14.09.2025 First light with new H-alpha rig.

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  Sunday. I am making good progress now but have yet to capture any solar images. 

 It is interesting how closely Lunt and ZWO match their red finishes. Prima Luce make accessories in the same colour. I could have a dovetail bar in red to match all the rest. 

 I simply cannot believe the retail prices of these very simple components. Having worked on CNC machines myself. I can vouch for their incredible speed, accuracy and finish. I suppose there must be some wastage. Where cosmetics matter so much to perceived or acceptable product "quality." This is just a matter of replacing cutting bits, mills and drills before they wear out. No doubt they have lower paid, unskilled machine "minders." As well as setter/operators.   

 Next I have to find a way to support the mini-PC and two power supply bricks safely on the tripod. This will lower the centre of gravity slightly. More importantly is to free the telescope. Of multiple cables dangling in mid air. With only a single mains extension lead out to the telescope. A multi-socket solves the problem of the distribution of power. 

 That just leaves the cabling for the camera to the mini-PC. I am rehearsing in my mind what needs to be done. To carry the telescope assembly [rig] in and out. Breaking the units down to manageable parts for carriage is easily done. Though time consuming in a sudden shower. Can any cables be left in place? I don't want to find I am holding something heavy. While it is still attached by cable. 

 None of this crops up with an observatory. Except for connecting the laptop. Which I carried back and forth with me to the house. One quickly learns to plug everything in. The mini-PC overcomes that problem. If, it can be safely installed with protection from dew and unexpected rain. While still being allowed to cool. Its case is very open. That's not a complaint. It just needs to be kept in mind.

 Hanging, triangular weight bags in sturdy cloth are available for tripods. Though perhaps not ideal for carrying the items mentioned above. The clumsy and poorly finished, AVX leg spreader plate is crying out to be replaced with something better. However, it sits too high to be of much use for storage. The large holes are meant for eyepieces but don't offer any useful support. For things like power supplies or mini-PCs. 

 I am not sure I want a simple carrying tray fixed down there. Not with these items sitting loosely. It would make carrying the already awkward and rather heavy tripod an even bigger struggle. Again no complaints about mass and stability low down. 

 The power supplies and mini-PC are boxy shapes with no fixings or hanging lugs. They can't just be hung from their cables! This needs further thought. I need simplicity, security and speed in their containment. Zip ties or Velcro? The mini-PC has a support plate. For hiding it behind a monitor. It only hooks on. There are no fixing points, holes or screws.

 The two power supply "bricks" fit perfectly on top of the leg spreader plate. I strapped them down well with long zip ties. Next is to find a way to support the mini PC. Somewhere under the pair of PSs. The is no room on top of the plate for the relatively tiny computer. The tripod legs and central tension rod make it physically impossible. 

 There are umpteen little plastic baskets available. For storing household items, stationary, etc. Strap one of these to a tripod leg and the PC can sit safely in it. Without inhibiting cable attachment. Or blocking a clear visual shot at the sockets on opposite faces. With space for the cable to exit without being bent too sharply. So rectangular is best. Not to mention freedom for the cooling air to escape. I'd rather not attach Velcro to the PC.

 12.30 Job done. I found an attractive, shallow, black plastic basket in the third supermarket I visited. The mini-PC fitted perfectly. Though I had to drill a couple of holes in the ends of the basket for the cables. To avoid the plugs being twisted sideways. The plugs fix the mini PC securely in the basket. Without the need for any mechanical fixing. All the cables are now attached and the basket hung between two tripod legs by zip ties. Images coming after lunch. The white USB cable will disappear once I find another white, wireless keyboard.

 It was a sunny afternoon so I have been outside. Testing the wireless connection and tracking. I captured a few videos but haven't processed them yet. The mini computer connected to the indoor router. Though the ZWO mounting did not. The monitor screen is hard to see in such bright light.

 I now realise that I don't need Wi-Fi to the mount. The mini-PC is connected via Wi-Fi. With the mount on the end of a short USB cable. Using ASCOM to control the mount. Sharpcap Pro controls the camera but did not provide mount control. I did not persevere with this. The controls were shown and are much the same as ASCOM Mount.

 

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