Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Quote:
I can get you the exact models I use for open and close of the shutter on my dome. In 2 years they have never failed because they allow room for error.
Thanks Rodney, I'd definitely like to know which model switches you use. I'll read up on these switches and start to think about how to adapt them to my dome. If you have any photos or illustrations about how you use them, I'd love to see them if you don't mind sharing!
Thanks for your help!
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rodney
Vendor - Explora Dome
Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 902
Loc: Asbury, NJ
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Quote:
Quote:
I can get you the exact models I use for open and close of the shutter on my dome. In 2 years they have never failed because they allow room for error.
Thanks Rodney, I'd definitely like to know which model switches you use. I'll read up on these switches and start to think about how to adapt them to my dome. If you have any photos or illustrations about how you use them, I'd love to see them if you don't mind sharing!
Thanks for your help!
Scott.
Here are the roller limits I use:
http://tinyurl.com/yc3tn9f
Here are the push button limits I use for the lower door:
http://tinyurl.com/ydrcx6y (this style has changed since I got mine, no longer looks like what I use. I will track down the right unit)
Hope this helps some,
Clear skies,
--------------------
Explora Dome information can be found here:
www.exploradome.us
Rodney
Meade 10 SCT
AT 8/F4 imaging scope
13 Truss
C8-NGT
Orion 80mm/F11
Canon 300D
Canon XSi
Two AS-GT mounts
Extremely happy Explora Dome home observatory owner
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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I picked up a couple of these:
philmore miniature snap action switches
To experiment with. They are quite a bit smaller than I'd imagined, so perhaps I'll be able to find a way to install them on the shutter.
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rodney
Vendor - Explora Dome
Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 902
Loc: Asbury, NJ
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Scott,
Not to be discouraging but I tried those style switches in the past and only had trouble. IE: the armature would break off if there was even a hint of a problem. In other words if the shutter moved 1/8 inch in any direction other than what was set up durin g the install that armature broke. Over the course of 18 months I tested literally dozens of limit switches. And found that rollers on the top and push buttons on the lower door (in a two door shutter system) worked the best. Give them a try, I would hate to see you go through all this and they fail a few weeks down the road.
I will research later today (Sunday) those lower door switches. The link I sent earlier showed something completely different that what I have. It might be Monday before I can get the actual part # from Mouser.
Clear skies,
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Explora Dome information can be found here:
www.exploradome.us
Rodney
Meade 10 SCT
AT 8/F4 imaging scope
13 Truss
C8-NGT
Orion 80mm/F11
Canon 300D
Canon XSi
Two AS-GT mounts
Extremely happy Explora Dome home observatory owner
Edited by rodney (11/29/09 02:19 AM)
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Thanks for the feedback Rodney! If you don't think the switches I got are likely to be reliable, then I won't bother with them. I'll either return them, or find some other use for them. They weren't very expensive.
One thing I'm for sure going to do is add an emergency stop switch or two to my system, especially one on the outside of the dome. While in theory the key switch serves this same purpose, when things go wrong, I think it's a lot nicer to have a big red switch to mash than to have to fumble with a key switch.
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rodney
Vendor - Explora Dome
Reged: 03/08/05
Posts: 902
Loc: Asbury, NJ
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The emergency switch is a fantastic idea. As far as using those switches. If you can get to the install points easily enough (which I in that size dome you should) then install them and give it a try. I am anxious to hear how things turn out.
I do have an extra set of limit switches but they are on a new Beta Test automation unit.
Clear skies,
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Explora Dome information can be found here:
www.exploradome.us
Rodney
Meade 10 SCT
AT 8/F4 imaging scope
13 Truss
C8-NGT
Orion 80mm/F11
Canon 300D
Canon XSi
Two AS-GT mounts
Extremely happy Explora Dome home observatory owner
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Quote:
Here are the push button limits I use for the lower door:
http://tinyurl.com/ydrcx6y (this style has changed since I got mine, no longer looks like what I use. I will track down the right unit)
Hi Rodney,
So the unit above isn't the right one?
Thanks,
Scott
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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An update.
I went out to my dome late this afternoon to inspect things, having received some parts from Technical Innovations.
So the first thing I noticed was that I couldn't unlatch the shutter to my dome. I double checked the lock - it wasn't locked. But there was absolutely NO moving the sucker - the handle simply would not turn.
So I looked up under the shutter, felt around, and noticed that the bracket that connects the cable to the shutter was bent - pulled tightly against the latch pin for the deadbolt. That wasn't the main problem though - the cable for the shutter had become wrapped around the deadbolt pin - and it was TAUGHT. There was an enormous amount of pressure on the deadbolt - no way was I going to be able to move it.
So I cut the cable. That made me sad, because that was the one that didn't break. Oh well, I'll be getting another cable I guess. Anyway, doing that released the tension and allowed me to turn the deadbolt.
What I believe happened was that my PC crashed yesterday. No big deal, I can remotely restart it. Unfortunately, when it goes down, the dome controller detects this and goes into shutdown mode after a time. The idea is that if your PC crashes while you are observing remotely, the dome will close, protecting your equipment. Unfortunately for me, since the cabling was messed up, closing the dome was absolutely the worst possible thing to happen - it ended up winding the cable around that pin, and bending the connecting bracket. Bummer.
I've disconnected all the cables now, and turned the dome controller board OFF so that it can't automatically do anything anymore. I should have done both of those things when this happened - live and learn.
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CarolG
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/16/06
Posts: 963
Loc: Oklahoma
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I'll say one thing, Scott, you've been doing an awfully lot of livin' and learnin' these past few months. Hope you can catch a break very soon!!
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Carol
Cor Caroli Observatory
NS11 XLT w/ HyperStar
TV85 w/FeatherTouch/DM4/SC on a Scopebuggy
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Starman27
professor emeritus
Reged: 01/29/06
Posts: 718
Loc: Illinois, Iowa
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Scott, You're still Liv'in and like the rest of us learning along the way.
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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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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Apparently this is Murphy's own observatory.
I will get it fixed and back in operation, hopefully next weekend when I have some help out here.
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csa/montana
Den Mother
Reged: 05/14/05
Posts: 43984
Loc: montana
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Scott, I'm so sorry for all this happening to you! Wow! When is your book on "What can go wrong, Did go wrong" coming out? 
Seriously, I sure hope you can get everything fixed, & have smooth observing from here on out!
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Carol
AstroTech 16" Dob (Thanks ASTRONOMICS!)
Vixen 80MF/AstroTech Voyager
Masuyama's 7.5, 15, 25W, 35mm,
Pentaxes; 5XW, 7XL, 10XW.
14mm Meade 4000 UWA
TV Panoptics; 22, 35
DreamCatcher Dobservatory
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andyschlei
sage
Reged: 03/05/06
Posts: 417
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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I feel for you. Finagle's law is always with us.
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Observatorio de la Ballona
Mar Vista
Lake Riverside Estates
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Maybe I can get a government research grant as the Murphy's Law National Testing Lab? $$$!!! 
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Chris Schroeder
Postmaster
Reged: 12/11/04
Posts: 6820
Loc: N.E. WI Sky Glow
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Quote:
Apparently this is Murphy's own observatory.
I will get it fixed and back in operation, hopefully next weekend when I have some help out here.
I don't think Murphy has got anything on you. You certainly are the model of patience though 
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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
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Extra bonus fun - it appears the hard drive on my obs. PC is failing. You know, now that it's really hard to get in there and do maintenance.
When it rains it pours I guess!
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Bowmoreman
Post Laureate
Reged: 09/11/06
Posts: 4152
Loc: Bolton, MA
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Scott - replace it with an SSD instead; they have come way down in price and no moving parts to fail...
Plus it is much higher performance...
just a thought since you're continually having "issues" with all your OTHER "moving parts"...
good luck!
clear enough skies
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Dave
Imaging: MI-250+ADM/SBS/Optec Libra: C11Hyperstar,TMB80SS
Visual: XT10i RTP
EP: 31T5,22T4,17T4,12T4,13Ethos,10XW,8Ethos;2x Powermate,Paracorr, 1.6X Antares, Hyperion8-24Zoom
Cameras: Mallincam Color Hyper Plus, QHY8
Guider: SBIG STV eFinder
Key Add-ons: Gerbings Heated clothes, WilderSkiesObservatory(BYO#90), Speco 9"Monitor
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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I was able to assemble most of the parts I needed to repair my shutter last week. So Sunday, my sons were visiting, and the weather cooperated, so we decided to take a shot at repairing the damage.
One of the first things I looked at was the magnetic switch - it's definitely faulty and unreliable, and it is definitely the cause of the shutter failure. I could place a magnet directly onto the switch and only have it engage about half the time. Anyway, because of that the motor didn't stop at the end of the shutter's travel, snapping one of the cables and completely popping a pulley off of it's axle.
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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Some pictures of the damaged cables - this is what greeted me after I opened the dome:
This set of cables was broken in the first incident where the shutter didn't stop.
I cut this set of cables, it was the only way to get back into the dome a week ago. What happened was the PC in the dome crashed (btw, now that I have it inside, it's passed every diagnostic I've thrown at it), and crashing causes the dome controller board (DDW) to go "uh-oh! The PC crashed, I better shut the dome!" Unfortunately, since the pulley was missing (see next post), the cable wrapped itself around the shutter latch bar, bending the connector that attaches the cable to the shutter. Because of this, I really had no choice but to cut the cable.
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Scott K
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/13/07
Posts: 1531
Loc: Dallas, TX & Eufaula, OK
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The pulley was lost in the initial incident. The connector bent in the second incident. The motor appears to have quite a lot of torque!
My son Storm was a huge help with rewinding the cables. He'd helped me with this once before, so this really only took 4-5 hours on Sunday afternoon. Both of my kids helped with this project. (It takes two people to open or close the dome once the shutter isn't supported by cables - there was literally no way I could've done this alone.)
I ended up replacing the pulleys on both sides. The west side one (above) was just gone. I finally found it under a section of the dome's flange. So it had to be replaced. The eastern side pulley didn't turn very smoothly any longer - it was slightly bent. So I replaced it with one from a screen door. (It was a little smaller, but not much - I think it will probably work OK.)
I haven't replaced the limit switches yet. That's definitely next.
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