My typical setup sequence in the backyard

Thank you for sharing Andy. I can not stress enough how important it is to have checklists, in particular when imaging in the field. Maybe the retired project manager shines through in my case …

I have an equipment checklist which lists each single piece of my setup and I tick it off usually in the morning before an imaging session. Leaves me time to charge a battery if necessary or to search for a replacement part without being in a hurry. For cheap, small and lightweight parts like cables I actually always have spare parts in my bag. You don't want to lose a session only due to a cable malfunction.

Then I have a setup sequence checklist too which specifies in detail which piece goes where in what order. Maybe I'm obsessing a little bit at that point …
Of course I also have a "tear down sequence", it helps not to forget stuff at your stargazing location. Assigning each item a unique place in your backpack helps a lot in this regard too.

In addition I have a post session routine listing all activities to take care about the results of my session and to prepare my equipment for the next session - file backup, charging batteries, checking disk space and the like. 

When planing a field trip don't forget to plan for emergency situations. Plan for shelter and appropriate clothing in case of unexpected rough weather conditions, charge your mobile phone to be able to call for help, take a first aid kit with you and inform someone where you are going. 

Admittedly it can get a bit overwhelming when you are using different setups for different occasions. 

Some important points are  missing in your sequence:
0) Put beer into the refrigerator - otherwise you may run into an issue at the end of your sequence.
…
18) while enjoying your beer take some time to check the numbering of your sequence 

Clear skies
Wolfgang

I am trying to take advantage of the dark skies (Bortle 3) at my recently acquired seasonal campsite around 125 kms north of Toronto, Ontario Canada. I have my focal reducer, camera, focuser, filter wheel, mini pc, dew heater and pegasus powerbox one time installed and wired to by 8" edge HD scope and ready to go. I put the installed assembly on a flat base in a weather proof box for storage when not in use. All I do is connect the 12 v battery to the setup. I have a lot of tall trees in my campsite so I have made a 3 armed trolley with three 8" castor wheels so that I can secure the tripod on it and roll it to the ground with open sky around 50 feet away. I have a bigger 100 ah battery to deliver all the power I need - this sits on a tray on the trolley so no 120V mains power outlet needed. The install I need to do before wheeling it out is :


Install the tripod on the trolley and tie down for transport
Put the mount on the tripod and secure it 
Screw up  the QHY polemaster on the mount
Install the preassembled OTA assembly on it 
Connect the remaining few usb and power plugs (Polarscope, 12v, hand control)
Roll down the assembly to the open sky
Point mount to the north and level the mount on trolley with the levelling screws - levelling screws lift the wheels off the ground and create a sold foundation
Table + chair + laptop connected to the miniPC by ethernet 
Do polar alignment 
And I am ready for a night of imaging

I use SGPro for running my imaging session including autofocus after every 4 frames  so all I have to do is wait for the first frame to download check it out and then come back  one in a while to check things out. I set up my alarm for  the early hours of the morning and head back to the trailer. I  then roll my rig back to the trailer in the morning and disasssemble and pack up in my spare time.

Although my setup is very specific for my condtion I hope this info will be helpful to others

Good to know. I have perfocal filters but I think I should try per filter change once to check if the focus changes.