6.02.2022 Checking alignments and levels.

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Sunday 6th 38-42F, heavy overcast after early brightness.

I spent the entire morning working on the shutters and other details. Double checking alignments and levels and heights and adjusting assorted brackets. 

The base ring is still level all around according to the 360° laser. The dome is still round. The bogies and their tracks are level, central and square to the observation slit.  

I adjusted one external support for the top bogie channel and will do the other later. The channel was being lifted slightly at each end. I'd prefer the ends to be slightly bowed downwards. To shed rainwater or snow more easily. I don't want it freezing the bogies into solid ice. The downward slope should help to open the shutters. They can be closed again using the ropes and eye-bolts. The eye bolts are to be sourced. I'd prefer stainless steel, if possible, to avoid rust. Which would stain the rope and cause friction.

The bottom bogie brackets were adjusted to lower the shutters. Now they are out of level with each other! More work required here. It is very difficult to support the shutters at the correct height. While simultaneously having to push the bogie down into contact with its track and keep it upright. Any attempts at packing under the shutter ribs gets in the way of the bogie.

It rained after lunch. Turning the bare, already wet ground, in front of the dome, into a liquid, mud bath. Time for a rest and to think about getting the shutters level. I am preparing for fitting an overlapping, weather strip. To stop rain running down through the gap between the closed shutters. This needs a slightly raised left shutter to ensure clearance for the strip when the shutters are closed. The right shutter is higher!

On the plywood dome I fitted the weather strip to the right side shutter. [When facing the dome from outside.] Having completely overlooked the fact that most bad weather and the prevailing wind, comes from the SW. [Or left seen form outside] I usually park the dome with the shutters facing south. Simply because I am usually looking in an arc from SE to SW with the telescopes. So it makes most sense to park the dome facing that way. I can also check whether the shutters are open from indoors in changeable weather.

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