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pier
Last post 10-30-2009 06:51 PM by galactic_photog. 2 replies.
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  • 10-30-2009 09:55 AM

    • thud
    • Joined on 10-23-2009
    • Posts 5

    pier

    What diameter of pier would be proper if I use reinforced concrete to support a c6r-gt, 5 to 6 feet above ground and 3 feet buried? My yard has more aggregate in it than Sea-Tac International's runways.

                                                                                                         thanx Bill

                                                              

  • 10-30-2009 10:20 AM In reply to

    Re: pier

    As with aperture, bigger is generally better. If you're talking about a ready-made pier, then 6 to 8 inches in diameter will be plenty.

    However, it also depends on the height of the mount above ground (length of the pier) and the weight you put on it. The 6-in achromat is long-ish, but not too long for a 6-inch pier if it's not loaded with accessories.

    If you anticipate doing astrophotography and will have a guide scope, cameras, rings, etc., at some point, then an 8-inch pier would be better.

    A simple thin-walled steel tube will suffice if it's not tapered to a point under the mount and if it's sufficiently anchored. I use standard 8-inch AstroPhysics piers of three different heights with my telescopes, and for the SV152 apo (which weighs a tad more than twice the CR-6) I use a 52-inch tall pier so I don't need to crouch at most eyepiece heights.

    If you're using a solid concrete pad and setting the pier atop that, then there will be vibrations in the scope when you walk near the pier. It's best for a permanent observatory to pour the pier footing separately from the pad and to isolate the plinth from the rest of the pad (you can use sand for isolation) to prevent vibrations from transferring from the pad to the pier.

    Signature
    The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it's stranger than we CAN imagine. --- JBS Haldane
  • 10-30-2009 06:51 PM In reply to

    Re: pier

    My piers are both 8" thick wall steel bolted to long 1" diameter bolts embedded in 48" deep by 20" dia concrete columns in the ground. One pier holds a CGE w/ a 10" Cass, the other a MI250 w/ 10" newt. Both are rigid.

    Many people using concrete piers (not steel) go 12" to 18" diameter above ground,18" to 24" diameter 48" to 60" in ground. The diameters are adjusted depending on the heigth above ground and the mount/telescope load.

    Robert

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