Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
Jim,
I will strongly echo the other comments about separating the pier from the walking surface, especially for the light-weight design you show. I would suggest that you take the concrete part in your design and turn it upside-down, putting the wider base below ground and back-filling with drainable soil. You can then walk right up to the base of the pier with minimal vibration.?If you need a place to walk (and drop screws without losing them), and don't want a full slab, you could build a low wooden deck to walk on, protruding the cement pier to the deck surface so as not lose height. Also, make sure the bulk is below the frost level ... not such an issue in central Texas.
Here is my observatory build documentation for reference:?Ignoring the building and the dome, note the shape of the pier and the isolation. Best of luck as a solid pier is a wonderful convenience.
Edward
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Re: Suggestions for additions to G11 purchase
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 05:45 PM, Tony wrote:
Hello,
I'm in same boat, just got word the G11G I ordered is ready for pick-up.
Great suggestions here, just wanted to double check on connectivity hardware... I have ordered a GL.iNet GL-AR750S-Ext (Slate), based on the recommendations here in previous topics. Has anyone connected that to a?Raspberry Pi 4 8GB running Astroberry??
Thanks,
Tony
There is no magic needed to connect the Slate to an R-Pi4 board.? For short connections up to 1m I recommend using a good CAT5e cable at minimum for patch cables. For any longer runs where reinstallation would require significant downtime or effort CAT6 or higher is recommended. The addition investment for CAT6 cable is small and in a very short time even home networks will be moving to the faster 10Gbps wired Ethernet standards.?
The R-Pi4? has a standard 10/100/1Gbps Ethernet port and the Slate is a modern easy to configure router.?
--
Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
? ?Astropheric Weather Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Re: Clutch Tension When Not in Use
>>>But if you have the Wavey Washer installed, would it be advised to back off on that?
I'm not sure I understand your question Sonny?
regarding loosening/tightening clutches, a wavy washer installed doesn't impact the recommendations.?
Does that answer it?
As a side note here for Brian,
I've never been one for loosening my clutches.
But if you have the Wavey Washer installed, would it be advised to back off on that?
More of a curiosity than a concern...
--
SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Clutch Tension When Not in Use
As a side note here for Brian,
I've never been one for loosening my clutches.
But if you have the Wavey Washer installed, would it be advised to back off on that?
More of a curiosity than a concern...
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SonnyE
(I suggest viewed in full screen)
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Re: Clutch Tension When Not in Use
Hi Jeff
it isn't that important but it depends a little on how you're storing it
if you have equipment on it, definitely tighten clutches. never have loose clutches when any weight is on the mount unless you are actively holding it (balancing the mount, etc.)
if you are storing it on shelf, box etc I would just gently hand tighten it. there's a greater risk you would forget and something bangs into your hand than you would do anything to the mount. i've done this too!
Brian
Hi all.? New GM-8 user.? When I am not using my mount, should I leave the clutches loose?
Thanks,
Jeff
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Clutch Tension When Not in Use
Hi all. ?New GM-8 user. ?When I am not using my mount, should I leave the clutches loose?
Thanks,
Jeff
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Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
I like that Jamie.? I set up on the driveway but if I had to set up in the backyard I would copy your idea.? My thought was to put 3 pavers in and mark where the feet go with duct tape, as I do on the driveway.
As for stability, I am perfectly happy with the Losmandy HD tripod, it is rock solid.? On TSS there is someone who built a pier from plywood on concrete and it performs great.? If you build it stiff enough it can work.? About separating slab and pier, in practice nobody will be walking around on the slab because most people control their telescope with all their gear remotely from inside the house, certainly those with an observatory.? But what do I know, I don't own a pier or observatory so take it FWIW.
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Re: Suggestions for additions to G11 purchase
Thanks, Sonny, looking forward to it. Yes, I'm in Northern Nevada, so not too far out, around 8 hour drive. Softening the bank account hit by taking the Mrs, to Santa Barbara for a couple days while we are down there. Should be a nice little road trip.
I use Mac at home and work, excited to play with these options and try everything out.
Thanks,
Tony
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Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
I wonder why more people don't put in a bent piers to eliminate meridian flips.
Rick
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Michael,
I neglected to say I also replaced the worm blocks/bearings in the process (all reused stuff) so you are indeed right that with multiple changes who knows what fixed the problem. I did use the same 0.009" block spacing on the far side from the motor.
Oddly, the older worm I reused does not have as sharp points on the peaks as the more recent one. This probably results in a bit less penetration into the gear though I'm not sure why that would in itself create less backlash.
It's all a mystery but hopefully the next stumbling block to good PHD2 guiding will be less challenging. Thanks again for taking the time to help.
Tom
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Re: Is this typical guiding performance for an older g8? RMS around.25 px , 1.0 to 1.6 arc seconds
Can't answer the autoguiding pixel movement question...too much is involved in the auto guiding system and pixel sizes vary widely like 2 to 3x.? ?1 arcsec peak to peak?? Seeing is often said to make stars fluctuate about that much on average seeing.??
On your other question....motors...
The DC motors have permanent magnets and electric "poles" that are switched on and off as the rotor turns, to get the highest torque.? If you have power to the motors, even if they are "stopped" you will feel the motor pulsate as you try to turn the pinion gear by hand.? That's the Gemini sending power to keep the optical encoder in?place.??
If you have no electric power on the motor you might feel the pinion have small rotation positions...but probably it just spins.? ?
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Stay well and safe,
Michael
On Thu, Mar 4, 2021, 8:20 PM McFarlane, Gilbert via <gilboastro= [email protected]> wrote: Thanks for the ideas and comments.? ?Yes, the tracking on the images seems to be OK, so I guess the backlash is more academic than troublesome at this point.? ?(I checked the saddle and all is tight and "flat").? ? ?It just bugs me knowing it is there!
Question:? ?When I hold the motor free of the mount, there is a tiny bit of play hack and forth as I twist the motor axle.? ?Is this normal?? ?(It is similar for both motors.)??
Gil
BTW, Robert would be a fine name!? ?:? )? ? ??
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Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
Jim,
I would concur with the other replies that you don't want to be walking on the same surface the pier is bolted to. My pier goes into the ground beneath my roll off shed, then there is a layer of gravel, and the shed floor has a circular cutout which does not contact the pier in any way.
The deeper you go the better. Where I am the frost line is something like 36 inches, but I went to 48 so the freeze does not start lifting the pier and moving it around.
Also you way want to check on the bolt patterns of any pier you are considering before laying in the bolts. You may need the get adapter plates to make the fit otherwise. A well built pier is a critical component. Don't just use a hunk of pipe like I did originally which can transmit vibrations. Then there are the folks who use Sonotube and make a concrete cylinder extend out of the ground; probably solid but you can't change it later for height or otherwise modify.
My pier is topped with a "rat cage"; two circular plates with 3 holes each and 5/8" threaded rod and nuts between them. This can be adjusted like a tripod at three points to get your base plate level. A four hole adjustment at the pier bottom is possible but a bit trickier.
There are probably a hundred opinions on pier design out there if you keep looking.
Regards,
John?
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Re: New tripod for my Losmandy GM8 mount - this is how I did it :)
PL must be Poland.?
You need to eat some pirogies and the language will come to you.? Or Polish pickles....yummy.
Best, Michael
What country is the .PL web site as I found it very interesting with all the machined products but not one word is recognizable ..... Polish, Russian ???? ??
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Re: New tripod for my Losmandy GM8 mount - this is how I did it :)
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On Thu, Mar 4, 2021 at 11:10 PM bbillp < b.bill.p@...> wrote: What country is the .PL web site as I found it very interesting with all the machined products but not one word is recognizable ..... Polish, Russian ???? ??
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: New tripod for my Losmandy GM8 mount - this is how I did it :)
What country is the .PL web site as I found it very interesting with all the machined products but not one word is recognizable ..... Polish, Russian ???? ??
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Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
Ah i see derek beat me to it re: keeping the floor separate
You
pour the pier separate from the floor.. i.e. big ball of concrete at the bottom
and a column coming up thru the dirt.. Wrap it at ground level with foam or
cork or something, then pour the slab.. Otherwise you will see any footsteps in
your view or image..
?
In
theory.. (I haven¡¯t done t, but like everything else, I have read about it *A
LOT*..)
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Derek
¨C 30 year Carpenter in a former (non broken) life..
?
?
I am thinking
about putting a pier in my backyard and I am not sure where to start.? This is
what I am thinking.? Would this design work?? What changes should I
consider?
Jim W.
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-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
Jim it looks well conceived. Beyond your designs, usually there are some considerations for keeping the pier separate from any housing, deck, or other walkaround flooring, but i'm not sure where you are on that
we do have an MA adapter you can pop on the top of the pier and it works great
?
[Edited Message Follows]
I am thinking about putting a pier in my backyard and I am not sure where to start.??This is what I am thinking. ?Would this design work?? What changes should I consider?
Jim W.
EDIT - Max optical train weight would not exceed 40 pounds.
-- Brian?
Brian Valente portfolio
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Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
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Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
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Re: Backyard Pier for Losmandy GM811G
Granted
it¡¯s Cloudy Nights (Some people know more than others think they do), but this
one is good.. (There are tons more..)
?
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Derek
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Edward Plumer
Chip Louie
Michael Herman
Bill P.