The heat on the Jafr Desert is proving very tough indeed. While the equipment was designed to cope with the heat, some of it is still suffering in the intensity of it. Perhaps most obvious to the viewers of this Web Site is the Web Camera looking out over the desert from the roof of the Pit Station - in the early afternoon here the overhead sun is so fierce that the glare inside its protective case is enough to almost obliterate the image. Having seen a Jafr dust-storm first hand, I am reluctant to take it out of the case for fear of destroying the camera and having no image at all! It looked great at dawn this morning though...
Yesterday's 24-volt power supply failure in the car during the run turned out to be the power regulator reaching its maximum operating temperature of around 100°C and tripping out. At about the same time 'Comp 2' - one of the onboard computers - also tripped out for the same reason. The result is that we know that we cannot afford a delay in running the car in the morning - after 0900hrs is just too late.
The regulator trip led to an interesting story of how useful the Internet link via the Hughes satellite can be to the project. Our electronics genius Robert Atkinson had no data sheets for the regulator, and hence was unable to calculate the size of heat sink it would require to prevent a repeat failure. A quick visit to the manufacturer's Web Site using the satellite link from the Pit Station to the Internet produced the appropriate information and the problem was solved.
This morning everyone arrived on the desert in good time. Unfortunately, not only had 'Comp 2' gone down again, but a hydraulic problem was causing the active-suspension at the rear of the car to run it at too low a ride height. Both problems were solved, but with a real scorcher of a day coming on rapidly, it was too late to run the car.
The effect on the team members is more apparent, however. Sitting in the air-conditioned Pit Station working on the Web Site and associated computer equipment, it is very easy to forget just how hot it is outside - until it is time to get lunch, or an adjustment to a Web Camera or the satellite dish is required. Sitting outside in the sun fitting a new earth wire to the dish for half-an-hour this morning made me realise just how debilitating it can be. The fodding party were forced to return even earlier than usual today - and the effect of the conditions on them made one realise just how dangerous it can be out there to the unprepared. Adequate water is, needless to say, an absolute must.
With Robert Atkinson's weather station currently out of service after Tuesday's storm, we are plotting temperature against time manually. The damage to the sensors and silicon chips from the intense static was quite extraordinary - huge black marks on the various surfaces being the most obvious effect. No doubt it will be back in service soon - if anyone can fix it, it'll be Robert.
Rest becomes critical too. Shelter has been found in tents, in the Aireshelta, and even under the Pit Station and car trailer couplings. Indeed, Andy Green has just driven the MAN tractor unit off the car trailer so he can sling his hammock under it...
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