Meade LX200 Observatory

Simple telescope observatory for my LX200 - only a standard 6 x 4 foot shed which is simply converted to house my Meade 10" SCT LX200 Classic.
Your eyepieces, computers & other equipment are kept within the roll off section so they always stay dew free.
It also has an advantage for you as well because your under cover it keeps you a bit warmer to.
Basic 6 x 4 garden shed is used as the concept and a number of standard furniture castors are used at the bottom of the roll off section. I used aluminium "U" tracks screw mounted onto the shed floor base to keep the castors all in line. Two X2 inch wheels mounted under the rear door support the back in the rolled off condition.
If you keep pressing the pause / play button you will get a number of "still images" which gives a better insight into the observatories simple construction.
Being like every other shed in every other garden it also detracts light fingered persons from its real perpoise...
Saying that you still should have it alarmed and locked securely.
The scope mount & 12 foot base is the hard work - the installation of the shed / observatory only took a day to do.
Ten years its been working now and also moved house in that time so its not doing bad for a £125.00 Argos shed...
Fully extended the whole shed is 11 foot 6" long... Check out my other posts and feel free to comment.
Regards
Peter Bruce. - Eastchurch Gap on the Isle of Sheppey.

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[greedypigg62]

crackin setup mate! saw your other lx200video and this is how its done!....brilliant!

[brucepeter2007]

@greedypigg62 Thanks for your kind words. Regards Peter

[bluesparklejet]

That's great stuff, and good images too. If you don't mind me asking, doesn't the weather/damp affect all that gear - and even worse does the shed get spiders?!

[brucepeter2007]

@bluesparklejet Hi there and a big "Yes" to both questions. The trick is to ensure you have plenty of ventilation so the dampness is not trapped and air can circulate - as for spiders - the "little devils" can never be stoped - You need to ensure your scope is well sealed with good fitting dust caps all round - thats why I tend to leave the camera gear fixed to the scope - its easier to protect it from the "little devils" who grow into the "big devils" that always tend to make me jump.

Peter.

[bluesparklejet]

@brucepeter2007 cheers for that - thought so - spiders! they love sheds! still a nice looking set up. If it works it works - but just the idea of all that computing gear in a damp shed - like carrying a top dslr around in a carrier bag! but the skies look nice and open. good luck!

[brucepeter2007]

@bluesparklejet You are right about the damp air and the mains computers - did use a tower computer but the power supply used to crackle - it did not like the damp so it was back to laptops again because their power suplies dont suffer from the damp air...

Regards to you again - Peter

[simplesigns]

Genius, a great setup and great inspiration.

[brucepeter2007]

@MrAlienpirate Sorry about that...

[MrAlienpirate]

and I jizzed in my pants.......

[brucepeter2007]

@macadoolahicky - Many thanks.