AUTOMATED SCOPE COVER + FLAT SCREEN

To augment the observatory automation process I added a remotely controlled scope cover system with built-in flat screen. I found this great idea from George on the DSI Yahoo Group. "Thanks for the great idea George :-)"

Amateur source: Georges site for the idea

Linear actuator source: Firgelli

BASIC DESIGN AND LAYOUT FOR MY OBSERVATORY

> The basic idea is just a hinging door that is moved in and out from the scope at its parked position.

> All construction is with wood except for the aluminum hinge blocks, bronze bearing bushings and steel hinge rod.

> Used my original EL Flat Screen from an earlier project.

> The Firgelli linear actuator used: Model- L16: 100mm stroke, 63:1 gear ratio, with 12vdc.

 

LINEAR ACTUATOR INSTALLED

The actuator slides down over (2) pins for easy removal.

A slotted aluminum bar was fabricated to allow actuator to be easliy adjusted for open and close positioning.

FINISHED UNIT
Cover closed

 

HINGE BASE INSTALLED

The cut-out is for the control planel and access to wiring. Also shown, is the electric eye used to sense scope positon for my Automated Motorized Roll-Off-Roof Control.

Roof can close only when scope is @ the PARK POSITION.

FINISHED UNIT
Cover Opened

 

CONTROL PANEL

Manual toggle switch is a spring centered DPDT.
cover cover
HINGING DOOR CONSTRUCTION

Materials: 1" x 2": fir strips with 3/8" birch ply- glued and screwed together. For the side strips with bronze bearings, I used red oak for better strength. The red oak is very hard, does not splinter easily. You can actually machine it, almost like aluminum. Great for mountings and brackets indoors. It's very fast and easy to work with.
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BRONZE BEARINGS

3/8" diameter bronze bearings are available at most hardware stores. Bearings were glued in place with super glue.

WIRING DIAGRAM

Two DPDT relays are used to control the opening and closing of the scope cover. The signals to actuate the cover come directly from the "roll-off-roof" 12vdc signals. So when the roof opens the scope cover opens. When the roof closes the scope cover closes. Also, there is a manual overide toggle that can be used to open or close the cover independently from the roof signals,

HINGE BASE CONSTRUCTION

Materials: 3/8" plywood, red oak, aluminum.....................I know the aluminum bearing blocks are way over-kill, but I had some scrap pieces that I could use. 1/4" thd'd T-nuts were used from the back side to secure the hinge to the plywood base plate..

RELAYS AND WIRING

Relays: Altronix- RDC-12