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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

New Collapsible Folding Wagon to carry Chicago Astronomer Telescopic Equipment

or

How to shove 2 Pounds of Bologna into a 1 pound bag

19 July 2010

I have been exploring various ways to transport the C11 beast to observation sites since I got the thing, with various forms of success and failure.

I have been using a foldable roll-about hand like truck, but if not balanced properly, everything just falls off. Over grass was an adventure in frustration. Luckily, on most of my sessions, I have had Chicago Astronomers and fans to help carry the equipment to and from my car. And the times I have been solo....it was rather rough.

Must be a better way.

Shopping with a friend at COSCO, I came across this Collapsible Wagon, with what seemed like a lot of flatbed space. So I got it.

After a quick and dirty Jupiter imaging session, ( astronomer.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Observations&thread=2794 ), I was anxious to see if I could shove everything into this....

Insanity does not run in my family, but it got to start somewhere...

The cool thing about this wagon is that when folded, it takes up little space and can be shoved into a trunk. But when unfolded, holds a lot of stuff - with big hefty wheels and a handle that pivots and retracts...

I am hopeful...but I dunno...

I need to load:

The C11 OTA
The Heavy bulky Losmandy Mount and weights
The accessory case
The Finderscopes case,
The 2 Inch Eyepiece case
15x70mm Binoculars
Foldable work table
Step ladder
Camera tripod and finally...the Losmandy tripod.

Fortunately, the Finderscopes & 2" Eyepiece cases, 15x70mm Binoculars and Mp3 player/speakers fit in a outer soft case - so it's considered one item....uhm... yea.

I try many configurations of stacking and arrangements. The OTA takes up a lot of real estate and elbows everything out, so it goes on top.

Finally, it comes together...

Dang...! #wha#

The baggy Meade bag holding the C11 OTA, (Sacrilege), makes it look like the C11 is precariously balanced, but in fact is pretty solid up there. I also temporarily added industrial Zip Ties to hold the bulky Losmandy tripod legs hung off the side of the wagon.

The center of gravity is low on the wagon...but will it move without a cascade of expensive crash of science tools...?

Feels good...

I start to pull it carefully, and it moves effortlessly and with no sliding off of equipment or weight imbalances.

#Yay#

So, at 3:00 am...in the alley...I was pulling this wagon, filled with astronomical equipment - back and forth, turning, stopping, backing up and going over bumps. It tested well and I think I'm happy with it. A field test will put it through it's real paces.

I wonder what my neighbors think.

Included in the box, was this big bag of desiccant...

This will live in the baggy Meade bag, (Sacrilege), and help sop up the dew after a all night session. I encourage all Chicago Astronomers to keep these packs from electronics, shoes and other items to help keep the moisture in check from our equipment.

And so, I unload the equipment, put it back into their storage bay and fold the wagon back up...

It could be bigger and taller on the sides, but I think it will work for awhile. It's got mesh holders for drinks and ancillary items - as well as a divider in the bed, but I removed from it's snaps.

I think I need to convert a "Rascal" motorized wheelchair for true portability...