Geodesic Dome Instructions

bsilver18 · Post by **bsilver18** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:56 am

Hey all,
Me and my group just bought a 3V 25' diameter dome and are going to do a run through setting it up this weekend. It didn't come with good instructions and I was wondering if anyone on here has some quality instructions or advice in terms of setting a 3V dome up? Anything would be helpful, we really need to get the hang of this before we get out to the playa. Cheers!
-Ben

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:02 pm

First, is it struts and connectors or panels that bolt together? And does it sit at 3/8 or 5/8?

bsilver18 · Post by **bsilver18** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:19 pm

sorry bout that, it is a 3V, 5/8 with flattened ends and bolts that connect the struts

teardropper · Post by **teardropper** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:31 pm

I've only put up a couple of domes, I'm sure someone more experienced would be more helpful, but go to MacDonalds and get a bunch of straws and make a model. But there's only a couple of sizes of strut and you just have to figure out where to put the pentagon. Whatever you do, the model will help. And that is gonna' need a scaffold. I'm going to get out of here, you've about tapped me, and let someone who knows tell you. I'll bet this post is funny...

sputnik · Post by **sputnik** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:55 pm

Check out youtube, there are a number of vids listed under geodesic dome construction that might be useful.

Semper_Dad · Post by **Semper_Dad** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:34 pm

This site might be helpful. http://www.desertdomes.com/

For a 3V Dome

http://www.desertdomes.com/graphics/dome/3vdiagram2.gif

kman · Post by **kman** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 5:54 pm

My dome build log may have some notes that could help. See towards the end. All 3v domes go together the same way. Still, with a 12' radius, my dome is very similarly-sized to yours, so many of the same advice applies.

Burning Man 2002 GeoDome Project

Jmeier · Post by **Jmeier** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:51 pm

Semper_Dad wrote:This site might be helpful. http://www.desertdomes.com/

For a 3V Dome

http://www.desertdomes.com/graphics/dome/3vdiagram2.gif

Use that diagram..
http://desertdomes.com/dome3calc.html Put your dome size in and it will tell you which pipes are A, B or C.

Make sure you assemble it at least a couple times before you get to the playa.

cahlm · Post by **cahlm** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 9:26 pm

Jmeier wrote:
Semper_Dad wrote:This site might be helpful. http://www.desertdomes.com/

For a 3V Dome

http://www.desertdomes.com/graphics/dome/3vdiagram2.gif
Use that diagram..
http://desertdomes.com/dome3calc.html Put your dome size in and it will tell you which pipes are A, B or C.

Make sure you assemble it at least a couple times before you get to the playa.

definitely check out desertdomes, there is some great info on there. and i'm gonna also back up the "set it up before going out there" statement. i've had my dome for 6 years and i still set it up at least once before hitting the playa. good luck.