AAVSO Observer Code CMJA / Minor Planet Centre Observatory Code H61 / Global Telescope Network Partner GTN-33 / Center for Backyard Astrophysics
Tension Springs to Mitigate Cable Slack
The cable has been reported by Home-Dome users to become tangled on the windlass due to insufficient cable tension being constantly applied as the shutter open or closes. To mitigate this problem, I installed a system of tension springs and spring-suspended idler pulleys to apply more constant tension on the cables and provide more guidance to the cable as it winds/unwinds onto the windlass.
This is a view of the close cable tensioning spring at the front of the dome at the left side of the shutter (looking out the shutter). | This is a view of the open cable tensioning spring at the back left side of the dome. |
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This a view of the two spring-suspended idler pulleys (using four springs and two carabiners) on either side of the windlass to further help guide the cable on and off the windlass.