Generator/Electricity:

The generator saga continues. This morning we attempted to leave the generator off for as long as possible. However, the GreenHab needed water so a crewmember decided to take a shower. We started the generator and heated the water, the switched the generator off again. Fuel leak still present, Teflon tape found to attempt to fix leak, however, Don has tightened connection again, so we will wait to see if this works first. Collected fuel was emptied into a larger container for later disposal. We had plans to stop using main fuel tank, and hence empty out leaking pipe, while also using separate diesel containers. However, other events have prevented this as follows.

This afternoon, Don arrived and decided to further investigate the cause of the alternator problem in the generator. He dismantled the alternator over a period of several hours. The crew engineer was on EVA at this time. While Don was working on the alternator the Hab battery voltage dropped too low (at around 16:00), and the UPS kicked in. The crew radioed Don, who started the Coleman generator and using a makeshift 120V connection connected this to the Hab. Hab Batteries are now recharging.

Don worked with Cecile to identify that the stator coil in the alternator system had a broken wire. The task of repairing it he deemed too difficult, and will have to get a new one. This will not be available until Monday apparently. Since it took him several hours to disassemble Casper, he did not want to spend several hours more reassembling it, only to have to pull it apart again on Monday. Currently, the parts that have been removed from Casper have been placed in large garbage bags near the generator to prevent any pieces getting lost.

Don has advised us that we should not run any high current draw appliances while running off this Coleman generator. He instructed the crew not to take hot showers (or only run the water heater briefly with the generator on enough for one short shower per day). Is this correct?

He will return on Monday (at the earliest) to repair Casper with the new stator coil.

In the meantime the crew have been told to minimise power usage at all times during the day. Please advise if this is all correct. We were concerned about using the Coleman generator, as we had been instructed not to use it at all. We are worried about power spikes damaging computers and equipment. Are there any further steps we should take?

The Coleman generator is not a good power source as expected. The inverter shows a lot of fluctuation (Hz 58-60, Charging Current 4-10A). Also where the Casper generator returned the Hab batteries to 27V very quickly, with the Coleman generator the Hab batteries are still only at 24.7V after several hours.

Will send through to ET pictures of the current generator situation.

At 11:00:
Casper Oil Pressure: 38
Casper Oil Level: Full
Casper Generator battery voltage: Low in 'Green' range
Time: Hab Battery Voltage: Load Current: Generator on?
08:45 23.5V 3A No
11:00 26.6V 5A Yes (water heater)
15:00 22.5V 6A No (breadmaker)
18:15 24.4V 6A Yes
19:00 24.8V 3A Yes

Fuel Status:
ATV fuel (red gasoline) tanks: 6xfull, 1xhalf full, 4xempty
Diesel fuel bottles: 2xfull

Oil Bottles:
Grade=30: 7xfull, 1xhalf full
Grade=20-50: 1xhalf full
Grade=5-30: 1xfull

Generator Main Fuel Tank: three quarters full
Propane Tank: 46%

Water Status:
Noticed a large amount of water accumulated under the Hab. Fortunately a crew member was taking a shower at the time and we saw the water running out a pipe and onto the ground under the Hab. Discovered a broken/disconnected pipe under the Hab that runs from the shower. This is where a thinner pipe from the Hab met a larger pipe. The pipes were pushed back together, and an octopus strap used to hold them in place. This is about 80% effective, some water still escapes, but it is a big improvement. This also explains some of our problems with the GreenHab levels as most of our shower water was running out under the Hab!
Internal tank: At 08:30 level was 40gal. At 17:00 level was 20gal and refilled to 55gal. At 18:30 level is 51gal. Total water used = 24gal.
Water meter change: 2166.7 (08:30) to 2190.9 (18:30). Total Water used = 24.2
External water tank: 16" on deeper side. Expect will need refill before the end of this week.
Flushes: 4
Showers: 2

Transportation:
ATV #1 and #2 were used for the first EVA today.
ATV fuel levels: All refueled and oil checked (and refilled where needed) this morning before EVA. Fuel levels not changed due to short EVA distance.
ATV #1: full
ATV #2: full
ATV #3: full

Pressurised Rover: The second EVA was with the Rover. Temperature climbed during the course of the EVA, but was maintained within limits. Fuel is now at one quarter tank. Will check radiator before EVA tomorrow.

Mars Suits:
PLSS #5 still out of action. PLSS #2 not working this morning. Fuse is ok, switch may be broken. Permission to remove canvas and investigate (very carefully) the cause of the problem as we will be needing this PLSS?

Broken faceplate from yesterday repaired.

HVAC: Heating not required in last 24hrs. Debated using A/C but given current power situation, decided we can manage the heat.

Computers & Network: Operational. Webcam lettering changed at request from CapComm.

GreenHab:
Tank #1: 1inch low
Tank #2: 1 inch low
Tank #3: 1inch low
Tank #4: 2inch low
Tank #5: 4inch low TFT still drawing from Tank #4. ET to please advise whether images of GreenHab tanks sent through yesterday indicate that GreenHab is functioning. If not, perhaps we can just leave a bucket of fresh water next to the toilet and remove the cistern lid and manually refill the cistern. This may be a simpler way of ensuring we have flushing water, esp if we cannot take hot showers due to power issues, rather than waiting till fresh water run down the sink can flow through to the TFT. Please advise.

Will clean water filters tomorrow. Slime has accumulated over tank #3 and #4 outlets, will clear this off and try to move aerator as instructed.

Miscellaneous: Noticed that a panel on the side of the Hab under the Commander's window is missing a cover. This panel includes some wires and a pipe of some sort (LP?). We do not know if this was missing when we arrived. There is no sign of a cover for this panel anywhere nearby. Is this ok to be exposed? See picture sent to engineering team.

Cannot find LP Hot water switch anywhere.