· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article    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] Forum Archives · Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Observatories Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 JR#8 super member Reged: 08/31/04 Posts: 191 Loc: Edison, NJ Need ideas for an Observatory       #3421173 - 10/30/09 11:47 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hey all . I'm sure you guys heard this a million times. But i'm looking for a inexpensive way to keep the scope outside and set up. I dont mind disconnting all the wires. Sure I can bag the scope but then there's the moisture problem with condensation. Then I was thinking about the plastic shed but what about the wind. It can get pretty breezy here. We have had up to about 70 mph winds. All I really need to do is get rid of the kids trampoline and I would have a pretty good place for a permenant structure. Any Suggestions. Thanx Bruce -------------------- Meade 10 LX200-SMT GPS Orion ED 80 APO Solar Filter Canon Powershot 80 Canon 20D Tarmon Lens AF28-80,AF70-300 Post Extras:       JR#8 super member Reged: 08/31/04 Posts: 191 Loc: Edison, NJ Re: Need ideas for an Observatory [Re: JR#8]       #3421198 - 10/31/09 12:02 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Was thinking about this http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?CatName=Outdoor&SubcatId=VerticalSheds&Prod_ID=RP091397 -------------------- Meade 10 LX200-SMT GPS Orion ED 80 APO Solar Filter Canon Powershot 80 Canon 20D Tarmon Lens AF28-80,AF70-300 Edited by JR#8 (10/31/09 12:05 AM) Post Extras:       starquester sage Reged: 09/03/04 Posts: 469 Loc: Three Rivers, MI U.S.A> Re: Need ideas for an Observatory [Re: JR#8]       #3421602 - 10/31/09 10:14 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Bruce, Click on the link below my name for all kinds of obseervatory ideas, Alan -------------------- 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 Post Extras:       John Wunderlin Vendor - Spike-a Focusing Mask Reged: 10/01/04 Posts: 699 Loc: Mineral Point, Wi Re: Need ideas for an Observatory [Re: JR#8]       #3422342 - 10/31/09 06:23 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Even inside my observatory, I bag the scopes. The observatory is not 100% waterproof and I'm sure it gets humid inside. I use this desiccant to keep everything dry. The desiccant works for a couple of months before it needs recharging. -------------------- John Wunderlin Vendor - Spike-a Bahtinov Focusing Mask Empire Ranch Observatory Iowa County Astronomers Post Extras:       John Downing member Reged: 08/27/09 Posts: 37 Loc: Anaheim, CA Re: Need ideas for an Observatory [Re: John Wunderlin]       #3425987 - 11/02/09 06:16 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Bruce, An inexpensive obs. could be a small roll-off roof building. I built a larger one, 10x12 for about $1500 in materials, that works great. But you can build a small one for much less in $$ and effort. Say a 5x5 or 6x6. Look at Skysheds or others for ideas and plans. If you really want to go small you might consider just a little enclosure about the size of an outhouse. I have seen them on rollers and a large door. When you want to observe you open the door and roll it away from the scope. A good cheap cover for a pedestal & scope. Spend some time browsing the links at the beginning of this forum and you will see an amazing number of creative ideas that work. -------------------- La Ventana a las Estrellas Roll off Roof Obs. Julian, CA Meade 10" f6.3 SCT Stellarvue SV105APO Optec TCF-S SBIG ST-7 w/CFW Canon 40D AP 900GTO The Sky, CCD Soft, Nebulosity, T-Point, Pulse Guide. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 4 registered and 4 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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