|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:24:11 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Sep 11 2012, 05:57 PM As I took the fixture apart to replace the lamp sockets and clean, I constantly marvel as to how well this machine is built. This piece, machined from a solid piece of aluminum, holds the lamp for the Moon glow unit as well as the blue filter and the daylight lamp assembly. The old bayonet sockets are removed and replaced with candelabra screw bases. New wire as well.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:25:25 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Sep 11 2012, 06:01 PM This daylight ring which holds four bulbs slides down over the Moon glow support. The daylight ring can be moved up and down within the fixture to allow edge shadow positioning on the dome.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:26:44 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Sep 11 2012, 06:04 PM Very inexpensive 25w bulbs are now used. One in the Moon glow socket..... ....and then the Moon glow blue filter is put in place.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:28:20 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Sep 11 2012, 06:09 PM The entire sub structure is placed in the main light reflector. The final four 25w lamps are put in place and the daylight plate adjusted so the audience cannot see the bulbs when seated. The fixture is now finished and ready for testing. The two units will provide 200w of lighting for the day time dome which I believe will be enough. If not, inexpensive bulbs up to 60w each can be substituted at will providing as much as 480w of light.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:28:39 GMT -7
Posted by: SteveDurham Sep 12 2012, 07:26 AM You do nice work, Ron Walker. (I don't usually use both names, but yours has a nice ring to it, so....Ron Walker)
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:28:56 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Sep 12 2012, 09:03 AM Yep, it's a typical "Ron Walker Production!" mm
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:29:13 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Sep 12 2012, 10:19 AM QUOTE(SteveDurham @ Sep 12 2012, 07:26 AM) * You do nice work, Ron Walker. (I don't usually use both names, but yours has a nice ring to it, so....Ron Walker)
Thank You Steve.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:29:49 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Sep 12 2012, 11:39 AM Ron- Been catching weather reports. Assume your rainy season in AZ is really underway. Saw a report of flooding in Vegas last night too.
I've always liked the "dome blue" on the Minolta machines. It never was meant as an entrance light source, since it does not provide enough light, but it is JUST RIGHT at the end of a show to start the audience becoming re-adapted to daylight.
I envy you actually getting some work done on your machine, sound like real fun!
By the way where did you leave off on the outside building work? mm
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:30:18 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Sep 12 2012, 02:49 PM QUOTE(moonmagic @ Sep 12 2012, 11:39 AM) * Ron- Been catching weather reports. Assume your rainy season in AZ is really underway. Saw a report of flooding in Vegas last night too.
I've always liked the "dome blue" on the Minolta machines. It never was meant as an entrance light source, since it does not provide enough light, but it is JUST RIGHT at the end of a show to start the audience becoming re-adapted to daylight.
I envy you actually getting some work done on your machine, sound like real fun!
By the way where did you leave off on the outside building work? mm
Yeah, Rain, Rain, go away! The humidity is the real killer. Also a lot of other family things have come up.
Anyway, I always thought the "dome blue" was used when the Moon was out which is why I've been calling it "Moon blue". It does a great job of washing out the Milky Way and the 5th and 6th magnitude stars. Actually I kind of like the idea of using it for the start of morning, thanks for the idea.
This is all fun.
The building.....more to come......&**^$!$#$#@&......be calm Walker, be calm.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:30:38 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Apr 9 2013, 06:16 PM Now that the dome is watertight and electrical is progressing, I must start some of the other work so the building will be operational soon after the dome is completed. Earlier I talked about a base for the new control console and the final plan to incorporate both the original Viewlex control board along with a bunch of new stuff from me. I started on this idea and here is the beginning.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:31:06 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Apr 9 2013, 08:38 PM In the 60's and early 70's when (if I remember correctly, that is) Viewlex was working with GOTO, as in GOTO made the machine and Viewlex marketed it in the USA and provided (or supplied) the consoles and interconnections. The early Viewlex consoles were not that great and if I recall had many electrical/electronic card related problems, BUT by the time Viewlex and Minolta were partnered, they were offering the console front panel with which Ron's machine was equipped. This WAS THEIR VERY BEST. It also seemed more "robust" (IMHO). And...although I know this has very little to do with actual function, it just looks cool(er) too. I hope that Ron can make it all work again. mm
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:31:25 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Apr 10 2013, 09:40 AM Yes, the "coolness" factor is the main reason I decided to keep it in the mix, so to speak. Virtually none of the Viewlex electronics will remain. The readouts will but I believe they came directly from Minolta. They are actually just simple selsyn motors which require no electronics at all. The DC drive motors will be run by simple Variacs with rectified outputs. All of the drive motors will be controlled from the panel at the left. The major lamps will run on Variacs as well from the panel at the right. Some of the controls for my conversions to LED's will mount on the main control panel as I found slider controls that are the same size as the original but with the proper resistance value for the new circuits. The projector will start out as totally manual. Perhaps at a later date I will look into some automation but budget is placing substantial restrictions on any major new additions. Most of the illuminated switches will remain allowing for easy checking of the planetariums status.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:31:42 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Apr 11 2013, 03:45 PM Are you thinking a "sit-down" (standard desk height) console or a "stand-up" console? mm
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:32:01 GMT -7
Posted by: Ron Walker Apr 12 2013, 09:31 AM QUOTE(moonmagic @ Apr 11 2013, 03:45 PM) * Are you thinking a "sit-down" (standard desk height) console or a "stand-up" console? mm
As old as I am, it needs to be a sit down console. Also, since my spring line is so low I don't want to be "standing in the stars" so to speak. With this configuration, I can easily see over the top of the entire thing to keep an eye on the audience. Also, the wine bucket is in easy reach on the floor.
|
|
|
Post by Ron Walker on Sept 9, 2022 13:32:23 GMT -7
Posted by: moonmagic Apr 12 2013, 05:18 PM Reach down? Oh, no, no, no. The wine bucket should also be on a stand!
I wonder rather than having the front console section at something like a 70+ degree angle if you might not like it better down more like a 30-40 degree angle. Not flat, but with just enough angle that any backlighting will not be cast onto the center dome and yet enough you can read the indicators without having to jump up and lean forward every time. What comes to mind are the older Zeiss consoles. Find some pixs of the Zeiss 4's, 5's and 6's consoles.
In this way you will have excellent eye contact with the audience when it is bright enough in the room for them to see you. As it is, with the low spring line you may already have some stars in your eyes since you likely will not be down as close to the floor as your audience will be.
ALSO, Have you decided WHERE the console will go? Will you be facing your audience or will you be behind your audience? Will your console be in the North or South? "Traditional" is console in the North as at your latitude most of what you want people to see will be in the south. That allows your "pointers" image to be largest and you will have less time trying to twist yourself around such as will happen when you are showing circumpolar constellations from your home latitude.
Thoughts, SO MANY thoughts.
The building itself while MUCH work, was fun.....but this part, is even "FUNNER." mm
|
|