Exeter Academy PlaneWave Instruments CDK700 Install

[@damienk2372]

Found it very refreshing that you guys are happy to show the set up where you need to demob to redo collimation and not just show everything working perfectly out of the box.

[@asteroidhunters6628]

Hmmm we still have many questions. I think you need to come and set it up in my backyard just so I can be clear on the install. :) .... Always a great video from Planewave!

[@PlaneWaveInstruments]

Thanks for watching Mike! The CDK700 is a beautiful system =)

[@fredmercury1314]

Wait. There's this huge, solid concrete pillar, and a massive inflexible mount, and they're joined together with... 3 bolts? It just sits on those 3 bolts..?

[@CAREFREEOBSERVATORY]

Carefree Observatory cannot Wait until the Day we can Purchase our L-500 & Wedge Mount from Plane Wave! Very Nice Job you are one Lucky Guy Mr. Matt! Matt did you have relocate to Michigan? You Guys do an Outstanding Job, Thank you for the Install Share.

[@PlaneWaveInstruments]

Happy to hear your observatory project is moving along! You have a great set of videos showing the construction! I am still based out of Pittsburgh, so still close to the HQ in MI.

[@CAREFREEOBSERVATORY]

@@PlaneWaveInstruments Matt Maybe you can talk to the Boss and get a new video done of the New Planewave Heradquarters Campus? I am very curious on how your new Headquarters is coming along?

[@PlaneWaveInstruments]

@@CAREFREEOBSERVATORY That is absolutely on the to do list as campus is in full operational mode. Separate buildings for optics, assembly, and our direct drive mount production.

[@gregmckay666]

I find it strange that the entire mount/scope rides so high up on the three bolts/nuts. Hard to believe those 3 bolts can handle all that weight.

[@CAREFREEOBSERVATORY]

I saw that as well I have the same 24" concrete pier but extending it 66" in hieght on top of concrete pier with 1/2 plate welded to 12" x 1/4" x 66" Cason Pipe to another 1/2 welded Plate to accept the L-500 wedge, 3 bolts I do not understand? Matt can you clarify?

[@PlaneWaveInstruments]

Happy to answer that question. The system is installed on three x 3/4 inch steel threaded rods. Each of those threaded rods could easily hold the weight of the CDK700 individually. The Alt/Az design is great because there is minimal torque load on the pier and bolts since the load is vertical. The CDK700 could sit on the ground without bolts and still run safely, of course the cable routing needs to exit the azimuth base, so we stand off the system to have access to the base in case maintenance is required in the future.

[@sandokan_gg]

there is no engineering world at least on earth where it makese sense to put all that weight on three bolts. It is not even the bolts thesemelves it is the threads that everything is riding on. Your equipment seems quite good, but I don't believe a "rat cage" setup is defencible or appropriate for the quality instruments you are producing whetever the maintenance advantages might exist. There are definetly other ways to do it better and avoid that.@@PlaneWaveInstruments

[@BobDenny]

Please say Hi to John Blackwell. They are long time customers.

[@JohnBlackwell_FRAS]

Hi Bob! Good to hear from you, as well! This installation was marvelous: everything is now operating and working every clear night.

[@stealthinator00]

So you have a very expensive and sensitive telescope mounted on 3 thin bolts on a spindly pillar. you are going to have issues getting a stable image the pier ringing like a bell. When you have a pier even the weight of the person deforming the ground is enough move the telescope blurring the image.

[@spex357]

Wow! Exeter Academy has a PlaneWave Instruments CDK700, yes but not the Exeter down the road from me. ;-)

[@expatca4444]

Count the times he said "ok ! " when he starting recording a new scene ...

[@timtruett5184]

In a way this video makes me sad. The students at this prep school have a very expensive instrument to use, but they can't look through it to see the universe with their own eyes.