Log Book for February 4, 2008

Engineering Report

Perry Edmundson/Mic Faragalli/Nasim Kaveh Reporting


Generator/Electricity:

Wendy: not used


Xantrex Inverter/Dynasty Batteries:

Time Voltage (Temp Comp) Load Temp Generator Running?
9:50 19.0 4 3 no
12:30 18.8 11* 5 yes
14:45 25.5 3 5 yes
19:45 20.3 6 5 yes


Notes/Comments:
Hab is running on the batteries. Emergency gas generator is next to the
Hab running the battery chargers, which are connected directly to the
Hab battery lines. Attempt will be made tomorrow to relocate gas
generator to Engineering area and connect main Hab line directly to
generator (bypassing battery chargers).


Fuel Status (as of 19:45):

Diesel:

Approximate Reading: 3/4


Notes/Comments:
not used - main tank valve off



Propane Tank:

Approximate Reading: 53% (530 gallons = 2006.3 L)




Gasoline:

Quantity Remaining: 5 gallons = 18.9 L [ -5 gallons since yesterday ]


Notes/Comments:
Don did not refill gas today due to unavailability of truck. He will
refill Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m.



Oil:

[*] GenSet Quantity: 16 quarts [ no change since yesterday ]

ATV Quantity: 4 quarts [ no change since yesterday ]

[*] V'ger Quantity: 2 quarts [ no change since yesterday ]



Water Status:

Outside Potable Water Tank Level: 20 gallons = 75.7 L

Trailer Potable Water Tank Level: 20.5 cm from the base

Potable Water Meter Reading: 25386.0 gallons = 96096.2 L
[ +25.8 gallons since yesterday ]

Out to Toilet Meter Reading: 7887.3 gallons = 29856.6 L
[ +15.9 gallons since yesterday ]

In to GreenHab Meter Reading: 7823.0 gallons = 29613.2 L
[ no change since yesterday ]

Dishwasher Runs: 0


Notes/Comments:
Outside potable water tank measurement is in units of inches, measured
from the base of the tank.


GreenHab:

Crops Watered: yes


Crop Condition:
Plants are in good condition. Some transplanting is required tomorrow
for radishes, lettuce and carrots (crew 65). Some cherry bell radishes,
regular radishes, coriander, cilantro (crew 62) and lettuce (crew 64)
may be ready to eat before the end of our rotation.

Lilies in grey water tanks have suffered due to lack of power in
GreenHab during Crew 65's rotation. Everything in GreenHab is now
running except for macerator pump (new one needs to be installed), UV
filter and trickle filter.

Question: Should UV and trickle filters be running continuously, even
if pumping of grey water is being done manually and only every two
days?


Observatory:

not used


Transportation:




Kawasaki ATVs

ATV 1
Used: yes
Oil Checked: yes
Fuel Consumed: 0.5 gallon = 1.9 L
Tire Status: low

ATV 2
Used: no
Oil Checked: no
Tire Status: no change

ATV 3
Used: yes
Oil Checked: yes
Fuel Consumed: 0.5 gallon = 1.9 L
Tire Status: low


Notes/Comments:
ATV training was conducted today. Tires will need air tomorrow.
ATV 1 is red with foot shift, Honda model #TRX250TM7.
ATV 3 is red with hand shift, Honda model #TRX250TE7.
ATV 2 is green one - currently not functional. Apparently, past crews
have attempted to fix this but have not had success. A third Honda TRX
250 would be useful for EVAs to allow EVA crews of 3 (best from safety
perspective).



Mars Surface Suits:
not used today. 5 suits in working order. 1 helmet requires repair to
mic. 1 suit requires sewing. 1 backpack does not charge.


Computers/Networking Infrastructure:
Planning Engineering EVA for tomorrow to scope out a route for running
a power cable to Hab Ridge for line-of-sight to tower in
Hanksville for 10 Mbps internet service (per suggestion from Don).


Appliances:
Xantrex voltage holds steady with generator running as long as load
doesn't exceed 6 Amps. Tried turning on 2nd floor water heater and load
jumped to 11 Amps. Water heater was subsequently turned off. Also tried
turning on space heater by main water tank in Engineering Area (for
warming main water pipe) and load jumped to 11 Amps. Space heater was
subsequently turned off.


GreenHab:
Inside
Time Temp Hum
9:50 70F 15%
20:00 63F 16%
Outside
Time Temp Hum
9:50 37F 34%
20:50 30F 34%





Notes/Comments:
Straps were reinstalled to hold skirt in place around base of Hab.
Aerators were restarted in GreenHab. Trench dug to drain standing water
from beside GreenHab.

Planning to check scald valve on gas water heater tomorrow.

Power state is still fragile. Main batteries do not hold charge once
generator is turned off. Recommend new battery bank installation as
soon as possible. Rack for new battery bank is already on site. Spot
beside Hab needs to be leveled so that cement pad can be poured to
house this.

Request suggestions for installing new macerator pump in GreenHab.
Photos of new pump and accompanying parts sent to Paul Graham.

Photo of outlet on gas generator sent to Paul Graham. Request plug for
installation onto main power line to Hab so that this can be plugged
into the generator when it is relocated to the Engineering Area.

Request directions for installation of wiring for solar panels. Suggest
that solar panels be connected to main Hab batteries rather than just
to GreenHab. Having all power sources connected to main Hab batteries
and all power loads running off these batteries seems to be the
simplest architecture. This also leads to an eventual goal of having
the Hab be power self-sufficient (without generators).