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Log Book for March 21, 2005
Engineering Report
Douglas Martin & Rebecca Fink Reporting

Gasoline Generator:
Changed oil at 18:00 MST with correct 30W oil.
Received new supply of gas.

Propane Tank Level: At 18:00 MST: 64% full

Water:
Outside potable water tank: 45.7 cm from base.
Inside Tank Reading = 50 gallons
Water meter reading: 83.9

GreenHab:
Toilet supply tank about 50% full
Power supply switched to constant 12V
Dave was here to check out the functionality of the tanks and monitor the overall greenhab infrastructure. We detected a possible leak in the 110 gal tank that feeds the greenhab, which may be the cause of the low tank levels. Tests are being planned (though possibly for future rotations rather than this one, depending on Dave's availability) to determine how much of the tanks' capacities is being lost to evaporation. Timers and pumps were inspected and adjusted where necessary.

Grey-Water Level:
The grey-water holding tank is half full.
We filled the hole around the tank except for the fitting from the GreenHab due to a leak. Paul wants the fitting to be sealed with silicone.

HVAC: Nothing done.

Transportation: The new battery was put into ATV #2. All the terminals were cleaned and washed on all three ATVs. At this point all three start and run, however the 4WD light on ATV#1 continuously blinks whether it is in 4WD or not. Also on ATV #1 the "check belt" light is on most of the time, and the plastic shifter guide is broken therefore the ATV can not be used in high gear. If mission support could check on the seriousness of operating the ATV while the "check belt" light is on, and what can be done to fix it.

Mars-Suits:
  • Helmet 4 - "The new helmet" - Kyle screwed in the speaker-mic and external PTT, soldered the external PTT button to the exposed wires. A check of the system shows that everything is happy up until the external ptt. I'm guessing that there is damage in the solder joints inside the speaker/mic. I'll try to evaluate this soon (tonight/tomorrow). Happy for additional feedback. Question: do we have another GMRS radio holder for this helmet? A quick look around was unfruitful, but if you think it's here, I'll try harder.
  • Backpack 4 - "The crushed bucket" - Kyle removed all of the hardware/wires from the destroyed plastic container and will be fitting them onto a container that was being used as an odds'n'ends box.
  • Backpack 2 - The ground (black) wires for fans were disconnected from the battery ground. Kyle twisted these together, added a few drops of solder, and replaced the wirenut. Works great.
  • Suits - removed (wire cutters) problematic "boning" from suits.
Computers & Network: Nothing new to report.

Data Logger: Nothing new to report.

Engineering Upgrades/Refit:
  • Moved the small "Antarctic Pile" that was visible from the Hab to the official "Antarctic Pile".
  • Filled in around the grey-water tank. A 12 volt lead was brought up from one of the battery banks, and a 12 volt bus was installed near the main breaker panel by Paul and Lee, who were here today.

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