25th March 2018
21st March 2018
Earlier, we had successfully demonstrated driving the observatory with the Altaz EQ-G mount and tripod attached to the trailer base using a single central shaft. This time, we are dealing with much larger equipment (the combined weight of EQ8 mount and tripod is 55kg). Single central mounting shaft to the observatory floor will not be enough and fixing the mount to the observatory trailer base frame would be needed. This will be done with specially fabricated steel U-bolts to fix each leg of the tripod to the trailer frame through the floor. Earlier, we did some measurements and drew the outline of the frame shafts on the trailer floor exactly superimposed over the frame shafts. Next, a 3mm pilot hole was drilled to confirm the position of the reference outlines. Turned out to be quite accurate. Pilot hole will now be widened to be used as the hole for the U-bolt arm. Next job will be to drill respective holes for U-bolts for each leg. The central pillar will sit directly on the floor without any attachment in order for it to able to rotate according to the position of the trailer for polar alignment.
25th March 2018
Major work of anchoring EQ8 mount tripod to the observatory trailer frame completed. Two of the tripod legs were directly anchored to the frame and one leg is bolted to the floor, using a set of anchoring and interlocking U-bolts for each leg. The aim is to keep the tripod remain inside the observatory while driving.
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