Observatory Project: Opening The Roof!

This is a video companion to a blog post I wrote a few days ago about the roof opening system for my observatory project.
This blog can be seen here:
cosgrovescosmo...
In previous videos, I have talked about hardware selections for the roof tracking system - in this one, I talk about my selection of the SkyRoof System by InteractiveAstronomy.

[@Astro_Shed]

Nice, getting closer to breaking ground….👍🏻

[@cosgrovescosmos]

Thanks - yes - getting very close now!

[@Rafastro]

I would put the motor on the center. It will bind otherwise.. I had to change mine. Speaking from experience. Not to mention the fact that your rollers do nothing to hold the roof to the building .

[@cosgrovescosmos]

Thanks for your comment. I don't expect it will bind as I am not using two V-groove tracks-just one-to avoid being over-constrained. This was recommended by Jim Collins, who builds the motor system I am using. He has done this for tons of observatories and seemed confident that this was fine. I also had this looked at by a mechanical engineering friend, who recommended placing the drive near the V-groove track.

[@Rafastro]

@@cosgrovescosmos thank you for the explanation. I, of course,am talking to you from Florida . Everything has to be built up to code and I had to contract an engineer to draw my plans so that it is hurricane resistant( up to code); we’re talking 10 x 16 Obsy. I had to use Simpson ties in every corner, floor anchors as well as garage roller tracks in order to keep everything in place and code compliant. Now, if a hurricane comes, I know where to take my family. I hope you’re having half as much fun as I did 😊

[@cosgrovescosmos]

I can imagine building such an observatory in an area with hurricanes is a real challenge! Sounds like yours is bomb-proof!