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Log Book for May 7, 2005
Engineering Report
Natalie Cutler Reporting

Time Battery
Voltage
Current
Load
Generator
on?
07:00 23.1V 1A No
13:00 26.2V 5-9A Yes
13:05 24.2V 16A Yes
(water heater)
13:25 23.7V 16A Yes
(water heater)
13:26 24.5V 5A Yes
21:00 23.4V 16A Yes
(water heater)
Generator/Electricity:

Updated that new part for Casper generator will not arrive till Monday. Crew is learning to work with Coleman generator. Power situation stable again. As Coleman is slower to charge batteries we run it for 5hrs in the morning and again for 5hrs around dinner time. These are peak power usage times. Crew tested the electric hot water heater with the generator and found it can be used for brief periods. Water heater draws more current than Coleman generator can supply, so we will heat water once batteries start trickle charging, so we can combined battery and generator power. Heated water for 20mins this morning successfully. Crew very relieved, you'd think we'd nearly lost life support!

Fuel Status:
ATV fuel (red gasoline) tanks 5gal: 4xfull, 7xempty

Note: Given that we will have to run the Coleman generator until at least Monday, this will require 5gal of gasoline per day (two refuels of 2.5gal at least) ie a total of 10 gal just for the generator. This will leave us with only 10gal gasoline by the end of Monday. The ATVs require 3-5gal to refuel each day. If we take the ATVs out tomorrow and Monday (as planned) will be almost completely out of gasoline by the end of Monday. Please advise when more gasoline can be delivered.

Diesel Fuel Bottles: 2xfull

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

    Generator Main fuel tank: three quarters full

    Propane Tank: 45.5%

    Water Status:

    Water heated this morning for a shower. Will heat more tonight for 2 more showers. Others will take hot sponge baths again, with water heated on stove. Have not had time for showers as at writing these reports, so water usage will increase significantly later in the evening.

    Internal Tank:
    At 12:15, water level was 30gal.
    At 13:30 water level was 28, refilled to 45.
    At 19:30 water level was 33, refilled to 53.
    Total water used: 14gal
    Water meter change: 2235.1 to 2252.3
    Total Water used: 17.2gal
    External water tank: 13 inches on deeper side
    Flushes: 10
    Showers: 1 (plus 2 still to be taken and 3 sponge baths) + 1 laundry wash

    Transportation:
    ATVs not used today. No change in fuel/oil levels. Oil checked.
    ATV #1: full
    ATV #2: full
    ATV #3: full
    Pressurised Rover: Not used.

    Mars Suits: PLSS #2 opened and fault investigated. Found broken wire. Needs to be re-soldered. Cannot find fine/thin solder - Engineering Team, do you know where this might be?
    PLSS #5 and #6 still to be investigated. Images of maintenance work to be sent through to Suit Force team.
    MarsSkin suit and PLSS #3 used for brief EVA today. MarsSkin operated with a new battery for fan. Performed satisfactorily for 1hr EVA. Wearer noted that the airflow is sufficient, but would not be enough for EVA on a very hot day.

    HVAC: Heating switched on for 30mins in the morning. Advised not to run A/C with Coleman generator.

    Computers & Network: Operational.

    GreenHab:
    Tank #1: Full, but not yet flowing to next tank.
    Tank #2: Full, but not yet flowing to next tank.
    Tank #3: 1 inch low
    Tank #4: Full, but not yet flowing to next tank. Aerator moved to closer to outflow pipe. Noted some suds on surface.
    Tank #5: 3inches low
    TFT moved back to Tank #5. All outlet pipes cleaned of slime.

    Noticed that there is a 'heating' light on in the GreenHab. Is this meant to be on?

    Miscellaneous:

    Found panel to cover LP water heater panel at rear of Hab, however panel is 2inches too large for water heater box, but approx 2inches too small to cover the entire hole in the Hab exterior. This is not the correct panel for this box.

    Removed insulation from broken pipe. Located PVC cement and reglued pipe together. Have left octopus strap in place for additional support. See pictures emailed through to Engineering Team.

    LP valve to GreenHab located. It was already turned off. See pictures emailed to Engineering Team.

    DC fuse panel located. Please send further instructions for how/what to test here. Refer to picture email to Engineering Team.

    EVA planned to photo-document state of Hab and surrounds at end of season, as requested by Engineering Team. Waiting for confirmation from Don of when water trailer will be removed.

    Will repaint rusty section of LP valve/pipe tomorrow, weather permitting.

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