It's all about the Sled

Goal:

A powered sled that the dome will sit on that will move the dome 14' to the south using a powered boat jack


Some Highlights:

- The sled will be based on a stock PZT but will be only 12" deep for the full half circle

- The 2 outter rails will be triple 2x12's like the center beam

- The center rail / track for the propelled drive wheel will be a triple 2x12x14' beam with composite on top



The Sled is now Complete after close to 2 months downtime

Finished sled includes:

- Checking that the Dome is open before engaging the sled drive to roll off the sled

- Physical Stops

- Electrical position switches to stop the sled in the correct places

- Manual bypass

- Double wemo protection against false sled movements from software controlled movement

- PZT Cameras

- A built-in 8A battery charger to help the solar panel when needed

- Sled auto-connects to the charger when fully closed or fully rolled off


Dome sled takes about 41 seconds to slide off or slide on!  Watch video below



Ground work + Making the Sled

Island gone, Woodshed moved
Island gone, Woodshed moved
Blank Slate
Blank Slate
Blank Slate
Blank Slate
Blank Slate
Blank Slate
Pre-work
Pre-work
Pre-work
Pre-work
Day 1: Railing removed, PZT removed
Day 1: Railing removed, PZT removed
waiting for delivery
waiting for delivery
Day 2: footings poured
Day 2: footings poured
Day 2: footings poured
Day 2: footings poured
Day 3: 14' Beam
Day 3: 14' Beam
Day 3: Jeff ground up my stump!
Day 3: Jeff ground up my stump!
Day 3: 14' Beam
Day 3: 14' Beam
Day 4: Prep for stone
Day 4: Prep for stone
Day 4: Surveying the site
Day 4: Surveying the site
Day 4: Surveying the site
Day 4: Surveying the site
Day 4: Surveying the site
Day 4: Surveying the site
Day 5: Making the sled
Day 5: Making the sled
Day 6: Convert to XL-4 & move door
Day 6: Convert to XL-4 & move door
Day 6: Convert to XL-4 & move door
Day 6: Convert to XL-4 & move door
Day 6: Convert to XL-4 & move door
Day 6: Convert to XL-4 & move door
Day 6: Convert to XL-4 & move door
Day 6: Convert to XL-4 & move door
Sled prep
Sled prep
Sled primed
Sled primed
Sled -dry fit
Sled -dry fit
Dome mounting hardware
Dome mounting hardware
Lights
Lights
Solar Controller
Solar Controller
Solar Controller w/ lights on
Solar Controller w/ lights on
Lights on
Lights on
Sled Control Box installed
Sled Control Box installed
Sled Control Box installed
Sled Control Box installed
Sled Control Box installed
Sled Control Box installed
Small switch Panel with USB power and volt meter
Small switch Panel with USB power and volt meter
Jack on backside for manual override switch/cable.
Jack on backside for manual override switch/cable.
All my Sled jigs hanging on the back of the wood shed
All my Sled jigs hanging on the back of the wood shed
Stopping just before the physical stop
Stopping just before the physical stop
Switches stop sled drive at just the right spots
Switches stop sled drive at just the right spots
Switches stop sled drive at just the right spots
Switches stop sled drive at just the right spots
Power Distribution under sled
Power Distribution under sled
10" x 10" x 1/4" Steel plate for drive mount with improved transfer to sled
10" x 10" x 1/4" Steel plate for drive mount with improved transfer to sled
Steel install complete
Steel install complete
Signal light front and center. Green means everything is closed or secure and red means that the alarm is armed.
Signal light front and center. Green means everything is closed or secure and red means that the alarm is armed.
Camera on Sled
Camera on Sled
12V 50AH Battery for all sled power
12V 50AH Battery for all sled power
Red chain to keep the riff raff out
Red chain to keep the riff raff out
Quick connect for sled battery charger
Quick connect for sled battery charger

Sled details