Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Observatories Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | (show all) Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started       #1628009 - 05/27/07 09:44 AM Attachment (140 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   After receiving an email from Wayne that the PODs would start shipping the last week of May, I thought I should get the deck down before it gets here. As it turned out, my family was having a Memorial Day camp out in our back yard so I had a labor pool available. First step was to run to the lumber yard, in this case Menards, to pick up the construction materials and then back home to unload and get some lunch. We started about 1:30 PM with laying out the foundation with 8”x16” patio blocks, and then did the framing for the main deck. A sharp eye will detect the red tops of four ground screws we used to keep the deck anchored to the ground. At this point we had a rain delay for 2 ½ hours, at least the wind died a little after it rained. I should explain that my design is for a deck within a deck, the mail 10’ deck to hold POD and three bays and the smaller 3’ deck to hold the tripod. -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1628011 - 05/27/07 09:45 AM Attachment (120 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This next photo, we’ve started the decking and put in conduit for USB and video cables to the computer bay. -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1628012 - 05/27/07 09:46 AM Attachment (99 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a close up of the tripod deck frame and you can see the screen we tacked down over the joists to keep the insects and other critters at bay. -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1628013 - 05/27/07 09:46 AM Attachment (96 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is the finished deck minus a few cuts to finish, but darkness and a very sore back said it can wait till tomorrow. -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1628014 - 05/27/07 09:47 AM Attachment (105 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And finally a close-up of the tripod deck isolated by it’s own patio blocks and ½” gap all around, this will be filled in with ½” foam rubber. We did some jump tests on the main deck and didn’t notice or feel and movement on the tripod deck. -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       StarManSteve professor emeritus Reged: 09/21/06 Posts: 504 Loc: White Hall, MD Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1628040 - 05/27/07 10:05 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Looking good there Chris! And we didn't have to ask for pics Life is good..... -------------------- "I'm not afraid of the dark" www.sola-virtus-observatory.org Sola Virtus Observatory 3942.15N LAT 07632.68W LONG Elevation 738ft "Alba Gu Brath" Post Extras:       JAT Observatory Space Freak Reged: 02/20/05 Posts: 6581 Loc: Eastern PA Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: StarManSteve]       #1628078 - 05/27/07 10:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Great start Chris. oh yeah...keep the pictures coming -------------------- -Marcus The problem with free speech is even the stupid have a voice. http://www.jatobservatory.org Currently a SV102A & SV110ED on a Paramount ME (these OTAs subject to change without notice) Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: JAT Observatory]       #1628349 - 05/27/07 01:16 PM Attachment (94 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Okay here are some more, all done now awaiting the POD. This view is looking west towards the Astro shed. -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1628352 - 05/27/07 01:17 PM Attachment (89 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   And the south view with camp ground in view -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       CRSEREDA sage Reged: 01/07/06 Posts: 386 Loc: Davie Florida USA Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1628906 - 05/27/07 07:48 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Looks Good. I might steel your deck design when I finally decide to order a POD. -------------------- ----Calvin Sereda Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: CRSEREDA]       #1633963 - 05/30/07 02:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks all, Wayne has some photos available of the XL-3 that I will be installing on the deck. Maybe he will post them here for all to see. -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       SkyShed Vendor (Sky Shed) Reged: 05/23/05 Posts: 126 Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1634376 - 05/30/07 06:04 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   That's a great job on the deck Chris! CS! Wayne -------------------- Ask questions of actual POD owners, now over 1000 strong, and growing daily! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skyshed-pod/ Edited by erik (07/22/07 07:36 PM) Post Extras:       SkyShed Vendor (Sky Shed) Reged: 05/23/05 Posts: 126 Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started *DELETED* [Re: SkyShed]       #1634401 - 05/30/07 06:22 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Post deleted by erik -------------------- Ask questions of actual POD owners, now over 1000 strong, and growing daily! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skyshed-pod/ Edited by SkyShed (05/30/07 06:32 PM) Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: SkyShed]       #1634436 - 05/30/07 06:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Wayne, I can hardly wait, will mine come with the Alien -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       SkyShed Vendor (Sky Shed) Reged: 05/23/05 Posts: 126 Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Chris Schroeder]       #1635170 - 05/31/07 02:31 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sorry Chris, the Alien is extra. He makes a red great light when he's on a dimmer. I'm actually saving him for my Xl5 and just loaded him in for the shot. He'll go into Bay 5 to make room for more inprtant stuff as soon as I have a chance to grab a couple of Bays at the factory. I'm looking forward to seeing photos of your up POD and running XL3! CS! Wayne -------------------- Ask questions of actual POD owners, now over 1000 strong, and growing daily! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skyshed-pod/ Edited by SkyShed (05/31/07 09:28 PM) Post Extras:       Bob Riggs sage Reged: 01/04/06 Posts: 283 Loc: S/Central Montana Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: SkyShed]       #1635376 - 05/31/07 08:17 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Good going, Chris. I'll be getting my deck started soon. Thanks for the idea with the screen under the deck planks for bugs. And, thanks to Wayne for "birthing" POD. What a concept! Cheers, and CDS! Bob -------------------- 12" DSO dob, 6" RFT reflector, 127 Meade Mak, 102 "Baby Blue" achro. Favorite quote: "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind" -- Albert Einstein BEARTOOTH MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORY, NYE, MONTANA Post Extras:       CRSEREDA sage Reged: 01/07/06 Posts: 386 Loc: Davie Florida USA Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Bob Riggs]       #1636171 - 05/31/07 04:25 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yeah wayne thanks for designing an observatory dome for the rest of us. -------------------- ----Calvin Sereda Post Extras:       SkyShed Vendor (Sky Shed) Reged: 05/23/05 Posts: 126 Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: CRSEREDA]       #1636966 - 06/01/07 12:01 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Calvin! CS! Wayne -------------------- Ask questions of actual POD owners, now over 1000 strong, and growing daily! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skyshed-pod/ Edited by erik (07/22/07 07:38 PM) Post Extras:       Snaproll Post Laureate Reged: 02/20/04 Posts: 3737 Loc: Wisconsin Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: SkyShed]       #1638665 - 06/01/07 10:07 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hey Chris, nice work! I'm glad things are coming right along. For the last 6 months we had a trip planned for Daytona and sure enough, it had to be the week when my ED and pier were supposed to come in. Well, I asked Dan to put the ED on the next shipment and we just got back today and the pier was ready. I got it primed and painted and put it in place. Surprisingly it looks like everything came out near perfect. The ED should be arrive in a week or so. Hey Chris, are you eventually planning to go with a pier? -------------------- -Jim- Happiness is a clear sky and a Denk II old AP images and some new C14 Hyperstar images Post Extras:       Chris Schroeder Postmaster Reged: 12/11/04 Posts: 6276 Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow Re: Blue Spruce PODservatory gets started [Re: Snaproll]       #1639540 - 06/02/07 11:52 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks Bob and Jim Jim, what no pictures, JK. I may add my own pier in a year or two, it would be simple enough with the seperate tripod deck. It depends how the neighbors and the local HOA react, they never said boo about the Astro shed, but this may be another matter, time will tell. -------------------- Chris Mallincam Color Hyper Plus 10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT M110 Doublet ED, AT 102Achro, ZS80FD 10th Anniv, ZS66SD, PST CG5-AGT, EZ-Touch, Voyager POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | (show all) Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 1 registered and 18 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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