· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums 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 adamesposito newbie Reged: 02/23/11 Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart       #5406448 - 09/06/12 12:15 PM Attachment (75 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi everyone, I work for a museum in San Francisco that is moving to a new building next April with an Observatory and terrace. I'm designing some instruments for them as well as an Observer's Cart that can be mobile and used for public events but also to display observing tools, mounts, and instruments. The idea is that the cart will contain everything a visiting astronomer or docent would want on hand, a place to lock and store valuables, and a mobile 'work center' feel. I've attached a sketch for size and aesthetic reference. So I'm asking you, the community, what are the ideal accessories that the cart should hold? Green lasers, red LED ambient lighting, star charts, 12VDC power, 110VAC power, observing chair, ATS portable pier, sorbothane pads, TeleVue Alt-Az head...what else?! within rea$on, what do you wish you had at your fingertips? Thanks for the suggestions! Ad Astra, Adam Post Extras:       csa/montana Den Mama Reged: 05/14/05 Loc: montana Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: adamesposito]       #5406544 - 09/06/12 01:18 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Adam, Welcome to Cloudy Nights! Glad to have you join us! We're looking forward to your planning & final version of your observer's cart! Off hand, I can't think of any more accessories for it; but am sure others will! Post Extras:       wormstar scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 11/23/09 Loc: Central Ct Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: csa/montana]       #5406887 - 09/06/12 04:48 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It's just for display? Or is the mount functional?? Post Extras:       Alex McConahay Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/11/08 Loc: Moreno Valley, CA Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: adamesposito]       #5407013 - 09/06/12 06:19 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Compass Set of Planishperes Sky Atlas 2000 Calendar of events/meteor showers, etc. Laptop with Planetarium Program. Monitor for a Mallincam setup (and of course a Mallincam) Blackout cloth Solar glasses Stepstool ladder Collimation tools if needed for scope And I would keep the mount separate from the cart. (That is, not try to mount the instrument on the cart). Alex Post Extras:       Pedestal Post Laureate Reged: 03/11/06 Loc: Smoggy Bottom, Baytown,Texas Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: Alex McConahay]       #5407052 - 09/06/12 06:50 PM Attachment (58 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here is a shot of what I use, not exactly what you want, but ideas. Note that the "tower" portion is held in place by latches, so I can break the whole thing down to reasonably small packages. You can't see in in the picture but the top folds out doubling the size. The cases fit on the end portions of the cart when being transported. (nothing is on the top when being rolled around.) The yellow case in the middle is power (motorcycle battery/maintainer) Post Extras:       adamesposito newbie Reged: 02/23/11 Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: wormstar]       #5408350 - 09/07/12 01:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Sorry, the picture is misleading as it represents the 'parked' configuration. When set up, there will be a portable pier or tripod that travels with the cart and is set up with whatever mount is appropriate for the observing event. The cart then becomes a place for information graphics, locked storage, light beacon, etc.. Post Extras:       Tom Clark professor emeritus Reged: 11/14/07 Loc: North of Deming, NM Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: adamesposito]       #5409038 - 09/07/12 08:08 PM Attachment (53 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Here's a photo of my observatory cart. I built it 15 years ago, and used it in the driveway for 3 years before the dome was finished. The 8 drawers hold everything you can think of, and the top holds the computer, stereo, and lights. Post Extras:       Cotts Just Wondering Reged: 10/10/05 Loc: Toronto, Ontario Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: Tom Clark]       #5409276 - 09/07/12 10:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thinking outside the box..... http://www.wengercorp.com/Storage/Inst_Percussion.html Dave Post Extras:       helpwanted Post Laureate Reged: 07/04/07 Loc: Phoenix, AZ Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: Cotts]       #5412491 - 09/09/12 10:46 PM Attachment (43 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   here is my home-made design Post Extras:       helpwanted Post Laureate Reged: 07/04/07 Loc: Phoenix, AZ Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: helpwanted]       #5412492 - 09/09/12 10:46 PM Attachment (42 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   changed it through the years... Post Extras:       Alex McConahay Carpal Tunnel Reged: 08/11/08 Loc: Moreno Valley, CA Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: adamesposito]       #5412559 - 09/09/12 11:40 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   >>>>>Sorry, the picture is misleading Also--the hat is wrong. You should not have a brim in the front of an observing hat. It gets in the way. Gotta change the hat. Just Gotta. Alex Post Extras:       adamesposito newbie Reged: 02/23/11 Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: Tom Clark]       #5413286 - 09/10/12 12:53 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Wow, thanks for all the suggestions, links, pics! I'm getting great feedback from all of you as well as my local Amateur Astronomy club that does a lot of outreach. It's becoming apparent that organizing documents, red lighting, and lockable safe keeping are three of the most cited priorities. I like the percussion workstation as an off-the-shelf option, and I will definitely change my flatman's hat Will keep you all posted, thanks again. Post Extras:       tim53 Postmaster Reged: 12/17/04 Loc: Highland Park, CA Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: adamesposito]       #5413557 - 09/10/12 03:14 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I don't have pictures readily available, but my dad had made a dresser for us kids when we were little. It got handed down as we each grew out of it, and I inherited it when he was contemplating getting rid of it from his garage. I replaced the feet with casters, and put a handle on one end. I used to keep all my eyepieces and cameras and computer in it, and just wheel everything out of the garage and onto the driveway, along with the scope. Took maybe 5 minutes to set up a 12.5" for planetary imaging. -Tim. Post Extras:       vsteblina sage Reged: 11/05/07 Loc: Wenatchee, Washington Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: tim53]       #5414496 - 09/11/12 02:19 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Years, back in one of the astronomy magazines were plans for a HANDCART with a flip up desk and eyepiece holder. You just placed the DOB base underneath the handcart platform and wheel the entire thing outside and you are ready for observing. Post Extras:       mikey cee Postmaster Reged: 01/18/07 Loc: bellevue ne. Re: Seeking suggestions for 'Dream' Observer's Cart [Re: vsteblina]       #5593679 - 12/29/12 01:01 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I use a Harbor Freight one drawer shop cart. It cannot tip over. Has two casters that can be locked. Nice smooth drawer operation with storage above and below the drawer. All for just $70. http://www.harborfreight.com/large-steel-tool-cart-with-locking-drawer-90428.... Glad I bought mine. Mike Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 3 registered and 8 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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