OPM--Priority Instrumentation and Test Project Update: Activity Status No. 18 Memorandum To: All WRD Employees From: Chief, Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility Subject: OPM--Priority Instrumentation and Test Project Update: Activity Status No. 18 The following is a summary of instrumentation projects assigned for responsibility and execution to the Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) by the Instrumentation Committee (ICOM). Project sequence corresponds to the priorities recommended by the Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (ITAS) and approved by the ICOM. Additional priority projects have been assigned to other Water Resources Division (WRD) offices and will be reported at a later date. We welcome your comments, suggestions, questions, or interest in participation. Any questions concerning the listed projects should be directed to Sammy Wilbourn, HIF Field Coordinator (WILBOURN) at 601- 688-1555, Jim Jelinski (JELINSKI) at 601-688-1547, or Doreen Tai (DYTAI) at 601-688-1518. SOUNDING-LINE/TAG-LINE RELEASE OR SHEARING DEVICES -- There are three parts to this project: 1) Develop a drag brake for the A-55 reel. New engineering sketches of the A-reel drag brake have been completed and a new engineering model is being fabricated. Plans are to complete the unit, test it; then revise the design and retest as needed. 2) Develop a method of securing the cable inside the reel drum that will hold the cable under normal use, but release the cable when the cable is completely paid out and cable tension is excessive. This work has not been started. 3) Develop a tagline cable cutter for the boat outfit. No progress was made during the month. A preliminary engineering sketch has been made of an assembly to mount a commercial hammer- driven cable cutter to the boat outfit, to cut the boat tagline if needed in an emergency situtation. Plans are to review the preliminary design with Office of Surface Water (OSW) and to build an engineering model. PYGMY CAT WHISKER REPLACEMENT -- The HIF plans to present a proposal at the June ICOM meeting to study the feasibility of installing a magnetic switch closure in the Pygmy meter. If feasible, the magnetic switch will provide a cleaner electrical output signal from the pygmy meter, making it more suitable for use with electronic counters. SAND POINT CABLE CAR BRAKE -- A contract has been awarded to fabricate 25 brakes for initial warehouse stock. We expect delivery from the contractor in late April. ONE-STOP SHOPPING -- This is a project to create an on-line computerized ordering system, so that customers could go to a single on-line location to order equipment from HIF, FISP, the Ocala Lab, or the NWQL. (This project has been deferred to FY97). PLASTIC BUCKET WHEELS -- This is a project to build a plastic bucket wheel for the Price AA meter that would closely conform to the performance of the present metal bucket wheel. Plans are to submit a proposal for a feasibility study to the ICOM at the June meeting. ANALYSIS OF CABLE CAR LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY -- No progress was made during the month. A stress analysis of the USGS stand-up cable car has shown a potential for compression failure of the upper struts due to excessive cable tension that occur when submerged equipment is snagged. Engineering sketches for stronger upper struts have been made, and arrangements have been made to test the redesigned struts. Plans are to fabricate a new set of struts for testing. IMPROVED CONOFLOW SYSTEMS -- Testing continues on the three models of conoflow systems: 1) Dry Bubbler system, Model HS-23, Hydrological Services PTY.LTD. 2) Water-log Series Model H355, Design Analysis Associates, Inc. 3) SafePurge Hydrologic Purge Gas-Controls, Fluid Data Systems. The two H355's with the bubble rate problems were replaced with two software updated model H355 systems. More tests will be performed on these units. CONTINUOUS WQ MONITOR ALTERNATIVE -- An evaluation has been initiated on each of the following monitors: 1) An ion selective electrode on the Hydrolab H20, ammonium probe. 2) The YSI 6000, ammonium and nitrate probes. 3) The Solomat, ammonium and nitrate probes, 4) The Orion laboratory nitrate and ammonium sensors. The lab tests on the Orion ammonia and nitrate sensors have been completed. The evaluation indicates that the shelf life of these sensors is very critical for obtaining a good calibration and accurate measurements. Both sensors, nitrate and ammonia, can provide accuracy better than 5 percent if no interference is encountered at the concentration range of 0 to 10 mg/L. Testing on selective sensors on WQ monitors is in progress. SUBMERSIBLE PRESSURE SENSORS -- Design Analysis H310 -- A report on the results of standpipe testing and environmental chamber testing has been completed. The report is in review and will be published in the June issue of the WRD Instrument News. Hydrologic LPN8/3CD -- Field tests are complete and a report is being prepared. Geogard Submersible Pressure Sensors -- These sensors have been tested in the standpipe system. The test report will be published in the June issue of the WRD Instrument News. Campbell Scientific DB1 -- Tests of these units in the standpipe system have been delayed due to the urgency to test the Conoflow systems. ALTERNATIVES FOR MERCURY MANOMETER REPLACEMENT -- A number of projects are underway to provide replacements for the manometer. This is a general continuing report. Accubar-3 -- Review of data continues. Field test data indicate that some drift occurs with the unit. Accelerated aging tests for the Accubar-3 are underway to determine if the drift can be minimized by performing accelerated aging on the transducers. So far, the initial pressure calibration cycle, three accelerated aging calibration cycles and two follow- on calibration cycles have been completed. The next step is to send the units for a third follow-on calibration. Design Analysis Associates (DAA) H350 -- Field tests of four units are in progress. The initial field test data indicate good results. DAA H350 LITE -- Five units have been received. However, the lab test has been delayed due to other priority projects. Setra 470 HPS -- Field testing is in progress. Rittmeyer Pressure Sensors -- Lab tests will be scheduled after testing the DAA H350 LITE. ELECTRONIC PROCESSING FOR DISCHARGE MEASUREMENTS (EPDM) -- JBS Instruments has updated the software of the AquaCalc. The instrument is currently being tested by JBS selected customers. LEAD WEIGHT REPLACEMENT (WELL SOUNDING) -- Information has been collected on various well-tape weight configurations as used by field personnel, as well as information on various materials which are used or have been proposed for use as well-tape weights. A draft technical information sheet was written and sent out for colleague review. At the direction of ICOM, this project was then turned over to the Office of Ground Water. The Office of Ground Water would like the HIF to stock a replacement sounding weight for sale to the districts. Completion of the project will be discussed at the June ICOM meeting. REGULATOR/CHARGER ALTERNATIVE -- A market search for a commercial regulator- charger showed that no single unit met all of the USGS requirements. A circuit for the regulator-charger has been designed, parts have been purchased, and a 'breadboard' experimental version of the electrical circuit is being built. Plans are to finish the experimental circuit and test it. GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER RESET -- A feasibility model of a surge-protected ground-fault interrupter (GFI) system is being tested by the Ohio District. Results so far indicate a reduction in the number of false trippings of the GFI. Three engineering models have been fabricated, and will be sent to field sites for evaluation. Parts have been ordered to fabricate six additional units in a new enclosure. NOTICE: TEST SITES NEEDED. We are looking for test sites for the surge- protected ground-fault interrupter (GFI). We are looking for people who are using 110V ac powered equipment (such as pumps) with GFI's that are experiencing nuisance trip-offs due to powerline transients such as those caused by lightning. If you are interested in testing one of the units, contact Ed Parrozzo (PARROZZO) at (601)688-1540. EVALUATION OF REPLACEMENT FOR JACK AND HEINTZ (J&H) POWER UNIT -- Due to other priorities, no significant progress was made this month. The field test will be rescheduled at a later date. SUTRON 8400 DIGITAL DATA RECORDER (DDR) - One recent shipment, 20 units of Sutron 8400 DDR with SDI-12 upgrade, has been tested. Initially, these units showed some difficulties during the functional test. After consultation with Sutron, the problems were resolved and the firmware was also upgraded. In the future, Sutron will upgrade their products in the factory prior to shipment. LARC INTERFACE DEVICE (LID) -- One hundred ten (110) units have been delivered by the contractor and are being tested. Twenty-five units have been accepted through testing and are available for ordering. /s/ Eugene C. Hayes