Tripod setup
Revision as of 14:43, 14 April 2011 by 137.229.92.225 (talk)
Contents
Bob's Cheap Tripod Design - 2011 Model
Inspired and the next iteration I guess of Crane's old tripod model:
http://people.iarc.uaf.edu/~bbusey/pictures/Thermistor_String_Construction/large-25.html
See pictures for manufacture and tools on this page:
http://people.iarc.uaf.edu/~bbusey/pictures/inexpensive_instrument_shelter/
Parts List
- Presure treated 2x12 cut to (Probably ~$20 per 8' piece)
- 60 inches long
- 7.5 inches long
- 3/4" x 12" x 72" wooden panel cut to ($12.77 per 72" piece)
- 29.5 inches
- 3 pieces of 7/8" deep unistrut ($21.82 per 10 foot section)
- 60 inches long
- 1 pieces of 1" diameter conduit
- 60 inches long
- 35 gallon actionpacker (the smaller of the two with hinged lids), 1 piece ($49.87)
- 16" x 6" Clear Tote ($8.64)
- 4 pcs 12" galvanized spike (~$0.66)
- 4 pcs Plate Washer ($0.46)
- Box of 100 1-5/8" Exterior Wood Screws ($7.89)
- 4 pcs for hinge / 2x12x60 connection
- 3 pcs for actionpacker / 2x12x60 connection
- 1 pcs for actionpacker / 2x12x7.5 connection
- 4 pcs for 10" Corner Brace / 2x12x60 connection
- 4 pcs for 10" Corner Brace / 2x12x7.5 connection
- 1 pcs for 90 angle bracket for unistrut / 2x12x60 connection
- 1/8" Fender Washer
- 4 pcs for hinge / 2x12x60 connection
- 3 pcs for actionpacker / 2x12x60 connection
- 1 pcs for actionpacker / 2x12x7.5 connection
- 1 pcs for 90 angle bracket for unistrut / 2x12x60 connection
- 2 pcs 10" Corner Brace (~5.00)
- Used to support battery & actionpacker
- 2 pcs 6" Heavy Strap Hinge (~$4)
- Used to connect 2x12x60 and unistrut legs (the three legs of the tripod)
- 3 pcs 90 angle bracket for unistrut ($2.84)
- Used as anchor points. Secured to the bottom of each leg, they have a spike or screed stake driven through them into the ground.
- 1/4" x 1" coarse thread Hex Bolts
- 4 pcs for hinge / unistrut leg connection
- 2 pcs for unistrut leg / unistrut crossarm connection
- 2 pcs for unistrut leg / 90 angle bracket for unistrut connection
- 2 pcs for unistrut cross arm / solar panel connection
- 5/16" Fender Washer
- 2 pcs for unistrut leg / unistrut crossarm connection
- 2 pcs for unistrut leg / 90 angle bracket for unistrut connection
- 2 pcs for unistrut cross arm / solar panel connection
- 5/16" Regular Washer
- 4 pcs for hinge / unistrut leg connection
- 1/4" Cone Nut (or Spring Nut)
- 4 pcs for hinge / unistrut leg connection
- 2 pcs for unistrut leg / unistrut crossarm connection
- 2 pcs for unistrut leg / 90 angle bracket for unistrut connection
- 2 pcs for unistrut cross arm / solar panel connection
Tools:
- Circular Saw
- Cut 2x12 to size
- Cut 1x12 to size
- Sawzall
- Cut pipe to size
- Cut unistrut to size
- Cordless Screwdriver/Drill
- Screw CSI gear onto 1x12 & predrill pilot holes
- Screw Hinges onto 2x12 & predrill pilot holes
- Screw 10" Corner Brace onto 2x12s
- Round & Flat Files
- Trim up cuts to pipe & unistrut so they are burr-free
- Measuring tape
- Safety glasses & hearing protection
- Several C-clamp or a quick-release clamp for securing wood / metal during cutting process (4 is a good number)
- Drill Bits
- 5/16" Nut Driver (for hose clamps)
- 7/16" Nut Driver (for all 1/4" hex bolts)
- CSI flat and phillips screw drivers
The Plan
In the prep lab
- Cut the 8'2x12s into two pieces: 5' and 7.5" (three pieces including the excess)
- Cut the 1x12 into two 29.5" pieces (three pieces including the excess)
- Cut the pipe and unistrut into 5' lengths and then file the sharp edges smooth
- Screw the 7.5" piece to the heavy 10" corner bracet. Place the brace 19 inches up from the bottom of the 5' 2x12.
- Place the actionpacker in the crook of the 2x12 L and screw it to the L with 1-1/2" wood screws and 1/8" fender washers... also predrill pilot holes for the wood screws so as to not split the skinny 2x12.
- 2 or 3 screws between 2x12x60 & actionpacker
- 1 screw between 2x12x7.5 & actionpacker
- screw the hinges to the 2x12 (again with 1-1/2 wood screws & 1/8" fender washers)
- screw the loose end of each hinge to the 2x12 for less floppiness during transport.
- bolt the unistrut angles to each unistrut leg -> 5/16" fender washer + 1/4" x 1" Hex Bolt + 1/4" Cone Nut
- Screw the clear tote to the 1x12 with fender washers
- screw the instrumentation inside the tote to the 1x12
- wire up the instrumentation
In the field at the site
- bolt the unistrut legs to the hinges -> Slots 2 & 4 from the end on the unistrut secure to two of the holes on the long axis of the hinge. -> 5/6" regular washer + 1/4" x 1" Hex Bolt + 1/4" Cone Nut
- bolt the unistrut cross-piece to the unistrut legs -> 5/16" fender washer + 1/4" x 1" Hex Bolt + 1/4" Cone Nut * 2 legs
- bolt the solar panel to the unistrut cross-piece -> 5/16" fender washer + 1/4" x 1" Hex Bolt + 1/4" Cone Nut * 2 pcs
- screw the unistrut angle to the 2x12x60 with fender washer, too
- Pound the anchor spikes / screed stakes to keep the tripod from tipping.
- pound another spike / screed stake below the end of the unistrut cross-piece where the AT/RH pipe will go. (Leave 4" out of the ground)
- place the at/rh pipe either over the spike or screed stake... or, hose clamp the pipe to the spike/screed stake.
- hoseclamp the at/rh pipe to the unistrut cross-piece.