GREENLINE RC-33 CLAMSHELL OBSERVATORY

Price includes international shipping costs but not the final domestic transport price. For an exact shipping cost to your door, contact us!

GreenLine Roll-off & Clamshell Observatory kits by Dome Parts Optical are cost-effective and ecologically friendly DIY alternatives to traditional clamshell observatory domes, offering an unparalleled field of view at a low price. Made in Germany, these roll-off kits are extremely simple to install as they do not require specialized tools and are supplied as a flat pack.

The GreenLine RC-33 Clamshell Observatory is a superb choice for serious astrophotographers, institutions or astronomical societies with a spacious floor space of 3 x 3 metres. The ample space has enough room for large telescopes along with optional tables, workbenches and shelf storage. The base configuration includes a user friendly manually-operated dual slanted roof, moveable rear walls that run in sync with the roof and a lockable sliding door.

Optional shutter control systems are available, including simple push-button, semi-automatic as well as full ASCOM-automation configurations for remote control over Ethernet and USB. Greenline's fully automatic control system allows complete web interface control, as well as cross platform operation under Windows, Android, iOS and MacOS.

Our Greenline observatory power systems are rated at 12V DC, so are easily powered using a standard battery and is much safer than 240V AC. Hundreds of Greenline roll-off observatories have been installed all over the world, including in the extreme environments of the North-Atlantic coast, North Sweden, Hawaii, Arizona and near the polar circle in Finland and Norway. 

Greenline observatories are fumigated but the wood is not treated. As these observatories have been delivered all over the world, Greenline recommends using the proper treatment specific to the types of pests found in your local area. Optional storm protection kits are available separately.

Power considerations

The best solution to power the motors of Greenline observatories is a 12V DC battery using thick cabling (we suggest 6 AWG) and Anderson Powerpole connectors capable of up to 50A. Alternatively, industrial-grade 12V DC switchmode power supplies will also work.

You can use up to 15V DC (for example lithium batteries) but once you drop too much below 12V, torque drops off dramatically.

RC-33M belt drive draws 40.8A (only ONE motor can run at the same time with one shutter engaged)

Roll-Off observatories roof drives draw 18.5A when opening and 14A when closing.

Both control units are polarity protected - the units do not work when plus and minus are swapped.