AN OBSERVATORY FOR THE GARDEN

An update...........Stan the contractor has just rung and he's coming tomorrow to line the base with Visqueen [damp proof membrane], pour the cement in, make steps for the base, cut into the remaining cement to route the last of the armoured cable to the garage wall.

 

Agreed, Sheal. I'll need to protect the setting concrete for at least 3 days from the weather and from the Cat's so Stan and I will get our heads together about it. I've got several large tarpaulins so we should come up with something. Also, as I said earlier, I also have to keep the armoured cable going into the Observatory upright out of the cement.

 

Thanks, AB, Stan the contractor has done some sterling work and hopefully tomorrow will see the end of the construction of the base. Then we have to wait until the Observatory is delivered sometime in October.

 

Hi Dave,

Yep, I've done that to give me the option of adding more,. The power will serve the computer and tracking motion on the mount of the tripod, a dew shield heater, CCD camera, the rotation motor for the roof of the observatory, LED lighting, air extraction, all of which will be 12 volt DC, while a Laptop for will only be drawing around 3.5 amps AC. To be honest, I don't think I'll ever install a TV as I'll be busy enough!!! It'll be good to get the cement poured in and set, then I know I'm definitely on the way!!

 

Good morning @ARMANDII my friend so pleased that it is all coming together,its a boyhood dream of mine and I to can't wait to explore the skies with you so to speak

This is as close as I can get this morning so I will have to wait until you can get closer for me

 

From a very non-DIY person

Put a series of posts in the ground around the outside of the circle. Run some wires from the tops of the posts across the area. The tarps can then be draped over the top and anchored around the edges. The cable can be kept out of the cement by tying it to the wires.

I'm sure a way can be devised to put something in the middle, where the wires cross, to raise the centre of the tarp to give a suitable pitch to get the rain to run off and to deter the cats.

 

After all my fears of the Cats getting on the wet concrete and perhaps having to keep them out of the garden for 3 daysStan the Contractor decided to use quick drying cement due to the threat of rain whilst putting in the concrete.

So here's the start of yesterday when the Cement Truck arrived.......






Putting down the Visqueen damp proof membrane into the base before the cement gets put in.

 

The Cement Truck Driver "supervising"


Job done for the Cement Driver so he's cleaning down the drive.

 

Here's where Stan starts tamping down and leveling the cement.