Overview:

There should have been an earth-shattering KABOOM! The "China Special" power generator failed at approximately 5:45 this morning. See the Generator Failure report for more details. In short, we bunked at the Whispering Sands for the afternoon while Don picked up a replacement generator from Grand Junction, Colorado. He returned with the generator at approximately 5pm. After a discussion of the safety issues back at the Hab, we convinced ourselves that it was safe to return (or at least that we could mitigate the known risks). So, we headed back and began installing the generator around 6.

Installation was relatively uneventful and we got the generator running at 7:01pm. Because this generator runs on a gasoline engine fueled by an onboard tank, safety precautions are especially important --- expect a "Replacement Generator Operation Report" with tomorrow's engineering report. The generator needs an oil change in the first 24 hours and only runs for 6-8 hours, so we plan a refueling at 1am and an oil change at dusk tomorrow. Also, this generator is only 5kW, so we are operating in reduced power mode --- do not run the microwave, and you can run only one of the water pump, hot water heater or furnace at any given time.

Adam and I then conducted rounds. Consumables had barely changed because we were out the bulk of the day. The GreenHab had not dropped significantly, though AQ5 was low and sickly and we decided to turn off the timer light in the GreenHab as a temporary measure. On a separate note, Adam also recommends that the hose clamp fittings and electrical wiring of the new two-stage pump on the exterior potable water tank be examined and refitted or replaced. He believes Kevin Saka mentioned this in an earlier report as a potential point of failure.

When we returned to the Hab, I rewired the network connections for the Habcom system so that the switch for the network was on the UPS. This draws slightly more power than the previous configuration, but ensures that the Habcom computer always remains on line in the event of a power failure. Unfortunately, we found at this time that the backup UPS has died. This needs to be replaced as soon as possible to maximize the power available to the Hab's communications in event of a power loss.

Lessons Learned and Recommendations:

Generator System:
Don't use an old crappy generator
Have a backup generator on site

Network System:
Make sure all components of the emergency network are on the UPS
Keep a spare back up UPS

Inspection, Consumption and Activity Data:

China Special 220 V+
Engine Usage Terminated: 1794.9 hours.
Diagnosis: Possible thrown bearing resulting in crankcase rupture. Power issues may have been related to this imminent failure. This failure mode was expected

Yanmar Unit: Being repaired in Salt Lake City. Not anticipated to be delivered in this crew rotation.
Replacement Unit: Installation began at 6:00
Generator came on line at 7:01pm
Gas: 5.0 gallons (18.9 liters). Estimated refuelling time: 6 to 8 hours. Refuelling scheduled for 1am
Oil: Added: 0.79 quarts (0.75 liters). Oil change scheduled for 6pm tomorrow

Fuel Status - Diesel Tank
Capacity: 450 gal (1703 liters)
Reading: 62.5% (midway between 3/4 and 1/2)
Remaining: 281.3 gal (1064.6 Liters)
Consumed = 18.5 gal (69.8 liters)

Fuel Status - Propane Tank:
Capacity: 1000 gal (3785 liters)
Reading: Approximately 70.5%
Remaining: 705.0 gal (2668.7 Liters) Consumed: 0.0 gal (0.0 Liters)

Fuel Status - Gasoline:
Quantity: 20.0 gal (94.6 Liters)
Consumed: 5.0 gal (18.9 Liters)
Comments: No ATV usage today

Fuel Status - Oil:
Quantity: 22.21 quarts (21.02 Liters)
Consumed: 0.79 quarts (0.75 Liters)

Water as of: 10:30pm MST
Outside potable water tank:
Capacity: 300 gallons?
Reading: 55.0%
Quantity: 180 gallons (681.4 Liters) remaining
Consumed: 30 gallons (113.6 Liters)
Inside Tank:
Capacity: 60 gallons (227.1 Liters)
Reading: 55.0 gallons (208.2)
Previous: 40.0 gallons (151.4 liters)
Water Pumped: estimated 15 gal (56.8 Liters)
Comments: Usage was low because of the power failure and out-of-sim EVA
Estimated Usage: 15.0 gal (56.8 Liters)
Showers: 0 in the past 24 hours.
GreenHab Direct Feed: 0 gallons (0 liters)

GreenHab System:
Settling tank: not inspected
Holding tank: not inspected
Trickle filters: running
AQ1: filled
AQ2: filled
AQ3: less foamy
AQ4: filled
AQ5: lower, some apparent new algal growth
Toilet supply tank: 50%
Comments: Toilet is now being supplied with water.
Turned off lights to reduce power consumption

HVAC: Nothing new to report

Plumbing: Nothing new to report

Electrical: Nothing new to report

Transport: Big Blue Truck. Left it in a convenient position to remove the generator

ATVs: Nothing new to report

Mars Suits: Nothing new to report

Computers/Networking Infrastructure: Transferred switch power block from wall to UPS Punch list item: replace dead power supply

Data Logger: Nothing new to report.

Miscellaneous/Other: Installed new generator