Automatic roll off roof for your Observatory

[@PaulColleyphotog]

Really useful summary video, Glenn. I've built a remote control observatory overseas to take advantage of clearer skies. Your videos have been invaluable in getting a remote roof working. I currently open and close it through an App and a simple relay connected direct to the motor (very similar to your back-up system). But I've just procured an Arduino and other peripherals to integrate it fully into NINA. Next visit overseas to install and test will be in Feb 2024, but I'm confident all will go well as these videos are hugely informative. Thanks for all the hard work. I appreciate it.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Paul and thank you for your kind comment. I am really glad the videos have helped. Where have you got your Observatory? Would love to see what you have done, would you maybe send some images or video to my email [e-mail]

[@paulholdsworth2502]

Hi Glenn, what an observatory you have there ; it's truly exceptional. To be able to set up your sequence with an automated roof closure and go to bed must make all that hard work feel so rewarding. Best observatory I've seen 👌

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Paul and thank you so much for your kind words and support. I really love my obsy and feel very lucky. It is such a great tool and luxurious convenience and really has been worth all the hard worlk.

[@LogansAstro]

Great video Glenn. Just ordered one of those variable voltage regulators as I want to reduce the speed my roof moves - it does slow down when approaching the closed and open position but if there has been a power cut, it has to relearn the open and closed positions again and tends to go full speed the first couple of times and I'd like to avoid that. Clear skies.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Logan. It seems you guys in New Zealand and Australia get these slow start and stop motors, I tried to find one here but without success. The model I have doesn't even advertise the slow start feature it has. Anyway I have found the voltage regulator has done a great job and is so easy to add to the system. Good luck, let me know how you get along?

[@astrocapetown4955]

Hey Glenn, Nice video. Great to see you observatory and warm room operational. You may want to add park sensors on the mount. You don't want the roof crashing into your gear if ;ark fails for some reason. A cloud watcher is also a very welcome addition, if you want to sleep peacefully.

[@Astrobloke]

I was able to get around the park sensors by building the obsy so even with the scope at its highest position the roof can close without hitting it. This was something I pondered over for a long while and felt it was the safest way forward as it is 100% failsafe. I have the parts and an Arduino weather station project to start work on. I hope to start this soon and of course share with everyone. Thanks for watching and commenting, clear skies

[@clairehunter7911]

Thats a very good and informative video. You really are an asset to the community. Now I just need an observatory so I can have one of these too.

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you thats very kind of you to say. You’ll have an obsy one day, clear skies

[@jamesbonser9667]

Great video Glen. I have been in the process of slowly automating my observatory for literally years. This is can be an expensive hobby, as you are well aware so I have to do things a little at a time as I can save up money and make progress. Automating the roll-off roof is the next step for me - hopefully this coming summer so this is a very timely video - Thanks!

[@Astrobloke]

Hi James. It is a very expensive hobby without doubt and adding an obsy even more so. The automation is very cheap when compared to systems that are made by companies to do this. I have seen some crazy prices and its what prompted me to find a much more affordable solution. So 100’s as apposed to 1000’s. I wish you luck and happy to assist if you have any questions. Clear skies

[@jamesbonser9667]

@@Astrobloke There is one part of the movable roof that concerns me. Right now I use a combination of turnbuckles and clamps to hold the roof in place when it's closed. We experience 35 to 55 mi an hour winds fairly regularly where I live so the wind blowing the roof off is a concern. That did happen to me once before with a different style roof that I had. I wondered if you used any passive mechanisms to hold the roof down and in place besides the pinion gear and rack?

[@Astrobloke]

It is definitely a concern especially with the winds that you seem to get. With my design one side is protected by the higher sides of the warm room. The 3 exposed sides of the roof they are all lower than the sides of the obsy so very difficult for the wind to get under. Even though when the roof is closed the centre bar parks under a fixed block so it cannot lift up. If I know we are in for a storm or high winds I add some bungie tie downs inside.@@jamesbonser9667

[@arnsteindale5531]

Great walktrough Glenn - can`t wait to see this with my own eyes 🙂

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you Arnstein. I look forward to showing you.

[@petesastrophotography]

Excellent video Glenn, really enjoyed watching this. I've worked in the oil/gas industry for 30 years designing instrumentation and control systems so this stuff is my bread and butter🙂When I eventually get round to building my mini-observatory I will be doing something similar but will roll my own ASCOM driver etc. Probably OTT for most people but as you are using a gear rack you could add a gear driven potentiometer or rotary encoder which would let you determine the exact position of the roof and if it was moving etc. Anyway, great video, I'm sure it will help a lot of people👍

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Pete and thank you. I would love to have more knowledge and be able to write my own code and include the features you mention. But alas I am not quite at that level. Maybe you could share your project with me as would love to learn more.

[@markbayfield6381]

Absolutely brilliant Glenn. That is just such a sweet set up. Congrats

[@Astrobloke]

Cheers Mark, really appreciate that mate

[@stanwilliams7337]

Hey Glenn, I just ordered the opener for mine and I will be back and forth to your videos to make sure I hook it up right. Thank you, and Joe, for doing this for us.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Stan. Thats excellent news and good luck with it all. Any problems let me know and I will try and help.

[@petertravis7297]

Great video Glenn. Well done for all the hard work you put in on sharing your knowledge and experience. You are a star👍👍

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Peter and thank you, Happy to help others where I can. Your kind comments are really appreciated.

[@AstroBoater]

I’m no where near having an obsy and all of the features you’ve demonstrated but what I can say is it looks absolutely cosy mate. Nice video 👌

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you Mark. One day mate 🤞

[@astroskyman]

Excellent video Glenn, comprehensive info for those who require help to get setup. Have you thought about weather safety, our fickle climate is liable to produce a shower from nowhere. I use an AAG Cloudwatcher for my automated Dome and cannot recommend them highly enough, tried several DIY solutions together with alternative supplier copycat products which work to a fashion but with so much gear exposed its not worth the risk. You can definitely sleep at night knowing a reliable solution is in place and in three years of operation it has been faultless, the best purchase I have made by far.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi and thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. I have weather safety at the forefront of my mind and a definite addition that I need to sort soon. I do have parts for a diy Arduino project that I would like to try but will definitely check out your recommendation. Do you use NINA and does it work with that do you know?

[@astroskyman]

@@Astrobloke Hi, I have been down the Arduino route too, the key is software as much as hardware and this is where the AAG has proven itself even for professional observatories, it's not cheap but neither are the consequences of ruined cameras or scopes especially in a multiple scope setup such as yours. The AAG will certainly work perfectly with Nina. I run Starkeeper Voyager, the Advanced version which schedules my targets in full automation mode. It opens and starts imaging in the middle of the night if a clear spell occurs whilst I'm sleeping and shuts automatically if conditions deteriorate. I run as if I have a remote Observatory but it's really only twenty feet away in the garden.

[@michaelrushton2014]

Cheers Glen, going to try to get everything sorted while the weathers pants!! Going stir crazy, even the suns so low can’t even image that. Look forward to more videos!!

[@Astrobloke]

Its been a very long bad weather spell. Really missing not being able to image. I am using the time to sort out my PC as its just full to the brim with data files all over the place. So lots of re organising. Just finishing off a rain sensor on an Arduino also.

[@Astroman5665]

Superb build Glenn. I have true Osby envy. All the best and clear skies

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you

[@jeremyhigginson9307]

Another brilliant video Glenn! Thanks for the info, especially with NINA which is a future project for me!!

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you Jeremy. I saw you post some ASIAIR connection issues the other day. You are now getting to the frustrating areas of the hobby but everything can be worked through and I hope you found a solution. Happy to help if you need it . Clear skies mate

[@jeremyhigginson9307]

@@Astrobloke Yes, I did find a solution thanks to a video call from Andy Bennett who was really helpful, and his support was much appreciated. He showed me loads of interesting things to do which is helping me with my progress!!

[@Astrobloke]

@@jeremyhigginson9307 thats good. Andy is very knowledgable and always helps where he can. Glad you got it sorted

[@AstrovirusAstrophoto]

Awesome video Glen, I am just in the process of implementing this exact roof control option in my observatory.

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you. Please let me know if you have any questions or problems. Best of luck

[@AstrovirusAstrophoto]

Got everything installed and up and running first try. Thanks for the great instruction videos Glenn (and Joe's Astrophoto as well) @JoesAstrophoto @@Astrobloke

[@Astrobloke]

@@AstrovirusAstrophoto That is brilliant and really pleased the advice was able to get it all working for you so well. Hope you have clear skies and great success in 2024. Happy New Year

[@SimonsAstro]

Hey Glenn, excellent video mate! Nicely done, it’s a fantastic design obsey mate and I’m sure many people will find this video very useful, me included 😀for when I make that final connection of the auduino to the motor 👍 clear skies

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you Simon. It works well and thats what counts I suppose. I'll be over to help as soon as you need me mate

[@Tony-Elliott]

Hi Glenn really great video mate excellent detailed information, thanks for taking the time to make these video

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you for your kind comments and support Tony it really means a lot.

[@richardchurch4137]

Your adventures have been an inspiration, as well as your craftsmanship ! and I know what you mean you should go into business building small garden observatories because they cost an absolute fortune !! Currently have a sky shed pod , but rheumatism is making it increasingly difficult getting in and out 😂, so just made some routine enquiries the company I tried not only do they charge a fortune you have to supply the wheels and rails 😬! , keep up the great work & great videos & look forward to seeing more adventures from Astro blokes village 👌

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Richard and thank you so much for your great comment. Sorry to hear that Rheumatism affects you and hope that you can still enjoy the hobby. I have been approached by a few people asking if I could build them something but the time involved would just make it a silly price for me to be able to justify it. Materials alone now are just so expensive. Who did you enquire with? The only company I really know and have heard good things about is Outsideology but I think any build is going to be expensive. Have you seen my first budget Obsy? Was a few years ago now but that worked great and did not cost too much at all. Best of luck and clear skies

[@richardchurch4137]

@@Astrobloke hi Glenn thank you for the reply, yes I think the plastic shed would be the way to go for me, I know a few handyman and I’m sure I could get one of them to get something up together for me :) , I will do my homework first on what would be best , you know how it is with this hobby you make lots of wrong decisions to get to the right place in the end 😂..keep up the great work that helps us all out 👍👍

[@liveinthesunshine3018]

Awesome set up, Glenn. Well done. Do you have or are you planning to integrate a cloud sensor into the set up? I haven't done that yet but I struggle to go to sleep with an imaging session in progress without keep checking or rogue rain clouds! Chris.

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you so much. A weather station is definitely something I want to incorporate into the Obsy and I will hopefully get that sorted in the near future. I have seen a project built around the Arduino and another astronomer kindly sent me some components. I just haven’t had time to work on it as yet. That extra protection is important though and I really need to sort it. Stay tuned. Do you have the same roof controls or similar?

[@liveinthesunshine3018]

Hi@@Astrobloke. yeah it worries me - imagine a quick shower on your set up. Doesn't bare thinking about. Well I have the same motor but I am using a set of wifi switches for the roof which I work on a timer to sync with the imaging session which all runs still on the ASI Air Pro. I have wired the whole Obsy for an arduino set up and I have one installed so my next step is to move to a PC based NINA set up. Took longer than I thought as I had issues with the roof leaking (the external frame was basically wicking water back into the roof). But that is sorted now. Lots of work to do and a tad daunted by it but looking forward to it. I am considering the Lunatico cloud watcher but not sure how easy that is to integrate. More research to do!

[@iwolsiwols]

hi Glenn have same setup with slightly different motor with no soft start ,just ordered the same voltage regulator as yours (as there is a kick on startup,which i am hoping will help),do you just put the regulator inline with the main supply to the unit? Ive also replaced the magnetic switches with a mechanical switch which seems to be better than those magnetic reed switches,great video/setup by the way👍👍

[@Astrobloke]

Hi and thank you for watching and commenting. The voltage regulator will definitely help with the kick as that is exactly what I had even though it has soft start. The one I use plugs into the mains and then the motor which I also have wired up to a plug simply plugs into this. If wiring directly then yes just place it inline between the power supply and the motor. Hope it sorts it out for you.

[@astrolyson]

The obstruction switch (4) ON position is down according to the manual. I have the same motor and this was confusing to me.

[@Astrobloke]

I think the instructions that come with these motors is quite bad and that's being kind. They really are not very clear but I think a lot is lost in translation. I don't even know where mine are now as to be honest I kind of avoided using them and worked things out for myself. I will check that dim switch position though, I have not really had any cause for it to be tested as even with the scope at its highest the roof clears it. Have you needed this feature?

[@astrolyson]

@@Astrobloke Agreed about the manual, though their support has been responsive. I haven't needed to use this feature myself (yet?). One of my scopes does peak out above, but there is enough safety backup to hopefully ensure it doesn't get hit by the roof. I did do some testing by grabbing the roof as it rolled. Only at the highest sensitivity could I make the roof stop and reverse. Though at too high of a setting I worry the weight of the roof itself would be detected as an obstruction. I leave the sensitivity to medium.

[@steveplenty8365]

Hi Glenn great video it looks brilliant, can I ask are you going to review your meade scope OTA? Hope you are well Steve

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Steve, Thank you for watching and commenting as always. I will be doing a video on it. I am still setting it up, have a bit of collimating to do but almost ready.

[@steveplenty8365]

@@Astrobloke ok Glenn it looks great speak soon Steve

[@lmu6airy]

very well made video, glad to see the new observatory in action can you let us know how you sorted out the width of the roof to avoid any flex or bending?

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you very much for the kind comments. The Observatory is working great. The roof is made from 2 runners which are made from 5"x2" treated wood planks and the wheels are attached to these. The cross beams are from 6"x2" and the main rigidity is achieved by the OSB board not only screwed but also glued to the beams. The toothed rail is in the centre of the roof so minimizing any twisting when it opens and closes. The roof also moves very freely. Only having it guided one side really helps with that so there is no chance of any binding. Hope this helps answer your question but let me know if you have any other questions.

[@michaelrushton2014]

Looking forward to hear about the rain sensor!

[@Astrobloke]

I shall let you know

[@johnfrancke8980]

I might need help to be as cool as you Glenn, I have just a dc motor that i switch the polarity too open or close the roof has limit switches to stop the motor and I understand the need to add mag sensor to make the arduino work right but where I flip the leads to change the direction of motor and am not sure if this will work

[@Astrobloke]

Hi John, its all a front mate, I'm not cool just a friendly geek lol. I am not sure if this will work as the Arduino can only send a low voltage signal to activate any switches. All it is doing is activating the same module that the remote key fob does when you press a button. Is yours controllable remotely by a fob or is it a manual switch?

[@richardrandall2898]

Hi Glenn, excellent video and great obsy. I followed and installed the motor from your old obsy including all the downloads. Would it be just a matter of swapping this new motor for the old one or is the coding/software different?

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you. It is just a case of swapping the motor and all the coding and software is exactly the same.

[@libertywinguk]

Great video

[@Astrobloke]

Cheers buddy

[@Gabriel-wo8nj]

Congratulations. I would like to know the size of your observatory. I meant just only the space where the telescope are located. Thank you. Gabriel

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Gabriel and thank you. The internal dimensions of the Observatory part where the scopes are is 11' (3.35m) x 9'3" (2.8m). this includes the area that goes underneath the low fixed roof which I use for storage. The footprint solely for the 2 piers and scopes is 11' x 7'1" (2.15m)

[@michaelrushton2014]

Hi Glenn, another great video! I've been following your r.o.r since you had the ewelink fitted and wanted to ask, does the ewelink get wired to the gnd and test terminals on your motor as it looks like the same as i have? Also do you have a link to the box you have your arduino in? Thanks again for the great content.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Michael and thank you for watching and commenting. Yes that is the way I had that wired and the Arduino I now use also goes to grnd and test terminals. I will try and find where I got the box from, I think it was Amazon but not sure. I will post a link if I find it.

[@astrostufftomtrubridge7915]

Hi Glen, I have been trying hard to set up my mini smart router as a remote scope hot spot controlled with I Pad , ime using the Quieter 2 PC trying to connect with Google remote desktop..works fine with indoor router but guess there is more in setting up. Any chance please can you help me.. Best wishes Tom.. Merry Xmas... 🎄🎄...

[@Astrobloke]

Hi Tom. I had the same issue and its down to it clashing with the IP address at home and its own one when out and about, send me a message on my email. [e-mail] and I will write out what you need to do. Think I will then post this on my website to help others out,

[@Astrobloke]

And Happy Christmas to you too 🎄☃️

[@abellio8559]

Brilliantly done

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you

[@deejaybustab]

Hello Glen, & thanks for always posting very helpful information. I have a question for the voltage regulator. I already have a voltage regulator pretty much just like yours that I used years ago on a fan in my garage. I have the exact gate opener motor you have that I use on my roll off roof. I too have the dip switch set for soft start but it’s still a jolt when it 1st starts & I wanted to plug up the regulator to help reduce the initial jolt. My question is, did you just plug the main power for the gate opener into the power outlet on the regulator or did you actually use 1 of the motors wires & wire that to a plug for the regulators power outlet? I ask that because the motor has 3 wires, red black & red on the board. I assume 1 red is for the motor to spin in 1 direction & the other red is to spin the motor in the opposite direction & the black is a common.

[@Astrobloke]

Hi there and thank you for your kind words and support. I just plugged the unit directly into the regulator and knocked off about 20v. I think how much you can knock off depends on your roof weight. If I try to lower more it just seems to stall the motor. Hope this helps.

[@deejaybustab]

@@Astrobloke Thanks so much for the info. I’ll definitely give that a try 👍🏽

[@deejaybustab]

The voltage regulator worked perfectly!!! I took off about 10v & it took the big jolt out of the start of the motor. Now it starts nice & smoothly. Thanks again for the tips 😉

[@astrostufftomtrubridge7915]

Oh mate, thanks for that, atb Tom.. 👍👍

[@Astrobloke]

Will get back to you as soon as I can. Happy xmas

[@knowway4760]

beautiful!

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you that’s very kind of you to say.

[@area51xi]

Do you have a link to the motor??

[@Astrobloke]

amzn.to/3IEKC8e. Hope this helps

[@area51xi]

@@Astrobloke Thank you!

[@libertywinguk]

Thanks

[@Astrobloke]

Thank you mate

[@libertywinguk]

@@Astrobloke Google opinion rewards, great app for giving back to channels that go the extra mile to help others, get paid for when you go shopping then pay for superchats and super thanks to give back to your favourite creator's

[@Cheapass-tro]

Good job Glenn. I hope to one day need this info and I'm sure you have it well covered here.

[@Astrobloke]

Hey Nugsy, hope you are well. Thanks for watching mate and hope it comes in handy for you one day too.