Tripod setup

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

1. Cut the 8'2x12s into two pieces: 5' and 7.5" (three pieces including the excess)
2. Cut the 1x12 into two 29.5" pieces (three pieces including the excess)
3. Cut the pipe and unistrut into 5' lengths and then file the sharp edges smooth
4. Screw the 7.5" piece to the heavy 10" corner bracet. Place the brace 19 inches up from the bottom of the 5' 2x12.
5. 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.
   1. 2 or 3 screws between 2x12x60 & actionpacker
   2. 1 screw between 2x12x7.5 & actionpacker
6. screw the hinges to the 2x12 (again with 1-1/2 wood screws & 1/8" fender washers)
7. screw the loose end of each hinge to the 2x12 for less floppiness during transport.
8. bolt the unistrut angles to each unistrut leg -> 5/16" fender washer + 1/4" x 1" Hex Bolt + 1/4" Cone Nut
9. Screw the clear tote to the 1x12 with fender washers
10. screw the instrumentation inside the tote to the 1x12
11. wire up the instrumentation

In the field at the site

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. screw the unistrut angle to the 2x12x60 with fender washer, too
5. Pound the anchor spikes / screed stakes to keep the tripod from tipping.
6. 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)
7. place the at/rh pipe either over the spike or screed stake... or, hose clamp the pipe to the spike/screed stake.
8. hoseclamp the at/rh pipe to the unistrut cross-piece.