CLAMSHELL DOME RD-400 - 4 metres

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

The Dome Parts GmbH RD-400 clamshell dome system is an extremely versatile en advanced telescope shelter, that consists of a 4M main dome section and a wide range of availble standardized riser modules and accesories.

The dome can fit RC telescopes of up to 20 inch and with a powerful dual belt-drive system reliably moves the five-sections shutter. Everything is controlled by a proprietary LINUX based control system.

Each shutter section can be independently positioned for wind shading and there are options for controlled gearbox heating (ATC) and active snow-removal systems (SSRV) in case of deep-temperature operation.

The five-sections shutter system guarantees optimal protection for your instrumentation, telescope, or laser communication system, even in the most adverse and hard environments. All shutter elements employ labyrintal sections with brush assemblies, that make this dome snow, dust and watertight. In combination with the SSRV snow removal system and controlled gearbox heating system, you will obtain the maxium of trouble-free operation time.

Due to its rugged construction and aerodynamical shape, the RD-400 clamshell easily survives windspeeds in excess of 200 Km/h, which makes this clamshell dome the dome of choice for coastal regions, deserts, mountainous locations, or polar regions. The dome has a rugged (also modular!) bearing system that is built for eternity and is mostly maintenance-free. The bearing system uses an advanced lubrication system, that warrants flawless operation over a wide range of temperature and under the most difficult environmental conditions.

The RD-400 clamshell dome enables "open-dome" operation up to 55-60KMh, depending on the installed instrumentation.

The modular design offers a wide range of observatory and ground station solutions for any type of environment.

The RD-400 clamshell dome are easy:

1- You will need the clamshell dome

2- Select one of risers walls or adapter rings

3- Choose the dome control system

• SEMI automatic system, this is a basic push-button control system.
• FULL automatic system is ASCOM compliant, with ethernet port, webserver, push-button control. Plus some nifty extra's.

The main dome section can also be installed as a stand-alone unit, without a riser ring, or riser wall. For example on a roof, or a tower. You can order the main dome section as a single product. In this case, you can access inside the dome from underneath. 

Color options are available, but we advise you to stay with the standard brilliant-white exterior color for thermal reasons. The inside of the dome is spray-painted mat-black, against stray light.

Standard RISER 200

The RISER 200 is an adapter ring to bring up the dome at about 200mm above the foundation. Typically this is then flush-mounted.  The ring is attached to the concrete foundation with either glue- or impact-anchors. You can freely use the inside of the ring to lay and conceal any power or data cabling that is entering the dome.

Standard RISER 500

RISER 500  is an adapter support ring that brings up the the RD-400 clamshell dome to about 500MM higher. It has the same function as the RISER 200. By the way, all risers rings and riser walls can be stacked, which can come-in handy, if you need a particular height. This makes sense for larger aperture scopes and big mounts. It can also help you to find the best position of the telescope inside the dome.

Conical RISER 1500

RISER 1500 conical adapter supports the building for the RD-400 clamshell dome section. It can be equipped with a mid-level floor with a hatch and stairs to insulate the telescope on top. There are  several storage solutions for the Conical Riser 1500, like a small workbench, shelves, storage cabinets. The access door fits smoothly in the recessed seat of the entry portal and is water- and snow- tight. The door has a security lock.

RISER 2000 with DOOR

The RISER 2000 is a full size, 2 metres riser with enough room for a comfortable warm room or as storage space for your accessories. The sky is the limit here, because we offer all kinds of workbench options and shelf systems, lighting fixtures, a mid-level floor with hatch and small ladder. The standard size door has a security lock and has a recessed seat for absolute water- and snow-tightness. A special formed profile of the interface ring enables flawless sealing with the dome section.

RISER 2000 with SINGLE BAY

A super functional riser based on the full height RISER 2000, but with an additional instrument bay. Ideal to install all kinds of auxiliary equipment. We offer 19 inch rack mounts for modular equipment, or ethernet switches, routers, rack mounted computers. For this riser, there is a full range of workbench and storage solutions. The mid-level floor with hatch, with stairs can also be used there. A recessed lockable door, with security lock and recessed seat in its portal for absolute weather protection, rounds off this smart option.

RISER 2000 with DOUBLE BAY

This riser is the top-of-the-line model: based on the RISER 2000 but with two equipment bays to safely mount your equipment and for storage. Ideal for remote groundstation and observatories that need excellent shelter for expensive equipment and instrumentation. DOME PARTS opticals offers a range of storage and workbench options, as well as 19 inch rack mounts, lighting solutions for this riser wall. Combinded with RD-400 clamshell dome module, this riser forms a powerful solution for unattended observatory applications. It has a recesssed doors with seals to stop ingress of snow, dust, sand in desert or polar environments.