II
Illinois
Iowa
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AlienFirstClass
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/13/09
Posts: 738
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Quote:
There is no secret to the roof. Looking at the picture I posted you can see that the roof section for the front half slides over on to the back sections roof. No tracks. No wheels. The roof is light enough to be lifted at an angle and pushed onto the rear section. The key to doing this is that the roofs are held in place with large plastic bolts that screw in to threaded holes in the wall. They can be easilt removed or replaced by hand. Wgen the two roof sections are together they are watertight. I'll look for detail images of the construction. I can't take new ones until mid-November as I'm not in the same state.
I would appreciate some closeups when you can post them.
Since the company is out of business, I am considering building a roof that would work like yours.
Seeing some closeups would help enormously...especially since I have never seen the building in person.
Thanks
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 576
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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I have found some images that may help. The full assembly set of images can be found on the MAPUG site under Shed Observatories.
This image shows how the roof sections are bolted down. The roof sections overlap the outside walls so that water runs off and the seal between the roof and the top of the wall is tight,
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Enjoy the dark,
Herman
Meade
14 LX200 GPS SMT
12 LX200 GPS
7 LX200 Maksutov
ETX 125
TAK FS128 NSV
Sky 90II
Lunt LS60ThaDS BF1200
Canon 5D Mark II
Illinois
Iowa
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 576
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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This image shows how I reinforced the center with a 2 X 4, This modification was recommended by the manufacturer and had a place to bolt a 2 X $. It was useful in this applicatioon because the two roof sections were not bolted together at the center. I used two of the bolts to hold a rubber strap arround the center brace. This held both roof sections together at the center and held them down.
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Enjoy the dark,
Herman
Meade
14 LX200 GPS SMT
12 LX200 GPS
7 LX200 Maksutov
ETX 125
TAK FS128 NSV
Sky 90II
Lunt LS60ThaDS BF1200
Canon 5D Mark II
Illinois
Iowa
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 576
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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This is the vioew of the rear section with the computer cubby. You can see that the bolts were used to hold the entire building togther.
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Enjoy the dark,
Herman
Meade
14 LX200 GPS SMT
12 LX200 GPS
7 LX200 Maksutov
ETX 125
TAK FS128 NSV
Sky 90II
Lunt LS60ThaDS BF1200
Canon 5D Mark II
Illinois
Iowa
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 576
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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The view from the back of the shed showing the brace and the rubber strap. BTW this building has handled 65-75 mph straight line winds.
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Enjoy the dark,
Herman
Meade
14 LX200 GPS SMT
12 LX200 GPS
7 LX200 Maksutov
ETX 125
TAK FS128 NSV
Sky 90II
Lunt LS60ThaDS BF1200
Canon 5D Mark II
Illinois
Iowa
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 576
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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Since the doors on all of the sides opened up to provide more access to the lower portion of the sky, the corners were braced by bolting the shelves to them and to the center support.
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Enjoy the dark,
Herman
Meade
14 LX200 GPS SMT
12 LX200 GPS
7 LX200 Maksutov
ETX 125
TAK FS128 NSV
Sky 90II
Lunt LS60ThaDS BF1200
Canon 5D Mark II
Illinois
Iowa
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 576
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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This image shows the doors open. This was when I had my 1981 C11 in the shed observatory. I hope this has helped answwer some of your questions. A shed can be nodified easily to be adapted for observiving.
If you have any more questions, feel free to aks or PM me.
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Enjoy the dark,
Herman
Meade
14 LX200 GPS SMT
12 LX200 GPS
7 LX200 Maksutov
ETX 125
TAK FS128 NSV
Sky 90II
Lunt LS60ThaDS BF1200
Canon 5D Mark II
Illinois
Iowa
|
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