Snow dog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/17/05
Posts: 1716
Loc: Alberta Canada
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Another option you could have. Wire the observatory up yourself but get a book that shows you how to do it if you don't know. you could have a box with a couple of breakers in it if you wanted but for the final connection to the power use an extension cord that you make from 10/3 wire. That way it's not permanent and would not violate any codes. Your just pluging in a tool so to speak. Just be sure that the final amp draw does not exceed the rated capacity of the outlet you are plugging into, typically 15 amp. I personally don't think even with a mount, lighting and computer running you would draw that much power. 10 max and thats pushing it unless you use a garage door opener to open and close the roof but even then it's not a constant load. Depending on how far it is from the house you could dig a small trench and put the wire in the grey pvc conduit and have it pop up next to the house to plug in when you want it. Just be sure to put a couple of 90's on it to make a 180 turn so water can't get in. You could do 3 5amp circuits in the box or do a 5 and a 10 that way your still not exceeding the outlets capacity and the observatory would trip before the one in the house would.
I am a marine electrician by trade (I know..theres no oceans just mountains in Alberta..long story). I have wired generators,inverters electronics, motors and new boats from the ground up both A/C and D/C. It's not too hard and if you wanted to give me a list of what you wanted and where I would be happy to do up a diagram of how to do it and where to run the wires. Hook ups and all.
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Marc
Someone get these crazy dogs off me
12" LX200 Classic
ETX-90PE
Meade DSI
Canon AE-1, EOS Rebel 350
My Home Page
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28619
Loc: montana
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Quote:
We bought two.
Ones a 'PVC GAR Door Stop 9' thats the nine foot section of it-item number 73718, and 'PVC GAR Door Stop 7' thats the seven foot section and its item number 73717.
Thank you so much!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 6542
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.38 X 90....
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I am fortunate in that the previous owner of our home had an above-ground pool and had already had wiring run underground. I uprooted most of it right up to where my observatory is sitting.
So this past Sunday, I hooked everything up, clicked on the breaker, plugged in a radio and nothing. Aaaaahhhhh! So I opened the box up where the outdoor socket/junction is. The previous owner unhooked it. Well, he didn't unhook it, he cut the wires nice and short. So I ended up having to remove the wires from the socket and wiring it direct to the observatory. No big deal, but don't you just hate it when someone takes a short cut and it ends up making the project an hour longer than it should've been?
Anyway, it works and the observatory now has power, Scotty. Phasers at the ready!!
David
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A few scopes and mounts.
Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
Life expectancies would go WAY up if green vegetables smelled like bacon...
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WidowMaker
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 12/29/07
Posts: 815
Loc: Frankfort, Ky
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Lol, David! Are you 'giving it all shes got, captin'? 
Thank you Marc and everyone else for the help.
We do have a pool power circuit about 15ft away from where im at. The electrician that came said I should put a box for the obs right outside the building, and hed run 2 20amp breakers from it. He was going to drill a little hole through the floor and give me 2 outlets at each end, one on each side, like one on each end of the West and East wall for a total of 4. He said the line he brought in from the floor could also go to a motion detection light right outside my door that I could turn on and off from inside with a little switch.
Im bugged about spending anymore money right now. I know I agreed to quit working and come home so the wife could feel normal again and go back to work, but Its weird spending money you didnt earn. Ya know? Hard to explain. Ive never not worked, its weird i tell ya. 
The boys turn 7 the tenth and Josh just lost two baby teeth and I got caught sneeking in there hiding money ( I told them I heard something-well looky there, the tooth fairy was here!), and on top of that, we went to Walmart to find a 6 plug surge protector thingie and I ended up buying a bunch of toys (josh had six dollars for his teeth and whats fun thats 6 or under?!), and I had to buy Zach a toy too 'cos its not his fault he didnt lose any teeth the same time Josh did, etc...Blah, blah, blah.
Im rambling. I just got back from the obs. Seeing is horrible, but I did get a chance to notice that those moons around Jupiter had switched places since lastnight. Orbits in the raw! How cool!
I also bought me a little lamp with a red light, got me a radio, plenty of Mt. Dew, and my little sketch pad. Im there, dude! 
Ok, ill stop. Im embarrasing myself. 
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Sleep is the Cousin of Death
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Snow dog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/17/05
Posts: 1716
Loc: Alberta Canada
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Quote:
I also bought me a little lamp with a red light, got me a radio, plenty of Mt. Dew, and my little sketch pad. Im there, dude!
I'd kill right now to get real Mt. Dew!! Everything across the border north is "Sans Cafeine" or No Caffeine.  And it don't taste the same either. I'm surprised that the coffee is not caffeine free, And I need my D&D Tim Hortons sucks. Their Medium coffee is a small from D&D in the states. The first time I got one from them and they gave me it I said I want a medium. They replied this is a medium. To which I replied so I guess a small is a shot glass?..they just looked at me funny.
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Marc
Someone get these crazy dogs off me
12" LX200 Classic
ETX-90PE
Meade DSI
Canon AE-1, EOS Rebel 350
My Home Page
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THEPLOUGH
Nailed Again
Reged: 01/11/08
Posts: 3957
Loc: Carlisle, Cumbria, ENGLAND
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Quote:
I'm bugged about spending anymore money right now. I know I agreed to quit working and come home so the wife could feel normal again and go back to work, but Its weird spending money you didn't earn. Ya know? Hard to explain. Ive never not worked, its weird i tell ya.
Ask anyone what is harder, staying at home and raising two children plus looking after a home. Or going out for a few hours to a place of employment, I know what I would rather do..... Mike, rest assured YOU earn your keep, and then some..... 
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Geoff...
Nexstar 8SE -- 9X50 RACI Finder scope... 6.3 F/R.-- 13 & 17mm Hyperion EPs.. 25mm Celestron E- Lux EP.. 2X Celestron X-Cel Barlow----- Celestron solar filter + A few bits and pieces..
Never give up on any one..... MIRACLES happen every day....
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gemini08
newbie
Reged: 05/03/08
Posts: 3
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Raising the children is MUCH harder, I have done both so I think I can vote here. The children are so much more rewarding than any job you will ever have though, and they dont lay you off either!
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smokin oakum
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/24/07
Posts: 1426
Loc: Wilmington, NC
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Quote:
Raising the children is MUCH harder, I have done both so I think I can vote here. The children are so much more rewarding than any job you will ever have though, and they dont lay you off either!
Yeah, but they can go on strike!
Neil
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Broadcasting live views of the night sky @
Sparkcast
C11 CGE / Hyperstar
MallinCam Hyper Plus Color
Orion 12" XTi f/4.9
MoonLite Focuser
Round Table Platform
12" Parralax rings
Cape Fear Astronomy Club
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 2184
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Hey..."Ole Shifty Eyes"....No pictures...what's up with that??....Witness Protection??? 
With regard to your electrical situation. It has been my experience, across the country, that building permits require licensed electricians WHEN you plan to HIRE the work done. You might want to check with the code office to see if that applies when you plan to do it yourself. Either way, it will most likely have to be inspected by an approved, licensed inspector, the names of which ought to be available thru your code office.
I tell you this because I have EVERY confidence in the world that if you were to stop by the do-it-yourself book section in the front of your Home Depot, you will find a book on Residential Electrical Installation that will have easy to follow instructions WITH pictures that will enable you to sketch out a plan, write a materials list and then install the material.
Check with the code office...it won't cost you anything to ask.
The best to ya's.....
me
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Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)
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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 1253
Loc: AR
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Steve,
I wholeheartedly agree. DIY would be the best option now. Any more ideas for "Headwater Observatory" logos?
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?
Observing since 1966
Messier Cert #898
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metal_geek
newbie
Reged: 05/03/07
Posts: 2
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Normally, the only requirement for "Licensed Electrician" is to make the connection to the main service (ie. your house service to the new panel). Everything else you can do yourself. Not sure if your permit requires an inspection or not, electrical stuff usually does, you just have to make sure all the wires are visible when that person comes to look.
With outdoor runs, there is a requirement for depth of the run from the house to the outbuilding and you have to run it in conduit. Usually you leave the trench open so the inspector can make sure the depth is correct and there are no junctions in the run. Alternatively you can take ALOT of pictures with measuring tapes showing depth, and hope the inspector is ok with that.. Usually they are.
Given you've accomplished as much as you have, I have no doubt that you'll be able to install 4 simple plugs, and a few lights. It's actually a really good opportunity to learn about wiring, not a complicated install at all..
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 5098
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Quote:
Since Mike has one and his permit stipulates that his work be done by a licensed electrician it would be a shame to have all that work get "shut down" by a building inspector should one decide to slide by and check the place out. Not all areas require that permits be pulled for structures. Some requirements are based on size, use, location etc. I lucked out on mine because I made it less than 100 square feet and it's not considered a "habitable" structure. It was still built to code by a licensed contractor, if anything it's OVER BUILT since Scott and Donny from BYO did the work. While it may sometimes be a popular belief that it's OK to bend the rules to get what you want Mikes decision to play by them makes good sense. When it comes to electricity, wooden structures and a home with children DOING IT RIGHT is the right thing to do. Nothing would be more heartbreaking at this point than to cut some corners and have a problem later because of it. Hang in there Mike, it'll come together! 
Karen makes a good point here, if you are at all unsure of what you are doing, there are not too many more things that you can do, that can kill or injure someone if done incorrectly. I have seen and read about many instances of doing it the wrong way with dire consequences. Just some food for thought.
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Chris
Mallincam Color Hyper Plus
10" DSH with SC DSC, CPC 800 XLT
M102ED S.V., ZS 80FD 10th Anniv, ZS 66SD, PST
POD XL3 http://POD.SchroederCity.com
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Spoonsize
Vendor/Clothing
Reged: 08/27/04
Posts: 2184
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Quote:
Quote:
Since Mike has one and his permit stipulates that his work be done by a licensed electrician it would be a shame to have all that work get "shut down" by a building inspector should one decide to slide by and check the place out. Not all areas require that permits be pulled for structures. Some requirements are based on size, use, location etc. I lucked out on mine because I made it less than 100 square feet and it's not considered a "habitable" structure. It was still built to code by a licensed contractor, if anything it's OVER BUILT since Scott and Donny from BYO did the work. While it may sometimes be a popular belief that it's OK to bend the rules to get what you want Mikes decision to play by them makes good sense. When it comes to electricity, wooden structures and a home with children DOING IT RIGHT is the right thing to do. Nothing would be more heartbreaking at this point than to cut some corners and have a problem later because of it. Hang in there Mike, it'll come together!
Karen makes a good point here, if you are at all unsure of what you are doing, there are not too many more things that you can do, that can kill or injure someone if done incorrectly. I have seen and read about many instances of doing it the wrong way with dire consequences. Just some food for thought.
I could not agree more, and NEVER would have suggested otherwise had I not witnessed the build procedures I just witnessed.
EVERY confidence in the world, I have, in the WidowMakers ability to do something he has not ever done before, including, but not limited to residential electrical work AND telescope building.
Steve
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Steve Durham
www.margesmonograms.com
(Marge made me do it)
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Snow dog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/17/05
Posts: 1716
Loc: Alberta Canada
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I agree fully Steve. I would not have sugested doing the layout for WidowMaker if I did not think he was able to do the work. It might only be three wires but put them in the wrong place and you can have big troubles.
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Marc
Someone get these crazy dogs off me
12" LX200 Classic
ETX-90PE
Meade DSI
Canon AE-1, EOS Rebel 350
My Home Page
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1965healey
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/23/07
Posts: 2844
Loc: San Antonio, TX
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Based on what Mike has accomplished so far I don't for a minute doubt that he could do this part of the job as well. The words of caution were based not on a lack of faith in his abilities but on the requirements of his building permit.
So seated firmly astride the devil's advocate steed let me say this about that. The requirement for a licensed contractor is there for his protection. It in theory provides for the job being done to IEEE standards with the proper materials. It allows him a path to protection by the courts should the job fail to meet those standards. It offers proof of compliance to local codes in the event that he should ever sell his house. And, finally, should he ever need to file an insurance claim for losses on the structure he has that documentation to support his claim. Having said that it's Mike's decision to complete the job as he see's fit.
We have the luxury of being able to sit on the sidelines and cheer him on and the reponsibility of doing that in a way that is supportive of his decisions, it's his build.
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1965Healey (Karen)
Woodlawn Lake Observatory
Celestron CPC 800/FT MIcro/APT Wedge
SV NHNG 80mm #0261/CG5-GT
Celestron Omni 150 XLT
Losmandy rails/rings
Starizona CWeight system
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750cc Honda Shadow Spirit (Thanks Dad!)
1965 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII
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John Fitzgerald
In Focus
Reged: 01/04/04
Posts: 1253
Loc: AR
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If he wires it and uses an extension cord to go from the house to a plug on the outside of the building, it would be considered temporary wiring, not unlike plugging in a tool. This would remove any chance of trouble when not actually using the obs. I did mine that way to avoid digging a ditch.
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?
Observing since 1966
Messier Cert #898
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Snow dog
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/17/05
Posts: 1716
Loc: Alberta Canada
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Quote:
If he wires it and uses an extension cord to go from the house to a plug on the outside of the building, it would be considered temporary wiring, not unlike plugging in a tool. This would remove any chance of trouble when not actually using the obs. I did mine that way to avoid digging a ditch.
That is exactly the way I was thinking of doing it. Just burying the wire in conduit so you did not have to worry about moving it every time you mow or have it freeze in the snow and ice. I would still have a plug on the end of the wire so you could unplug when not in use only I would use 10/3 for my "extension cord". So it's kinda permanent but it's not.
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Marc
Someone get these crazy dogs off me
12" LX200 Classic
ETX-90PE
Meade DSI
Canon AE-1, EOS Rebel 350
My Home Page
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Manny Myles
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 11/29/05
Posts: 2331
Loc: Flatlandia
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Post deleted by Manny Myles
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Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28619
Loc: montana
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Mike's doing a great job; but you members have assisted him greatly! What a team!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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csa/montana
Astro Ambassador
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 28619
Loc: montana
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Quote:
If he wires it and uses an extension cord to go from the house to a plug on the outside of the building, it would be considered temporary wiring, not unlike plugging in a tool. This would remove any chance of trouble when not actually using the obs. I did mine that way to avoid digging a ditch.
This is exactly the way mine is done. The Observatory was wired by BYO, & I'm running a HD dropcord to the deck. When I'm not down there, I simply unplug at the deck. I am planning on getting it professionally wired to the house, but in the meantime, I have power!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
AstroTech 66ED / Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Tak LE 5mm B/TMB 3.2
7mm Pentax XL, 10mm Pentax XW
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
22mm Pan, 35mm Pan
DreamCatcher Dobservatory, #2
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